Protein help!

[lp1266 6]

Hi community! Hope you’re all well.

I am officially 18 days post op and I am struggling. My puréed diet is very restrictive. I can’t have eggs, tuna, cheese like many can and I’m struggling with meeting my Protein goals.

I was told not to have Protein Shakes as a liquid but as a meal. But it’s difficult to meet my liquids goal and my protein goal when I feel like I don’t have many options. These are the things I was cleared to have:

2 oz. of milk, 2 oz. of low fat or light yoghurt, protein shakes, mashed potatoes, mashed avocado, 2-3 oz. of small curd cottage cheese, hot cereals like oatmeal, cream of wheat, farina with skim milk, lentils, chick peas, tofu or Beans.< br /> Introduce all cooked vegetables (zucchini, carrots, spinach, etc.)
2 oz. of mashed fruits up to two times per day between meals as snacks

I have also hit a stall which sucks cause I’m only 2 weeks post op and I believe it may be cause I’m not meeting my protein/liquid goals.

I have also experienced dizziness and as a result I’m not walking as much as I should be. I been mostly on bed rest.

I have also been suffering with Constipation. Does anybody have any tips?

Any advice would be very helpful on how I could meet my goals or any recipes based on my diet above.

Thank you in advance 💜

[catwoman7 10,922]

the first stall out of the gate at around the three-week mark (although it comes earlier for some, later for others) is extremely common. We even have a name for it "the three-week stall". Almost everyone has that. In fact, if you do a search on this site for it, you'll find over 17,000 posts on it. And I am NOT kidding. Just stick to your plan and stay off the scale for a few days, and the stall will break. Usually takes 1-3 weeks. And know that it's likely the first of many stalls. It's a natural part of losing weight. I think your body just has to stop and recalibrate once in a while.

Constipation is also a very common issue after weight loss surgery. It's probably due to the high Protein diet plus some of the supplements (iron and Calcium supplements are the usual culprits). A lot of us have to take daily Miralax or stool softeners to keep on top of it. Other things that might help - magnesium tablets, prunes, Smooth Move tea. You might have to experiment to see what works for you. I take a capful of Miralax every morning and have been doing it for eight years.

does the dizziness occur when you stand up? If so, it's probably orthostatic hypotension - also very common early after surgery - and it eventually goes away. Until then, just stand up SLOWLY.

Protein Shakes also count as liquids, so it may not be as difficult as you think to hit your fluid goals.

the first few weeks are a challenge, but. you'll soon have all this behind you!!

[Arabesque 6,561]

@catwoman7 put it perfectly so I won’t add to her advice & information except echo yes, you count your Fluid Protein as a liquid as well.

Purée can be a very difficult stage for many of us. It can be a struggle to find anything that tastes okay & that the texture isn’t off putting. Thankfully it is only for two weeks. I think I ate the same few things every day. Lol!

Try blending your yoghurt with milk to make a drink so you get protein (milk & yoghurt) & fluid (count how much milk you add & sip like a drink. Have you tried protein Water or blending some Protein Powder into your oatmeal, farina, Soup, the yoghurt drink, etc,?

Try puréing meats like chicken (thigh is less dry than breast) with lots of gravy or stock to make it a purée. It’s a shame you can’t do eggs. Wonder if it’s because many struggle with them at first - worth asking about it. They can be a great option - egg salad, runny scrambled eggs, etc. Make a vegetable & meat soup (can add Beans or lentils too) & purée that - you get meat & vegetables that way.

Oh & don’t beat yourself up if you don’t hit those fluid & protein goals. As long as you’re close & getting better at it you’ll be okay. I didn’t hit them regularly for ages.

Edited October 18, 2023 by Arabesque

[czelek 0]

Things have changed a whole lot since my surgery in 2010! The diet plan I had to follow was one Ensure Protein [and I am know it was not the 30gr/carton variety] and Water. That was it. On the hour, 2 oz of protein then 2 oz of water every 15 minutes. I even bought a set of eight pretty 2 oz shot glasses that my husband would use for my meals. At the top of the hour, he brought me one with protein and three with water. Start over at the top of the hour and continue until you went to bed. Slider foods, those that are pureed like mashed potatoes, canned refried Beans, tuna with mayo, hot cereals, etc were for weeks 4-6 back then. Of course every practice has their own requirements and so much has changed.

To up your protein, add some to your cereals or your yogurt. They make flavorless Proteins. Find the protein that you can tolerate. Also, you can look into the clear liquid proteins that are out there. Many companies make them.

Stalls are your body's way of trying to figure out just what you are trying to do to it. It naturally does not want you to starve to death so it will hold onto those pounds for as long as it can. Then, you will suddenly lose two pounds overnight, lose for a while and then begin another stall. This is the first of many stalls - just keep doing what you are supposed to be doing and don't let that stall get to you. Yes, that is hard, the "not letting it get to you" part.

Remember that your surgery is just another tool in your toolbox and not a magic bullet.

For the Constipation, which is really common after this surgery because of the high protein intake, I would add Miralax to your water or any liquid or hot Cereal. One capful mixed in 8 oz of water, for example. You won't know it is there. I now mix one capful of Miralax with my morning Decaf coffee. You could also add stool softener as well. If after adding those, and not getting relief, absolutely speak with your surgeon. There are prescription meds out there that can help.

[Arendiva 22]

I've really been enjoying drinking Bone Broth (not to be confused with stock or regular broth). The bone broth I buy is 10 grams of Protein per cup. It goes down easy.

[BlondePatriotInCDA 245]

On 10/16/2023 at 8:26 PM, lp1266 said:

Hi community! Hope you’re all well.

I am officially 18 days post op and I am struggling. My puréed diet is very restrictive. I can’t have eggs, tuna, cheese like many can and I’m struggling with meeting my Protein goals.

I was told not to have Protein Shakes as a liquid but as a meal. But it’s difficult to meet my liquids goal and my Protein goal when I feel like I don’t have many options. These are the things I was cleared to have:

2 oz. of milk, 2 oz. of low fat or light yoghurt, protein shakes, mashed potatoes, mashed avocado, 2-3 oz. of small curd cottage cheese, hot cereals like oatmeal, cream of wheat, farina with skim milk, lentils, chick peas, tofu or Beans.< br /> Introduce all cooked vegetables (zucchini, carrots, spinach, etc.)
2 oz. of mashed fruits up to two times per day between meals as snacks

I have also hit a stall which sucks cause I’m only 2 weeks post op and I believe it may be cause I’m not meeting my protein/liquid goals.

I have also experienced dizziness and as a result I’m not walking as much as I should be. I been mostly on bed rest.

I have also been suffering with Constipation. Does anybody have any tips?

Any advice would be very helpful on how I could meet my goals or any recipes based on my diet above.

Thank you in advance 💜

When I told my dietician I was eating cream of wheat she said its technically a "wasted calorie" food "very little protein (even tho it suggests it in the post op manual they gave me) ...she said add protein powder to it to help.. Perhaps that can work for you? I've been adding protein powder to everything that passes my lips to get me to the required 80 grams they want me at..now the liquids that's a different story 😕