Question:
I need a protein shake that doesn't cause massive diarrhea!
I am two weeks post-op, and I'm supposed to be drinking two protein shakes a day. However, everytime I try one I get really bad diarrhea. I seem to tolerate Carnation Instant Breakfast OK, but it really doesn't have a lot of protein in it. I ordered samples from Vitalady.com (thanks Michelle!), but the diarrhea is so bad that my butt even hurts! Any suggetions? Thanks! — Carol B. (posted on November 25, 2003)
November 25, 2003
How are you making them up? Is it possible to try maybe 1/2 scoop at a time
with a lil water and work up a tolerance. Whey is a "new"
substance to most of us. In the beginning, I had a lil gas from it, but
not the D thing. Then, I got gas whenever I changed brands. Took awhile to
figure THAT one out. Now, of course, if it's whey, it's easy. SOY tears me
up.
— vitalady
November 25, 2003
My surgeon's office is now recommending Unjury's protein powders,
www.unjury.com If you email them they will mail you a sample. It has 20
grams of protein a serving, when mixed with skim milk it has close to 30,
they have a chocolate and vanilla flavors. they also have an unflavored
that can be mixed into a lot of other things, if you are sensitve to milk
-- crystal lite, soups, SF pudding, etc. They ship really fast too, I
ordered it over the weekend, they emailed me monday to say it had shipped
and it arrived on Tuesday. (I am in the same state as them, which is
probably why it was only one day, it was just sent UPS) -- However it took
about a week to get the sample mailed to me..
— Patricia T.
November 25, 2003
Also, with the Carnation Instant Breakfast you can add nonfat fry milk
powder to add more protein (8 grams I think)
— Patricia T.
November 25, 2003
I had a problem with milk the 1st few weeks out of surgery, so I started
using a non-dairy protein shake... GNC's Protein 95. I mix with ice, water
& a banana (sometimes) and it's really good. Gives me no problems.
Good luck.
— ttilles
November 25, 2003
I used Carnation Instant Breakfast (sugar free) for about 2 months after
surgery, several times per day. But I tossed in a scoop full of protein
POWDER (I bought mine from GNC, though I think there are other places to
get it). That kept my protein levels high. Eventually I dropped the
Carnation (expensive!) and put frozen berries (blueberries, raspberries,
strawberries) in the blender for my own protein shakes. That is still my
breakfast each day and I'm 4 months post op.
— Margaret G.
November 25, 2003
It took awhile for me to find a protein shake I could handle too. Try
wlssuccess.com. They have a sample pack that features Whey products. I now
use the Nectar Protein drinks. 90 calories, 28 grams of protein and it's a
fruit flavored drink. I found them better than the traditional chocolate,
vanilla , etc. I now switch off between the strawberry-kiwi and apple for
breakfast each morning. The apple tastes just like a jolly rancher. Hope
you are able to find a protein drink soon! Best of luck.
— viqueenfan
November 25, 2003
There are a bunch of sites our there that have samples. Susan Marias site
wlssupplies.com wlssuccess.com... if you look people post about dif ones
all the time.
Also are you shaking them or blending them? When I blended my shakes in
the beggining all of the air caused horrible stomach cramps and potty
problems. So I started to just shake them up in a shaker and I was fine
after that.
Good luck.
— Melissa P.
November 26, 2003
Hi, Carol! Sorry for your troubles. A lot of our docs differ on their
protocols, and naturally we all want to follow what our doctors order.
That being said, most people do well even if there is a great variance
between what has been ordered. When I was 2 weeks post-op, I had just
gotten off clear liquids (no protein yet), and then started very soft,
pureed foods (still no protein as a strict requirement). Actually, my
doctor doesn't "prescribe" shakes, but I do have one every
morning for breakfast, for convenience sake, and just to get a boost of
protein in the AM. If I was getting diarrhea like you are, I'd cut them
out for a while, and look for other ways to get protein in. Are you
allowed to eat yet? If so, try string cheese, as it's soft, cottage or
ricotta, very thin oatmeal, mashed potatoes, maybe adding milk powder,
stuff like that. The shake powder I'm using is ProScore 100 chocolate,
BTW. Good luck.
— Carlita
November 26, 2003
Hi, re the blender or shaker with mixing protein powders; I took the advice
of someone who's already post-op (I'm a pre on shakes to lose weight before
surgery) and make the shakes the night before...or at least long enough
before you need it to let the bubbles settle to the top. This avoids the
"gas" problem from the bubbles. I was glad she told me that,
because as obvious as that is, I would never have thought of problem of
bubbles myself. She recommended Pro Complex, which gives 55 grms of
protein in two scoops, and the chocolate is very tolerable, taste-wise. It
uses splenda. I've tried a lot of drinks trying to find "the one"
I can use after surgery. I think this one is it for me...and I've had no
"issues" with it either (knock on wood! ;-> )
— Dream Achiever
November 26, 2003
Carol,
I had the same problem, it was horrible. I just quit drinking them all
together. A couple of months ago I decided to order 4 of Susan Maria's
canned protein shakes from her website...they were wonderful and NO side
effects! It was such a relief and wonderful surprise. They taste good,
they're ready to drink in cans and are completely satisfying for me. I'm
so glad I tried them.
I understand her other products are just as good. www.bariatriceating.com
— chelle3081
November 26, 2003
Diane - Interesting about the bubbles. But I believe it is proven that if
you let a protein drink stand for more than half an hour, the protein
begins to break down and loose efficacy. I'll bet letting a drink stand
for 10 minutes or so to let the bubbles rise would do the trick.
— [Deactivated Member]
November 26, 2003
I'm with the folks who think it may be the milk that is giving you trouble
- not only the milk you may be mixing it with, but with any milk that may
be in the powder. I wasn't lactose intolerant pre- or early post-op, but
now at 6 months out I can't do milk at all.
— Leslie R.
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