Practicing liquid protein drinks helps get your body used to them so that you will get enough protein after surgery. In your first consultation with the dietitian, you may receive information that includes details about how much and what types of protein are the best quality for bariatrics patients.

ANSWER: Practice. Practice. Practice.

QUESTION: What is “How do you get to Carnegie Hall?”

This would be a great question for Jeopardy under the category of “Truthful Jokes.” So, how does this familiar joke work for bariatric surgery? Would you really perform music on the stage of Carnegie Hall or make a presentation or write a great report or make it to the World Series without a lot of practice?

Practicing liquid protein drinks helps get your body used to them so that you will get enough protein after surgery. In your first consultation with the dietitian, you may receive information that includes details about how much and what types of protein are the best quality for bariatrics patients.

Start with one protein drink per day as a meal replacement. As you get closer to surgery, add another protein drink to replace another meal or snack. There is a period of trial and error to find the best one for you, so you’ll likely need to try a variety of protein products before you find what works for you. Cutting way back on food portions isn’t the same as allowing your body to adjust to an all liquid diet. Start practicing the protein drinks way before you have to go on an all liquid diet. This may be one of your best performances!

Your taste buds will change after bariatric surgery, so be prepared to experiment with different protein shakes until you find one that you can tolerate after surgery.