Help!

[AniPisMe 3]

Well, it's been a long road, but my surgery day is Wednesday the 17th. My issue, these God awful shakes!!! I've never been a milky type of drink drinker, but this has been my big thing of dread! The shakes!

I understand the importance, and Im going to do my best, but to hear that they have to be at room temp is enough to make me hurl just thinking about it. Any suggestions???

[Alumace 53]

What type are you drinking I'm in Australia so brands could be different I'll recommend Optifast the chocolate one is ok and you get used to the last after 4 days

[AniPisMe 3]

As of yet, Bariatric Advantage.< /p>

[esskay77 785]

Try different brands. They all taste different. ANd different flavors. I don't know if I was supposed to do this but the French vanilla with 100% apple juice tastes like a pina colada. I used Gold Standard from the Vitamin Shoppe. Try Unjury--I've heard good things about them and they have more options than just shakes.< /p>

[revision in TX 38]

I drank CHIKE brand Protein shakes...mainly the vanilla, but some chocolate too.

You will get "used" to the taste, as almost ALL Protein Shakes have a certain "twang" to them (due to the high protein)...believe it or not, at one point I actually found it "comforting"!! A while after surgery, I had one and it was "like an old friend"!!! Very strange!!!

I didn't drink mine room temp, so I don't think that's a requirement. REAL cold stuff is harder to digest, I suppose, but just make them when you drink them...don't put in fridge...and they will be cold but not too cold.

Unlike other posts, I would NOT use juice in your shakes...fruit juice is LOADED with sugar (even though many are natural sugars) and after surgery, that much sugar will probably make you feel sick!!

Some suggested using dry sugar-free jello/pudding to add flavor to vanilla shakes...I never did that, but it might be worth a try. Also, extracts like vanilla, orange, etc. are an option.

Just remember...this is VITAL to your success and recovery, so it is a small price to pay!!!

Best wishes on your surgery...and welcome to the "LOSER'S" club!!!

[revision in TX 38]

Oh...another note...if you are a "sugar addict", like I was (before surgery) - I would STRONGLY suggest cutting back a lot before surgery...don't do the "final hurray" (eating favorites that you will be cutting out)---I didn't do that, but I didn't cut out sugar...and I paid the price! About 2 days after surgery, I was like a heroin addict...sweating, weak, headaches, pale, etc.

I remember, I had to run up to the store to get some Boost/Ensure/Protein powder...and I'm sure I looked like a junkie...because I definitely felt like one. I was MISERABLE for several days.

That's why I suggested NOT having fruit juice in your smoothies. If you are "coming off" sugar, you will do better to go ahead and start weaning off of it BEFORE surgery!!!

Just my two cents!

[Beni 1,484]

Awesome advice! This makes so much sense.

I am a bit of a sugar junkie myself. I have noticed when ever I go on a "diet" and cut sugar, I am like a sugar addict for a while. But once my blood sugar levels stabilize a few days later I'm okay.

I am on a half sugar half Nectresse for morning coffee just so I can get used to not having sugar. I will start reducing gradually. Also, let's not forget simple carbs are immediately converted into sugar. This may explain why we love them so much.

My surgery is still some months away but I am thinking ahead.

[James Marusek 5,244]

I agree, Protein shakes taste terrible. Somehow adding the word shake makes one think of a milk shake, which it definitely is not. Here are a few points.

1) Your taste buds will change after surgery. For me everything tasted terrible after surgery. So even if you find something that will work now, it might not after surgery.

2) After surgery, experiment with different types until you find one that you can tolerate. I used Muscle Milk Light (Vanilla Creme).

3) Alway use an electric blender (such as a single serving Ninja blender or Bullet blender) to mix the powder. Trying to stir by hand or hand blending the powders into the liquid does not provide sufficient mixing to make it palatable.

4) Consider blending in fruits or other ingredients into the powder to make it more palatable. I generally use bananas. Also try different liquid media for the Protein shakes: Water, milk, almond milk.

5) You might buy premixed Protein Shakes and see if they can be tolerated.

6) You might try an ultra-Protein Drink using concentrated protein isolate, such as Protein Ice (42 grams of protein per 20 oz bottle). I had one and it was extremely terrible, but my wife tried it and thought it tasted good.

Finally, you may not need to be on protein shakes for the rest of your life. As your meal volume increases, so does the amount of protein that you can take in from your meals. Also other options will open up, such as Protein Bars (I use QuestBars now when I am on the go.) I am a year and a half out from surgery and I have not drank a Protein Shake in the last 8 months. I am consuming around 60 grams of protein from home-made high protein chili and Soups. During winter, I drink a large glass of hot cocoa (no sugar added) in the morning. I drink very delicious berry smoothies around dinner time.

The key point is experiment until you find something that you can tolerate.

[maggiemayuk 106]

Do the brands you are using produce savoury products like Soups as well as shakes? I don't like sweet shakes so always have hot soups for lunch and dinner and add Tabasco or curry powder to pep them up a bit if I'm getting bored with them.

For Breakfast I have a vanilla flavour but made up hot with coffee and quite enjoy that.

[AniPisMe 3]

The guys. It helps just knowing I'm not alone. Honestly...I think it's more of a texture thing then taste. That filmy milky feel. Ugh!