Question:
I am one-week post op, and my diet consists strictly of liquids,

there is NO PROTEIN in my diet. Is this right?? I thought lack of protein can attribute to loss of hair and an overall dietetic defficiency? I've been drinking CrystalLite, apple juice, grape juice, and eating Edy's Whole Fruit No Sugar Added bars, and sugar-free popsicles, that's it. I've tried broth, but I have no desire, and just wasted the whole can down the drain. Is there a protein source in any of the liquids I'm consuming, and if not, shouldn't I be getting some? I do chew a Flintstone's vitamin daily, but is that enough?    — Pamela S. (posted on April 5, 2002)

April 5, 2002
Have you been drinking your protein drinks? Such as Carnation Instant Breakfast ( No Sugar Added)
   — Diane Rhoads

April 5, 2002
My doctor's instructions say that I can have the Carnation drink AFTER day 10-14. Is this "normal" for the rest of you post-op?
   — Pamela S.

April 5, 2002
Pamela, I wouldn't worry about protein this early. 1-2 weeks without protein isn't a big deal. You focus now should be to stay hydrated. As far as the hair loss thing goes...I REALLY believe that if you are going to lose hair that there isn't much you can do about it. You do need to get adequate protein, but don't think that will prevent hair loss. I was on clear liquids until day 7 and then I could start the protein drinks, milk, cream soups, yogurt etc. You should go on full liquids on day 10 if you want. IF the no protein thing is really bothering you, you can get Zero Carb Isopure in glass bottles which is considered a clear liquid. It tastes really good, like Crystal light. It is not thick, gritty or chalky and I believe the Fruit Punch and Blue Raspberry are made with Splenda. GNC sells them, but they are expensive. $3.50/ea. They contain 40 gr. protein per bottle. I have read that our bodies can only process 30 gr. protein at one sitting, so split the bottle up into 2 servings. I think they are one of the easiest ways, besides food, to get in your protein. I just wish they were cheaper. Good Luck and e mail me anytime you want.
   — Karen B.

April 5, 2002
I too was on liquids for 3 long weeks. My doc said not to worry about protein at this point. I did drink Knox Nutra Joint, you mix in water and it does have protein in. I still drink it for a quick protein fix. I don't think many escaped the hair loss, no matter what you do.
   — ZZ S.

April 5, 2002
A week or two without protien, shouldn't be a really bad thing, but protien will help you heal faster. My surgeon recommended carnation Instant breakfast on 3rd day post op while still in hospital. I didn't like it too well, but I do like the Carb Control protien drink that is available at Walmart for about $5 for 4 boxes. Comes in chocolate, strawberry and vanilla, and my surgeon approved it so I could drink it instead of carnation ins breakfast (had my wife bring it in for the nurses to give me while in hospital). It was my primary protien source for the first two weeks. Even now only being 5 weeks post-op, I feel much better the days that I get sufficient protien.
   — Dell H.

April 5, 2002
I was on clear liquids only for 10 days....then added my protein drink. At 3 wks. I got to add my blended soups, crackers, yogurt, etc. I will be 4 wks. post this next Tuesday and I get to add tuna, shrimp and baked fish. Try the chicken broth in the little packets.....it is better than the can. The program I am in puts the importance of not dehydrating the first 10 days. I also have to have 2 chewable vitamins a day with iron. I use the Pro Complex from GNC....mix it with Lactose free, ff milk and one pack of CIB. It tastes pretty good with a total of 60 grams of protein daily. I drink half in the morning and half in the evening. It seems like everyone's doctors and their programs are different. Just be sure to follow what your doctor tells you to do on his program and you should'nt have problems. Hope this helps.
   — Bonnie H.

April 5, 2002
We do clear liquids for 4 weeks, but NO sugar, which is what a lot of yours is. We start protein drinks (but these are high protein, no milk, no sugar) in water or s/f things like Cystal Light, on Day 7. But if we whimper, we can start on Day 5. It really helps with the shakes & weakness, and of course, the healing. TWO multi vites? And calcium citrate, right?
   — vitalady

April 6, 2002
Pamela, you are going to get a LOT of conflicting answers where diet is concerned. My advice is to follow YOUR doctors orders and do what is REASONABLE for YOU. Personally, I don't think I could live on just protein drinks and vitamins for life. As long as your MAIN drink of choice is water or something SF like Crystal light, a glass of milk or juice a day will not hinder your weight loss.
   — Karen B.

