HELP!!!! I need more protein!

[seoddy1127]

It's been 2 weeks since surgery. I have lost 20 pounds and I feel great about that! BUT, I am not getting enough protein, calories, and water in. I can't take smells of ANY kind and my taste buds are non-existing. My doctor says it will get better after a while. I have to work on getting my nutrition in. I'm beginning to have muscle weakness and small blackouts. I even fell on Sunday tripping over own 2 feet and realizing it. I'm having bouts of "brain fog" where I know what I want to say but can't get the words out.

Any suggestions on how to get what nutrients I need in? And the protein shakes tastes awful to me know to the point where I get nauseated drinking them.

[sraebaer]

Well you don't really have a choice. You need to get in your minimum of protein and liquids or you'll end up back in the hospital. (Sounds like that's where you are headed.) Go to GNC or the Vitamin Shoppe and buy one of every protein drink, there must be one you like. I liked Isopure orange flavored diluted with a lot of ice. Served two purposes, liquid and protein. Then when there is something you can tolerate, buy more.

At two weeks I was cleared for soft foods, so added eggs, low fat greet yogurt, etc.

Good luck. Just do it!

[Donald G]

Hi if you can't do the protein shakes try Fair Life milk ( it comes in chocolate as well ) it gives you 13 grams of protein for a 8 ounce glass. You can also try High protein greek yogurts most give you 13-15g of protein per container and comes in many flavors. Protein and hydration are the 2 most important things to get in you can try different flavorings to add to your water for me it's propel once again it comes in a variety of flavors.

[jamma]

I use Premier protein drinks, they come in chocolate, vanilla, banana, caramel, strawberry. If you can't stand the taste, try making them very cold or hot. sometimes the change in temperature is all it takes. When I got sick of the sweet taste, I put a scoop of protein powder (unflavored) in broth then heated it up. I didn't find it dissolved that well in hot liquid so you have to dissolve it first, then, heat. I experienced similar weaknesses, it's all fixable with upping your protein and fluids. You DON'T have a choice.

[Shirl]

It's been 2 weeks since surgery. I have lost 20 pounds and I feel great about that! BUT, I am not getting enough protein, calories, and water in. I can't take smells of ANY kind and my taste buds are non-existing. My doctor says it will get better after a while. I have to work on getting my nutrition in. I'm beginning to have muscle weakness and small blackouts. I even fell on Sunday tripping over own 2 feet and realizing it. I'm having bouts of "brain fog" where I know what I want to say but can't get the words out.

Any suggestions on how to get what nutrients I need in? And the protein shakes tastes awful to me know to the point where I get nauseated drinking them.

Since you are new to the forum, you probably have not had time to read older posts.

There is someone here who has posted extensively the adverse side affects of vitamin deficiencies due to nausea and vomiting and lack of nutrients.

Here is her link: https://www.gastricsleeve.com/forum/member.php?u=34427

I highly recommend you contact your post op surgical team, as Sraebaer said you don't have a choice find a protein drink you can tolerate and start nourishing your body. Your life depends on it.

[Tommy1969]

Premier Protein Drinks = 30 grams (I like strawberries & cream the best). I find them easy to drink.
Oikos Triple Zero Greek Yogurt = 15 grams (Mixed Berry is awesome) and they have many other flavors. I find them easy to eat.

Both are a 1 a day of each for me.

Regards,
Tommy

[DesertGal]

I'm 4 weeks out tomorrow and I have had a lot of taste bud issues. Water tastes nothing like before to me, and I am FINALLY drinking a little more each day, but I got to say, it's not easy for me. I make myself get in 2 premier protein chocolate shakes a day (60g of protein) and am really trying on getting in more soup and some other things, but 1-2 tablespoons is all I can still only manage. I did have tuna last night for dinner (only 1 1/2 oz), and that was all I could manage -- and that tasted like tuna. The first food item that tastes the way it should. (My family had pizza and it didn't bother me at all... like it did my first week out.) I was full.
I was getting light headed the first couple weeks while just walking around the house, and out on my walks it happened a couple times so I marched back home. After I increased my water and protein, it backed off.
It will get better BUT you have to somehow get in the water and protein. (Easier said than done because I am still struggling with 16 oz of water a day...)

[elle77]

I loved the Premier protein shakes. At first I couldn't get them down because I was sore. So I froze them into popsicle sticks and it made it sooooo much easier. You need to make sure you get some type of protein in. Sometimes it would take me almost 2 hours to drink a shake but the 30 grams of protein helped. Definitely try different flavors out and see what works best for you. I had blackouts and upped my carbs. ( Mashed potatoes) Your body is going through so many changes. You need to follow your pre op diet as best as you can and work though the nausea.
Best of luck to you!!!

[Trastan]

I struggled too so much getting them down. I ended up buying the premier protein shakes from Costco too and found they were a bit better. Last night I was freezing and couldn't force anything cold down so I heated it in the microwave and had it like a hot chocolate and it actually wasn't too bad. I struggled holding water down and found once I started taking a good ant-acid that went away and it became much easier. I could hold things down much better. My doctor also suggested taking a Vitamin b12 supplement as he said rapid weight loss will make your legs week. I noticed an improvement after only one day. Yogurt was a bit better for me to get protein in. I added a bit of granola and that helped too. Finally felt like I had some texture.

[HappyGiiirl]

I am a week after surgery and thankful small sips aren't getting stuck. I found Isopure 32 gm drinks a bit sweet, Premier Protein shakes are good and check out boxed Bone Broth soup, 7gms a cup (it's really good for you, and a change from the tooth biting sweet drinks) I am ordering a clear liquid protein asap. I can use that in jello, homemade juice pops and later as a protein booster in the next phases. Don't let your health suffer, chewable vitamins are awesome.

[Christie13]

I like the Triple Zero yogurt as well. Premier protein shakes made me a bit nauseous but I liked the EAS Advant Edge (only the chocolate ones, though). My nut said they have a bunch of great nutrients for sleeve patients. I also liked drinking nonfat milk. I found that for fluids I would do better with warm liquids. So I had Starbucks nonfat latte's with Splenda, hot tea, broth...etc. You can use PB2 to add to stuff. It might take you all day but take little amounts all day if you have to. It does get better. But it is very important to get as much protein and fluids in as possible.

[ghost_ryder]

Water is the most important thing to work on. Without hydration nothing else works. I was probably 5-6 weeks before I hit my protein goals for the first time. My recommended protein levels were crazy high based on my age and weight and height. Get in as much as you can but really concentrate on the water. It literally greases the skids for your food/protein. You stomach is still very angry and swollen and trying to figure out just what the heck you did to it. Relax and sip and walk and sip and walk and repeat. You will get to the other side.

[lil_lisa]

If all else fails I have seen on the list for some carnation instant drink, they have fat and sugar free I think, it has protein kind with alot of vitamins and minerals in it if nothing else works. Might give it a try.

[lil_lisa]

Could have it with skim milk also.

[Jess5]

Sam's Club sells protein waters with 20 g of protein. They are new. It took a bit for me to get more nutrition in at the beginning, but it will get easier. I added a scrambled egg and ate it slowly. It helped to eat some real food. I also agree with the others about the Oikos yogurts. The shakes took me forever to finish, so I would drink some and then refrigerate them. Cottage cheese is good, too. It will get better!