Question:
When will nausea stop? How can I get more protein if the protein shakes make me sick

I had open RYN a little of 2 months ago. At first I had a real hard time with feeling weak and nauseous. I started feeling alot better when I started eating halfway normal food. For about a week or so, I have felt weak and nauseous again. I have been trying to get more protein by drinking designer protein shakes because my hair has been falling out alot. At first I had no problems drinking this but now they make me very sick. Help!!! What else can I do to stop my hair from falling out????    — miles B. (posted on August 21, 1999)

August 21, 1999
Hi, I don't know if this will help, but I also had open RNY. My surgery was 6/17/99 and I was doing great, so I thought that when I could start eating again things would be the best. I was nauseaus for over 2 weeks and I finally figured out it was the dairy products. I was using non fat milk in my protein drink, eating non fat cottage chees, and of course still trying the "infamous" Slim Fast. When I went to Lite Soy milk, the nausea stopped completely. I now only use it in my protein drink which is also soy protein. It is a little expensive but well worth the money.. No dairy products for me until much later i guess. Hope this helps. Cheri
   — Cheri H.

August 21, 1999
Dear Miles, I'm 7 months post-op (1/25/99) and I still experience occasional nausea. The nausea was practially constant my first three months until I took my nutritionist's advice (which may or may not work for you depending on your circumstances). I have to eat a small snack before bed (like around 10pm and I go to bed around midnight) that has protein in it. I usually have one or two crackers with a small slice of cheese or peanut butter, or a couple of spoonfuls of cottage cheese. If you eat meat (I'm a vegetarian) something like turkey or beef jerky will do. In the morning, I have a small snack, like my nighttime one, as soon as I get up. Then I have very small snacks during the day (because when I really nauseated, I can't eat the wls-sized meal even), like a glass of milk, 1/3 of a protein bar, celery with peanut butter . . . just something small with protein and a little bit of carbs. I've found that some foods make it worse (like some days I can't tolerate the milk), but once I figured out what things work for me, the nausea is mostly gone unless I skip a meal, go too long without drinking (it's very important to stay hydrated . . . lack of fluids can make me nauseasted faster than anything else), or too much exercise without enough fuel (food/drink). Just my two cents based on my own experience with nausea. Oh, and I can't tolerate those designer protein drinks very well. I make my own protein drink with whey or soy protein powder, frozen fruit, and milk or soy milk. It seems to go down easier for me. Good luck.
   — Zoe S.

August 22, 1999
I had my Rny 7/27/99. For protein, I often use Spirit-tein It's a high protein powder drink that is soy based, low in sugar, low fat and taste much better than anything I have ever tried before. You can get Spirit-tein at any GNC store. Hope this helps.
   — Amie R.

August 22, 1999
Try another type of protien, I use Pro-score 100 and it taste pretty good. In the begining it also made me feel kind of sick, the doctor suggested that I cut the amount of protien I use at one time in half and slowly work up to a full dose. So I began to only use one scoop at a time but more times during the day, now I can use two scoops every time I use it and I don't feel sick. You may just be overloading your system all at once try cutting it in half for a while and see how it goes. Good luck
   — Kim C.

August 22, 1999
I couldn't tolerate the taste of the protein shakes either so I started encorporating fat free or light cheese, cottage cheese, tuna, baked fish, turkey, and chicken as much as I could. I also would eat eggs. I figured the more protein I could eat then I wouldn't need the shakes. Do you try the protein powder with Carnation Instant Bkfst(sug.Free)? I lost hair for about 2 mo. but you will be happy to know it comes back and has stayed back. I am 16mo post-op Open RNY distal with a 1cc micro pouch. I've lost 159# to date. Good Luck. Can write me back if you want. Jan Terry
   — Jan T.

August 25, 1999
Take the mineral called 'biotin.' It will help your hair grow back. It will take several weeks for you to notice, but it really does help. Yes, you will still lose hair(due to lowered food intake, etc.), but it will be regrowing at the same time.
   — Elizabeth W.

September 5, 1999
I had open RYN on 06-14-99 to date have lost 56lb. I drink a soy protein drink every other day 1 cup oj one banana,3 frozen strawberrys and 1/3 cup soy protein blend well in blender, this has 24 grams of protein and on the other day I eat one cup low fat cottage cheese and one cup cottage cheese also has 24 grams protein. I have felt great very little nausa and almost no hair lost.
   — Dianna S.

September 5, 1999
What's causing the nausea? Have you spoken to your doctor? I had my surgery originally 10/94 and had a revision just a week and half ago, I've never had nauseau unless I accidentally ate too fast or swallowed something to big. Perhaps you should contact your surgeon. I don't believe nausea "has" to be a way of life post-op. Also, re: the protein, there are a LOT of different protein drinks that aren't sweetened with sugar out there and some are darn good some aren't ... www.vitalady.com has somewhat of a health food store which only carries items post-ops can handle. She offers samples of protein supplements, so you could try several and find one that suits you the best. The owner of vitalady happens to be a member of this group too, Michell Curran, she's been a great help to me. You might look her up for those supplements. She's always happy to answer any questions and she and her husband have both had surgery and gotten to their goals. Good Luck!
   — Sherrie G.