Question:
I met with the dietician this week and am very concerned about the postop diet.
I am trying to be very honest with myself, and I am not sure that I am going to be able to do the postop diet. Since early childhood I have hated milk, and I am also lactose intollerant. I didn't realize that the protein shakes were mixed with milk. I honestly don't think I can drink the amount required after surgery. I realize that these types of changes are lifelong changes, so I am trying to be realistic and honest with myself, and I am just plain scared that I will not get the amount of protein required after surgery. Please give me your advice or suggestions. I haven't actually tried any of the protein mixes yet. I guess I don't want to spend the $10-$20 for a can to find out I don't care for that particular taste and/or flavor. Please, please, please - I need words of wisdom!!! Oh, is the postoperative diet for the VBG the same as the RNY? — [Anonymous] (posted on October 21, 2001)
October 21, 2001
My first suggestion - take a deep breath and try to calm down. Nothing is
insurmountable. I don't know how the post-op diets comparfe for the 2
different procedures, but I do know from reading this website, that the
post-op diets presented by different doctors differ very much. That means
that you can find ways around the exact diet presented to you. For
instance, my surgeon and his nutritionist did not suggest protein shakes at
all. Also, I have my own nutritionist and he also did not suggest protein
shakes. He did, however, suggest a protein (powdered) supplement that I mix
in foods. He suggested i teaspoon mised in cottage cheese or plain yogurt.
I know you said you are lactose intolerant. So am I, but somehow, these
particular foods don't bother me. (I buy 1% fat of either). Additionally,
there is a low-fat "Lactaid" brand cottage cheese which tastes
very good. The other thing my nutritionist recommended, which I found
wonderful the first 2 weeks post-op, was vegetable broth. I would boik
sime vegetables and, when they were soft, put them in my food processor
with some broth and puree them. I then put hem back in the pot and had a
wonderful, tasty, satisfying meal. What I also did was add some chicken or
turkey and puree that with the vegetables. That gave me a very easily
digestible source of protein. My nutritionist also wanted me to have 2
soft boiled eggs every day (with the yolks). He said eggs are an
incredible source of protein. Finally, he told me to have aboout two and a
half ounces of salmon every day. He said salmon is the best. So, when I
couldn't yet tolerate "whole" salmon, I did the same thing I had
sone with the chicken and turkey. I cooked salmon with celery, onions,
potatoes ( and you could add other things as well) and when they were all
cooked, I again used my food processor and pureed the solids and put hem
back in the broth. If I started with a 10 ounce peice of salmon, I ate
about a quarter of the mixture every day for four days. It was handy, it
was delicious, satisfying - and I got plenty of protein. I just saw my
nutrtionist on Friday - I was just under 11 weeks post-op. One of the
things I was concerned about was whether or not I've been getting enough
protein. It turns out (he has a device which measures body fat, muscle,
water, etc.), that I have gained a few pounds of muscle which means Ihave
to be taking in enough protein - and I have yet to have a protein shake!
You can do it and you can do well! If you want to get back to me, please
feel free to contact me at [email protected]. Lots and lots of luck -
you've got a lot of support out here - Nancy.
— Nancy Z.
October 21, 2001
I'm post op almost a year from my open vbg and at goal. My surgeon has a
website with sample menu's, tips, and foods to avoid the first 6 weeks
along with helpful information to guide you to use the tool to our best
advantage. As to milk, I've been lactose intolerant for over a decade and
I never use it for my protein drinks. There are many that mix in water
nicely and I blend them with ice and some splenda for added flavor and
sweetness as I usually triple the water called for. As to spending money
and not liking the product, I use GNC exclusively and with my gold store
savings card I save 20% and if I don't like it I can return it for a full
refund or exchange within 30 days. <b>www.gnc.com</b> is their
website. <p> There are some dietary differences with vbg and rny
where the rny can eat a little denser meats or rice and pasta and bread
because they don't have a band to hold the food in the pouch longer and to
restrict outflow. Frankly, I prefer get my carbs from other sources
instead of the starch from breads, pasta and rice. Things with more
nutrients like beans, lentils, whole grain and multi fiber cracker breads
for example. I don't feel deprived in any way shape or form and enjoy such
foods as chicken, fish, ham, low glycemic veggies and fruits, soy products
etc....There are many things I have once is a while that I make sugar free
and low fat in terms of desserts to help me not feel deprived. I wish you
the best of luck and I urge you to visit my doctor's site and see if
anything there suits your needs.
