Hey guys I'm curious how many people post surgery still take protein shakes daily even months after their surgery??

I know the emphasis is on getting high protein and water so I'm curious if it would be fine to live off protein shakes long term say with one evening meal as I'm pretty busy during the day time and would rather pack protein shakes which are high protein Low carbs.

I'm getting closer to surgery everyday so getting a little anxious.

Thank you

I'm 7 months post-op and still drink a chocolate protein shake every morning for breakfast.

I still drink them almost everyday. Like you I'm busy and sometimes it's just so convenient.

Drinking one shake a day is a sure way for me to reach daily protein goal.

The answer will vary somewhat by the type of surgery that you are planning to have. I had RNY gastric bypass, so I will answer this question from my perspective. First off you taste buds may change right after surgery. The protein shake you are currently consuming may taste simply awful after surgery.

Many experience problems drinking protein shakes. I hated them. But in the beginning I drank them, three 16-ounce protein shakes a day, in order to meet my protein requirements. You do not have to like protein shakes only tolerate them. There are many varieties of protein shakes available today. Experiment until you can find one you can tolerate. I used Muscle Milk Light (Vanilla Creme) powder blended with water and a half a banana. That worked for me. But on the opposite end of the spectrum, you might try premixed Isopure.

Without sufficient protein, your body will scavenge protein from other areas of your body, such as your muscles. Protein is extremely important after surgery as its job in the body is to build and maintain tissues including your body's major organs and skeletal muscles. Protein deficiency, when continued over a long period of time can cause a disease known as protein caloric malnutrition. Common symptoms are poor healing, fatigue, hair loss and muscle wasting. Immediate post op, protein promotes healing of the staple line and incisions.

Your daily protein requirement is met by a combination of the amount of protein you obtain from food combined with the amount of protein from protein supplements (protein shakes, protein bars). Right after gastric bypass surgery, the volume of food you consume is minuscule (2 ounces) per meal. But as you get further along, the meal volume increases. Therefore you have a very important option available to you. As a result, you can begin to reduce your reliance on protein shakes if you concentrate on consuming high protein meals. I went from 3 protein shakes a day, down to 2, down to 1 and eventually none when I reached 1 cup per meal at a year and a half post-op.

Kinda glad to hear they are of value for such a long time. I overbought supplies when I was pre-op, lol.

most people just need them for the first few months to meet their protein goals, since they can't eat enough food to get all of their protein from food. But once they CAN do it through food, they cut out the shakes.

some people continue on the shakes long term for various reasons. For example, they can't stomach food in the morning, so they drink a protein shake instead. Or they have higher-than-average protein needs (like me - I malabsorb it and need at least 100 grams a day or my prealbumin level tanks). In this case, having a shake every day really helps them reach that higher goal. Or I've known people who just flat-out like them!!

Edited July 15, 20197 yr by catwoman7