No More Protein Shakes/smoothies?

[susan6161 142]

I went to see my surgeon for a check up (almost 3 mo. post op) and he told me NOT to drink any calories....no Protein Shakes, no smoothies!! I have never been a Breakfast eater and have been having a power smoothie EVERY morning since surgery. I have to admit, I really like them. I still don't feel like I can eat first thing in the morning and eggs are a food I just can't tolerate since surgery. Any suggestions as to what all of you are trying??? Does anyone know why liquid calories are a no-no? I had a great little routine going...time to find a new one

[BKLYNgal87 503]

Perhaps your surgeon thinks you'll start to get hungrier and eat more if you continue to drink calories. The point is liquid calories are the same as food calories, but one leaves you feeling less full as your stomach heals completely.

I was off the shakes for about 3 months but just started going back to them because I am hopelessly stalled and trying to keep away from eating sweets.

[southernsoul 773]

When I went to my 3 month postop appt, my surgeon also told me I probably don't "need" my Breakfast shake anymore, as I am getting enough Protein without it. When I told him that I enjoyed it & wanted to keep drinking it, he said OK as long as it's taking the place of the whole meal (which it is) & not being consumed along with other food. He actually said I may be getting too much Protein, which surprised me. I get between 80-100g a day, usually closer to 80 than 100. He said 60ish grams was his goal for me, but I don't really get why that is...he just said that's the amount we need to get by. His issue didn't seem to be that I was drinking some of my calories, though, just that I might be getting too much protein. My weight is coming off at a good pace & I'm happy with my routine, so I'm keeping on doing what I'm doing. I think if your morning smoothie works for you and you're happy with your weight loss, then this might be one of those things where you stick with what is working for you.

[vegasneon 181]

Drs and NUTs are all over the place when it comes to Protein needs. If you know what works for your body stick to it! I keep trying to get mine higher hoping I will start loosing faster. Every time I go down to only one Protein Shake a day I stop loosing. No way I could give up my breakfast replacement iced coffee with protein added.

[susan6161 142]

I am going to do as my Dr. Says and try it out....thanks for the support! I lost 20 pounds the first month, 16 the second month and will be around 10 the third month. The shake was my breakfast, but he said I need to take advantage of the first six months. If I don't see great results in the next few months, I will discuss it with him and go from there. I will just keep doing my best.....

[penman53 493]

You need to keep up your Protein input regardless of how you do it. I am supposed to get 92 grams of Protein a day. If I can do it by eating three meals a day great. But I can't. I keep track of all of my food intake using My Fitness Pal. it tells me exactly how much I am eating every day. I rarely eat over 600 calories a day and I always have to supplement my protein intake with powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury protein. I have used that brand since before I had surgery. I like the product and the support I get from the company. It is ran by a bunch of dieticians who know all about bariatric patients. Not just some knucklehead in the mall. If you maintain your protein input withing the guidelines given to you by your surgeons nutritionist your should see a steady weight loss. I also use a app on my iphone called eat slow pro. I find that by using this and really taking my time eating while eating I find that I get full faster and lose weight faster. I have lost 75 pounds in a little over 3.5 months and I couldn't be happier. I don't check with my dietician, I read and get educated and do the protein thing religiously. Good luck everyone

[megansmommy123 57]

So funny how all Dr's are different. I just have my 5 month post op appt, and mine said to continue with the Protein Shakes, twice a day, as a snack, not a Meal Replacement.< /p>

[penman53 493]

Your nutritionist should have a number for you that represents the amount of total Protein you need to comsume daily. If that can be done three meals a day with a 5 ounce stomach great. I have never been able to meet my daily protein goal without some sort of supplement. I choose to use the brand I use because it tastes good and is easy to use and helps me make my goals. I don't see why a Protein Shake that when made only with Water has only 100 calories. 200 with skim milk. Doing all of this, I stil only consumed 700 calories yesterday. but I consumed 102 grams of carbs.

