Question:
Protein drinks make stomach hurt?

I am 4 wks post-op. I can tolerate the taste of protein drinks and have tried several different kinds. All make me have a stomach ache after I have consumed several ounces - Normal at this time?    — sandra L. (posted on October 16, 2003)

October 16, 2003
Are they chocolate? I found early on that anything chocolate flavored made my stomach hurt until I was about 3 months post op. Could you be drinking them too fast? Even at 9 months post op I have to go slow with my shakes. They fill me up fast and do not drain out as quickly as other liquids do.
   — Carol S.

October 16, 2003
Sip on them and I do mean sip. Go slow and take it easy. Don't sip over 4 oz. at one sitting. It took me about 30min. to get that much in. Good Luck!
   — Tammy E.

October 16, 2003
I am three weeks today and oddly enough I too get a stomach ache from them. They seem to taste ok, but then I get a stomach ache. I went to GNC and bought a bottle of Isopure, fruit punch flavored and so far it is doing well!
   — Saxbyd

October 16, 2003
Are you mixing them with milk? Maybe it's the milk that is disagreeing with your tummy. Try mixing with water and see if it helps. Good luck! Shelley
   — Shelley.

October 16, 2003
Check the sugar contents, I was getting sick on the protein shakes that I was taking, and relized that the sugar content was like 11 grams, I found EAS Myoplex with the light silver front that has 3 grams of sugar for a 11oz shake, and I am fine. I agee with the other poster, I do not like the chocolate, it is to rich or sweet for me, I love the Strawberry Cream and Strawberry Banana.
   — cindy

October 18, 2003
Hi Sandra. I am having exactly the same problem at 1 month out. The trouble is, it's been this way since the day I got home. My nutritionist and my husband & I have put our heads together and found a few answers: 1)I am now lactose intolerant -- never any problem before, but now it's a HUGE issue ... even whey protein comes back up; 2)No chocolate EVER -- it used to make me a little itchy sometimes, but now it's a full-on barf-fest; 3)Apparently, I had (and still have) a stricture -- the anastomosis was a pin-hole, and 2 dilations later, it still wants to close up. I hope that you don't have allergies or strictures. Try keeping a food diary -- it helps rule stuff out. I wish you the very best of luck in getting past this.
   — Annie H.