Hi Everyone, I was reading my manual that my Bariatric Education Team gave me last night, and I'm trying to wrap my mind around how I'm supposed to get my intake of protein once the liquid stages are over. I understand that I will be on Protein shakes during the liquid stage, but then after, I get to mushy and solid stages, and I can only eat a couple of bites at a time, how am I supposed to get in the 70grams of protein that is needed per day? Is this something I'm overthinking? I need help making sense of them. Please, any input is appreciated.

Thanks,

JJ

It's a continual struggle for me. I am 12 weeks post-op and am supposed to be eating 80 grams of protein a day. I start each day with a protein drink (17 grams) and then eat three meals of at least 15 grams of protein. I eat a lot of fish, lunch meat, ground hamberger, cheese, greek yogurt. I eat very few fruits and vegetables since I can hardly finish the protein. I eat zero breads, rice, pasta. If I ate those things, I would never have room for the protein items. At night I sometimes have a protein bar if I still need another 15 grams of protein. My nutritionist wants me to eat three squares plus one snack a day. No grazing throughout the day. At the 6 month mark, I have to wean off the protein drink and up the protein per meal to 20 grams.

I just do the best I can each day and focus on eating protein first which usually turns into protein only. I will say that each day I am able to eat a bite more, mostly a fruit. Yesterday I had scrambled egg with one strawberry sliced. A month ago I would have only been able to finish a portion of the egg, no fruit at all.

I haven't used the protein shots but several on this board recommend them. Others mix Special K protein powder into their waters. Keep trying diferent things and you will find something that works for you.

I have lost 57 pounds and am very happy I had the surgery! I feel no hunger and don't desire large volumes of food like I used to. Good luck with your surgery!

I was wondering the same thing because Kaiser Richmond tells all patients not to drink protein shakes... EVER. They say that they are "empty calories" and do not keep you full. I completely disagree with that and have been substituting one meal a day with a protein shake (I am still pre-op until next week) but I am wondering how in the world I am supposed to get all my protein in without protein shakes!

I haven't used the protein shots but several on this board recommend them.

What's a 'protein shot'?

Nevermind...I'm in idiot.

Froedtert Health highly discourages the use of protein shakes as well because it is liquid intake that will not stay with you. They recommend putting powdered egg whites on your food to increase your protein intake. They also recommend adding powdered milk to the required 2 glasses of skim milk. If you do the latter, be sure to mix it in a blender and let it sit overnight in the fridge; otherwise, your milk will be grainy.

Use a program like myfitnesspal.com to log what you eat and keep track of every bite you take at least initially. What I found was that I was getting more protein than I thought. Every bite of string cheese, greek yogurt and scrambled egg added to my total. I have to break my meals up into 4 or 5 small meals to get it all in but I make my protein goals most days.

Froedtert Health highly discourages the use of protein shakes as well because it is liquid intake that will not stay with you. They recommend putting powdered egg whites on your food to increase your protein intake. They also recommend adding powdered milk to the required 2 glasses of skim milk. If you do the latter, be sure to mix it in a blender and let it sit overnight in the fridge; otherwise, your milk will be grainy.

I'm having my surgery with Dr Goldblatt on November 20. How did you do with him?