April 6, 2002
I am 19 days post op and moved from liquids to soft foods on day 10 (added tuna, chicken soup, pureed veggies, soft scrambled eggs). Also taking childrens multi-vitamins. As of today - my doctor has okay'd me to add more protien (supplements, shakes, fish, etc.). Good luck.
   — Yvette W.

May 15, 2002
No No No you MUST have protien. This will help you heal! Get sugar free Carnation Instant Breakfast. Mix it with 2% milk. It really tastes good. Also try some strained creamed soups. My doc is VERY conservitive and I am on full liquids for 4 weeks. I am 6 days post op and the creamed soups have protien. Also I found liquid B Complex vitamins in Wal-Mart. Vit B-12 is protien. You can take it yourself or add it to what you drink. Hope this helps.
   — Gina D.

May 26, 2002
My clear liquid diet lasted one week. I was told by the nutritionist to order 'Broth Plus Mix" (7g protien per serving) and 'gelatin Plus Mix' (12g Protien per serv). they are a Foodservice Product. Novartis Nutrition out os Minneapolis Minnesota. The Cherry jello plus is very tasy.
   — Terri H.

January 5, 2003
Check out the R-Kane products. Especially Pro-co-lite chocolate beverage with 2 tsp of splenda added. I can drink 4 a day and get 60 grams of protein. Also, Pro-cal 100 was added after 2 weeks. You can make a pudding or a shake. (It has more sugar than I wanted,but less than Carnation Instant). Both taste good. and each have 15 grams of protein.
   — Sandra B.

June 30, 2003
I too am in my first week of post-op. Protein drinks make me gag. I found Fleishman's Clear Soup is a better base for the Novartis Broth Added Plus than plain water. It makes it taste much better. I am moving on to pureed foods tomorrow, but for those of us who can't drink things like Carnation or Ensure, the first week is hard to feel like you get enough nutrition.
   — Holly M.

December 24, 2003
Carnation Instant Breakfast 1 pk and 1 cup skim milk (BUT I use 2%) is 15 grams of Protien.
   — Lilly D.

March 16, 2004
Everyone in my support group talks about protein drinks, they each like different brands so you will have to try them out. My surgeon suggested that I get a few and try them out before my surgery so I know which ones work for me. I am hoping for a date shortly....been at it since Sept of 2003....getting impatient....do you belong to a support group? If not I think I would find one - we have meetings once a month and they really help. Hope this helps
   — Ruthie B.

April 5, 2004
Yes you should be getting protein and lots of it. I've been on food since before I left the hospital. I don't understand all this talk about liquid diet because my doctor had me eating food before I came home from the hospital. My doctor says that protein is the most important thing to get it for a while. I try to eat my protein (ex. meat,egg,oatmeal,low-fat peanut butter,ect.) first at my meal. I also have to drink a protein shake between meals. My doctor gave me a list of protein drinks to pick from. I don't care much for them but today I added some canned fruit to it in a blender and it wasn't too bad. It sounds like the liquids you have been drinking are just empty calories to me. You want to eat/drink something with value/nutrients. Good luck!
   — Vicki H.

October 6, 2004
My fiance and his mother both had the surgery recently. The doctor told them to add Pro-Cell to the liquid they were taking. It is a powder formula that you can mix with anything from juice to cream of wheat. It contains 5gms of protien per scoop. My fiance also tried Pro-Stat. It is in liquid form. The best part is that there is 15gms of protien in every ounce. The bad part is that it tastes and smells like cough syrup. He said its better than the powder.
   — Kathlynn D.

December 26, 2004
I am 8 days post-op and have been on the same diet as you. The only protein I can do is the clear Iso-PUre. I see the dr on tuesday and that is when i find out if I can move on to 4 weeks of cream soups, protein drinks, soft eggs etc. I dont think a week of clear liquids is too bad since half of that was spent in the hospital. For the first four days I had nothing but ice chips and sips of water. It was only when released that I started on jello and popsicles.
   — hedosean

March 19, 2005
I am assuming your doctor allows pudding - mine did. Try Stallone's High Protein Pudding. It is made by Instone (www.instonenutrition.com) and is also available at www.netrition.com The taste is great, and it has 20 grams of protein per can.
   — Michele E.

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