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Hi Kat, You can buy protein powder samples lots of places. I would recommend that you plan to keep sampling after surgery, because many people find their tastes change after surgery. So don't invest in a big tub of something until you can confirm you like it after surgery. Here are some places to buy samples: http://www.nashuanutrition.com/store/protein-powders/protein-powder-samples-1-serving.html http://www.mybariatricpantry.com/Bariatric_Protein_Samples_s/35.htm However, if you are looking for something to make hunger go away, I'm going to suggest something different -- lean protein and green veggies. You'll find them more filling and less caloric than most protein shakes. If you are hungry, have a hunk of roast chicken breast (no sauce!) and a big plate of broccoli. If you don't want dry chicken breast and broccoli, you aren't actually hungry, you are just experiencing a craving or head hunger. One of the most important things you can do pre-op is to teach yourself what hunger is and how to deal with it in an appropriate way. Sometimes that appropriate way is just learning that it is okay to be hungry. You CAN wait until your next scheduled meal, although it is unpleasant, you aren't going to starve to death. I really recommend the Beck Diet Solution (you can probably get it from your library). Another thing you can do (if you haven't) is set up a myfitnesspal.com account and get in the habit of measuring your portions and logging all your food. Going for a walk or getting some other light exercise every day is another way you can prepare for your post-op life that is free. Also, practice not drinking with your meals or for 30 minutes after. Download the "Eat Slower" app (free) for your phone and teach yourself to eat slowly. Make small dietary changes such as kicking carbonation and all liquid calories to the curb -- except any protein shakes you may be sampling, of course. I really do think that the most important changes you can make to prepare now are to work on general behaviors and your mindset around food, rather than trying to figure out what protein drink you might like -- especially since you may well find that your tastes are completely different post-op. But the behaviors and habits you can teach yourself now will really help you, and you can do those for absolutely no cost.

Hello fellow Pal I am on the pre-op journey along with you, I just got scheduled for my surgery Sept 15th! I have been researching all the most budget-friendly options as well. Protein shakes & all the supplements are definitely pricey & a big consideration when you're on a small budget but I'm hoping purchasing less in groceries will help offset the cost. I found a few things for myself that may help... First off, each doctor has different guidelines and requirements, many doctors require you to purchase a specific brand protein and Vitamin supplements for pre/post op. Unfortunately, the doctors requirements are often quite expensive & must be factored into your surgery cost & as far as I know, most insurances do not cover this portion. You'll have to check with your own Dr/insurance. Early on, I checked into the "Insure" program I found on this site that offers to get your protein shakes covered by insurance & gave the info. to my Dr & nutritionist who checked into it & discovered they are largely a scam! The protein shakes they offer are "Premier Protein" anyway, widely available at costco (cheapest) & I've found them at Walmart, Winco & many other stores, depending on your area. I tried the Premier Protein shakes (30 gm protein in 11 oz), I like the chocolate one pretty well, tried the strawberry too & just didn't like it as well. This is one of the most inexpensive brands I've been able to find. The cheapest I've been able to find works out to be about $1.20-$1.50 per shake (that's for my area in Northern California). I've also tried the Syntrax nectar (personally I like having fruit flavored options better than most the other powders). I discovered something not widely advertised, the company offers a "variety sampler" of 1 packet of each of their 15 flavors for $17. I ordered this & got it, tried only 1 so far (not horrible but I tried the cherry & that just won't be my flavor), but that's when I started hearing all about how my taste-buds could change after surgery so I decided to wait to try the rest of them after surgery. 23 gm protein each. If I decide to go with the Nectars, it will be cheaper to purchase online, about $35 or more for a 2lb/30 serving canister. If you want to order the "Variety Sampler" you order directly from the company - you can take a look at their Facebook ad here: https://www.facebook.com/officialsyntrax/photos/pb.139333966120689.-2207520000.1440194636./770066349714111/?type=3&theater However, one of my favorite recent finds is LiquaCel, it's 16gm protein in only 1OZ! In fruit flavors, it's a concentrate that you can either take straight if you just can't choke down more (especially post-op), or dilute in liquid. You can get them in individual packets for $1.50 each or 32 oz bottles for $34. So far I like these the best for taste! I've tried the orange (undiluted) & the lemonade mixed in Crystal Light lemonade & I liked them both far better than the powdered protein shakes. I have the other 2 flavors too, just haven't tried them yet & I just ordered more. However, I know that after surgery taking it straight in the concentrated form may be too strong for me, but it can be diluted in less liquid than traditional protein shakes. You can find them here: http://www.procarenow.com/search.asp?keyword=LiquaCel&search=GO As far as vitamins/supplements, this has taken even more research... for me, I found ProCare Bariatric Multi-Vitamin chewable, very similar ingredient amounts to Celebrate brand, only $12 for a month supply & it includes Iron. I checked them with my Dr. & she was good with these. They are from the same company as the LiquaCel: http://www.procarenow.com/Bariatric-Complete-Chewable-MultiVitamin-Once-Per-Day--Formulated-for-Roux-en-Y-Vertical-Sleeve-Duodenal-Switch-30-Day-Supply_p_10002.html For Calcium, I am having a really hard time with the soft-chews, they all taste like chalk to me. Once I am able to swallow pills again, which my Dr. is OK with shortly after post-op, I found Puritan's Pride calcium citrate +D "miniatures". Smaller pills than the the more common huge horse pills, if they're still too much for me after surgery, they can be cut, crushed or disintegrated in applesauce. It works out to be 200 mg per tab, so I'll need 3 tab 2x day to get 1200 but I can handle tablets better than chews. 3 bottles $17.50 6 for $35 (6 mo. supply). Available here: http://www.puritan.com/calcium-citrate-337/calcium-citrate-vitamin-d3-miniatures-033195 I'm also going to be adding Biotin gel tabs from Costco post-op, hoping to prevent hair loss & the Dr. will let me know if anything else needs to be added after blood work is done post op. These have been all my best finds so far. Hopefully some of these can help. This is definitely no easy journey and affects every aspect your life, including financially, but I'm trusting it will all be worth it & at least I'll have a life! My mother & grandmother both passed away in their early 50's & both morbidly obese when they died -- I am planning on breaking that cycle! It is such a big help to get support from all the others who are going through the same thing or have been there! Just imagine how much better life will be at this time next year! All the best on your journey! Warm Hugs, Kristina

