I am two months post-op today. (Surgery was May 17th.) And I still am completely unable to drink any kind of protein shake. I've even tried protein water, and I have the same problems- I get horribly ill, cramping in my gut, and have the worst diarrhea I've ever had. Sorry for the grossness, but it looks like mud and smells like a porta-potty.

I know that lactose intolerance is common after gastric sleeve and bypass, so I bought lactose free milk and soy milk, almond milk, too. And I still get the same awful diarrhea. I've always had trouble with whey protein, too. Even before surgery it made me sick, so I started using Jay-Rob egg protein, and again, I get the same awful illness.

I really doubt that's it's lactose intolerance, too. Because I can eat cheese and pudding with no problem.

I don't understand why this is happening. My nutritionist said that it was ketosis, and that I needed to drink 100% fruit juice until it went away. So I did that, and it stopped after a day or so, then I got sick again, so I started the juice. It stopped, but came back again. It's just a cycle.

I'm to the end of my rope. I can't get enough calories in, I'm dizzy and weak all the time. I've started having spells where I get dizzy and everything goes black, I'm afraid I'm going to faint! I've never been able to do shakes at all (since surgery, I mean), so I know I'm not getting the nutrition I need. I eat tuna, mac and cheese, and potatoes. Occasionally pudding. That's all I've been able to do without getting sick. I'm so frustrated, and I don't feel like my nutritionist is helpful. I do juice when it gets bad, but I'm desperate for a long term solution. I was up all night with gas and cramps and diarrhea. I'm exhausted and cranky. I want my life back!

Has anyone had this problem?

Edited July 17, 20179 yr by PlatypusPie
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Ok, so you're two months out, and I presume released to a normal diet.

I haven't had but two sips of protein shake postop, but have been meeting my protein goals without a problem. You will be able to too, we'll just get creative.

Cheese has very little lactose in it, and depending on the pudding, it might not have much either. So you might be lactose intolerant.

You can eat tuna, so that is a great start! A can of tuna has like 25g of protein.. so that gets you almost halfway to goal right there.

Can you eat nuts/seeds/peanut butter? A handful of nuts or two tablespoons of peanut butter has 7ish grams of protein.

Can you eat beans? 4oz of black beans (or pintos or kidney) also has about 7g protein.

You can't eat the processed egg protein, how about just a cooked egg?

Dairy to try would be cottage cheese and yogurt. (Plain greek yogurt has less lactose than regular yogurt). They do make lactaid cottage cheese.

Much of this will seem like a science experiment to see what you can handle.

Of course chicken, pork, beef, seafood.. are all excellent protein sources. If you can eat 10oz of assorted meat and fish, that would get you to goal, without dairy, eggs, beans, or nuts. 5 meals, 2oz each, until you can eat 4oz at a sitting. Make sure the meat is nice and soft with gravy or the like.

Oh, and that fainting is nothing to play around with. Have you mentioned it to your doc? If you have tried the things on my list, and really aren't getting the nutrition you need, then your doc may have to help you out with IV nutrition. Definitely keep them in the loop.

Some protein bars could agree with you.... also baked tofu. It is much different from white, jiggly containers. Teriyaki is very good. And super firm and dryer. Even some supermarkets ( and health food store) carry it.

Fainting is not good. Keep trying other sources of protein : beans. Quinoa etc and ask a nutritionist.

Best to you

Have you added any probiotics into your regimen? Check with your doc about that of course but my plan says to take probiotics. Maybe that would help with the stomach upset. Just a thought ...


Mich W
Hw 223, SW 217 CW 200 GW 135

Have you tried Genepro it's unflavored and I just mixed it with 3oz. Of Starbucks light mocha frappucino and it saved my life because I too had a hard time getting anything to stay down right after surgery. Hope it helps.

Premier protein vanilla flavored- every morning, I put 1/2 a shake in my coffee and bam! That's 15 grams protein before any food.

I had the same problem and even severe dehydration problems up until 3/4 months post opp. Everyone's body is different and adjusts differently to the sleeve. Try premiere protein brand shakes, they are very very thin it literally taste like flavored water and it's 30g per serving. Remember you can't finish it all at once so so small yet frequent sips.

In the morning, if you can try and get 16oz of water down before you eat anything. That helped me and I was in and out of the hospital for many things. I'm nearly one year post opp now and everything is fine. Haven't been to a hospital in months.




Literally you just have to learn your body and what it accepts. If the premiere shakes don't work try a different form of getting protein. Egg white, yogurt, beans etc. Whatever your doctor and nutritionist allows.

SW - 322
CW - 219
GW - 160 .

Sleeved 12/14/16. [emoji173]️

I like genepro from gnc - i put it in a container of greek yogurt and cannot taste it.

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