Question:
Since my surgery, I have been eating what feels like a lot of cheese.

Is this okay? I am 2 months post op today and have lost 49.5 lbs, BUT I have been really really bad about protein supps, they taste so yucky! Can someone help?    — [Anonymous] (posted on December 16, 2001)

December 16, 2001
Cheese has protein in it, so that's good as long as it sits well with you. You do need to make sure you're getting 40oz-64oz of fluid as you'll feel the effects of dehydration long before you'll feel the effects of starvation! Dehydration sucks, I can tell you from personal experience, so do what you can to get in those fluids! If you're getting in your fluids and wondering what else to eat, try tuna salad on crackers, egg salad on crackers, seafood salad on crackers, vanilla soy milk with maybe Strawberry flavored Isopure, etc If you're eating different types of cheese, also try and look at the labels and compare which has more bang for the buck, ie, which has more protein in a smaller or equivalent serving amount. Cheese is a lot better than carbohydrates. At 2 months post-op, you should be able to eat 60 gms of protein throughout the day, without having to supplement..or at least with a DS. Unfortunately, I'm just making an assumption with the RNY, but I would think you would be able to get 12gm -15gms a meal and if you eat 4 times a day and have nuts or another protein rich snack throughout the day, you should be good to go. It's one thing to be low on protein at 1 month post-op, but at 2 months post-op, you need to be more diligent. If you're not intaking enough protein, your body will start breaking down your muscles and that's not just bulky calf muscles you wish would go anyway..this means heart, liver, kidneys, etc. If you can't stomach the protein drinks, then try some of the bars..even if they're a little high in carbs, if you need to supplement protein and you can't do it any other way, then that's what you need to do. By having WLS surgery, you made a commitment to improve your health. Your body can't do it if you don't take care of it. Btw, if you search this website or even the web, there are many different protein ideas that you can try. Good luck and take care! *hugs* Anita
   — Anita N.

December 16, 2001
Loraine Swiss cheese has become a major protein source and snack for me. Check the label but most cheese is good for you. Some has a bit of fat, but thats ok with me to hopefully avoid gllbladder trouble.
   — bob-haller

December 16, 2001
i sometimes have trouble with the protein too.instead of mixing it to drink i add it to yourgertand mix well.its not so bad then.i;m 6 wks. post opp.i've lost 55 pounds.good luck.nancy m.
   — NANCY M.

December 16, 2001
I plan on using CASEC powder as a protein supp. A friend of mine who had the surgery is using it. You can mix it with anything or sprinkle it on anything. It is tasteless, no carbs and virtually fat free. She mixes it with broth, (no grittyness), yogurt, cottage cheese, applesause, mashed potatoes......anything and everything. You get it by asking your pharmacist to order it for you. It's about $13 a can. 1 tablespoon has 4 grams protein and 1/2 cup has 35grams. Although it may sound like you need to use a lot of it, considering it has no taste and can be mixed or added to anything, it seems like a good way to supplement the protein.
   — Kim B.

December 17, 2001
Cheese is an excellent source of protein. I still eat a lot of cheese and low-fat crackers 11 months post-op. How about cottage cheese and eggs and tuna for your protein? Have you tried any moist chicken yet (may still be too difficult to digest). Also, keep trying different protein supplements. I must have tried 20 different brands and flavors before I found the one I like.
   — [Anonymous]

December 23, 2001
Hmmmmm....ok, I was very interested in this post. I am 6 months post open RNY 6-18-01. I am down about 77 pounds (I fluctuate constantly 2-3 pounds). I haven\'t been coming to this site for awhile and I have begun dreading my support group meetings because I read of people at 6 months losing 100 pounds or hear them at the support group meetings..all those that have had surgery around the same time as myself OR a month or 2 or more after losing way more than me. EVERY SINGLE TIME I GO TO MY SURGEON AND I AM DISCOURAGED, HE TELLS ME TO STOP EATING CHEESE!!!!!!!! What is the big deal? I told him I buy the low-fat cheese and I don\'t eat half the dang package! I eat like 1 ounce of it at a time. Or I will eat the low-fat, skim mozzarella string cheese...maybe 3 a week. He acts as if this is just horrible and that is what is making me not lose more weight. It is making me absolutely crazy. I just had my 6-month followup and I sat out in the waiting room hearing everyone\'s stories and although I know I shouldn\'t compare, by the time I got back to the room to see my doctor, I was so upset. I told him everything I do right. Most of the people I know never exercise, never drink their water, eat crap like Doritos, pop, etc. I get a chewing for eating low-fat cheese!! I also feel like I almost crave it...like when I think of what I want to eat, I feel I need this to feel like I have some kind of solid substance instead of the cottage cheese or eggs or salads. I don\'t do meat very well..some days are better than others. Breads are out. I try to do more veggies, but there aren\'t many fruits I really like. Certain apples and bananas. That\'s it. Hate oranges, pears, etc. After 6 months, I still have to really think about what in the world I am going to eat. This is much more of a mental struggle for me than I ever dreamed it would be. I have been so depressed and discouraged at times...if it weren\'t for trying on old clothes I would surely have lost it by now. So there\'s my take on the cheese!!!!!!!!
   — Tracy B.