Question:
How do I get Protein on a Clear Liquid Diet?

My Surgeon requires 2 weeks of clear liquid, then 2 weeks of full liquid, then 2 weeks of pureed foods. I don't see a problem with getting the required 85-100 grams of protein on the full liquid and pureed diet, but with the clear liquid diet, I'm not sure how to get protein?    — [Anonymous] (posted on November 26, 2001)

November 26, 2001
First off, I would ask other patients of your doctors (if you know if any) and also ask your doctor if they really expect you to get 85-100 grams of protein via your early post-op diet. My guess would be your doctor would say to try your best---UNLESS of course your doctor is including protein shakes in the clear liquid diet. If not, try Lean Protein (GNC) or Isopure (GNC) and see how that works. Then, I would assume, that when you start your full liquid diet, the protein shakes would be included. It's hard on clear liquids...hell, it's hard on solid foods to get your protein in- if you can't depend on protein supplements! But, just for a little boost, keep up with chicken/beef broth because there is protein in that...it may be minimal, but it's there. Being so early post-op, your main concern should be water. Dehydration at any time is soooo much more serious than low protein intake so early post-op. Until you can get some answers, try your best, don't get down on yourself and don't let yourself get upset. I'm just over 2 months post-op and my main concern is still water and my protein isn't the minimum 53 grams that my surgeon requires, because I can't tolerate the shakes, bars or any dairy.
   — [Anonymous]

November 26, 2001
wow...your surgeon is strict! Each of the doctors has a different approach. I guess I was lucky in that my surgeon had us on pureed foods the very first week. The thing is, I didn't feel like eating anything anyway, did you? There are some clear protein shakes on the market, but I guess I don't really understand why he would distinguish between an opaque shake and a clear one. The ProComplex, my favorite, is opaque, but it is very, very thin. One scoop mixed in about a quarter cup of water is approx. 30 grams of protein, and it goes down like water. Ask him if that is okay for you to have. I suspect he will say yes.
   — Anne G.

November 26, 2001
We start protein supps day 5 or 7 or so. I think the docs consider them clear because they are made with water, so don't exert pressure on that baby pouch. They enhance wt loss, not interfere with it, so that's not an issue. But we use real protein drinks, not the high sugar ones like Boost or Ensure or the CIB + milk. There are a couple of protein powders that make up in a Crystal Light type thing, too. With 4-6 oz of water, they are as clear as CL, anyway.
   — vitalady

November 26, 2001
You can get protein in on a clear liquid diet by sipping on 99% fat-free chicken broth, using Knox geletin along with what ever else you are drinking (it doesn't have any flavor that I could descern and I added it to fruit juice). This doesn't provide much varity, but the two weeks will go by quickly and you'll love the weight lose. And, like someone else posted, at first you really aren't interested in eating much.
   — Susan M.

November 26, 2001
My surgeon explained that the focus during the clear liquid stage was not on protein intake, but on having your pouch heal. He said don't worry about the protein intake during the clear liquid stage.
   — Gina E.

November 26, 2001
I am freshly post op and on the full liquid stage and I am a patient of BTC and when i was on clear fluids protein became really important on the full stage. but there is proteing in the broths. you will get through and u will be ok.
   — kris71872