Yesterday I had my first post-op dr. visit (surgery was 8/19). When asked what protein shake I was drinking, I told the PA "Premier Protein". She nearly had a heart attack. While she was never rude or nasty, she was very firm and clear that I should NEVER drink that "junk" and I should ONLY be drinking Unjury Unflavored powder - which she made me order during our visit! I thought this was so odd. I went thru the bariatric program at another hospital before changing at the last minute, and PP shakes were not only acceptable with that program, they were encouraged, so I bought two cases of it at Costco pre-surgery. I didn't want to waste it, so that's why I'm trying to use it up. Any idea why this program is being so incredibly strict about only being able to drink a certain protein? I realize programs vary, but this seems unreasonable.

I believe Premier Protein is a whey protein concentrate or a protein blend, which isn't as readily absorbed by us as shakes made from whey protein isolate. We were told to stick to whey protein isolate the first few weeks after surgery when it would have been tough to get in our 60+ grams of protein through food. Unjury products ARE whey protein isolate - so are Syntrax Nectar products, and a few others. Still, it's weird that she reacted that way rather than just explaining it to you! (I drink a lot of protein blends now, but I'm quite a ways out and can easily get in my protein requirements through food - but I did drink whey protein isolate when I was early out)

It seems to me like she might just have a personal preference due to what ingredients she might think are unsavory in the Premier? That's odd. Premier are pretty popular among the bariatric community.

22 minutes ago, LAJ23 said:

I should ONLY be drinking Unjury Unflavored powder - which she made me order during our visit!

How did she make you order this?

Anyway, this behavior is worth filing a complaint. A dietician can recommend a product or several products but nothing more.

Does she get paid by this company when her patients order their protein or what?

Here are the ingredients in Premier Protein. As I mentioned, these forms of protein aren't as readily absorbable as whey protein isolate. Some programs don't seem to care as much as others, though. Mine wanted us to stick to whey protein isolate (at least for the first few weeks), too.

Water, Premier Protein Shake Protein Blend (Milk Protein Concentrate, Calcium Caseinate, Whey Protein Concentrate), Cocoa Powder (processed with alkali), Contains 1% or less of the following: High Oleic Sunflower Oil, Inulin, Cellulose Gel and Cellulose Gum, Magnesium Phosphate, DATEM, Salt, Natural and Artificial ...

I should add that if your clinic wants the patients to drink whey protein isolate early on, there are other brands besides Unjury that use this form of protein (as I mentioned above, the Syntrax Nectar line does as well - but there are others). It seems really inappropriate for her to force you to use a specific brand, though.

56 minutes ago, summerset said:

How did she make you order this?

Anyway, this behavior is worth filing a complaint. A dietician can recommend a product or several products but nothing more.

Does she get paid by this company when her patients order their Protein or what?

While I was on the call with her, she told me to get on my computer and order it. She gave me the website, walked me thru to where the powder was located on the page, and then asked "did you complete the order?". She said she wanted to make sure I was getting it and buying the right thing.

What a b*tch... (sorry)

My clinic recommended if I was going to get protein powder to get whey protein isolate. Ready made shakes, they didn't care what brand just to check and make sure it was low in carbs.

IIRC we should watch out for a protein content of 80% or higher. Didn't have to be a whey protein, could be plant based either.

PP is on the approved list at my clinic, but they did advise that they were seeing an influx of patients complaining of increased constipation w/i their three months using Premier. Not sure if it has to do with the protein blend vs. whey isolate factor or not.

When I was in the consultation phase before my sleeve surgery, I had one bariatric practice diss PP like yours did. Having been down the bariatric road before, I politely listened and decided that I was going to do what I felt best. BTW-I DID NOT end up choosing that practice, but not for that reason alone.

As others have said, their recommendations seem to be related to the type of protein in products like PP and their overall nutritive value.

I was a big fan of PP before sleeve surgery and had cases of them. After surgery, I couldn't stand them. I hated the taste and I hated the slimy texture intended to simulate a "shake." My "go to" is Unjury, unflavored or flavored, and I still use them today. Not every day, but I use them to boost protein in some of my routine foods like yogurt. I like it because I like the taste and the versatility of the powders.

What bothers me about your story is that she "made" you order some Unjury while you were in her presence. That kind of behavior is intimidating and threatening. I would CERTAINLY report it and I would probably NEVER return to that practitioner. Unprofessional at the very least.

29 minutes ago, SpecialK92 said:

PP is on the approved list at my clinic, but they did advise that they were seeing an influx of patients complaining of increased constipation w/i their three months using Premier.

Being constipated is pretty normal because of the high protein and lack of fiber diet during the peri-operative phase. It should sort itself out once more fruit and veg is included into the diet.

16 minutes ago, S@ssen@ch said:

What bothers me about your story is that she "made" you order some Unjury while you were in her presence. That kind of behavior is intimidating and threatening. I would CERTAINLY report it and I would probably NEVER return to that practitioner. Unprofessional at the very least.

This.

I'd check for some kind of affiliation if possible, too, if only out of curiosity.

btw - Unjury is supposedly very high-quality and is used in some hospitals. So you can't go wrong with that - but if your practice is one that recommends whey protein isolate early out, there are other options out there, as I mentioned above.

My doctor at one time used premier solution but stopped after further investigation. One of the reasons you should use simply whey protein and have to be careful is the amount of time it takes to digest the specific protein type. When I was a gastric bypass patient as you all well know your body only allows a specific amount of time to digest the food and the it passes through quickly a lot faster then a regular stomach. The whey protein that is no isolate takes to long to digest and therefore it passes through before the body as a chance to benefit from the protein. Therefore you are counting the shake into your daily protein allotment but you are not actually getting it. I learned the hard way about this. Unjury is a great product and the ones I have tried do taste good. Not sure about other products.