Question:
I was wondering does anyone else out there only get there protein

from the food that they take in. I'm realizing more and more that I'm not doing much of the protein supplements. I usually try to have a Advant Edge pre mixed protein shake in the morning 15 Grams of protein and a few bites of a Atkins protein bar every once in a while. I tend to have nuts or a string cheese as a snack, but will have protein at every meal. Is this okay? LAP RNY 4/16/01 -150lbs.    — Kristina P. (posted on February 4, 2004)

February 4, 2004
I never did the shakes.. I hated them. got all my protein from food. Granted first off I didnt get to target but after a while no trouble. AND now.,... I have discovered Carbo Solutions (an alternate milk subsitue ) sold at walmart in the milk section. Even NEW ops can use it... its 100 cal and 12 grams of protein..
   — star .

February 4, 2004
I get my protien from food. If you can eat eggs, cheese, seafood , peanut butter, and meat you should be able to get your protien in. If you can eat 2-3 oz of protien 3 or 4 times a day that works. I only used protien shakes the first month postop. Now I never drink a protien shake.
   — bransonboy

February 4, 2004
I choose to do the whey shakes because we no longer break down and absorb protein like we used to (if you had any kind of bypass). This way I know I am getting at least close to the recommended level because whey has a high bio-availibility and is pre-digested. Food protein just does not stay in our pouch long enough to break it down into the sub-parts and the bypassed intestines do not do a good job of absorbing the little that is broken down.
   — Ali M

February 4, 2004
My doc does not want us to use protein shakes after we start on regular food. I do use one in the morning, though. I like the boost it gives me and it keeps me from getting too hungry during the morning. I also use protein bars as occasional snacks. The rest of my protein comes from my food intake.
   — Carlita

February 5, 2004
I have never had a protein drink or eaten a protein bar. I've lost 110 #'s in 14 months. Now below my doctor's goal...
   — barbara A.

February 5, 2004
Your almost 3 years post-op and just getting around to asking this now? LOL..how are your labs? sounds like you are doing just fine with your protein food intake and 1 shake a day. I'm 2 years post and eat alot of protein foods every day. I have a few protein shakes a week (whenever I do not have a protein meal to supplement) and a few protein bars a week usually as a snack. Thats about it. Whey protein isolate is the most absorbable form of protein for us and since no one really knows how much of the protein from food we absorb, many post-ops swear by their shakes, especially those who are more distally bypassed. For those who do no shakes, it would be interesting to track their labs at 2,3,4 or more years out and compare them to those who have 1 or more shakes a day..
   — Cindy R.

February 6, 2004
I am 2 months post op and get all my protein from food, chicke, fish, shrimp, cheese, yogurt, eggs. It doesn't leave much room for non-protein foods, but I am not a big fan of the shakes either. Occasionally if I haven't had enough protein in the day I may drink a glass of milk or a Carnation IB before bed to get an additonal 8-12 grams in, but in the last 2 weeks I have done that once. <br><br> My surgeon reccomends 50-60 grams of protein a day, which is what I get in, I would think it would be harder if your surgeon recomended a higher amount. (I read some people taking in 80 to 100 grams a day, I know I couldn't eat that much)
   — Patricia T.