Yes Gingercat I am going stir crazy too! I was banded too on 4/28 and tired of these 4 walls... I did venture out to buy more broth, because I found out from my doctor that I was not drinking enough broth after surgery, mostly Protein shakes.. I'm still a little tired and not really ready to go back to work on Monday but gotta do it.. I will just take it slower... I am glad this gas is subsiding for the most part. Haven't lost anymore weight but I know it is really do to inactivity... those vicodin kept me sleepy...lol. I've switched up to the jr. tylenols instead 160 mg ea. melt aways... so that I can drive soon, pls really don't need the vicodin. My incisions mostly itch..lol. I'm glad that everyone is doing so well, and wish us all continued success!

I have been on a week diet of shakes twice a day and only Protein at dinner. Today, I started liquids only and will do that until midnight Sunday. I will try to post as soon as I can after surgery. I want everyone to know as much as they can about the process. I hope to have a picture posted in a year that has the disclaimer "results not typical":thumbup:

Has anyone had the VSG in Belgium at the St Elizabeth hospital? I am looking into getting surgery there and would love to hear of your experience. I am hoping to go at some point this year.and thinking of going through http://www.obesity-solutions.co.uk/ has anyone else?? I'm in England so Mexico is not an option when I realised how much the flights were Thankyou in advance to any replies!

Thank god because after my luck in another thread I was seriously confused. I had people who weren't considering removal or revision just shooting down my desire to learn more about my options.

Mix one (1) scoop of either of these protein powders below with 6 to 8 ounces of skim milk: (1) Optimum Nutrition Gold 100% whey protein powder (voted #1 in taste/consistency/ease of use for the past 7 years) - I live on the chocolate flavor. (2) GNC Pro Performance whey protein powder (3) Body Fortress whey protein powder (the least expensive of the three, and clumps up a little bit more)

Hi all, Looking for some advice. I had my sleeve surgery 10/3. On solids now and doing ok. Still trying to get all my Protein and Water in. But I'm still exhausted, I haven't started to excercise yet and never did before surgery. I'm scheduled for a family vacation at the end of this month(cannot get out of), I also have a 7 year old I want to keep up with. I am renting a scooter. But I'm still concerned about my energy level just getting around the parks. Obviously, I'll bring my own cooler. Any advice is appreciated?

I used the protein shakes for my pre-op diet. I had my surgery last Wed. I drank a protein shake yesterday and that was the only time since the surgery I have been nauseated. Could it be the protein shake?

