Question:
Need some ideas please... Can't get in what is needed...

Ok all, I had RNY on April 5th, came home that wed, started with severe heartburn on Thursday, called Doc on Friday, went to office and they re-admitted me that day with dehydration and heartburn.. Received 2 bags IV fluids bolus and Protonix IV drip. Felt 100% better, came home Saturday, felt good Sunday. That's a summary of what has been going on with me. So anyways, my problem is I can't get my protein in. The supplements give me sooo much gas, bloat that I am too full to even drink my fluids. What do I do? I am looking for suggestions from those with similar experience. I am able to get my medications and vitamins in. I can stay hydrated as long as I do not take the protein. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Oh by the way, 20 lbs gone since Monday. That is insane! Down to 237 now already. I appreciate any feedback you could provide. Thanks. For those pre-op... still no regrets, had no pain after 2nd day or needed pain meds. Oh, PS- had first BM in the hospital Saturday am. How often post-op is the average, since we are on the liquid part. Thanks all.    — A. Me (posted on April 12, 2010)

April 12, 2010
You don't say what kind of supplements you're drinking.... when I went to the pre-op nutrition class, they told us to stock up on IsoPure RTD (ready-to-drink) - it's kinda like adult koolaid and my favorite flavors were Grape Frost and Pineapple-Orange-Banana. They also mentioned the New Whey bullets. Both products have 42 grams of protein in them. The IsoPure, I just sipped on all day long, but the bullets were a little hard to drink by themselves (they were sweet but tart, and on the thickish side), so I would put half a bullet in a large cup of herbal tea, along with a packet of Splenda. I used the orange bullet for Tangerine Orange Zinger tea, and the grape, blue raspberry or fruit punch bullets for the Wild Berry Zinger tea. They actually gave the tea a nice tangy taste, and when I no longer had to use them for my protein, I missed them. Seemed like the tea was missing something. But, and here's the kicker.... although the IsoPure and New Whey shouldn't bother you even if you're lactose intolerant, I've known people who react just like you do to them. In that case, you may want to try an unflavored soy protein. You can put it in your broths, soups, jellos, puddings, almost anything you can eat. If you're still having problems after another day or two, definitely call your doctor or nutritionist and let them know what's going on. Having dealt with this kind of stuff on a professional level constantly, they may have different suggestions for you.
   — Erica Alikchihoo

April 12, 2010
You likely will go through several brands of protein before you find one you can tolerate. If you haven't already, send off for the samples advertised here. Also, you can buy individual RTD shakes at most stores. Just keep sipping away throughout the day. Try Gas-X for the bloated, gassy feeling. My surgeon recommended the strips that melt on your tongue vs. the liquid type so as not to fill your tiny pouch. And the BM's will be very limited because your digestive track will be a little sluggish from the trauma of surgery plus you have no bulk intake. So, pretty much liquids in, liquids out. This is perfectly normal. Congratulations on your surgery. Just hang in there and keep sipping away on those protein shakes and water. You will be able to get in a little more each day.
   — Arkin10

April 13, 2010
You wont get in much protien in the first few weeks. Just focus on keeping up with the fluids. Protien will add in more when you get a little further in.
   — trible

April 13, 2010
I had the same problem and soon found out that I was lactose intolerant and could not drink any milk or whey products...I was also intolerant of the artificial sweeteners and the combo of those two made it imposible to find a supplement that I could tolerate...Long story short, I ate all my protein in pureed form right from the start to get in the protein I needed. I did find that Isopure clear (no carb) bottles were the ONLY protein I could handle...I tried all kinds of samples of whatever culd get my ands on and this was the ONLY protein I could drink...The bottles are pricy, but I would sip on one bottle daily as it had 40+ gms of protein at about 4 dollars a bottle. It was worth the worry about getting in my daily protein. I would eat the rest pureed meats in water or gravy or soup/greek yogurt, scrambled eggs, fish. The clear protein is the most purest cleanest form of protein and is lactose free! Try it if you can't find anything else, plus the large bottle counts toward your liquid quota as well! Good luck!
   — .Anita R.

April 13, 2010
I use muscle milk.... 4 oz twice a day, gives me 16 grams protein. I mix my Upcal in it then put a couple big ice cubes in it, and sip it with a spoon. I can get it down this way. Later you'll get protein from meat and cheese sticks.
   — Lauri D.

April 14, 2010
I agree with Pat. You will probably attempt several brands before you find one that works for you. I became lactose intolerant and could not drink any shakes for some time. I could drink a little but not enough. Finally my husband bought an unflavored protein from Kroger, it had 24 grams per scoop and it could be used with high temperatures. So I would place a chicken flavored bullion cube and one-third scoop and heat it up and make a broth. If it were not for drinking that multiple times a day I would have had great difficulty getting any protein. At that point sodium was the least of my concerns. It saved me.
   — dasie

April 15, 2010
I don't know what supplements you are taking but I have been using a powder based supplement for my multi with iron, calcium, B12 and other things like anti-oxidents. You mix the powder with water, it's a little bubbly for about 2-3 min but then you can drink it down without a problem. You can find them at www.goshoppingwithus.com
   — anordling