I am having the hardest time with protein. I had some stomach issues with protein before my VSG, but now it happens every time. I drink my protein shake and before I am even half way done, I am in the bathroom with severe stomach cramps and diarrhea. I’ve tried three different brands now and it’s all the same. I’ve even tried the powdered with lactose free milk.

Any suggestions?

Age: 37

Height: 5’6

BMI: 37

VSG: 4/16/18

GW: 160

MFP: Fit4LifeAR

Are you using lactose free protein powders ? Most protein powders have a ton of lactose

Sounds like youve always been lactose intolerant to me

Edited April 28, 20188 yr by Mhy12784

Definitely not lactose intolerant prior to surgery, and the protein powder that I use from our surgeons office is lactose free.


Age: 37
Height: 5’6
BMI: 37
VSG: 4/16/18
GW: 160
MFP: Fit4LifeAR

4 minutes ago, TexasMommy80 said:

Definitely not lactose intolerant prior to surgery, and the Protein Powder that I use from our surgeons office is lactose free.


Age: 37
Height: 5’6
BMI: 37
VSG: 4/16/18
GW: 160
MFP: Fit4LifeAR

Which is the protein powder you use from the surgeons office ?

And an easy way to check is to just get some cheap lactose free pills and take a couple of them prior to your protein shake and see if anything happens. This is actually how a physician recommended i figure out if i was lactose intolerant years ago (well they suggested i use icecream instead of a protein shake, but same concept)

So you got me thinking and I double checked my surgeons brand, and yes...it contains milk. Interesting! I know many can develop a milk intolerance after weight loss surgery, but hopefully it is temporary. The pills you mention, can you take those to help with that?


Age: 37
Height: 5’6
BMI: 37
VSG: 4/16/18
GW: 160
MFP: Fit4LifeAR

Try Lactaid pills, I think they still sell them at WallyWorld or pharmacies.

I will definitely pick some up tonight. Goodness, this gives me hope, LoL. Thanks y’all!


Age: 37
Height: 5’6
BMI: 37
VSG: 4/16/18
GW: 160
MFP: Fit4LifeAR

Yes lactase pills are designed to take with dairy allowing it to not make you sick. Lactaid is the common brand, but the generic ones are the exact same thing.

I recommend taking a slightly higher dose than whatever the box says as they don't always work very well (it's not medicine it's a digestive enzyme so it doesn't hurt)

If its a lactose issue you could try a plant or meat or egg protein powder! I actually prefer plant protein powders. Theres all different kinds. I am not a fan of whey protein powder.

Edited April 28, 20188 yr by Skinnygirl1984

also check for casein allergy, I have a friend that developed an allergy to casein which is a protein in milk. The doctor said it had nothing to do with the surgery, just a coincidence she developed this allergy during that period but either way her allergy is real. They can test for it. Now she can only drink A2 milk.

Edited April 28, 20188 yr by Beta98
remove link

I'm new this forum, why does it say my reply is hidden? Any in my reply that it hid i was saying you can be tested to see if you have a casein allergy, it happened to my friend.

Edited April 28, 20188 yr by Beta98

I’m finding I could do whey isolate in protein water preop but now post op it’s a big ole nope. Tomorrow I transition to non clear liquids so I’m hoping I can switch back to protein shakes that are pea protein based (Nuzest clean lean protein). They are at the lower end of my protein requirements but if they don’t send me to bathroom with lactose issues I’m happy.

14 minutes ago, RHCD said:

I’m finding I could do whey isolate in Protein Water preop but now post op it’s a big ole nope. Tomorrow I transition to non Clear Liquids so I’m hoping I can switch back to Protein Shakes that are pea protein based (Nuzest clean lean protein). They are at the lower end of my protein requirements but if they don’t send me to bathroom with lactose issues I’m happy.

Whey isolate doesn't have lactose

Try vegan

They are just not very tasty

I developed a whey protein isolate intolerance about 3 weeks post op. It cause extreme nausea, about 45 minutes after I started to ingest anything that contained whey protein isolate. I tried it in different forms, premade shakes, powders, bars & protein water, reacted the same to all of them.

I had to find alternatives without whey. I first tried vegan powders, shakes and bars. I couldn't handle the way the tasted. I finally settled on Muscle Milk Pro premade shakes, Medifast powdered shakes, and Medifast chicken noodle soup, Medifast Crunch Bars, and several of the soups on Barbaric Pal. There are other premade shakes I can handle, like Advent Edge Carb control, but Muscle Milk tastes better to me.

Hope that helps!