[joatsaint 2,814]

My doc wanted me off shakes and onto real foods as fast as possible - he explained that real food has lots of macronutrients that you don't get from shakes, since the processing destroys or reduces the nutrient content of food.< /p>

I went to see my surgeon for a check up (almost 3 mo. post op) and he told me NOT to drink any calories....no Protein shakes, no smoothies!! I have never been a breakfast eater and have been having a power smoothie EVERY morning since surgery. I have to admit, I really like them. I still don't feel like I can eat first thing in the morning and eggs are a food I just can't tolerate since surgery. Any suggestions as to what all of you are trying??? Does anyone know why liquid calories are a no-no? I had a great little routine going...time to find a new one

[Arts137 1,811]

Protein supplimentation remains on my (approved) plan. And it likely will remain so as Protein insurance.

[adargie 159]

I incorporate my morning shake with coffee, make it a sort of iced coffee with Protein drink, I always try to keep it below 200 calories. I am not someone that allows enough time for Breakfast and I would need like over an hour just for that. Eating real food in the morning is tough for me. 2 bites and I am uncomfortably full. Also I hate eggs, always have.

I have cut down to just one Protein Drink a day with the occasional one before a workout when I am feeling in the need, I rarely finish a whole one. Like others have posted I track everything that goes in my mouth on myfitnesspal so those calories are accounted for. I love unjury, and chike mixes, hit it with some coffee, ice and a quick blend and I am off and running for the day!!! Calories are around 130. My Dr is ok with this he did warn me not to have a food breakfast as well. I get it though, liquid calories are sneaky.

[sapMegan 79]

It may not be entirely the Protein, it may be the shake itself. Every time I go in my surgeon hammers at me about how the pyloric valve (the one at the bottom of the stomach) is very effecient at letting liquids through very quickly and keeping solids in the stomach. He tells me to avoid anything mushy or liquid with calories because they'll go right through and your body's hunger won't be as satiated. "Make sure you are eating solids." He warns me EVERY time that if I don't stick to the solid foods (meat, eggs etc) that the surgery could be pointless.

Just throwing it out there

[penman53 493]

It may not be entirely the Protein, it may be the shake itself. Every time I go in my surgeon hammers at me about how the pyloric valve (the one at the bottom of the stomach) is very effecient at letting liquids through very quickly and keeping solids in the stomach. He tells me to avoid anything mushy or liquid with calories because they'll go right through and your body's hunger won't be as satiated. "Make sure you are eating solids." He warns me EVERY time that if I don't stick to the solid foods (meat, eggs etc) that the surgery could be pointless.

Just throwing it out there

After hearing this I checked with my doctors bariatric nurse at support group tonight. According to her, your protien requirement never goes down after surgery and nutrients are absorbed in the small intestine and not the stomach. If you drink a Protein Shake and don't get full then something is wrong and Protein intake itself will and should satisfy any hunger you have. I would look into this a little further if it were me.

[sapMegan 79]

Will do. My doc always wants me taking Protein in addition to the food I eat I just also know that some of the shakes have extra stuff or they're made with milk or something sugary. It was just a thought

[Arts137 1,811]

It may not be entirely the Protein, it may be the shake itself. Every time I go in my surgeon hammers at me about how the pyloric valve (the one at the bottom of the stomach) is very effecient at letting liquids through very quickly and keeping solids in the stomach. He tells me to avoid anything mushy or liquid with calories because they'll go right through and your body's hunger won't be as satiated. "Make sure you are eating solids." He warns me EVERY time that if I don't stick to the solid foods (meat, eggs etc) that the surgery could be pointless.

Just throwing it out there

After hearing this I checked with my doctors bariatric nurse at support group tonight. According to her, your protien requirement never goes down after surgery and nutrients are absorbed in the small intestine and not the stomach. If you drink a Protein Shake and don't get full then something is wrong and Protein intake itself will and should satisfy any hunger you have. I would look into this a little further if it were me.

There are TWO issues here:

I you can be "not hungry" with a liquid fast. I have done Optifast and it was the most UNHUNGRY I have ever been. To the nutrients do help keep the 'famished feelings' at bay, somewhat.

BUT what it can't do is make your stomach stretch and invoke the saiety response. That is why folks push eating Dense Proteins.

SO both are right, both can help. At 5 months I still use shakes, and probably will continue to do so, but I eat too and focus on Proteins and then veggies...