I'm pretty early out in the mushies stage, but I'm seriously trying to figure out how to make this work.

I am not a shake fan (although I hate them about 99% less than Isopure LOL). I've read people that say that they don't do shakes and get all of their Protein from food.

HOW? Please enlighten me. I know it's temporary, but for now I'm doing good to get the Water in with whatever food I can get down (1-2 oz now on average) and then 2 shakes to bring me up to my surgeon's 70 protein.

I'm assuming you guys didn't do protein powders (which I've found that the ones I'm not allergic to, I gag back up).

I know, I know... I'm sure in two months I'll laugh at myself banging my head against the keyboard here. LOL. Tell me this changes when you move to solid food.

ETA: I should also say that I have weird food allergies, soy is one of them (so no tofu). I'm also allergic to almost all fruits and nuts. Yay!

Mushies was the hardest stage for me. I was having a hard time on days 20 to 25. My stomach could only hold 2 oz so it was inevitable that I sip protein shake throughout the day. I couldn't fit in enough meat, dairy or legumes into my stomach...plus all the vitamins and the water. I actually started feeling real lethargic on Day 25...I think I was on the verge of dehydration. I forced the water and the shakes down and was much better a day later. Two days later I discovered I could fit about 1/3 cup in my sleeve and now I'm definitely at 1/2 a cup just like the guide my doctor gave me said I would be. So I think that's how people do it...the swelling in your stomach will go down. But, meat still sits a bit heavy in my stomach, so I get as much cottage cheese and yogurt as I can. I'm only 5 weeks into this so I still have a shake usually once a day. And I just bought some Tofu to try some new recipes. I think it might not be so heavy in my new tummy and it is high protein low fat. We'll see! My guide from my doctor says---long term--our sleeve could hold as much as a cup and a half, I think that's how the veterans get the job done!

You were told you need 70 grams of protein per day? I was told I needed 50-60. I wonder why there's a difference.

The difference is just physician preference. Most people need in the 50-70 gm range, so they are both correct. It is hard to get it in when you are still not on regular diet yet. My doctor told me it was the goal, but knew that most people could not accomplish daily.

Greek yogurt was a God send in my mushie stage. It has from 12-14 gms depending on the brand. Egg salad was great. I did little cups of the Ricotta bake (which was my all time favorite - a little ricotta with garlic and salt, a spoon of spagetti sauce and a little mozzerella then nuke for a min has like 20 grams or so depending on how much you can tolerate).

Definetly try the tofu if you get the firm you can sautee it and make it taste like whatever you put on it. When im allowed that I am going to make instead Mozz. and tom, w basil ..im going to do tofu ..cherry tom. and some balsamic. Also if you like sweet and sour soup from chinese make sure its not a super salty chinese restaurant ...say not spicy if spicy bothers you and add extra tofu ...soooooo goood and tofu in packed w protein. You can buy amino liquids in health food store which taste like soy sauce and sautee that w tofu with a good for you veg i think bok choy is good add some mushrooms its like homemade chinese. hmmmm im sure i can think of a bunch more cuz u can do anything with it just whatever flavor you use it will taste like. Make a homemade peanut sauce lots protein plus tofu over those no cal no carb noodles. yummmmmo...too bad i have to stay on broth tilll 20th lol

Mushies was the hardest stage for me. I was having a hard time on days 20 to 25. My stomach could only hold 2 oz so it was inevitable that I sip protein shake throughout the day. I couldn't fit in enough meat, dairy or legumes into my stomach...plus all the vitamins and the water. I actually started feeling real lethargic on Day 25...I think I was on the verge of dehydration. I forced the water and the shakes down and was much better a day later. Two days later I discovered I could fit about 1/3 cup in my sleeve and now I'm definitely at 1/2 a cup just like the guide my doctor gave me said I would be. So I think that's how people do it...the swelling in your stomach will go down. But, meat still sits a bit heavy in my stomach, so I get as much cottage cheese and yogurt as I can. I'm only 5 weeks into this so I still have a shake usually once a day. And I just bought some Tofu to try some new recipes. I think it might not be so heavy in my new tummy and it is high protein low fat. We'll see! My guide from my doctor says---long term--our sleeve could hold as much as a cup and a half, I think that's how the veterans get the job done!

