mrshenry

I am right there with you. The struggle is so real and everyone seems to think you just have to "find a way" but the fact is, you are trying but your body and stomach just rejects it. I had to pray and get divine power because I was in tears. I'm not there yet, but I am seeing a little progress in tolerance for the GENEPRO Protein powder if I put it in liquid first, shake well and then put it in Soups I enjoy ( the broth). I have a ninja blender so it blends any grit taste out 90%.
I'm learning to give myself a good balance of grace and perseverance through drinking. Nothing is Goldilocks "just right" perfect yet, but I've accepted that that's okay. It's easy for some people to get there protein grams in and others struggle, but know that you doing great. You made a healthy and bold decision for a better life, applaud yourself for that first!
I made this post a few days ago and maybe it will help you. Just look for the title in this thread and feel free to private message me if you need to. You are NOT ALONE!!!

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I’m 9 days post op and struggling big time. I hate everything. I’m tired of the sweet flavored sf popsicles, sf gaterade, sf propel, and Protein Shakes. I’m sick of them!!!! Pre-op, I developed an adversion to broth, regular, bone, vegetable you name it. Thinking about them makes me queasy. Post op I developed an adversion to sf Jello. Now I am starting to develop an adversion to Protein shakes because they are so sweet tasting and I’m sick of them. I’d rather just not eat anything to be honest but i know that’s not going to help. Worst of all, my surgeon requires a 4 week liquid diet after surgery. I’m just feeling really defeated, regretful, angry, depressed annoyed. I don’t have any cravings for “bad” foods but I would do anything for savory foods. chicken salad and tuna salad is what I have been craving big time. I’m like dreaming of it and it sounds so delicious 🤤. This whole process is definitely making me appreciate food more and I’m pissed at my self that I abused food the way I did. I just feel like I’m being tortured right now. I know these feelings won’t last forever but OMG I feel like I’m in a nightmare that has no end! I’m just venting right now.

Any changes to your diet phase you should definitely get guidance from your doctor/weight loss team. The phases are there to help your new stomach adjust slowly and to minimize the risk of potential complications. Having difficulties in any diet phase can be stressful to deal with. You're only a couple of weeks out from surgery. I felt lethargic and weak 2 weeks out from my surgery too and that was without having issues with liquids. Your body is still healing and it takes time. Please make sure you speak to your doctor before making any changes to your diet phase!

I'm going to start the qualifying process for the duodenal switch surgery. Any information anyone can share with me, would be very appreciated.
Surgery... time... hospital stay... pain after surgery... recovery time... cravings... taste bud changes... prolbems... success stories... anything...
My surgeon told me to gather as much information and join support groups... any other other sites.... chat rooms.... ect...
Thank you in advance
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Omg! Thanks you guys ! Yes okay so after I finished chewing for darn near two hours on tiny pieces I noticed I got super full super fast . And was Super uncomfortable my back started hurting to no end. To combat the back ache I had to walk a mile around the back yard and therefore You guys are right ! Won’t try that again! I’ll stick to my purée for now. And yes! It’s so weird I still get hungry but I’m not on a specific regime and I think that’s my problem. I started to write down a schedule to eat but 4-6x 4oz meals and Snacks of Protein in between. Thank god I am meeting with my dietician this week. I honestly need help in developing the correct diet for me. For everyone I had the modified duodenal switch which includes the gastric sleeve a bit bigger than the norm. So far the best thing about my procedure is that I can keep up to 60z down of Water down with no problem as of today. But I truly appreciate you all for your comments. This is a new road untraveled for me 🤍

@mrshenry you’ve gotten so many answers so I can’t add much. I’m over a year out of surgery now but had a hard time with Protein Shakes. For multiple reasons. Even though my sense of smell was off as was my taste (medical reasons prior to surgery) everything came across too strong and nauseating. Everything suggested either had iodine add3d so I couldn’t have it or had a horrid smell. Especially Isopure. The clear was heinous.
I ended up turning to three things the third I’d wished I had found earlier post op.
my first was PEScience Select Protein Powder that I would mix with plain unsweetened Ripple milk put in the fridge 30 minutes then mix again. I’d use one scoop powder 4 ounces milk (plant based I couldn’t tolerate dairy) and added Water as needed (needed it thicker due to dysphasia) for some reason it was one of the few I could tolerate. Plus it’s just more affordable to mix your own shakes.

