Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

GAINING weight on protein shakes only pre-op??



Recommended Posts

I'm on day 10 of a 14-day pre-op diet. The pre-op diet my doc uses consists of only 3 Protein Shakes, 1 Protein Bar and unlimited sugar-free Jello and/or popsickles. On Tuesday 9/13 I weighed in at 10 pounds less than I did on 9/06 -- and was really excited! But today, I'm actually UP 3 pounds from my 9/13 total. Freaking OUT!! How can you possibly be eating nothing but Protein shakes and GAIN weight?? I'm anxious that my doc will cancel the surgery -- she's been a real stickler for rules. (No diet sodas or carbonated drinks, no smokers, no marijuana - LOTS of pre-surgery hurdles to jump (EKG, blood work, pap smear, mammogram, colonoscopy, chest Xray on....and on...and on...and on. It took me from February to September to get a consultation.

Surgery is scheduled for September 2, and I'm so worried that she'll cancel on me.

Anyone else gain weight on a pre-op diet?? Any suggestions?? I've cancelled out all but 2 very small (1/8 cup) additions of SF jello, but still on the upswing.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

What kind of Protein Shakes are you drinking? You have to be very careful because some of them are formulated for weight gain.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I can see EKG and blood work but pap smear, mammogram, colonoscopy and chest X-ray? None of that has anything to do with this surgery! What, is she getting a kickback from the lab? I would seriously consider a different doctor. Be careful with the Protein Shakes. Some of them are loaded with calories. I make my own so I can control what's in them. Plus they taste better! Good luck. I'm sure she won't cancel your surgery as long as you follow her rules. If she does or you change your mind, Port Huron isn't that far from you and the best and most experienced lapband doctor in Michigan practices there!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I don't think you doctor was out of line regarding the tests. My doctor required the same things. Are you over 50? The colonoscopy was the only thing I did'nt do as I was 40. Regarding Protein Shakes I would check the ones your using. The powders should be less then 120 calories, less 4 g of Carbs, and less 3 g of fat, and have around 25 g of Protein.< /p>

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You're losing tons of Water at the moment, and all that's happened is that you've retained a little water - at the end of the diet you're going to be lighter than when you started, how is your doctor even going to know that you've fluctuated? Fluctuation on a daily basis is normal, diet or not.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Similar thing happened to me. I have been weighing myself daily while on preop diet for motivation. One day the scale was up 2 pounds and the next day it was down by 3. Go figure. I would check your shakes though, make sure they are appropriate for weight loss. Also, could your time of the month be coming? I always gain a few days before that. Hang in there!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks much for the replies! I'm certain that the shakes are not my problem - they are New Directions Weight Control shakes - they are mandatory purchases in the pre-op surgery stage - sold by my Drs. Office. Very Low Calorie - High Protein etc.

I'm just hoping that by some miracle, the pounds drop off before Monday (day before surgery) - and that she doesn't cancel me out. It's been such a long haul to get to this point, I'm so ready to just "do the deed" and begin the process of becoming a healthier me.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Wow, mandatory that you purchase your preop shakes from her office. I don't think thats legal or ethical. How sad.

I'm using Total Lean shake from GNC. The premade one. ( Best I've found so far) It's suprising the range of calories, protien, and carbs that are in the different brands. I'm on 2 Protein shakes, 1 bowl of Soup for supper and sugar free Jello, sugar free pudding, v-8, yougurt (I don't eat) for 1 week and lost 10 lbs so far. So check your labels on those drinks.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm on day 10 of a 14-day pre-op diet. The pre-op diet my doc uses consists of only 3 Protein shakes, 1 Protein Bar and unlimited sugar-free Jello and/or popsickles. On Tuesday 9/13 I weighed in at 10 pounds less than I did on 9/06 -- and was really excited! But today, I'm actually UP 3 pounds from my 9/13 total. Freaking OUT!! How can you possibly be eating nothing but Protein Shakes and GAIN weight?? I'm anxious that my doc will cancel the surgery -- she's been a real stickler for rules. (No diet sodas or carbonated drinks, no smokers, no marijuana - LOTS of pre-surgery hurdles to jump (EKG, blood work, pap smear, mammogram, colonoscopy, chest Xray on....and on...and on...and on. It took me from February to September to get a consultation.

Surgery is scheduled for September 2, and I'm so worried that she'll cancel on me.

Anyone else gain weight on a pre-op diet?? Any suggestions?? I've cancelled out all but 2 very small (1/8 cup) additions of SF Jello, but still on the upswing.

Let me/us know what happens with the weight gain and surgery date. I am on the diet and am worried also,,,thx.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You don't need shakes etc 3 pints skimmed milk 2 no fat yoghurts per day was my pre op diet given by consultant surgeon in bariatric surgery. Only do it for 9 days though no more

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Well, my surgery took place despite my weight gain. I literally STARVED myself for the final 3 days of my pre-op diet, drinking almost zero -- this resulted in a net weight loss. Surgery happened on Tuesday, September 20 and I am now BANDED. The surgery went off fairly well - I was able to get up and about walking on my own - pain was not too bad. A bit of discomfort, especially in the incision where the port is located. The only problem I had was with the oral pain meds -- when I swallowed the meds hit the band and just STUCK there. Burned like mad. It just wasn't worth taking them - so I decided to stick with just ice bags and forgo the pain meds.

Now the real work truly begins -- I'm hoping that this "tool" will help me to FINALLY get control of my weight. I've been overweight to obese my entire 56 years - and am really ready to be over it.

Luck go all others as they begin this journey.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Congratulations!!! how is your recovery so far

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

For anyone else who reads this:

Listen to Jachut - you're just retaining Water.

Women's weight can fluctuate up to 5 lbs a day (that's about 2 L) - men can fluctuate up to 20 lbs due to salt and Water retention. Shocking isn't it?

If you want to confirm this get a scale like the Omron and it will show you all of the factors you need to determine if it was fat gain or water gain.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Oh - and regarding the tests:

Pap Smear - is usually to ensure you don't have an underlying cancer that could prevent you getting a lap band.

Mammogram - same thing.

Colonoscopy - same thing.

Chest X-Ray is for TB or cancer - same as the above.

They are all precautions.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

What kind of Protein shakes are you drinking? You have to be very careful because some of them are formulated for weight gain.

I'm using Optifast HP shakes

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • KimBaxleyWilson

      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • bellaamey

      https://alluniqueguide.com/java-burn-coffee-reviews/
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×