HELP! Day One of Pre-Op Diet and Massive Stomach Bloating and Pain

[See.Allie.Run 27]

Hi everybody,

I started my 2 week, pre-op LRD today and am really struggling…not with hunger, but with massive stomach pain/bloating and gas. My stomach can be sensitive to some foods (for example, I can’t eat fermented foods, aspartame, etc.), but I didn’t think I consumed anything “bad” today. My diet is supposed to be a Protein Shake for B, L & D with one yogurt and one egg per day (and unlimited zero sugar drinks).

I had a Premier Protein shake (chocolate) for Breakfast, one hard boiled egg for a snack, and 1/2 a Premier Protein shake for lunch a few hours later. Started getting really nauseous about midday, and my stomach now is just…pain. Also, I had a Gatorade Zero during the day. I have had small amounts of Protein Shakes leading up to this, and everything was fine, but this is most definitely some kind of bad reaction (maybe I’m a little lactose intolerant? I don’t drink much milk usually). I honestly don’t know how I’m going to survive this if I can even have protein shakes…

Has anybody else gone through this?

[Sleeve_Me_Alone 654]

It absolutely could be the shakes or the artificial sweeteners in them or the other zero calorie drinks. Try other shakes - maybe Fairlife or one made with pea Protein? Also try different drinks - maybe tea or lemon Water? I like Body Armor Lyte, they are made with erythritol, which I seem to do just fine with. Some people do better with savor drinks like Bone Broth.

I felt like trash on my LRD as well (2 weeks, liquids only). You are definitely NOT alone. hang in there though, it doesn't last forever but it is an important part of the process!

[Lisa XO 117]

1 hour ago, See.Allie.Run said:

Hi everybody,

I started my 2 week, pre-op LRD today and am really struggling…not with hunger, but with massive stomach pain/bloating and gas. My stomach can be sensitive to some foods (for example, I can’t eat fermented foods, aspartame, etc.), but I didn’t think I consumed anything “bad” today. My diet is supposed to be a Protein Shake for B, L & D with one yogurt and one egg per day (and unlimited zero sugar drinks).

I had a Premier Protein shake (chocolate) for Breakfast, one hard boiled egg for a snack, and 1/2 a Premier Protein shake for lunch a few hours later. Started getting really nauseous about midday, and my stomach now is just…pain. Also, I had a Gatorade Zero during the day. I have had small amounts of Protein Shakes leading up to this, and everything was fine, but this is most definitely some kind of bad reaction (maybe I’m a little lactose intolerant? I don’t drink much milk usually). I honestly don’t know how I’m going to survive this if I can even have Protein shakes…

Has anybody else gone through this?

I can't tolerate whey or any other kind of milk protein, and I discovered this in pre-op. Try switching to a different protein source like soy protein, pea protein, etc.

Edited March 23, 2023 by Lisa XO

[See.Allie.Run 27]

Thanks. I think it must be the whey/milk concentrate. I have had some shakes here and there before, but never more than a few ounces. I’m going to find some non-whey alternatives and also cut out the Gatorade Zero to see how it goes. I suppose better find this out now rather than post-surgery!

[Lisa XO 117]

I've heard Orgain is good. My advice to find a place where you can purchase singles until you can figure out what you like. And don't count on liking the same things after surgery. I'm sitting on a case of shakes I think taste gross now. lol

[Arabesque 6,486]

I agree with the others about it likely being the shakes. Check the artificial sweetener they use in the shakes & the yoghurt. The sugar alcohols are renown for causing bloating, discomfort, diarrhoea, etc. Wouldn't hurt to try the plant Protein Shakes & dairy equivalents to ensure it’s not a lactose issue but if you didn’t have issues with dairy before you shouldn’t now. (After surgery some people do develop a lactose intolerance but it usually is temporary.)

[SuziDavis 544]

I personally hate premier shakes. try a different brand. Or even a vegan Protein.

[BigSue 1,320]

Oh yeah, I had terrible bloating during my pre-op diet. I couldn’t drink the number of Protein Shakes I was supposed to (3 shakes + small meal for the first week, and 4 shakes for the liquid-only second week). I used a lot of whey Protein after surgery and didn’t have the same problems, though.

[See.Allie.Run 27]

Thanks again to everybody who replied. As an update, it actually wasn't an allergic or bad reaction to the Protein Shakes, but a really bad case of the STOMACH FLU. Ugh. Only starting to feel a little better now - 4 days later. On the bright side, my fears about how hard the first few days would be on a liquid diet kinda were for nothing 🙂. I still can't stomach Protein shakes after all the violent vomiting (sorry if TMI). So my first 4 days of a liquid diet has pretty much consisted of chicken broth, Water and a little non-fat yogurt. At this point, just trying to get my fluids up.

I haven't spoken to my surgeon yet about this...hoping it won't delay surgery.