protein shake and protein bars vs real food and learning to eat post op

[lilac lass 34]

Hi,

I am so excited to find this section of the forum and now I am six months and can officially be here. I pledge to not be an annoying newbie with my questions. I am at my goal weight and due to go back for my next appointment in a couple weeks. My questions come because of unusual situation. Right before my surgery, my husband lost his job and he is our only income. Praise God, he got another job and starts on Monday. Also the week of my surgery, the NUT at my surgeon's office quit. I had attended all the classes before, read the book they gave me ( three times) but after surgery it is now living it. I know clinics vary in guidelines and it is important to balance the guidelines with what works for you personally. The nurse practitioner would answer NUT questions at my post-op visits. The clinic did get a NUT eventually but I didn't want to spend the money on a visit while my husband was out of work. I was doing splendidly in losing weight. But there are some things I am struggling with. So I am coming to the experts for clarifications.

I have the pattern of eating that is a Protein shake and Protein Bars for 2 meals a day. Whenever I try to go to 'real food', I can't get enough in to keep me satisfied for as long as it should. The clinic said I was to go 4-5 hours between meals. If I make a half a sandwich, an egg, or other things, I fill up but get hungry before 3 hours. Also often 'real food' sounds tasty but by the time I take a bite, it doesn't taste as good so it is like why bother. I don't think it is still the taste from surgery change because I couldn't drink Water for months after surgery and now I enjoy it again. It is more like most of the time I see food as the fuel and yeah it should taste good or worth the process. I am not saying I haven't had emotional slip ups, I have but I have gotten back on track.

I usually have a Protein Shake ( Premier Protein) and sip it for 30-60 min. I often am not hungry when I first wake up but the clinic wants me to eat within the first hour that I am awake so I start with the Protein Shake. When I finish sipping it, I may get hungry and have a Protein Bar probably within 10 min of my last sip of the shake. But doing this, lets me go 4 hours from start of Breakfast to lunch.

Also I am to have Protein first for meals and Snacks. Well, with what I am doing, I am exceeding my protein limit. I am to aim for 60 and could possibly go to 100. There are days I am up to 115. I feel fine and my labs ( another doctor does) are fine except for BUN. I may have a couple of bites of vegetables at dinner and some fruit a few times a week.

So am I so off the mark with depending on Protein shakes and bars? I do try each week to do 'real food' but it is discouraging. I also had a hernia repair and don't want to repeat that damage so I do focus on small bites, chewing, no liquids before and after meals. But my heartburn has come back in recent months. It is sometimes at weird times that I don't think it is related to a meal.

Any advice or suggestions would be helpful.

[lsereno 2,525]

At six months, your stomach is still adjusting to post op life. At two years out, I eat more and tolerate a wider variety of foods well. I do still have Snacks between meals most days.

Some people continue to use Protein drinks for the rest of their lives. See Shelly's blog, http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/. She is several years post-op. She had a RNY, but the long term eating habits are not that different than VSG.

I never ate Protein Bars, but Fiddleman loves them.

I hope you are taking a good Vitamin regime. Are you taking a PPI, such as Prilosec? If not, perhaps you should try one. Acid reflux can be an issue for VSG post-op.

Lynda

[feedyoureye 3,087]

Part of being a vet is not just getting to goal, its going though all the stages of the surgery maturing. 6 months is still quite early in the stages. Like lsereno said... you will be able to eat more later on. Some people don't start to get hungry again for 4 years! Others are hungry from the start. Just use your Protein drinks to get in enough Protein, and work on developing a well rounded eating plan. I personally have always eaten 5-6 meals/snacks. I used Protein Drinks and bars for almost 2 years. I sometimes still will if I need to. With a small stomach, you may have to eat between meals. Just plan it, keep it healthy so it doesn't turn into grazing. Your hunger and ability to eat more WILL return. You will find that is a main topic among the vets that are here. Many have not gotten to goal after 2 years... others have gotten to goal and gained back some of the weight. These are the main topics of Vets here. Some are still trying out how to maintain... how to stop losing... when to say enough.

... and by the way... Congratulations on losing to goal!!! That is fantastic! As you are finding out, you are not at the end of your journey, so listen in, it helps me a lot and at 2 1/2 years, I am not through with my journey either!

[lilac lass 34]

At six months, your stomach is still adjusting to post op life. At two years out, I eat more and tolerate a wider variety of foods well. I do still have Snacks between meals most days.

Some people continue to use Protein drinks for the rest of their lives. See Shelly's blog, http://theworldaccor...e.blogspot.com/. She is several years post-op. She had a RNY, but the long term eating habits are not that different than VSG.

I never ate Protein bars, but Fiddleman loves them.

I hope you are taking a good Vitamin regime. Are you taking a PPI, such as Prilosec? If not, perhaps you should try one. Acid reflux can be an issue for VSG post-op.

