Question:
How long is it recommended that we use protein drinks

   — janice L. (posted on May 20, 2003)

May 20, 2003
Always check with your surgeon, but IMHO you should get your proteins (or at least most of them) from your food as soon as you can. I realize that is'nt always possible as an early post op. But as your pouch heals you should be "eating more protein than drinking it". I'm 2 years post op and would like to suppliment with an "occassional" protein drink IF I can find one I can "stomach". But so far no luck. In any case as an early post op the protein drinks are important. But you should eventually be able to get your protein from a ballanced diet.
   — Danmark

May 20, 2003
Hi Janice: Your question is a little vague. Did you want to know (1) how long you have to take protein-drinks from now on? OR (2) how long do you have to get your protein from liquids as opposed to solids? If it's #1, you will forever have to take protein supplements since it will be very difficult to get that much protein in with regular foods. Based on your dietician/surgeon's requirements, you should be getting in 60-80 grams of protein a day. If it's #2, your diet plan should tell you when you can start solids, at which time you should be able to use protein bars instead of drinks (of course, some people prefer the drinks over the bars & continue to use those instead) It's not HOW you get your protein that's as important as GETTING your protein....At 6 weeks post-op, I now eat 1 or 2 protein bars a day (each 25g of protein) & get the rest from food (eggs, cheese, tuna, chicken, fish, almonds, etc.) Hope this helps!
   — Amy A.

May 20, 2003
HI Janice - I recommend asking your WLS doc or nutritionist. Everyone here will tell you something different. For example, my doc says to take protein supplements, at least 120 grams, for the rest of our lives. He believes that we truly do not know how much is absorbed, so we take lots to be safe. However, some people here will say have a shake or bar until you get to 60 grams per day. Others will say to get all your protein naturally and don't use supplements. In some form or another, WLS people will have to take extra protein for the rest of our lives. When you get your bloodwork done, your doc can tell you if you're getting enough protein or not. Blood serum levels will let you know how well you're absorbing the protein you're getting. Good Luck!
   — toolio

May 20, 2003
That would depend on what you want the protein to do for you? Meet your minimums? For life. Be your primary tool, for life, and not set amounts. Although my doc prefers 150-180g a day, I frequently do that as a minimum. High stress, more protein drinks. Not bigger drinks, more volume. They are the continuing magic part of my surgery, I think. I use them to meet those minimums, to control portion, appetitie & carb cravings. Or in place of the cigs I gave up long ago. Or stress eating. Or bored eating. You get the picture.
   — vitalady

May 20, 2003
I say for LIFE !! Some surgeons don't even advise patient to use it. But in the long run those are the patients with problems. Even if you are eating 60 grams of protein a day, since you don't absorb everything, you are not getting enough. I know of people that don't even count food as protein, they only count the protein drinks and drink 4 - 5 a day. I think middle of the road....I try to get in 60 - 70 grams via food and drink 1 30 gram drink a day.
   — Sharon H.

May 20, 2003
I would say for life as well, although my surgeon suggests being on protein shakes for only 6 weeks. I'd venture to say that I do everything possible (short of eating red meats and it's not a religious thing) to get 60g or more grams of protein in per day and 64-80ozs of water. I believe the other posties will agree that some are not totally dependent on shakes or drinks, but *supplement* and incorporate them in meal-planning. I *do* whatever my body needs...let's just put it that way, shall we? LAP RNY 9/3/02 265/160/115-126 Best wishes on your journey!
   — yourdivaness