I need some help. I just had my surgery on January 20th. Before the surgery I had no problem with protein, but now I cannot seem to tolerate it. I changed the protein type and have even tried powder with milk. I've done Atkins and premier protein. Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you

I need some help. I just had my surgery on January 20th. Before the surgery I had no problem with Protein, but now I cannot seem to tolerate it. I changed the protein type and have even tried powder with milk. I've done Atkins and Premier Protein. Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you

Are you able to eat, or drink I should say, anything else...water? broth?

When you say you cannot tolerate it, what does that mean exactly...cannot swallow? Pain? or are you just feeling bloated and gassy, or something else....

Jan 20th, you just had surgery, not even a week....you just might need to continue to rest and heal, and don't force anything....

I can drink soup and broth. I get diarrhea after drinking protein. My doctors office said they want us to get 60 grams of protein a day. That just makes it really hard when I can't drink it.

You may still be severely swollen. I would try to drink some warm tea or some warm juice. You will have diarrhea until you start eating regular food. liquids in liquids out but you still need to drink them. Ask your doctor if you can take some immodium to stop the diarrhea.

Edited January 25, 201412 yr by cheryl2586

Hi there, all our doctors have differing follow-up protocol. I was told not to worry about protein goals during this time of healing from the surgery and to only have full liquids if hungry. I really wasn't very hungry so relied on water, tea, watered down juice and broth to make sure I was having plenty of liquids. There is swelling after surgery that needs to go down -- some have this more than others. For me it provided a feeling of tightness and a few sips into my potato leek soup, etc. I felt like I was done. I tried protein shakes a few times and didn't want them. I really loved having Popsicles. Good luck to you -- you are still healing up! Best wishes for a nice quiet weekend.

You may still be severely swollen. I would try to drink some warm tea or some warm juice. You will have diarrhea until you start eating regular food. Liquids in liquids out but you still need to drink them. Ask your doctor if you can take some immodium to stop the diarrhea.

I do agree about the swelling, just not the liquids in liquids out. I always thought this too, but I go so constipated in my liquid phase I thought I would die. Stay hydrated, at this point that is the most important thing.

Like Bandista, the Protein shakes just didn't appeal to me at first. I don't think I had one til nearly 2 weeks postop.

If I recall, you should not be trying to eat this early in the game. You just had surgery 5 days ago and should still be on liquids for 7 days. It is suggested by Dr. Paul O'Brien, one of the top leading LapBand doctors in the world, to have soup that can be pureed, low fat yogurt, milk, v-8, eggnogs, fruits in liquid form, fruit juice unsweetened, and puree food in liquid form. You can also make a smoothie with the milk, yogurt and fruit. This is for the first seven days only. You should then progress to soft foods for the period your doctor told you and so on and so forth. I hope this helps. Please take it easy and do not rush your progress.

I agree with all the above, but one question I have is do you have lactose issue's? I am lactose intolerant and certain Protein shakes do not agree with me. I have to read all labels closely to make sure they are lactose free. If I use Protein Powder then I mix with lactaid. At any rate take it easy, and give yourself time to heal. I hope you are feeling better soon!!

Hi BellPepper2,

I remember my doctor was very strict about me transitioning to anything more solid than broth for a week. Also, this soon after surgery, the tissue passing through the band may still be sore and inflamed, which can make it even tighter. A few other tips: the band tends to be tighter in the morning when you haven't eaten for several hours and, cold liquids can make the band tighter. The night after my surgery, I was worried that the band was too tight because it took me ages to drink a few cups of cold Water (I found out they hadn't filled the band at all until my first follow-up). Hang in there! It will loosen up!

What cheryl said! liquids, liquids out! Calm down, you will do fine. The1st 2 weeks re for swelling to go down. Best wishes, Karen.aka.kll724

Most people get diarrhea in the liquid phase. If for some reason you don't then that is great. If you ever see old people on tube feedings, most of them always have diarrhea because all they are getting is liquid and because of the surgery your body is all out of whack.