Liquid phase post op - protein

[Ling82 21]

I had my gastric sleeve surgery on the 18th and am supposed to be drinking 1 Protein Drink a day but I’m also supposed to get 50-70grams of Protein a day. I have no idea how to get more protein in this phase. Any ideas?

[Hop_Scotch 1,633]

I assume you are on full liquids only at this stage? I am not sure how you are meant to get your Protein with only one Protein Drink per day...are you sure you have understood your post op guidelines correctly? If you have, I would suggest you contact your surgeon / dietician for additional suggestions.

I too had surgery on 18 March...my guidelines are 6 drinks of about 120ml per day for about 60 to 80 gms of protein, plus non calorie fluids of about one litre.

Is protein Water an option for you or something like ensure plus?

According to my guidelines I can use:

• VLCD shakes
• protein rich milk
• 1 tablespoon skim milk powder into 125ml low fat milk
• fortified milks surch as up and go energize
• protein waters
• protein smoothies (commerically available ones only)
• commercial protein powders

[biginjapan 647]

I'm surprised you have to get so much Protein in so soon after surgery. My protein schedule was 1-2 weeks post-op: 40g, 3-4 weeks post-op: 50g, after one month: 60g+

If you are on liquids only then I would imagine you have to drink more than one protein drink a day to get to that level, which again I think is really high, and unrealistic. Most programs I know of will encourage you to get your liquids in (first priority) and then protein (second priority), at least in the beginning stages post-op.

A great source of protein, other than shakes, is miso Soup (just the broth, nothing else). If you have access to a Japanese restaurant of any kind, or a supermarket that sells miso paste, it's a great way to add protein. Bone Broth is good too, but I like to mix things up a bit.

[Rearguard 28]

10 hours ago, Ling82 said:

I had my gastric sleeve surgery on the 18th and am supposed to be drinking 1 Protein Drink a day but I’m also supposed to get 50-70grams of Protein a day. I have no idea how to get more Protein in this phase. Any ideas?

Contact the doctor's office and speak to the nutritionist they should have examples for you. My instructions on a full liquid diet immediately after surgery were to work up to 60-80 grams of protein and work up to minimum of 64oz of Fluid.

[catwoman7 11,223]

I had way more than one Protein drink a day the first few weeks to get my protein requirements in. I had no trouble getting 60+ grams in from the the get-go, but I easily had two or three Protein Shakes a day those first few weeks. I'd double check to make sure they only want you to have one a day. Otherwise, I'm not sure how you're going to get your protein requirements in this early.

[CammyC 291]

I had my surgery on 3/3 and my first week out I was still on Clear Liquids. Second week I was released to full liquids with requirements to get 60-80 grams of Proteins.
My Protein Shakes consist of 8 ounces of fair life milk which is 13 grams of Protein and 2 scoops of chocolate Premier Protein which is 30 grams of protein. So each shake is 43 grams protein. Sometimes I have two of those or I will substitute one of those shakes with a Ensure Max Protein Shake which is 30 grams of protein. I’ve been meeting my protein levels each day. I still drink these even tho I’m in the soft foods phase and can only really eat eggs or cottage cheese at this point 3 weeks out.

[ReinaMar 3]

I agree with the others to double-check with your provider. I'm 12 days out and still in the liquids phase and drink more than 1 Protein Shake a day. My doc recommends getting 2oz of Protein every hour I'm awake and then spend the rest of the hour drinking water/crystal light/etc.