My surgeon and NUT have told me that during the pre-op as well as post-op, NO protein powders or supplements, no matter how low-cal or low-fat. They said that they want protein to come from "real" foods, as they want me to eat in a "normal" routine, not off of shakes. I guess I understand what they are trying to say, but am worried after ready the timeline posts about people not being able to hit their protein goals without the supplemental protein(bars or shakes). Any advice? I will 100% follow my surgeons orders, just a little concerned, ESPECIALLY about hair loss(which I know is a very real side effect????)...

I think that's a bit unrealistic. You need Protein shakes at least for the first 2 -3 mths. After that you may be able to get most of your protein from foods. Have they given you a sample food plan to hit your protein goals without supplementing? I would talk to them again and come up with a specific plan of action.

You might want to call them back and confirm the information they gave you. For the 1st 2 weeks post-op, there was no way I could have eaten any solid food. And even after that, it took a long time for Frankensleeve to tolerate any kind of meat. Your new sleeve is going to be tiny and swollen for at least a month, so I don't see how they expect you to get in enough protein without resorting to supplements.

I am a 1 1/2 out and still do protein shakes daily

I was told no protein post op first 7 days while on clear liquids, then start on them again immediately on day 8, I was sleeved in June 10th, and I still try to do at least 1 per day, I have researched many foods and to get the 60-80g that I need because I work out a lot, I would need a to eat atleast 7-9 times per day at a rate of every hour, things like cheese, beef, liver, nuts etc...... So whAt your surgeon said is very unrealistic and downright stupid, unless they only expect your intake to be at 20-25g of protein ???? You need to ask a nutritionist just to make sure, I'm not a professional but I had to research a great deal to teach myself where to get my protein from, and that was pretty much the break down of how much food and amount of time I would need without supplementing

Edited July 22, 201511 yr by laguerr13

I started on solid food on day 10 after surgery and haven't had a Protein shake since. I get 80 to 90 grams a day. I pick Proteins that have high values and don't eat things that only have 8 or 10 or 12 grams in a serving.

My NUT told me you should strive to get the higher levels but you may not be able to do so immediately.

I have confirmed the diet with Both NUT's at the hospital as well as the surgeon. It's clear liquids, liquids, puréed, soft, then "real" foods. Adding powdered milk and powdered egg whites to milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, etc. I trust my surgeon-he is a professor who teaches up-and-comers how to perform bariatric surgery, has years and years of experience with thousands of surgeries under his belt. It is a very recognized bariatric center of excellence. I would not enter into this lightly without doing my research-I have been looking into everything from every angle-positive and negative. I have been to support groups and spoken with SEVERAL of his previous patients who have had great success following the plan. I was just wondering if anyone else had similar instructions, not looking for negative comments about how my team is clueless. What works for one may not for another...

I am wondering if you would share his meal plan for the different stages, I just want to see how it stacks up as everyone is different and I too went through a center of excellence but had complications.

Pre-op: 1,200 cal, low fat, extremely low carb

Midnight before VSG: nothing to eat/drink after midnight

1-5days after VSG: clear liquids

5-14 days after VSG: all liquids

2-3 weeks after VSG: puréed

3-4 weeks after VSG: soft

4 weeks-forever: reintroduce "regular" foods

Of course, everything is as tolerated and are the general "guidelines"...there are no Protein powders/bars anywhere. The first few weeks are mainly working to get liquids to prevent dehydration-hence the significant weight loss for this period. Protein is always key-Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, eggs, milk with added powdered milk/egg whites if needed/wanted to up protein

Edited July 22, 201511 yr by tera1982

Samelton68

Sorry about having complications????

I am very nervous about the WHOLE surgery but have confidence in my surgical team(bariatric nurse specialists(who are AMAZING), NUT's, my surgeon, etc.) and know that I have their support every step of the way.

I have confirmed the diet with Both NUT's at the hospital as well as the surgeon. It's Clear liquids, liquids, puréed, soft, then "real" foods. Adding powdered milk and powdered egg whites to milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, etc. I trust my surgeon-he is a professor who teaches up-and-comers how to perform bariatric surgery, has years and years of experience with thousands of surgeries under his belt. It is a very recognized bariatric center of excellence. I would not enter into this lightly without doing my research-I have been looking into everything from every angle-positive and negative. I have been to support groups and spoken with SEVERAL of his previous patients who have had great success following the plan. I was just wondering if anyone else had similar instructions, not looking for negative comments about how my team is clueless. What works for one may not for another...

I apologize if my post came across as negative towards your program. However they are splitting hairs. If you are supplementing with powdered milk and powdered eggs whites, you are still supplementing. I understand their reasoning. We should all be learning to eat in a healthier manner and not rely on shakes for our Protein.

Pre-op: 1,200 cal, low fat, extremely low carb

Midnight before VSG: nothing to eat/drink after midnight

1-5days after VSG: clear liquids

5-14 days after VSG: all liquids

2-3 weeks after VSG: puréed

3-4 weeks after VSG: soft

4 weeks-forever: reintroduce "regular" foods

Of course, everything is as tolerated and are the general "guidelines"...there are no Protein powders/bars anywhere. The first few weeks are mainly working to get liquids to prevent dehydration-hence the significant weight loss for this period. Protein is always key-Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, eggs, milk with added powdered milk/egg whites if needed/wanted to up protein

Although my surgeon/NUT included Protein shakes, the approach was very similar to your team. They wanted me off them when I was able to get in 60 grams of protein with regular foods... the sooner the better. I actually had my last shake at about week 4.

There is no way I would have reached my protein goal the first month without shakes. I was told after that as long as I was reaching goal I could get protein from food. I still have 1 shake a day

That is why I still do a shake in the morning, I wouldn't make it and don't care or have time for breakfast

At the nutrition class I went to (run by a nutritionist who works for my surgeon), we were told that the surgeon isn't really big on shakes, and prefers "real food". I asked how we were supposed to get in our Protein before we were back on solid food, and the answer was that they don't expect us to get protein the first two weeks.

So since they "prefer" real food, but don't forbid shakes, I will probably use them to supplement.

i was told the complete opposite of you i was told i would be doing 4 oz of protein shakes 3x a day post surgery for 7 weeks with either powder or ready made shakes on top of my meals