Question:
I cannot seem to tolerate Carnation Instant Breakfast-no sugar added kind

I am 1 wk. post-op open SRVG. My surgeon wants me to be on liquids for 4 wks. (Carnation Instant Breakfast,water, Crystal Light, tea, broth, susgar-free popsicles, etc). The CIB is to be my main source of nutrition. However, I have tried it the first 3 days home and nearly die with "the bloat." I am extremely careful to only drink 1 oz. over about 30 min. Every single time I feel full (GOOD!) but shortly develop intense bloating and am unable to drink ANYTHING else for usually 4-5 hrs. until it finally works its way through my dinky tummy. I know I am not getting in enough liquids either because of this and my urine is becoming quite dark. He wants me to get in 6 ozs. of CIB a day! The bloat is horrible, makes me cry. Anyone else had this and if so what did you do?    — esthjb (posted on December 18, 2001)

December 18, 2001
It sounds like you could be lactose intolerant, a common occurance after wls. I suggest you call your surgeon's office to see what else you can try. There are many kinds of protein drinks out there that do not use milk as the base. Maybe you can try one of those.
   — georgiacarol

December 18, 2001
I agree that it sounds like lactose intolerance. I have that to a mild degree myself at 7 months post-op. I would try another protein powder, like Designer Protein, or Carb Solutions or (my favorite) Met-Rx Protein Plus. Double-check to make sure they're not milk-based (I'm really unsure). Vitalady.com also has a great variety of protein drinks available, and pwlc.com (Physicians Weight Loss Centers) has protein soups that are good (but pricey). There are so many things out there, it doesn't seem necessary to try to get everything you need from something that frankly isn't such a nutritional powerhouse (CIB is not all that terrific, not a lot of protein in it at all). Good luck!
   — Mary Ellen W.

December 18, 2001
Try Lactaid milk with your carnation instant breakfast. Or there are pills you add to regular milk. Let us know if this helps.
   — bob-haller

December 18, 2001
Or you could use that Silk Soy Milk-- it's lactose-free. I like the chocolate. It isn't rich like milk, but still good and has protein
   — Jennifer H.

December 18, 2001
At one week post op I thought everyone went through this. I thought it was just being bloated from the air they pump into your stomach???
   — [Anonymous]

December 18, 2001
I didn't tolerate CIB too well either at first, but then I tried making it with nonfat dry milk and water. It eliminated the problem. I use the dry milk every time I need milk now - the regular kind is just too rich for me.
   — BlueGray

December 18, 2001
I also cannot tolerate CIB, makes me dump. I do, however, tolerate milk. You will have to try what the others suggested and see if it works for you, if not, it may be the CIB.
   — Cheri M.

November 12, 2002
It's not the CIB that's making you feel this way, it's probably the milk, you have become Lactose Intolerant...try Lactose free milk or there are some drops you can get to put in the milk as well. Check with your pharmacist. Make sure you are using Skim Milk.
   — Sherri U.