From what I've read my bariatric surgeon has a very different outlook on Protein than most that I've heard about. He only approves Protein drinks as a part of the pre-op diet and advises that protein post-op should come from "real food". He also does not recommend the use of any artificial sweeteners. So far, I've been really on board with both of these tactics. I prefer "real food" and cutting out all sweet stuff for months has really helped me not crave sweets at all.

That said, I'm nervous about getting my correct amount of protein in. Another tactic I have been using is to only eat three meals a day, to stop myself from getting into the habit of grazing (also surgeon recommended practice). With what my pouch can handle, there just doesn't seem to be a way to get the needed protein in three sittings without severe food type restrictions. (I have been tracking through MyFitnessPal, and yep... it's pretty hard, if not impossible) I'm very tempted to give Protein shakes a try. I know you should always follow your surgeon's directions, and I do plan to discuss with him, but wanted to talk with people who have been down this road before. Do you think protein drinks helped you? What were the pros and cons of adding or subtracting them from your diet?

I'm eating about 72 grams of proteins but my calories are about 1200

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How far out are you?

My surgery was January 17, 2016

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About three weeks after me. You eat a lot more calories than I do. I would struggle to eat 1200 calories with my pouch size.

I think my calories are coming from a bad source lol coffee

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I guess I got a bit scare losing too fast and having loose skin

Surgery weight 184

3 weeks after I was down 16 pounds and since I can't workout hard I decided to eat more so I won't lose as fast, I'm not clear to workout till my two months mark so after that I'll get back on my low calories eating....

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I drink coffee, but I use Splenda plus a sugar free cream. Maybe 20 calories for me. Is there any research showing that losing it fast causes more lose skin. Every person is different, so I'm not sure how they could measure that. I had surgery on 12/23 and I am down like 50 pounds. No lose skin yet... Might be when I hit goal.

Your surgery weight is less than my goal weight. LOL

I drink my coffee with lactaid milk 2% regular cream and sometimes 1/2 a spoon of brown sugar... I think Splenda is poison sorry so right there we have about 200 calories I think lol

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I don't know if there's any research about the loose skin subject I just don't want to chance it, I want to lose about 55 to 60 lbs so I figured that's a lot ...

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I drink my coffee with lactaid milk 2% regular cream and sometimes 1/2 a spoon of brown sugar... I think Splenda is poison sorry so right there we have about 200 calories I think lol

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It is so so so important NOT to drink your calories as a sleever. It's is one of the primary ways of "eating around your sleeve", since there is no restriction with liquids. If you can't ween yourself off the sugar and cream in your coffee, then you need to ween yourself off of coffee altogether. You should have a serious conversation with your nutritionist about this.

I know not drinking my calories was my number one rule and the first I failed. I'll get better hopefully soon. Thanks JamieLogical

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I know not drinking my calories was my number one rule and the first I failed. I'll get better hopefully soon. Thanks JamieLogical

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Good luck to you! I was able to give up my coffee for my pre-op and the 30 days post-op, as required by my surgeon and nutritionist, but I was literally counting down the days in the end there. Fortunately, I drink my coffee with just 2 ounces of soy milk and Truvia, so it's only 23 calories and it's the only calories I drink, because I don't even do Protein shakes anymore. I don't envy you having to give it up altogether if you aren't willing to change what you are putting into it.

For me supplementing Protein allows me to maintain variety in my diet. If I did not use at least one "protein product" per day, it would be very hard for me to meet my goals. That said, are there days I can meet 80+g of protein without a supplement? Sure. If I eat a LOT of chicken breast and hamburger, lol. Additionally, I rarely ever use a "shake" to supplement. I DO, make Protein Bars or balls using nuts, Peanut Butter, dried fruit and honey supplemented with added whey. I DO use protein bars, typically as a snack or desert. I DO occasionally make a protein mug cake for desert or munch Quest protein chips. I DO purchase specially formulated Pasta made with quinoa or bean flour for a protein boost. I DO use P28 protein bread, bagles and flat wraps instead of regular bread at home. I consider all of that supplementing protein given it's not "whole food" but packaged products. But it's rare for me to ever "drink" my protein, (or any other calories).

I am with Jamie here. I was watching the clock waiting for the coffee timer to clear. I so needed my coffee...

That is pretty much the only calories I drink everyday outside of my Protein shake. Mine is 22.5 calories since I use 1.5 tbsp.

@bikrchk-Those Protein balls sound pretty yummy. Do you have a recipe? They are probably to high in calories for me currently, but won't be in a few months.

I just had my three month followup yesterday. The one big change besides starting to balance my diet was that my NUT really wants me to save my Protein drink for my snack in the afternoon and only on days I workout. I eat three meals a day and a snack if I workout. I had been drinking my protein as Breakfast, but my NUT really wants me to eat regular food with some amount of Fiber now. It will be an interesting change.

pam