HELP!

Hi everyone, I had my sleeve on 5/9/11. Did very well through surgery and immediate post-op. I had no problems getting my fluids in. Meet goal nearly everyday. I'm on soft foods now and transitioning into regular. For the life of me, I simply cannot eat more than 2 oz. twice a day. I am never meeting my protein goal (even the minimum requirements). I have tried a multitude of protein drinks and can't really tolerate the taste. How do you get your protein in when you can only eat such small amounts? I go back to work today - evening shift for two days. Then, back to day shift schedule. I have learned the hard way about overdoing the eating in hopes of getting just a smidge more protein. Don't want to do that again. I'd love to hear how you adjusted to your sleeve.

I would try eating less, more frequently. If all you can get in is 2oz, then eat one ounce instead, and eat every couple hours ! Eat an ounce of tuna salad, wait a half hour sip sip sip sip for the next hour, stop sipping, eat another ounce of tuna or an ounce of cheese, or some egg salad.... then repeat. Eat 5 or 6 times a day !

Thanks Briar. I will try eating less volume and more frequently. Hope that helps.

I also had a lot of restriction right after surgery so I stuck with drinking enough protein drinks to get my full amount of protein every day. Gradually I was able to shift to more dense protein and less liquid protein. I was still drinking 2 protein drinks a day at one month post-op, so you are about where I was at that time.

You can get unflavored protein to add to cottage cheese or yogurt or liquids too. Unjury has unflavored protein. It's very important to get your protein in so your body uses the fat and not muscle as you lose weight.

Thank you for your reply Birdie. I had tried the Unjury chicken soup and didn't "love" it and was hesitant to try the unflavored protein. But, if it will help get the protein in, it is worth a try. Appreciate your suggestions!

I agree. Protein drinks helped me with protein. They still do because I have a ton of restriction and have a hard time eating much. Small portions several times a day work. Otherwise I feel like I'm force-feeding myself. Just do the best you can. 

Thanks Wert! I will try the small portions more frequently. Which protein drink have you found that you like the best?

Hi, I have been having issues with the amount of food I can eat and protein shakes causing me upset stomach and not tasting good. But I found a few things that I can stomach; CVS brand vanilla flavored whey protein (20 grams), Isopure plus (15 grams) and Isopure (clear drink 40 grams). The Isopure plus is 8 oz. I drink the Grape Frost and I mix it with grape juice to cut the taste of the protein. The regular Isopure can be found at GNC, it's rather expensive at about $6 a bottle but it has a lot of protein, it comes in a 20 oz. bottle in several flavors. They taste ok not heavy but I mix them with fruit juice as well because I don't like tasting the taste of whey at all. The CVS brand vanilla protein mixes well but not with ho****er. Also today I tried Syntrax Nectar - Apple Ecstasy and it was great!

I agree with eating smaller amounts more frequently but make sure you drink things with protein. Try to get your protein in, it's really important so you won't lose muscle or your hair!

I can't handle the artificial sweetners in the protein drinks. I added the unjury chicken soup flavor to MY OWN chicken soup that I made at home. Or if you are not into making your own, get some pre made low sodium chicken soup, that you like, and add a scoop of the unjury to that. Makes it much tastier -- and add some fresh herbs like a bit of dill, or thyme.

I don't love Unjury chicken soup on its own but early out I used it to thin my purees. One of my favorites was re-fried beans. I'd thin them with the Unjury, sprinkle some shredded cheddar cheese on top, nuke for a few seconds, and have a nice warm meal.

I like Click in the morning. I heat it and pretend it's my morning coffee. On the road I use Chike Orange Cream ( I think that's right-it tasts like an orange creamsicle ) and I have the Syntrax Nectar variety pack. I like all I've tried so far. The Nectar is nice because it's not as thick as the other protein drinks are.