Can you have laughing cow cheese? Its soft and will give you a bit of Protein to supplement. I also would eat cottage cheese and yah I would mix a small amount of mashed potatoe (not enough to even go near over on my carbs). It was enough to help get the cottage cheese down. I did have shakes in the beginning but once I was on solid foods I tended away and have not had a shake in months.

Oh I used to eat tuna during mushies. I would mash it up well with a little bit of mayo and some dill pickle relish.

Allrecipes.com has a great recipe for Tofu Parmigiana. I made it last night. Yum! It had the texture of eggplant parmesan.

Yeah, I'm allergic to soy, so no tofu.

I'm doing all of those things. I did manage to hit 70 today and only have 1 Protein shake, but I seriously felt like I was eating all the time. LOL. I think the swelling has gone down a bit overnight or something because I was able to get about 1/2 more than I usually can in.

I know, it's not a race... I had soup today and thinned out chicken salad and refried Beans. Plus a couple of Snacks (yes, cheese! laughing cow FTW!)

A 3 ounce can of solid white albacore tuna from Starkist (available in a three-pack) packs a whopping 20 grams of Protein. I mix mine with 1 tablespoon of low-fat mayo. I ate this (very slowly) during my mushy stage (I eat it now too when I need a little protein kick).

I do have to say I felt like I was eating all the time in the beginning just to get in my protein. As your swelling goes down and you can eat a little more at each serving (and when you are on solids) you will have no problems making your protein goal in 3 meals (with or without snacks). Soon you will be able to not have to worry about having to supplement with shakes.

I'm pretty early out in the mushies stage, but I'm seriously trying to figure out how to make this work.

I am not a shake fan (although I hate them about 99% less than Isopure LOL). I've read people that say that they don't do shakes and get all of their Protein from food.

HOW? Please enlighten me. I know it's temporary, but for now I'm doing good to get the Water in with whatever food I can get down (1-2 oz now on average) and then 2 shakes to bring me up to my surgeon's 70 protein.

I'm assuming you guys didn't do protein powders (which I've found that the ones I'm not allergic to, I gag back up).

I know, I know... I'm sure in two months I'll laugh at myself banging my head against the keyboard here. LOL. Tell me this changes when you move to solid food.

ETA: I should also say that I have weird food allergies, soy is one of them (so no tofu). I'm also allergic to almost all fruits and nuts. Yay!

Sleeve Girl TX

I HATE PROTEIN SHAKES! I did find an alternative at Walmart. It is a 3.9 ounce protein whey beverage that is called fruit punch shots. They are NOT tasty but here is the thing...you get 26 grams of protein and only have to endure less than four ounces to get it. My husband who doesn't hate shakes doesn't mind these either. I think I just don't care for the taste of protein....I don't care too much for meat either. That being said the best protein concoction I have had is when you take a packet of carnation Breakfast essentials with 8 oz of skim milk and one serving of Jillian Michaels chocolate whey Protein powder (also sold at Walmart). Those things together give you a shake that I would drink 4oz of and go back for the other 4 later and it was almost 30 grams of protein. That way I didn't have to have many of them. Good luch with this.

At the begining stages I had to drink atleast one protein shake a day. Now I can't stand them... lol The Premier ones from Costco (Chocolate) are the best of the brands I tried. Refrigerated they are not bad at all. I have the protein bars now and I take one with me as a just incase I don't have a chance to stop for lunch or dinner before rehearsal kind of thing.

Since surgery, the artifical sweeteners (hence the protien drinks)) have been a no go. I get a lot of my protien from 1% milk mixed w/ powdered milk. I add 1/3c powdered milk to 2 cups 1% milk. 8oz of this = 2.5F 18C 12P. A little high on the carbs, but liquids and protiens are MUCH more important early on.

Instead of the laughing cow I like the Frigo cheese Heads reduced fat/light cheese sticks. Cheaper and more protien. 3-5F 0C 8P per 1oz. (3or5 depending on flavor).

Now that I am a month out I have added Turkey Jerky for Snacks. I chew it for a long time (like meat flavored gum) 0.5F 3C 15P per ounce.

FM

I HATE protein drinks because of the protein taste. GAGS the hell outta me!!

If that is your problem with them, then try Pure Protein ready to drink in the can. It is SOOOO GOOOD!!! I promise you there is NO protein taste in the Strawberry Creme or Cookies & Cream. They both have 35g of protein in one can!!

You can get them at AMAZON.com or The VItaman Shoppe. Buy one can and see how you like it before you get a whole case! SOOOO GOOD!!

Kelly