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I will! I'm currently debating proteins with my husband. LOL He's sold on bone broth protein powder, but I keep reading about whey isolate. Which is better for bariatric patients?? I guess I should post this in the protein section?

Collagen Protein by itself is not considered a complete protein because it only has trace amounts (at best) of tryptophan, an essential amino acid. As @NickelChip mentioned, some collagen protein supplements add L-tryptophan to make a more complete protein. Looking at the one your husband is suggesting however, it does not look to have any added L-tryptophan, meaning it's really not suitable. Something else to keep in mind is that whey protein has a huge number of scientific studies showing it's better at muscle protein synthesis than collagen. A protein first diet is recommended for bariatric patients due to the desire to spare muscle catabolism when on a very low calorie diet. If whey is better at muscle protein synthesis, then it makes sense to focus on whey (or alternately on lean whole foods like chicken & fish). This is the reason almost all bariatric surgeons will tell you that it's fine to take collagen, but you should be careful if you are counting it toward your overall daily protein goals. FYI, due to your issues with artificial sweeteners, you probably should be looking for an unflavored version of whey protein isolate. Because it's unflavored, it's also likely to be unsweetened. I personally like Isopure brand, but there are others that are good as well.

Thank you. I understand the reasoning for it, it just threw me off when she said it was forever. I even had to ask because I thought I misunderstood her, but nope, she confirmed they’re asking us to avoid the 4 c’s of drinking and to eat deconstructed, protein first. That makes perfect sense to follow the plan while losing and hopefully through that time, build a better relationship with food and learn to choose healthier options along the way. I appreciate the feedback and advice.

Maybe look into the GLP-1. I bet you still have your restriction. You just need something to curb your appetite. My friend is on them and she has lost a lot. Actually too much too fast I think. I told her she should go back to the lower dose because it was working at a steady reasonable rate. Now she struggles everyday to get in much of anything. Anyways, at the appropriate dose they are a good option for many people. Dr Matthew Weiner talks about them quite a bit on his podcasts. He has some you tube videos too. Insurance coverage for them varies drastically from one company to the next but if they are covered and affordable you may want to ask your doctor if they are a good option for you.

Hi, he thought as i had great success and no complications initially, as as my restriction was gone, it would be the best option for me. Paying myself

If you can hit your protein goals (as given to you by your surgical team), without the drinks, there's no real reason to continue them. If, on the other hand, you need the extra protein from the drinks to hit your goals, there's nothing wrong with using them indefinitely. Said differently, there is no specific time when you need to "give them up" post surgery. I'm over two years out and still use them. That said, I'm also shooting for 150g of protein per day, which I just can't get close to without some whey protein or a fairlife drink. If you find the premade shakes to be prohibitively expensive, you could always get powdered whey protein isolate. That's generally considered the highest quality protein powder. Other even cheaper protein powders are available, such as whey protein concentrate, but those will have more fat and lactose. I think in terms of grams of protein per dollar, it would be hard to find things as cheap as powdered whey protein. Beans would probably be about the only thing I can think of, though it's hard for most of us to eat a ton of beans since while they are protein rich, beans are not particularly protein dense. Most all meat is generally a lot more expensive than whey on a gram for gram dasis. At one time, I might have put eggs in the less expensive category, but I'm not so sure anymore without running the numbers.

An option not mentioned here is to mix with almond flour, low fat cheese, and egg whites to make seeded crackers. Really good with soups, salads, or dips like hummus.

I started my liquid diet today but the protein shakes, no matter the brand make me nauseous and gag. Does anyone have any tips?

ok! so first i put it in the microwave for like 2 mins to soften it so i can cut it. acorn squashes are HARD!! cut in half, place cut side down in oven to ROAST for 20-ish mins at 350°F, then cut side up with a dollop of butter (and optional brown sugar) in the cavity for another 30-ish mins. if its soft enough for ur liking its done! (so yum!...also, i ALWAYS add the "optional" brown sugar )

Yeah, the new sizes and THE OPTIONS are a real head spinning thing for a while. Well done!

I agree with the previous poster also keep in mind that it may be an option to just get IV fluids outpatient. I didn’t need them after my safety because they didn’t operate on my stomach. I was a revision but after my sleeve I did and it was just like an office co-pay basically for me to get my fluids. It was that in the hospital, but in the different part of the hospital and you just sit in a recliner and get your bag of fluid and then leave.

I had no idea gastric balloons were even done any more. Unless this is a different procedure from the days of yore? I think most surgeons abandoned balloons for the safe and considerably more effective sleeve and bypass options. I know those mightn't be an option for everyone of course. Best of luck and I hope it works for you OP. Sounds like you're in a good mind space and that's worth a lot.

I agree if you’re meeting your protein goals you don’t need to continue with them. You can keep some on hand for emergencies if you want. Personally, I stopped them as soon as week 3 & purées began. They were disgusting! I added a high protein yoghurt to my diet which was more palatable to me. I wasn’t hitting my protein goal yet but I was close and my surgeon & dietician were okay with it. I had never intended to rely on protein shakes or powders. My plan was to get all I needed nutritionally from real food. PS: You can also make a smoothie with the yoghurt by blending a tub with milk and you can add a powdered flavour or even protein powder for additional protein if you want.

