Question:
Having a hard time with the drinks

I am 4 weeks post-op and I just simply cannot drink the protein drinks. I have tried mixing it with everything in the kitchen and I continue to vomit it up after drinking. I have also tried many different recipes and none works for me.What other way can I get my daily allowance of protein without stressing over the nasty protein drink?    — Mary Lee R. (posted on May 7, 2002)

May 7, 2002
My doctor told me not to try protien drinks until I was a couple of months out. She said that in the beginning we have a warehouse of protein that we can use up and that the protien supplements aren't as important in the beginning as they are later. She said the most important thing in the beginning is healing and vomiting really goes against healing your new little tummy.
   — Christine C.

May 7, 2002
What kind of protien drink are you using. A lot of them, like silm fast, are high in sugar and can cause dumping, which sounds like what you are doing. I would recommend using a protien drink that is made for low carb diets. Many recommend designer protien, Atkins diet protien or I like carb solutions (available at walmart). All these are very low in carbs and have practically no sugar. Check the label before you buy to make sure it isn't high in sugar and carbs.
   — Dell H.

May 7, 2002
I've found that Carb Solutions ready to drink, not powder works the best for me. Everything else was gross, and without the protein, I lost alot of hair. It's worth it. It's the only thing I found that doesn't taste nasty, and doesn't have the sugar.
   — wendy N.

May 7, 2002
I had a similar problem post-op. My nutritionist said that if I found that I could tolerate it, to drink SlimFast (the premixed liquid kind). She said that it is a great source of protein. I thought it was odd, but I guess that to a degree it worked like Ensure or Boost in the source that I was getting all kinds of nutrients along with the protein. Also, if you are still at a point where your food has to be soft or pureed, try to puree your chicken or tuna. It looks odd, but the taste is still there and they are both good sources of protein. The drink you're taking may be thick and very heavy in your stomach. Just a guess on my part, but try drinking 1/2 of what you normally drink and save the other 1/2 for later.
   — Jennifer P.

May 7, 2002
Which products have you tried? Are you using them with high sugar products like milk or real juice? The canned grocery store products are WAY high in sugar, way LOW in protein, so I wouldn't recommend those. If you can try some powders with water, perhaps they will sit well with you? Are you vomiting because they TASTE bad or because they are not passing through the stoma or because they are just upsetting you? All types? Whey? Soy?
   — vitalady