Is Protien shakes enough?
You are still very early out. The most important thing is to be hydrated. Make sure you are getting enough to drink.
I wouldn't want to survive long term on just the shakes but I don't think it will hurt you in the short term while you are trying to be able to eat more. I would check with the surgeon to be sure.
I wouldn't want to survive long term on just the shakes but I don't think it will hurt you in the short term while you are trying to be able to eat more. I would check with the surgeon to be sure.
WLS 10/28/2002 Revision 7/23/2010
High Weight (2002) 240 Revision Weight (2010) 220 Current Weight 115.
I did only shakes and vitamins my first 6 weeks post op because I was constantly nauseated. After that I added a little broiled fillet of sole and some boiled shrimp for the next 2 1/2 months. Then my nausea went away and I could eat anything. I still do a protein shake every morning.
I think a balanced diet is very important, and there are essential nutrients you can't get from shakes and vitamins. Plus I would miss textures and tastes and chewing very much.
I think a balanced diet is very important, and there are essential nutrients you can't get from shakes and vitamins. Plus I would miss textures and tastes and chewing very much.
"What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls the butterfly." Richard Bach
"Support fosters your growth. If you are getting enough of the right support, you will experience a major transformation in yourself. You will discover a sense of empowerment and peace you have never before experienced. You will come to believe you can overcome your challenges and find some joy in this world." Katie Jay
You should try to get in some of the pureed food (or lite & fit yogurt, etc) that your doctor recommends. I remember the first few weeks post op trying to get it all in was really tough and next to impossible. Between the protein shakes (which would take forever to get down) and keeping hydrated sipping water, and having to wait 30 min between eating and drinking, getting in little bits of yogurt etc was very hard for me too. But you should try to get in some of it (I could barely eat a spoonful- 1 oz was it for me). The protein shakes & the vitamins (and staying hydrated) are the most important at this stage though- be sure you are at least getting those in! Good luck!
Century Club Member 8/13/10: 100 lbs gone! 
Goal reached 1/15/2011 ; Start weight 274: Current weight 125.4 lbs
Started size 24-26: Current size 4-6 new goal 126 lbs
Goal reached 1/15/2011 ; Start weight 274: Current weight 125.4 lbs
Started size 24-26: Current size 4-6 new goal 126 lbs
yes - early out you MUST track fluid and when you have enough of that in, start tracking protein.
sometimes surgeon feel that "real" food is necessary because it is more "normal" but that's nonesense. I lived on Syntrax Nectars for a few months (and very tiny amount of food when possible) and felt fine.
no need to advance food any faster than you can tolerate.
sometimes surgeon feel that "real" food is necessary because it is more "normal" but that's nonesense. I lived on Syntrax Nectars for a few months (and very tiny amount of food when possible) and felt fine.
no need to advance food any faster than you can tolerate.
once upon a time I had a group to talk about Binge Eating Disorder, and later one about Clean Eating.
PM me if you are interested in either of these.
size 8, life is great
I am not early out, but have had some problems recently and therefore have gone ack to mainly protein shakes hoping liquids stay down. I just had a EGD and asked how long I could survive on protein drinks only and was told a long time, but the hope is the irritation in my pouch will be healed with in the next couple of weeks. As of this moment, ANY food makes me feel REALLY nauseous; therefore, I am counting on protein shakes for most of my nutrition and am eating 1 meal a day and concentrating on making it stay down!
I previously have had a feeding tube with A LOT of problems so my Dr. is correct that he would have to catch me in order to put in a feeding tube! :-)
Long story short, you are good for a long period of time on protein shakes as long as you are working towards goal and increasing your fluids!
I previously have had a feeding tube with A LOT of problems so my Dr. is correct that he would have to catch me in order to put in a feeding tube! :-)
Long story short, you are good for a long period of time on protein shakes as long as you are working towards goal and increasing your fluids!
I may have had a few extra potholes along the way, but the journey has been good!
- RNY- Christiana Institute of Advanced Surgery - Dr. Peters 8/09
- Medial Thigh lift & Brachioplasty - Dr. Macrea 7/2011
- LBL - Dr. Joseph Michaels (Sibley Memorial) 12/22/2011
- Upper Body Lift with Mastoplexy - Dr. Joseph Michaels 12/20/2012
A loooonnnnnnggggggg time. I am serious. Please know I am NOT suggesting you do this ,BUT, as a nurse for 22 years I saw many people living on liquid nutrition exclusively.
Two instances come to mind:
First the patient who had cancer of the larynx.it was pretty advanced and in order to get all the cancer they had to take a lot of his esophagus,effectively causing him to not be able to swallow,at all,not even his own saliva which he had to spit out into a hanky all the time. He had a permanent feeding tube and was fed several times a day, a liquid almost like protein shakes.
He lived years after he lost his throat.
the second is :there are people all over the world,stroke victims,quadriplegics,other cancer victims,throat, stomach etc comatose patients who are living every day on supplemental nutrition and haven't taken a bite in years. Think Terri Schivo. I personally worked with a woman who had been in a coma from a stroke and had lived 20 !!!!! years solely on tube fed nutrition.
so,it is possible and I realize this is a much broader range than we are dealing with,but that is one answer to your question.
is it healthy for the average person? IDK
Two instances come to mind:
First the patient who had cancer of the larynx.it was pretty advanced and in order to get all the cancer they had to take a lot of his esophagus,effectively causing him to not be able to swallow,at all,not even his own saliva which he had to spit out into a hanky all the time. He had a permanent feeding tube and was fed several times a day, a liquid almost like protein shakes.
He lived years after he lost his throat.
the second is :there are people all over the world,stroke victims,quadriplegics,other cancer victims,throat, stomach etc comatose patients who are living every day on supplemental nutrition and haven't taken a bite in years. Think Terri Schivo. I personally worked with a woman who had been in a coma from a stroke and had lived 20 !!!!! years solely on tube fed nutrition.
so,it is possible and I realize this is a much broader range than we are dealing with,but that is one answer to your question.
is it healthy for the average person? IDK
I agree with you that it is wholly possible to survive on liquid nutrition - however, there is a point where for a person that is NOT sick, surviving on protein shakes is not functional - either bodily or socially!
In the early stages of WLS I don't see a problem with it, but I do believe it is necessary for us to eat solid food as soon as we are physically able. If someone believes they are unable to tolerate solids and there is no medical reason why, then I believe a visit to a psychologist is necessary ...
In the early stages of WLS I don't see a problem with it, but I do believe it is necessary for us to eat solid food as soon as we are physically able. If someone believes they are unable to tolerate solids and there is no medical reason why, then I believe a visit to a psychologist is necessary ...
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