http://rwrd.io/c6uus2e
There are premix but more expensive. Also getting more than 30 grams Protein per meal has no benefits.
it helps to calculate daily protein based on body weight. 0.36 grams protein per 1lb body weight is a starting point only add higher with exercise.
the second thing that helped was BariatricPal protein Soup mixes. They have a sampler pack of broth flavors so then you can get an idea what flavor you like best.

what i wish I’d found immediately post op was BariatricPal pink lemonade Protein Shots 15 grams protein in a little shot. I had a hard time getting fluids that would have helped a lot.

Some premix in the grocery, costs a bit more but shamrock shakes are pretty good. I wouldn’t have known they existed until I found them in the cold dairy section. strawberry is good. The fairlife makes core power shakes also. They are like drinking milk. I’d also buy in a pinch some Boost Max protein shakes.

oh I can’t forget the best flavor of premix but kind of high calorie for me was salted caramel in the brand of Labrada Lean Body but one 12 ounce I think is 40 grams protein. Quest nutrition also makes salted caramel shakes, I used them as Creamer in my tea I get them cheapest in Target.

That’s also a good way to boost protein. Use protein you like in Decaf tea. I personally like either vanilla rooibos (celestial seasonings) decaf earl grey (Bigelow) though I do love vanilla chai ... also bigelow.

I am right there with you. The struggle is so real and everyone seems to think you just have to "find a way" but the fact is, you are trying but your body and stomach just rejects it. I had to pray and get divine power because I was in tears. I'm not there yet, but I am seeing a little progress in tolerance for the GENEPRO Protein powder if I put it in liquid first, shake well and then put it in Soups I enjoy ( the broth). I have a ninja blender so it blends any grit taste out 90%.
I'm learning to give myself a good balance of grace and perseverance through drinking. Nothing is Goldilocks "just right" perfect yet, but I've accepted that that's okay. It's easy for some people to get there protein grams in and others struggle, but know that you doing great. You made a healthy and bold decision for a better life, applaud yourself for that first!
I made this post a few days ago and maybe it will help you. Just look for the title in this thread and feel free to private message me if you need to. You are NOT ALONE!!!

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hi my surgery was on July 6th so i pretty much know what you are talking about .even though mine is a little diffrent i am having issues with protiien shakes and almost everything else nothing taste good or i gag on it . My Dr decided to insert feeding tube .all i can say is keep trying i pray to god everyday to get me past this they say it will get better

Greetings! I'm new to the group and praying for some advice.
My sleeve surgery was 10 days ago. My daily Protein recommendations are 60g – 90g. I am struggling to get in 30g, and I do mean struggling. The only thing I can keep down is ice Water. The smell and slightest taste of Protein Shakes, protein water, and even unflavored protein (three different brands in 10 days) make me gag. I literally cannot tolerate anything sweet since surgery. I have tried sugar free Jello, sugar free popsicles, thinned sugar fee pudding, sugar free juice, Crystal Light, etc. I have tried adding Protein Powder to Soup, protein bariatric soup, and even made my own, all with the same result. When I plug my nose to force myself to drink the protein, my body actually tries to vomit but there’s nothing to come up.
Has anyone had this happen? Any suggestions? I start pureed foods in 5 more days but realize I can’t sustain on ice water alone for much longer.

I found this brand recently after watching a podcast I have to tell you they have very strong flavors and they taste pretty good my favorite is French toast. They also have Protein butters just a thought . Check out Bowmar Nutrition these are a few of the ones I tried. Good luck!

Me too. I started using the Isopure Fruit Drinks instead. When iced I handle them better. They’re available at GNC. 90 cals a scoop and 20g of Protein.

This milk shake aversion started for me a couple weeks ago. Just can’t do it!!

I liked the thick shakes pre-surgery, but I couldn’t handle anything thick post-surgery, so my nutritionist suggested Unjury and the high Protein Slim Fast shakes thinned out with some Fair Life milk. Otherwise, I ended up getting the BariatricPal broths (chicken and beef) and those have been a great substitute for the sweet shakes so far.

