As my time gets closer, I just have to ask about Protein powders. I have seen a lot of posts where people use different kinds of Protein powder. Can you tell me why? Aren't you suppose to get your protein through foods? What is the benefit of using a powder?

Thanks for your replies.

I can only speak for how it worked/works for me..........

I can not eat enough solid protein (food) to get in as much as I need sometimes. In the beginning I could not eat any solid protein. We need protein so we don't lose too much muscle. We also need protein so our hair does not fall out.

In the beginning I drank quite a few protein shakes. Now I just drink them sometimes. Yesterday I made strawberry smoothies for myself and my grandson........I added 2 scoops of protein powder. It was yummy and good for both of us.

I drink a protein drink for breakfast every morning because I simply would not get enough protein otherwise. I don't eat much meat or other high protein foods so if I get a shake in each morning I don't have to worry about it too much the rest of the day.

How did you know what protein powder to get? I know my Dr stressed that protein protects against hair loss.

My doc had some basics to follow when looking for protein shakes...... I think it was they have to be under 150 calories and more than 15g protein. There are many that fall in those guidelines. I've found several that have 60g protein. Several times I have gone to places like GNC and asked for protein powder that has the highest protein with the lowest fat/carbs/calories and they show me options. If you don't like the "milky" type, Nectar brand is like Kool-aid and has many flavors. You can order it online (roadside lemonade is the best )

I second the Nectar protein..the brand is Syntrax. I didn't *love* the Roadside lemonade but it was okay. Strawberry kiwi was better, and now I drink Vanilla Bean Tort every morning...mixed with a glass of skim milk it is 32 gms of protein and 190 calories...and tastes alot like Carnation instant breakfast vanilla.Not bad! It can be trial and error to find out what you like, so whenever possible buy sample packets before you commit to a huge expensive jug.

During preop and immediately post op doctors have you drink Protein shakes to get nutrition. Pre op doctors have you eat only protein so as to force the body to burn the fat in the liver so it is easier to move during surgery. After surgery you can't eat solids for several week so you need some way to get protein. After I was healed my doctor did not want me eating shakes, instead I should be getting my calories from solid foods. To deal with the possibility of the band being too tight in the morning I eat greek yogurt (which is high in protein, but I add half a scoop of protien powder as well).

Once healed you want to avoid slidders (anything that will go right through the pouch into the big stomach) and protein shakes are a slider.

I try to get my proteins from meat sources. I'll use liquid proteins after a Stuck episode just to let the swelling go down for a day or so.

I only used Protein shakes for the pre and part of the post op diet. Since then I have got my protein from the food I eat. It is quite easy to get more than enough protein from a varied diet even with a band. I eat meat, chicken, fish, eggs, yogurt etc. I also eat bread, Pasta rice albeit in small quantities.What most people don't realise is that a lot of foods that we think of as being carbs actually have protein in them as well.

e.g

2 slices toast = 4g protein

1 small potato = 2g

2/3 cup of oats = 3g

The only time I will use a protein/meal replacement shake is if I am in too much of a hurry to be able to eat a proper breakfast. Generally I find them really unsatisfying - I can drink 1 and be hungry again almost immediately.

I drink a Protein drink for breakfast every morning because I simply would not get enough protein otherwise. I don't eat much meat or other high protein foods so if I get a shake in each morning I don't have to worry about it too much the rest of the day.

I do the same thing, sometimes I can't eat in the am, boiled egg, or piece of waffle with Peanut Butter on it. but a shake with 1/2 banana will fill me. I use whey protein 50 grms of protein per scoop. Rite Aid stores also care GNC with a surprisingly large variety of shake selections. Which is great for me the GNC store is out of town and would have to make special trips.

I always rely on fresh protein, i have never had a protein shake and not really ever needed/wanted one .. in the UK there isnt the push to buy protein powders here and u need to think about in the long term, will u still be buying protein powders 5 yrs post op etc, better to try and eat normal healthy food and get your nutrients naturally. Obviously some will need the extra protein that shakes can offer but names give away what the product was designed for .. Protein suppliments are meant to suppliment a normal diet, meal replacement protein shakes are there to replace a meal, they are much higher in calories and are not meant to be fillers and sliders in between meals .

The other posts have covered this topic quite well. I have used the GNC Wheybolic Extreme powder for my Protein shakes; 1.5 scoops has 30 g of protein. I found this one to be the most palatable choice for me. You may have to try several before you find one you like.

The only additional information I would add is that my surgeon advised us to use only 100% whey isolate protein powders. For bariatric patients, this is the most nutritious choice with the fewest carbs. Especially in pre and post op, I found it nearly impossible to drink as much as I was advised to, so every shake had to deliver high with the protein grams.

Yes, Whey 100% Isolate is also my doctors choice. Please review labels as all Whey is not created equal. Isolate is a little more expense but it is a higher quality protein.

I love meat so I am hoping to get most my Protein from fish and chicken. I have tried Atkins Advantage and will use that for pre-op and post-op. But it's always good to have a backup plan on those days I can't get the right meal in.

Thank you all for your responses.

When you're first banded, you're on liquids only, so you need your protein from somewhere. I use it to supplement. In the mornings I'm not too good with solid foods, so I like to take a protein shake to work and I can get part of it in. I like the pre-mixed Premier Protein shakes (30 gms protein; 1 gm sugar, 1 gm fat); I get them at Costco.

Sorry, double post!