Lynda

-----------------

Thanks! Yes, I am taking my Vitamins and am very careful about it. I am on a PPI. I really appreciate you taking the time to write. I love the forum and need to hear from actual people. The information the clinic gave me is great but I want to learn from people who are living it in the real world. Now I won't beat myself up for not eating just 'real food'.

Thanks again!

[lilac lass 34]

Part of being a vet is not just getting to goal, its going though all the stages of the surgery maturing. 6 months is still quite early in the stages. Like lsereno said... you will be able to eat more later on. Some people don't start to get hungry again for 4 years! Others are hungry from the start. Just use your Protein drinks to get in enough Protein, and work on developing a well rounded eating plan. I personally have always eaten 5-6 meals/snacks. I used Protein Drinks and bars for almost 2 years. I sometimes still will if I need to. With a small stomach, you may have to eat between meals. Just plan it, keep it healthy so it doesn't turn into grazing. Your hunger and ability to eat more WILL return. You will find that is a main topic among the vets that are here. Many have not gotten to goal after 2 years... others have gotten to goal and gained back some of the weight. These are the main topics of Vets here. Some are still trying out how to maintain... how to stop losing... when to say enough.

... and by the way... Congratulations on losing to goal!!! That is fantastic! As you are finding out, you are not at the end of your journey, so listen in, it helps me a lot and at 2 1/2 years, I am not through with my journey either!

Thanks and you bring up many great points! I know I am going to be 'working this' the rest of my life. I had a weight problem for over 40 years so this is going to be a long journey of learning how to manage life, food, exercise now. My body is at goal but my head isn't yet. I often don't recognize myself and when I hold up my clothes when I am folding it, it doesn't seem real. I guess I just need time and to keep doing it.

I will start taking some sips of the protein drinks and saving for later the rest. For your 5-6 meal/snack, how much time do you have between them? What I mean is that I am afraid of slipping into grazing. But I can't sort out how to follow the information the clinic gave me with how my body feels. That is why I really wanted to hear what the vets on this forum had to say.

I have read some of the posts about hunger. I have felt hunger a times, it is just that food I was hungry for is so disappointing. It is never satisfying. It's like when you see the picture of the commercial and then you see the actual product and they are very different. My taste is that way and I feel like yeah I am hungry sometimes but why bother for this so-so disappointing taste. The protein bars and shakes take care of the hunger, don't disappoint with taste and aren't any work. But I am doing multivit twice a day, Calcium twice a day, and B-12. I am doing benefiber so it is like I am getting all the aspects of food. But in a few months, maybe I will be able to eat more things and enjoy them.

Thank you for taking the time to answer. I really appreciate it!

[lilac lass 34]

At six months, your stomach is still adjusting to post op life. At two years out, I eat more and tolerate a wider variety of foods well. I do still have Snacks between meals most days.

Some people continue to use Protein drinks for the rest of their lives. See Shelly's blog, http://theworldaccor...e.blogspot.com/. She is several years post-op. She had a RNY, but the long term eating habits are not that different than VSG.

I never ate Protein bars, but Fiddleman loves them.

I hope you are taking a good Vitamin regime. Are you taking a PPI, such as Prilosec? If not, perhaps you should try one. Acid reflux can be an issue for VSG post-op.

Lynda

Oh forgot to say I love Eggface's blog! I adore the containers and cookware she has. I used some of her ideas but mostly when I was pre-op.

[sarsar 824]

Two years out and I still drink a Protein drink every morning for Breakfast. I now add 2 Tbs. of ground flax seed and a couple of handfuls of spinach to my drinks. Most days I eat a Quest Protein Bar for a snack usually after my morning workout. Sometimes I eat it in the afternoon.

Some days I just don't feel like eating and on those days I usually drink another Protein Drink around dinner time. That happens maybe once a week.

As you get further out food will probably taste better to you. I try to eat lean Protein first whenever I eat and that still fills me up but only for 2 or 3 hours so I eat small "meals" every few hours. This works for me as long as I eat my protein first. When I don't then I get hungry very quick and this is when the grazing can start for me.

It's a learning process and you will figure out what works for you as time goes on. What works or you may not work for the next person so I suggest experimenting and see where it takes you. Also, make sure you are drinking water! I drink 4 or 5 liters of Water a day.

[M2G 1,836]

Hi,

I am so excited to find this section of the forum and now I am six months and can officially be here. I pledge to not be an annoying newbie with my questions. I am at my goal weight and due to go back for my next appointment in a couple weeks. My questions come because of unusual situation. Right before my surgery, my husband lost his job and he is our only income. Praise God, he got another job and starts on Monday. Also the week of my surgery, the NUT at my surgeon's office quit. I had attended all the classes before, read the book they gave me ( three times) but after surgery it is now living it. I know clinics vary in guidelines and it is important to balance the guidelines with what works for you personally. The nurse practitioner would answer NUT questions at my post-op visits. The clinic did get a NUT eventually but I didn't want to spend the money on a visit while my husband was out of work. I was doing splendidly in losing weight. But there are some things I am struggling with. So I am coming to the experts for clarifications.

