It's asked ALL the time BUT…..

[Emma'sMommy28]

So tonight me and my husband went to Vitamin Shoppe to look at protein essentials for before and mainly after surgery. I got a few samples and a shaker bottle. I tried one tonight called Nectar™ powder and it is the Chocolate Truffle. And holy moly was it delicious! My husband is a protein guru but for building muscle mass not for meal supplement, and he thought it was really good. I also tried a sip of the Isopure Drink, flavor - Lemon Green tea and that on the other hand was horrendous. So since its asked all the time I figured I'd be that one to ask again..what are some popular Protein powders? did they taste the same to you after surgery? Where are the best places to purchase them? And finally do you get much use out of unflavored protein powders to add to soups etc. I am also looking for a great multi vitamin and don't know if I should get a pill or gummies? I am going to start doing a shake to substitute a meal to start getting used to this "liquid diet". TIA

[Faithatbw21]

As far as vitamins I use One a day women's vita craves (gummies) and also a iron supplement called nu-iron because within 3 months post op my levels were crazy low in the iron (and vitamin d) department. I didn't do protein mixes but shakes and it worked well so I don't have any advice in that department. One thing you should know is EVERYTHING tastes different post surgery....sugar, carbs, protein supplements...it's like the new stomach stimulated new taste buds so don't be surprised if your taste buds do a 180. Good luck!

[Jdebooserie]

I take one a day as well. For men on gummie form. I do take them after a meal though. I dont feel well when I take them on an empty stomach.

[Grace]

I'm still using nectar medical unflavored three years out to get added protein. If you can handle the sweeteners they use in the flavored nectars, they are good as you noted.
For the first 6 months after surgery I used proasis liquid in the tubes. Very high quality stuff. It's strong straight from the tube but mixed with water made a decent way to get good protein. Also the liquid can be mixed into jello. My protein jello recipe is here on the site somewhere. It's made with plain gelatin, a little flavored gelatin for color and flavor and tubes of liquid protein in place of the cold water.
Many people like the chicken and beef flavored unjury broth. I did prior to surgery but not after. Your tastes will change for quite a long time, so maybe just get samples for now and see what works after surgery before you stock up and avoid throwing a bunch out like so many of us do....

[Bruce53]

I like Muscle Milk chocolate.

[Little Verbena]

For just straight powder, I use either Unjury Vanilla or Chocolate Supreme flavors or I use Chike Banana Magic. for premade drinks I use Atkins or EAS Carb Control. Sometimes I will use Muscle Milk because I can find that more often at convenience stores when I am out and about.

[Emma'sMommy28]

Okay great, thanks everyone for your input!

[RubbityDub]

Unflavoured pea protein powder is hardly detectable in home made soups and stews. I use it all the time and the whole family eat it and never complain. I have never even mentioned to them that I have added the powder to their meal.

[RRT]

Unjury. Period. GNC vitamins.

[sraebaer]

I would recommend buying a single serving of whatever you can find to see what you like. But even when you find stuff you like, don't overbuy. Once I was cleared for all foods I couldn't look at one of those things ever again! (I did donate quite a bit to people at support group.)

[dyberrah]

Unjury and Nectar fruit flavours. And Chike coffee!! I can't stomach Isopure RTD. Multivitamins - I use Opurity by Unjury which is a chewable tablet formulated specifically for sleeve patients and does not contain any ingredients from China. I also use their calcium and B12.

[Bufflehead]

My favorite protein brands are the Syntrax Nectar Sweets (which you have already discovered), Chike, Unjury (in particular the chicken soup and chocolate splendor flavors), Syntrax Matrix, Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard, and Jay Robb. I also use the HealthSmart cappuccino and hot chocolate protein drinks. For the first four weeks or so after surgery I also used the HealthSmart high protein soups and the Syntrax Nectar fruit type protein drinks (lemonade, fuzzy navel, grapefruit, cherry, etc.). I bought a lot of samples prior to surgery so that I would have them on hand after, and could try them before committing to a big tub. I did not try them before surgery as they weren't required for my pre-op diet and I knew my tastes might change.
Places to buy samples/variety boxes if you want to try any of them:
Protein Powder Samples (1 Serving)
Unjury Starter Pack
https://www.chikenutrition.com/chike-variety-pack.html
Jay Robb Whey Protein Powder Sampler Kit
High Protein Hot Drinks | Nashua Nutrition
High Protein Hot Soups | Nashua Nutrition
I didn't get a lot of use out of the unflavored protein powder that I bought. I know some people do use it a lot, but I preferred to use chocolate or vanilla powder to add to yogurt or cottage cheese, and for soup, I just used the Unjury chicken soup and the HealthSmart protein soups. The HealthSmart ones were nice because I could have them piping hot - with Unjury and with adding unflavored protein powder to your own soup, you can't make it very hot because the protein will curdle and clump. It's disgusting. And I like my soup hot!
For the first four weeks after surgery I used liquid vitamins, Wellesse brand. After that I switched to chewables - Trader Joe's High Potency.
Good luck!