Question:
trying to figure out the labels...

Ok I am only pre-op and in 3 weeks from Monday will be post op!! In reading what others have stated in the past there's a variety in the amount of protein one can take in..I have read 60 grams up to 80 or so grams..I found a protein shake(Atkins)that has 26 grams of protein..it says its a serving size of 2 scoops (43g whatever that is)added to 8 oz of water..I have never been good at math so would than mean the least I can have to get in my protein is 3 glasses a day which would give me like 78g of protein and only 24 oz of water so I would have to drink more water plain..to at least get the amt of protein I should get in post op? Which I can't drink plain so would have to use something else right..Am I thinking right or am I lost? Thanks Rhonda    — Rhondaroo78 (posted on August 23, 2003)

August 23, 2003
Your math looks right to me :>) How much protein YOU need depends on what your body mass should be at ideal weight. There's a formula for figuring that out, but I hate math too so never bothered. My surgeon recommends a minimum of 50 and a maximum of 100. Said that 50 would be adequate, but that 75 - 85 would be more ideal for me.(I'm 6 feet tall and large framed). While you can get all your protein from shakes, bars, etc. You can also just use it to supplement what you are not getting from real natural foods (meat, cheese, eggs, etc.). I don't do the shakes and use the bars to supplement my low protein days. I get most of my protein from moz cheese sticks, cottage cheese and what meats I eat (love jerky and pepperoni sticks :>) Good luck to you, Rhonda!
   — [Deactivated Member]

August 24, 2003
I think the 26 grams of protein is the amount when you use 2 scoups of powder added to 8 ounces of water. So the scoups probably have 43 grams of volume or weight of the powder for every two scoups of powder i.e. 21.5 grams of weight of powder per scoup. This is what I think. Maybe I am wrong.
   — sissie S.

August 24, 2003
Rhonda--you can drink plain water if that is your question. My doctor wants all of her patients to eventually have 1 protein shake a day, 80 ounces of water, and then eat 2 meals that are mainly protein. You can count the water from the protein shakes but will have to drink additional water to get up top the desired amount. Herbal tea, Fruit 2 0, chiken broth, jello, etc; all count toward your water intake--and are welcome. If I am desperate, the 20 calorie Swiss Miss hot cocoa with more water added is nice--as are some of the Lindora protein products. Good luck.
   — Margaret S.

August 24, 2003
I don't do protien shakes or bars at this point (9 weeks post-op) my Dr prefers us to try and get it in with the foods we eat. He doesn't have us count calories or carbs either, instead focus on a balanced diet. If labs come back poorly then may need some adjusting. As far as water goes, pre-op I loved ice cold water. By the 3rd day post-op I couldn't stand the taste of it. I think that's because that's about all I got. The first few days of liquid diet is a bit tough. But now that I am several weeks out I am back to loving ice cold water again. I do better at work than at home. I used to be a real grazer due to stress. The harder the case I was working on the more I munched. Now I find that I drink more as I get stressed and if I really need something in my mouth I suck on the ice. It clinks around on my teeth just like hard candy used to. All in all it's working great!
   — Kathy J.

August 24, 2003
I adore those Adkins protein shakes and drink one at my desk every day at 10am. That, plus the Carnation instant breakfast shake w. protein powder in the a.m. gets me most of my protein before noon. The rest I can get with a little cottage cheese at lunch and a small dinner. I'm 6 weeks post op and down 30 lbs.
   — Margaret G.