Question:
Any opinions on Boost Liquid or Ensure Protein.

I am having surgery and I need some opinions on what are the best tasting liquid proteins that aren't too high in sugars. Thanks all.    — Jamie D. (posted on April 10, 2003)

April 10, 2003
Jamie, BOOST and ENSURE are no-no's after surgery. I've rarely heard of doctors suggesting this, and if they do, i honestly believe they are wrong. Although there is some protein in the drinks, the amount of sugar is a huge amount and will make you dump, especially very soon after surgery. There are many other things out there besides these high-sugar drinks. I drink ISOPURE pre-bottled drinks (GNC, vitamin shoppe- has 40grams protein and no sugar/carbs) I eat protein bars. There are atkins shakes that I hear are pretty good, Procel is a tasteless supplement you can put in food and drinks. I wouldn't test anything until after your surgery, however, b/c our taste buds do change. So what you may like now you may hate after WLS. Goodluck to you!
   — Lezlie Y.

April 10, 2003
I'm 2 weeks pre op, and have been trying different things. My doctor did recommend ensure sustacal or any isotonic protien drink. Problem is, ensure has a fair ammount of sugar in it. About 10-14 g/ 8oz serving, and that can cause dumping. I also tried the enlive by ensure, and let me tell you, that stuff was like trying to drink syurp. It tasted ok at first, but after you take a drink or two, it feels and tasts like your drinking liquid plastic. I've also tried the Isopure from GNC, and although it does taste pretty good, it is fairly expensive. you can get some fairly good stuff from vitalady.com, and they have samples at reasonable cost. I'm waiting for some samples from there I orderd.
   — mellyhudel

April 10, 2003
In our pre-op diet classes, the dietician recommended Choice DM for after surgery. It's like Ensure or Boost, but made for diabetics, so not a lot of sugar. Doesn't taste too bad,either. (A little too sweet for me, but tolerable.) I did take several cans with me when I had to travel a month post op, in case there was nothing available I could eat.
   — koogy

April 10, 2003
There are a TON of proteins that have sugar under 6g for a 30g serving of protein. They're powders, so you just add water & the sugar & calorie counts remain the same. I used the Ensure type drinks when I had to put some weight ON my dad, fast.
   — vitalady

April 10, 2003
My surgeon suggested both Boost and Ensure with Extra Protein for the 2 weeks of liquid diet. I used them, but I found that there was too much sugar for - I'm a diabetic. I switched to the Atkins canned protein drink, which was good tasting but has much less sugar. I also used Atkins powdered, but found most of the powdered protein drink I could order on-line tasted terrible. Hope this helps. ;->
   — barbdeane

April 10, 2003
The surgeon that I consulted with specifically said NOT to use Ensure or Boost. Hope that helps.
   — 2doOrnot2do

April 11, 2003
PLEASE, PLEASE DO NOT DRINK THE ENSURE OR BOOST SHAKES AFTER YOUR SURGERY. DON'T EVEN DRINK THE ENSURE LIGHT DRINKS!!! My surgeon gave me post-op instructions to follow after coming home from surgery and I made a huge mistake!!! Insteade of looking at the nutrient content on the ensure and boost products, I purchased several cases before surgery and had to end up giving them away. After surgery, I looked at the sugar content and I could not believe my eyes! I told the surgeon and a few other WLS patients and I was told not to drink any of the ensure or booth drinks. I spent a lot of money on post-op products that after surgery I could not even use!!! Don't make the same mistake that I made! Buy only protein shakes and protein drinks that has 6 or less grams of sugar! I found a protein powder that comes in 5 or 2 pound containers and has only 2 grams of sugar and 22 grams of protein and the name of it is Optimum 100% whey protein. It is low in carbs and if I mix it with powdered skim or nonfat milk and a splenda or artificial sweetener, it taste delicious. GNC CARRIES IT also, however, the price is a bit much at GNC. I order it from: www.vigorousliving.com At vigorousliving sales it at the lowest price that I have seen so far! Vitalady.com also has the same protein shakes and they have samples to try also. Remember.....Protein shakes taste better mixed with either skim milk or some kind of fruit or fruit juice. Water may make it taste bland! I also drink the Dr. Atkins ready made shakes also and they only have 2 grams of sugar in them and 20 grams of protein. I have experimented with lots of protein shakes and powdered shakes and I find that my favorite is Optimum 100% whey protein powder. I LOVE THE VANILLA ICE CREAM FLAVOR! GOOD LUCK TO YOU, Shirley
   — Shirley M.

April 12, 2003
My surgeon recommended NOT drinking Ensure, Boost or any of those drinks. He did recommend Sugar Free Carnation Instant Milk made with Skim milk and 2 ex tsp of non-fat dry milk powder. He said that this has all the carbs, protein, calcium and nutrients you need. and is lower in fat, sugar and salt. I drank 3 glasses everyday when I was on the liquid portion, and on the puree portion of my diet. And even now (5 years post op) I still do when I am having a bad day.
   — Roberta Murray