Another thing I had to do mentally was pour the shake in a shot glass. I played a 1-2 minute game on my phone and then made myself drink half of the 2 oz shot glass, played another game to distract myself and took another sip. I repeated this every half hour. It is much easier mentally to think you just have to take 4 sips and your are done, then repeat it again 30-60 minutes later. Looking at a full glass is overwhelming sometimes.
Hang in there. I promise it gets sooo much easier!!

Try Fairlife milk it has higher Protein than regular milk. Have you tried mixing milk with the Protein Shakes? I had to put the shakes over ice ot Water them down a little and could only drink them ice cold. By thinning it out with ice or regular milk it lost the thick, slimy after texture. You can also try protein waters. i think you can find them at Target and Walmart. They had a little bit of a chalky after taste but again if I poured it over ice it thinned it out enough that it was fine.
I also got the sample packet form Unjury online and it has Soups that were ok.

Try Unjury.com chicken Soup or chili flavors. The thick texture and sweetness bothered me after surgery, but I could handle chicken soup.

@Pandemonium, you said exactly what I was thinking! Fairlife milk is great for diluting Protein Shakes so they aren't too sweet also. Fairlife also makes a couple of different Protein shakes that are delicious. I like the "Fairlife Nutrition Plan," chocolate or vanilla, available at Sam's Club or BJs. They also make Fairlife "Core Power" shakes in more flavors, available at Walmart and some convience stores. I find the core power to be too sweet and I'm an ex sugar addict!

I also used Protein20. I didn't really like them, but it was better than the shakes.

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I didn't mind the Premier shakes before surgery, but after, I couldn't stomach them. They tasted disgusting. I talked to the dietitian and he suggested collagen peptides and you can mix them in just about anything. I bought the brand Vital Proteins. That helped get me through. I also mixed the Protein Shakes with Decaf coffee, which made them taste a lot less sweet and disgusting. It gets easier!

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How about Protein Water? ?

I am picky with EVERYTHING!!! I like the fair life shakes. The chocolate tastes like chocolate milk and there is no “protein” taste to it. The premier, you can taste the Protein but it’s not that bad. I tried Isopure unflavored. I can’t do it. Too much of a whey taste for me.

Protein2O waters are good! The fruit punch sort of tastes like Crystal light. If you’re protein sensitive, you will still be able to tell it’s there but it’s not bad.

I had VSG on 8/31/2020. I am in soft foods phase but supplementing with protein. I don’t meet all of my protein every day but I am trying my best.

The hardest thing is getting it in when you’re truly not hungry!!!

Good luck and best wishes to you!!!

Hello
I know that Protein Shakes is a challenge to like but Protein is required. Some other options that have a soft texture are chabani non fat at 90 calories greek yogurt and cottage cheese

I really like protein premier shake. It is 160 cal 30 gms of protein.
My fav flavor is vanilla and caramel

Hope my recommendations help.
Missy

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Try Premier shakes. They actually taste good .No heavy taste.
Tell your stomach that it is not the boss of you and that you are not in control.
My thoughts about food. I eat what is good for me to live a healthy life. The Protein Drink is a life saver.
Your hair, skin and nails are primarily Protein. If you lose too much protein the results will show up in your hair and nail and your skin. Stay beautiful and follow the rules. Drink that shake.

Adding on to the previous post I made about Protein Water options possibly being something to look at (though they are generally only 20g of protein where most shakes are 30g, so there's a deficit there that you'd need to be able to make up), you specifically said that it's the smell of the shakes that you can't handle. As others have suggested, have you tried using a flavorless Protein Powder yet? It doesn't carry nearly the same odor that flavored powders have and are flavorless, so you can mix it into something to get around the issues that the flavored shakes are giving you. I'd recommend Fairlife milk as a mixer as it has a higher protein content (stick to 2% for fat and calorie sake) so you would be able to use slightly less powder and still hit 30g of protein per drink.
Of course, if the texture is something you're having issues with, then a clear Protein Drink (protein water or the previously recommended Syntrax Nectar powders) would be the way to go, keeping in mind that you'll need to drink more of them during the day to meet your program's protein goals, which is the priority.

Spoken straight and is pretty much the right thing to do. As someone who struggled with this Exact problem i agree that following the program is what resolved the issue. Have the will to get the nasty shake down

I would like to think he wouldn't, but he isn't the understanding type. I wish there was a way to just inject Protein, lol![emoji6]

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