I have the pattern of eating that is a Protein shake and Protein bars for 2 meals a day. Whenever I try to go to 'real food', I can't get enough in to keep me satisfied for as long as it should. The clinic said I was to go 4-5 hours between meals. If I make a half a sandwich, an egg, or other things, I fill up but get hungry before 3 hours. Also often 'real food' sounds tasty but by the time I take a bite, it doesn't taste as good so it is like why bother. I don't think it is still the taste from surgery change because I couldn't drink Water for months after surgery and now I enjoy it again. It is more like most of the time I see food as the fuel and yeah it should taste good or worth the process. I am not saying I haven't had emotional slip ups, I have but I have gotten back on track.

I usually have a Protein Shake ( Premier Protein) and sip it for 30-60 min. I often am not hungry when I first wake up but the clinic wants me to eat within the first hour that I am awake so I start with the protein shake. When I finish sipping it, I may get hungry and have a protein bar probably within 10 min of my last sip of the shake. But doing this, lets me go 4 hours from start of breakfast to lunch.

Also I am to have protein first for meals and Snacks. Well, with what I am doing, I am exceeding my protein limit. I am to aim for 60 and could possibly go to 100. There are days I am up to 115. I feel fine and my labs ( another doctor does) are fine except for BUN. I may have a couple of bites of vegetables at dinner and some fruit a few times a week.

So am I so off the mark with depending on protein shakes and bars? I do try each week to do 'real food' but it is discouraging. I also had a hernia repair and don't want to repeat that damage so I do focus on small bites, chewing, no liquids before and after meals. But my heartburn has come back in recent months. It is sometimes at weird times that I don't think it is related to a meal.

Any advice or suggestions would be helpful.

First of all, I would consult a dr. about your heartburn. Lots of VSGers have to use a PPI to reduce stomach acid (I don't so I'm not an expert by any means.) Secondly I do NOT think that going 'above' your protein goals is bad at all. Dense protein will help keep you feeling full longer. Basically you are getting 50g of protein before noon because of your shake/bar for breakfast. (Shake 30g bar 20g roughly) Calorically your shake/bar combo for breakfast is equal to about 360 calories. Do you eat REAL food the rest of the day? Just not at breakfast? If so, I think maybe you are probably ok for now, but I would suggest an either/or option. So for breakfast you can have either a shake OR a bar, but not both. I think a shake or a bar here and there is ok (actually my NUTs rules are NO shakes after 6 weeks post-op and no more than One Bar per day, less than that is better.) but I still do have an occasional shake or bar. Finally, I think that 5 hours between meals is probably asking a bit too much. 3-4 is what my surgeon aims for.

Since you are only 6 months out I think you are still in that mode of food being more of a chore than a joy. That is ok. Things take time to settle in and once you are further out, food may appeal to you much more than it does now.

And glad your husband found a job, that is great news. I would highly suggest seeing a NUT now that you are 6 months. My surgeon now has a mandatory 6 month post-op class (when I was sleeved in 2010 it was just 1 week, 3 week, and 6 week classes that were mandatory.) So I think that would probably be worth the money spent to do a check-in.

[lilac lass 34]

First of all, I would consult a dr. about your heartburn. Lots of VSGers have to use a PPI to reduce stomach acid (I don't so I'm not an expert by any means.) Secondly I do NOT think that going 'above' your Protein goals is bad at all. Dense Protein will help keep you feeling full longer. Basically you are getting 50g of protein before noon because of your shake/bar for Breakfast. (shake 30g bar 20g roughly) Calorically your shake/bar combo for breakfast is equal to about 360 calories. Do you eat REAL food the rest of the day? Just not at breakfast? If so, I think maybe you are probably ok for now, but I would suggest an either/or option. So for breakfast you can have either a shake OR a bar, but not both. I think a shake or a bar here and there is ok (actually my NUTs rules are NO shakes after 6 weeks post-op and no more than One Bar per day, less than that is better.) but I still do have an occasional shake or bar. Finally, I think that 5 hours between meals is probably asking a bit too much. 3-4 is what my surgeon aims for.

Since you are only 6 months out I think you are still in that mode of food being more of a chore than a joy. That is ok. Things take time to settle in and once you are further out, food may appeal to you much more than it does now.

And glad your husband found a job, that is great news. I would highly suggest seeing a NUT now that you are 6 months. My surgeon now has a mandatory 6 month post-op class (when I was sleeved in 2010 it was just 1 week, 3 week, and 6 week classes that were mandatory.) So I think that would probably be worth the money spent to do a check-in.

Thanks! What you wrote made a lot of sense. I have been trying to have yogurt sometimes instead of the protein bar/ shake. I know it will be a process. I don't want to pick up any new bad habits as I am sorting this out.