Should I do a pouch test? I am 7 months out, and lost 70lbs and have 20 left. I have stalled but workout about 6 days a week. I eat well and get my protein in. Not sure if it's weight training or what...maybe exchange of fat for muscle??? Super annoying to bounce between 158 and 160 over and over.

I still aim for 100 grams per day, per my surgeon's recommendations. I'm very active though so that's why he insists I have a higher protein intake. I think for my height/weight, it would normally be somewhere around 48-60 grams per day if my activity level was more that of the average person. However, I run(distance running) and do weight training and, if I don't run, I do some sort of cross training. I would talk to your surgeon and see what his recommendations for you are because protein needs can vary a lot between individuals.

Not that I know of I just get the regular bag. If you want a pre made shake try premier Protein. I love it. It comes in chocolate and vanilla.

I gained too. But then I found out they dropped the requirement, so no worries for me. You, however might want to do what I did on the month after I had a gain. I did a week of high Protein, no bread or sugar, and I dropped 10 pounds in 10 days, and went back to the Dr and had them document that weight instead. Of course I wasn't able to KEEP it off, but it showed I was trying. I think the diet is just a silly hoop. Just do your best.

During my liquid phase I was on nectar Protein powder (~25g per scoop) and 1% milk. I also supplemented with PROTI brand broth and Water add-ins which each are infused with 15g of protein. My surgeon's office sold both, but you can find them online or at super supplement stores.

I too had trouble getting to 65g of protein. I just did my best by drinking some protein drink each day. It is only a short period.

I had my surgery on 24 July and I to am on an insulin pump (medtronic). I was having some weird things happening with me. I would have a Protein shake with one cup of milk and would bolus for 20 grams of carbs but my BG would zoom up to 180 or so. Then the rest of the day I would do ok on my basal only but at about 5:00 pm my BG would crash to the low 50's. I had to start suspending my pump at night and would wake up the next morning to start over with the same thing. My endo finally told me to simply disconnect the pump all together for a week and see how it went. My BG is now not less than 156 and goes up to around 220 and stays there most of the time. I think I will be getting off the pump but I do think that at least for a while I may need either some insulin or or an oral drug to hold me over while my weight decreases. I have lost about 30 pounds in 3 weeks and I am sure that my weight loss will continue. I just don't know what my diabetes will do to cooperate. I am 60 years old and have been diabetic since my mid 30's. So to be totally honest I don't think that I will be completely "cured". Perhaps if I had gotten the surgery 30 years ago it would have been different. But you will never know till you try. I have gotten pretty tired of pumping insulin.

Protein can be critical. It prevents your body from loosing muscle and it looses fat instead. Also, anemia and other complications can occur from not getting enough protein. Like the above posts say, stalls are totally normal. Everyone is different. It was suggested to me that at day 6 or 7 of a stall (early on after surgery) starting to log what you are eating and see if there is a diet reason for the stall. Also, either way you can go back to liquids and walk a little more to kick the body back into gear

Get back on track. Protein first, veggies second, carbs last!! You can do this!

I have used powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury Protein products for a few years now. Has anyone used Bariateic Pal and Unjury? Wondering if I should try this for surgery coming up. Sent from my SM-G900P using the BariatricPal App

I'm interested in doing the pre-surgery Protein diet that I did before having the sleeve done. The diet consisted of a Protein shake for Breakfast, a protein shake for lunch, a cup of fruit and for dinner 6 ounces of meat and a vegetable. Is this enough for healthy eating post-surgery? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I was given no Protein goals at all. I am currently day 4, I was banded on Monday. On mine there is 2 protein shakes a day 15-25g and I have been drinking Atkins (which are delicious) and 15g each. I am SO sick of this shakes and soup diet already it's not funny.

Maybe you can try a VSG friendly diet so that you can start getting use to it. High protein meals and maybe start a workout routine. Good Luck!

I'm allowed protein shakes, any soup that's blended and yogurt smoothies, and then Popsicles, crystal light, etc The soup makes it so much better! So excited its your turn!!!!

I don't have any set goals for anything, this is not a race is a lifetime journey. Whatever my stomac is telling me this is what I do. I can't eat that much protein a day or at least not yet. I eat what I am comfortable with, what doesn't hurt me. Tolerance varies from day to day. When I saw my specialist nurse two weeks ago she's asked me if I can eat 8 table spoons of food in one sit. I can't, I can do 6 and she said is fine. Everything takes time.

are you able to drink protein shakes after surgery (on a all clear liquid diet)? my hub got me bullets and they are not the best tasting things..........worse than isopure... please advise what you are drinking/consuming on your clear liquids