Question:
Are protein shakes keeping me from losing weight?
My doctor told me that it's the protein shakes that are keeping me from losing weight and that I don't need them. So he wants me to stop taking it and just eat right and take my vitamins and calcium. All this time I've been advised to up my protein intake and all along it's been keeping me from losing. Is this true??? — Rebe W. (posted on August 20, 2002)
August 19, 2002
Dear Rebe: No one here is an expert, we offer advice,but the bottom line,
in my humble opinion, is that you need to do what your surgeon feels is
best for you. You don't say HOW you are mixing your protein drinks.. are
you using a powder? Mixing with water? Or are you 'building' drinks using a
blender and adding fruit, or peanut butter or using milk? Most protein
drinks are designed for body builders and are not as low in calories as
would be best for most of us who have had WLS, and becuase liquid will move
so easily through your redesigned system, of course there is a chance that
they are keeping you on a plateau. Again this is all conjecture, but I
know that I do what my doctor says. There's no way for any of us to qualify
if his words are 'true' as we are all different. I wish you the best of
luck. God bless! ~Peace
— Joscelin
August 20, 2002
Rebe, it's hard to respond to your question without more information about
what type of protein shakes you're using and how you're mixing them up. In
your case, your doctor could be right, but without more info, it's hard to
say. However, I've noticed there are a lot of bariatric surgeons out there
who don't like protein shakes, period, and actively discourage their
patients from using them. It's interesting how they support the pouch as
way of tackling weight loss and maintenance, but so many of them can't be
bothered with educating themselves (and us) on less extreme measures to
help us along, such as the use of protein shakes. Many docs know nothing
about protein shakes except brands such as Carnation Instant Breakfast,
Ensure, and Boost, none of which are impressive sources of protein (and
some just jam you up with sugar and carbs out of proportion to their puny
protein values). But some other protein shakes and drinks are so much
better. I'd listen to your doctor if you have a full understanding of why
he recommends against the shakes, but if he's one of those guys who just
has a knee-jerk reaction to them, I'd post again with more info about
exactly what you're using and ask a lot more questions before I'd give them
up totally!
— Suzy C.
August 20, 2002
Now I don't know that much, as I am still a pre-op, but your doctor may be
like mine. My surgeon wants us on Carnation Instant Breakfast (no sugar
added) for the first 6 weeks only. When we're on regular food he wants us
to get our protein from the food to keep the weight coming off. Also, when
I see the suggestion on these boards to "up your protein" I'm
thinking the person knows to up the protein in whatever form they are
getting it. If I'm supposed to be on regular food and someone says
"up your protein" I'm gonna think to "up the protein"
in the food I'm eating, not add protein shakes if I'm not supposed to be on
them now. Just a thought. Good luck!
— thumpiez
August 20, 2002
I stopped taking the protein drink after a few weeks because from looking
at the nutritional label on the back it seemed to be a poor source of
protein when you consider the calories taken in. I was using Carnation
instant breakfast and I noticed that there was only 4g of protein in the
mix yet about 200 calories per glass, when mixed with milk. most of the
protein came from the milk, not the mix. I just felt that I didn't want to
"waste" 20% of my daily calories on a drink. I hope I'm not
giving you bad advice but that's what I've done and I'm doing well so far.
- Mike
— Michael N.
August 20, 2002
I agree with the other posters, make sure that you are using a protein
shake the makes sense. Something like carnation instant breakfast has way
too many calories in it. Like I tell everyone..my doc always says you can
drink yourself fat! I use a protein shake that is VERY low in carbs and
HIGH in protein (55g in 12oz serving). If your labs are coming out ok then
you do not have to worry. I always say follow your surgeon and they are
all different, mine however wants everyone on protein shakes for the first
year. I am not a good girl and drink them all the time tho like some
others do :)
— smedley200
August 20, 2002
My surgeon is one of the ones who recommends avoiding shakes. He wants me
to eat a healthy prepared protein usually in the form of baked/broiled
chicken or fish. He wants me to be careful with beef and pork as they are
harder to chew up well enough. I've never used any mixes or shakes. I
just eat the meat first and eat 6 small meals a day where sometimes a meal
is nothing but a few bites of grilled chicken. I'm feeling wonderful, the
hair loss wasn't too bad and has returned. I'm at an ideal weight for
4'11"- I now weigh 117 lbs. down from 252, in just 15 months. Good
luck
— Teri D.
August 20, 2002
It seems that what your doctor considers a protein shake is not what we
Protein Pervs consider one. Ours have 2-3 grams carbs per serving and
25-34 grams of protein, depending on brand. I found the Carnation WAY too
high in carbs (may as well head out to McD's and get a shake there). You
might contact Vitalady for more info/products. My problem with getting my
protein in just with food was that I had to eat too much food - it
sometimes got stuck and I through up. Shakes slide right down.
— Marti R.
August 20, 2002
Perhaps the doctor is concerned with calories. If you are eating three
meals, two snacks (or up to five meals a day) and the protein drinks are in
addition to this, then perhaps he is thinking you are getting too many
calories. My doctor's nutitionist also discourages protein drinks after a
year and want's me to count my protein after six months and when I start
consistently meeting 50+ grams, I can stop taking them. Not sure if I will
or not though. I like the drinks and having the additional protein.
— Lisa N M.
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