There are 3 bariatric surgery practices in my city that are covered by my insurance. One is not an option because they will not accept anyone with my diagnosis.

I made appointments with the other two and one of them has stuff right on their website about their post-op diet being focused on whole, healthy foods; which is something that is very important to me.

The other one, I called to ask some questions and one of the nurses called me back today. I asked about the post-op diet and she said they tell their patients to use either Boost High Protein shakes or Carnation Instant Breakfast. That sounded super sketchy to me, so I googled the ingredients and they are awful! All corn syrup and sugar and oil and protein isolates.

Should I consider this a red flag? Has anyone here had surgery with a practice that uses commercial supermarket shakes like that?

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Honestly I think most of these surgeons recommend those things because the also sell them. I am having organic chicken broth and Water and I bought the orgain vanilla Protein powder from costco and make it with unsweetened almond milk. Tastes great and is all plant derived.

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Boost was not on our list of allowed Protein supplements as far as I remember but carnation breakfast essentials no sugar added was one option. We had a whole list of approved options. Carnation breakfast essentials no sugar added is a good alternative for someone who is on a budget in my opinion. Of course, I haven't done a cost/benefit analysis or comparison to other options. To me it is a fairly readily available and palatable option for some people. Another supplement option is to add dried milk to milk to increase the protein content. It was also allowed on my program but I never tried it.

I highly recommend that if you are searching for a program, that you look for a Bariatric Center of Excellence.

I don't think your supposed to drink carnation instant breakfast. Too much sugar...

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There are 3 bariatric surgery practices in my city that are covered by my insurance. One is not an option because they will not accept anyone with my diagnosis.

I made appointments with the other two and one of them has stuff right on their website about their post-op diet being focused on whole, healthy foods; which is something that is very important to me.

The other one, I called to ask some questions and one of the nurses called me back today. I asked about the post-op diet and she said they tell their patients to use either Boost High Protein shakes or Carnation Instant Breakfast. That sounded super sketchy to me, so I googled the ingredients and they are awful! All corn syrup and sugar and oil and protein isolates.

Should I consider this a red flag? Has anyone here had surgery with a practice that uses commercial supermarket shakes like that?

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My nutritionist always recommend boost Protein Shakes, reason why is because boost protein shakes that you take on the go they usually have the most protein per bottle and as you know protein intake is very important and it's not like you're gonna be drinking this for the following months this is just for that first month when you're on your liquid diet as you go you should focus more on eating food rather than drinking calories, protein shakes are only good when you are extremely busy and need something for on the go. or obviously if you do decide to hit the gym as is highly recommended some Protein Powder also have stuff that helps with muscle recovery.

I don't think your supposed to drink carnation instant breakfast. Too much sugar...

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There is a no sugar added version.

Boost was not on our list of allowed Protein supplements as far as I remember but carnation breakfast essentials no sugar added was one option. We had a whole list of approved options. Carnation breakfast essentials no sugar added is a good alternative for someone who is on a budget in my opinion. Of course, I haven't done a cost/benefit analysis or comparison to other options. To me it is a fairly readily available and palatable option for some people. Another supplement option is to add dried milk to milk to increase the protein content. It was also allowed on my program but I never tried it.

I highly recommend that if you are searching for a program, that you look for a Bariatric Center of Excellence.

All three practices are bariatric centers of excellence. I'm surprised that there seems to be such a difference in nutritional philosophy between the 2 programs I'm choosing between.

I feel like we all got to this point of seeking surgery due to overeating overprocessed foods, so it is strange to me that that is what this practice is promoting as the best source of nutrition during the first critical phase of healing and weight loss.

I told the nurse that I often make smoothies from kale, berries, seeds, nuts, a banana and some juice or soy milk, and that I was wondering if I could do something like that instead of the Boost or Carnation Instant Breakfast. Her response was that while that "sounds healthy" it wouldn't get me enough nutrients, especially protein, during the first few weeks.

To me, this sounds like they are taking an extremely reductionist approach to nutrition. I could see if she said I would need to make sure I was adding enough nuts and seeds to my smoothies to get enough protein. Or if she said that I would need to add a scoop of protein powder.

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Boost was not on our list of allowed Protein supplements as far as I remember but carnation breakfast essentials no sugar added was one option. We had a whole list of approved options. Carnation breakfast essentials no sugar added is a good alternative for someone who is on a budget in my opinion. Of course, I haven't done a cost/benefit analysis or comparison to other options. To me it is a fairly readily available and palatable option for some people. Another supplement option is to add dried milk to milk to increase the protein content. It was also allowed on my program but I never tried it.

I highly recommend that if you are searching for a program, that you look for a Bariatric Center of Excellence.

All three practices are bariatric centers of excellence. I'm surprised that there seems to be such a difference in nutritional philosophy between the 2 programs I'm choosing between.

I feel like we all got to this point of seeking surgery due to overeating overprocessed foods, so it is strange to me that that is what this practice is promoting as the best source of nutrition during the first critical phase of healing and weight loss.

I told the nurse that I often make smoothies from kale, berries, seeds, nuts, a banana and some juice or soy milk, and that I was wondering if I could do something like that instead of the Boost or Carnation Instant Breakfast. Her response was that while that "sounds healthy" it wouldn't get me enough nutrients, especially protein, during the first few weeks.

To me, this sounds like they are taking an extremely reductionist approach to nutrition. I could see if she said I would need to make sure I was adding enough nuts and seeds to my smoothies to get enough protein. Or if she said that I would need to add a scoop of protein powder.

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I agree with your NUT. Your smoothies sound like they are full of sugar with very little protein.

Protein is critical for healing and weight loss.

Right after surgery, while you are still healing, you won't be able to do nuts or seeds for quite a while. Bananas are high in sugar.

You can do whole, clean foods eventually, but early after surgery you are going to almost have to use some sort of protein supplement.