How many protein shakes does your doctor okay for one day? How many do 'you' drink?

1) How many protein shakes did your doctor tell 'you' to drink per day? 

2) How many do 'you' drink per day?

3) If 'you' do use protein shakes, do you feel they help you lose weight, or keep you at a maintenance level, or cause weight gain?

                                                       

At 2 years out, none and none. And as I've said before the band is not designed to work with liquids so I can't answer #3 as I don't use 'em :)

If you're not on liquids for a reason then zero!  My Nut says no liquid calories.  It's a waist because they don't keep you full between meals.

Except for when I was put on liquids for a day because of a fill or an un-fill I haven't had a protein shake for 9 months! 

Lisa O.

1) None and 2) none.  Protein drinks are unsatisfying -- chicken stays with me much longer. 

At what phase of the program?

When I was on clear and then full liquids, I was encourged to drink protein shakes (4 - 8 oz) every few hours.

After that second week, I moved away from protein shakes and only drink them on the days when I have my fill.

Actually, today at my appt, my doc asked me if I was 'eating' all of my meals and not drinking them.  He does not recommend protein shakes once we have moved past liquids.

(1)  I am almost 5 months out and my doc didn't give me a number, but said it was fine to drink up to 1-2 per day within certain guidelines.  His main concern was that I not use the shakes in a way that they would be adding extra calories.  In other words, if I think I am going to get hungry shortly after having a shake, then I should have a solid meal.  Otherwise I will end up having the calories from the shake + a meal, which is a no-no.  He also has no problem with me having a shake for breakfast because I tend to be tight in the morning or if I need to round out my calories for the day.    

(2) I drink at least one per day.  My first "meal" of the day is always a protein shake.  I don't even try to eat breakfast anymore, I just have a protein shake.  Protein shakes actually keep me pretty full.  Like this morning, I had a protein shake at 9:30 and didn't start getting hungry again until after 12:30.  Also, sometimes I am so busy at work that I don't have time to make something or go out for lunch.  At those times I will have a protein shake.  My nutritionist and doctor are fine with that because its better to have a protein shake than to not have anything.   

(3) Whether the protein shake helps you lose, maintain, or gain is all in how you use them.  Like anything else, you have to add the calories, fat, carbs, etc that are in your protein shake to your daily intake count.  

For me, I think the protein shakes help me lose because it allows me to makes sure that I get in calories that I need (instead of skipping meals) and having the protein shake prevents me from overeating later from being overly hungry.  Also, my protein shakes can range anywhere from 90 - 270 calories, so I am really careful about what kind I have and when. 

I don't rely on protein shakes at 3.5 years out.  At this point in my journey liquids go straight through my band.  I only eat solid protein and I am very satisfied.

1. One to two depending on your weight

2. One-breakfast and I do not get along-so it is better than the alternative-Nothing.

3. For me, it keeps protein levels up during the summer when I don't care for meat all that much.  As for satiety (staying satisfied) they don't do a lot for me.  I look at protein/carbs AND total calories, and the protein shakes help be keep a ratio I am comfortable with. 

1. None, he hates them, even after fills.

2. None except when I am tight and know I cannot get food in but I can drink a protein shake so I can work out.

3. I think they can help, especially if you are temporarily struggling with protein, BUT the band, as Krista C stated, is not designed to work with fluids.  However, it can help tame hunger and keep you from overeating at a meal by taking the edge off.  So I can see it's place in a lifetime regimen, but with caution.  No liquid calories is the rule

The registered dietician that works with my surgeon advised us in our nutrition class to drink up to one shake a day to supplement our protein if we are not getting enough protein in with solid food once we've reached our sweet spot.  Considering they also advise us to eat no more than 4 oz. of food in three meals a day, he suggested that we would probably need that shake to take in enough protein.  Especially if we're exercising.

I normally drink a shake in the morning because I cannot tolerate solid food until around 11 a.m.  I am usually hungry in the morning when I get up, so I drink a shake which satisfies me.  I actually drank a shake for dinner tonight because I just didn't feel like eating.  That doesn't happen very often.  To me, it is better to drink a shake than take in no nourishment.  If I didn't drink the shake in the morning just because the band works better with solid food, my blood sugar would drop and I'd be a mess before I could actually eat that solid food.  We're all different and we all have to do the best that we can for ourselves.

I've not really noticed whether the shakes make a difference or not as far as weight loss or gain since it's something I've been doing since my second fill.

cat