High Protein Shake with Collagen

**Shirl** · 04-21-2016 12:32 AM

Sleeved or soon to be sleeved,

I'm still in preop jumps and hoops, and I recently completed my 90-day dietitian and internist visits.

I had lost some weight, but it had been slow. I had a vascular edema scared last month and started eliminating sodium and carbs altogether, except for complex carbs that come from mostly green vegetables.

I recently found out about collagen whey protein powders that are rich with essential amino acids and probiotics, I had been using a organic whey isolate grass fed protein powder that I loved, but it didn't have any information on other nutritional factors other than the dietary values (cals, fats, carbs, protein).

So I ordered a Vital Proteins Collagen Whey it has 27g of protein, 9g sugar (3 fiber) I think from the coconut water they use to sprout cacao beans) and 2g fat per two scoops. I mixed it with my premier protein, and 1/2c of nonfat Greek yogurt. Total cals were 365, but it had 68.5g of protein which is about how much we should be consuming post surgery right? I was thinking that sipping one of those shakes a day might be sustainable the weeks following post surgery. image.jpeg

I haven't weighed myself since last Thursday's appt and will do so tomorrow to see how I did with this week's protein experiments. My doctor wanted me to loose 15lbs prior to surgery.

Let me know your thoughts about my concoction, I do have to admit that I tried downing the whole thing and I got full half way through, waited about an hour and drank the rest. Also I found out most bodybuilders load up on protein to loose fat, and gain muscle so that was a motivator for me.

**Sandra3** · 04-21-2016 02:11 AM

Sounds really interesting : is it good too?
My nut said 60g of protein per day, so that would get you covered for post-op...the first month it's hard to drink so one shake giving you enough...you can drink other things!
May be drink half in the morning and the other half in the afternoon? it's better to keep the intake going through the day for better assimilation....

But don't stock up, your taste buds might change post-op, it did for me and I gave away lots of powder...

I lost around 19 pounds pre-op, it was not really difficult because when I knew my surgery date, it kept me on my toes, I was really focused on doing low carbs and shrinking that liver....I also eat artichoke to help, and drunk lots of herbal tea and green tea. You will get there!

**Pam G** · 04-21-2016 08:36 AM

bodybuilders need the protein to grow and repair muscle. If you're not bench pressing 350 lbs, I don't think we need as much protein as they do! lol

**Sandra3** · 04-21-2016 09:21 AM

Originally Posted by Pam G

bodybuilders need the protein to grow and repair muscle. If you're not bench pressing 350 lbs, I don't think we need as much protein as they do! lol

It could be actually really useful right after surgery, during full liquid. My shake had only 20g of protein, I was never able to drink enough of those to reach 60g of protein per day. During the first month it was hard to drink anything so one shake 60g...sounds pretty good to me!

**Pam G** · 04-21-2016 09:48 AM

Originally Posted by Sandra3

It could be actually really useful right after surgery, during full liquid. My shake had only 20g of protein, I was never able to drink enough of those to reach 60g of protein per day. During the first month it was hard to drink anything so one shake 60g...sounds pretty good to me!

yes, after surgery, we need lots of protein to repair tissue and muscle.

**Shirl** · 04-21-2016 02:16 PM

Thanks for all y'all's input.

I weighed in at 232lbs this morning, 2lbs lost from last week

I am really happy about that.

Okay, so my assessment of Vital Proteins is not as good at Tera's Whey (22g protein) that I had previously been using. For dinner, I tried the Vital Protein Chocolate Collagen Whey (27g protein), and it was not as chocolaty as I would have wanted, it was also grainy even after I used my Vitamix to blend for about a minute.

This morning, I had the Vital Protein Green Collagen which has 10 grams of protein per scoop from marine (red snapper Non-GMO wild caught) collagen peptides. Great for skin support, except that it smelled and tasted fishy even mixed with my vanilla Premier protein, and 1/4 of coconut milk. I had to make myself finish it. I am going to see if I can return it ssince it was more costly than I would have liked to pay. if not I am stuck with it and will have to force myself to drink it.

But yay! I lost 2lbs!