Well then crunch the numbers with your surgeon (costs, outcomes, risks, etc) and choose the best. After all you want the best option for your money (present and future)

My doctor has set a goal for me to have 60g of protein a day (two protein shakes) and 50oz of liquids. Today is my first full day at home, and I'm doing kinda okay so far. A tip I got from some YouTube videos was to buy 2oz cups with lids and portion out my protein shakes into 2oz servings. I drink one cup slowly, and then 15-30 minutes later I drink another. I was able to finish one protein shake this morning over the course of a couple hours.

It was not remotely possible for me right after surgery until two months after. Water right after surgery tasted like metal. I was surprised I wasn't hospitalized. If you feel woozy, call your doctor or try to get an IV. Seriously, it is hard, and it gets easier as it goes on, but if you feel off, get an IV. What ended up helping was powders and adding that to my water that are move hydration focused like gatorade. Thankfully supermarkets (at least in Vegas, AZ and Illinois) are stocked full of options.

Not that uncommon and comparatively not more strict. There are variations between surgeons and surgeries with many of these things. Sometimes it’s also related to you, your health, how much weight you have to lose, your relationship with food, etc, Not being allowed carbonated drinks is common. The differences arise in length of time of this avoidance and then whether you can tolerate it. Also you may be allowed sparkling water that you let go flat a bit but not sodas. Same with alcohol avoidance but there are three main reasons often behind this. One is concern for addiction transfer which can occur after weight loss surgery. Secondly, alcohol is calorie dense and offers no nutrients which are vital while we are losing and eating small portions and lastly it will slow your metabolism & dehydrate you. Again some surgeons just put a time frame on it but it does depend on your surgery too. Caffeine is another thing that is allowed by some surgeons and not by others and again there can be differences in for how long you should avoid it. Deconstructing meals is not a forever thing. Certainly while losing, focussing on eating the protein component of your meal first is very important. If you are able after you’ve eaten the protein in your meal. you then can eat your vegetables then any carbs you are allowed. (There were many times I could only eat my protein at a meal and nothing else.) This is because of the small portions we can eat initially & the necessity of getting that protein in to meet your protein goals. It does make tracking your food much easier too. When you near your goal, and are eating larger portions, it’s not as important to eat your protein first but you must continue to hit your protein goals forever so it will be something of which you are aware when you’re eating. In saying that I often ate soups, stews & casserole type dishes, omelettes, etc. which combined protein & vegetables while losing but not every meal and not every day. Actually not allowing protein shakes is also not uncommon. For example, in the UK, many aren’t allowed protein shakes in the pre surgery diet (they drink milk instead). Protein shakes aren’t the sole source of protein & nutrients in that first stage after surgery. Bone broths, consommés and cream soups are also options. Thank goodness too because after surgery those protein shakes can be disgusting. I found them unpleasantly grainy and crazy sweet & struggled to drink one a day. Best advice is to follow your plan while you are losing.However, if you find it difficult to tolerate your food options or to reach your goals ask for alternatives that will allow you to still meet protein goals & other nutrient requirements within any calorie guidelines you are given. How and what you eat once your weight has stabilised is up to you, what you’ve learnt about your eating and relationship with food and if it allows you to maintain a lower and healthier weight & lifestyle.

That's a very different pre-op diet than I had. I was on three protein shakes a day, pureed (non-starchy) vegetable soups, and as for fruit I could only have apple or berries. The berries I mixed with vanilla protein shake in my Magic Bullet for a smoothie. I never felt dizzy. Are you getting enough protein? Not sure how much is in one pint of skim milk...

Yes this part is tough, try your best to stick with it, you have done so well. People who havent had this surgery think we have taken the easy option ! Are you allowed to try strained soups. I could have strained chicken noodle soup, consomme, beef tea, milk and pho which was like a taste explosion after all that water. Good luck

HI guys! I am being more strict on my macros till I can work out again, lots of sites and all different outcomes, these are what I have gotten: Macros for Weightloss while not working out: 1838 Calories 167g of Protein 61g Fat 155g Carbs OR 2035 Calories 153g of Protein 79g Fat 178g Carbs Macros for Body Recomposition 2725 Calories 170g Protein 222g Carbs 99g Fat Macros for Weightloss while working out: 2473 Calories 170g Protein 224g Carbs 100g Fat

That's not really an option. It's the NHS so it's just the one appointment through the Bariatric multidisciplinary team. Therapy is really hard to get and the waiting lists are long. Once you get an appointment, you get 12 sessions or about 1 a week for three months.

I admittedly switched to protein water! I find that the shakes are just odd tasting 🤣🤣 As others have said, they aren't really necessary unless you are struggling to hit your protein goals (which happens!). I mostly only drink my protein water when I am working out, or if I have forgotten breakfast (which unfortunately happens more than I care to admit).

I found Nurri protein drinks at Costco. Just like chocolate milk, 30 G protein. Good luck!

Hi, @CherokeeGirl, I'm 59, so close... I definitely think it's worthwhile to ask a bariatric surgeon about it. Of course, everyone's risk is unique based on your personal health characteristics. But bariatric surgery clients tend to be higher-risk just based on our weight and look how many of us there are! It doesn't hurt to find out what your options are and then whatever decision you make will be informed. Good luck!!