<b>http://www.weightlossurgery.com/</b>
— Jo (Part 2) C.
October 21, 2001
Ok...I too have always been lactose intolerant, but after you have the
surgery, the first thing people are normally told is that milk should not
be used because it contains lactose, which is actually sugar, and can
cause "dumping". The first six months or less, you may be using
protein drinks, but usually that is only for the first few months, while
your new stomach is healing. You really need to be eating normally to get
your nutrients.
I begain using soy milk, in vanilla, to suppliment my diet. Once your
stomach is healed you can eat pretty normally, remembering that you should
ALWAYS eat proteins first, then veggies and fruits, lastly and
leastly...carbs. You will be fine. It is good that you understand that your
diet will need to change though, because it will. It is something you can
do, so don't stress about it. You will be fine. We are all here to support
you in your new lifestyle. We have all been there!!!
— twenc
October 21, 2001
You sound like you may be having serious doubts about having the surgery,
rather than the diet? Maybe you have talked yourself into thinking it's
really the diet/protein issue that is bothering you instead? Please slow
down and do think seriously about it. My WLS went very well, but I've had
other types of surgery in the past that I regret deeply. I not saying don't
have WLS, but do research all you can and "be honest with
yourself". As far as the protein, mine was mixed in water and I only
did it for a month. It cost $120 for that month! So I really don't have all
the protein my surgeon (or others on this list have) and yet I am doing
fine. 319 to 222 so far in just alittle over 5 months. I've been very
suprised that I can eat "almost" anything I want except breads
and sweets. Sweets I don't miss... breads I do. But I don't eat bad things
very often and when I do it's in just a small amount. I can take a bite or
two of something that I never could have stopped eating before, and yet be
satisfied. I can even eat a couple bites of a pie if I want to. But I don't
care about a whole slice. I don't know if it's true for everyone. But it is
a "life style change" and you MUST be committed to those changes.
There have been a few people who have regretted the WLS, but most of us
seem to be happy. Just wait and make sure it is right for you
— Danmark
October 21, 2001
I am 18 mo. post op RNY and at goal. I am lactose intolerant. I mixed my
protein powder with diet soda , or soy milk. Mixing with soy milk tastes
really good even if you can't stand the taste of soy (go figure). I use
designer protein (GNC) it works for me. But I can't stomach the taste of
more than 1 scoop at a time. The first 3 months of the diet are rough, and
the entire first year was a period of adjustment. (for me , at least) Now I
eat whatever I want , in greatly reduced amounts. I steer clear of sugar
and eat sugarless goodies if I have the need for something sweet. Yes, this
will be life changing , I KNOW my life has changed for the better. And yes
you have to make a certain amount of sacrifice. You MUST be prepared to do
this before you commit to the surgery and find yourself unable to adjust.
The biggest changed being the amt of food that you will consume. I always
remind myself of the Weight Watchers chant "nothing tastes as good as
thin" That is sooo true. Good luck with your decision.
— Rose A.
October 21, 2001
There is a website www.vitalady.com where you can order samples of
different protein shakes. They are only $1.50 for each sample and I think
it's well worth it because as you've said, you don't want to spend $30 on a
can of protein to find out you don't like it. I like this site. I can't
think of the name of it but there are some protein shakes that taste like a
better version of crystal lite or kool-aid. This site has samples of it. As
other people have said here, what you mix with it is really your choice. I
am pre-op but I've done protein shakes for a long time just to keep my
weight stable and sometimes I'll mix sugar free tang with vanilla protein
or sugar free nestle quick with chocolate protein just to take the edge
off. I know I won't be able to do it immediately post off but sometimes I
thow fresh fruit in the blender with vanilla protein. There are lots of
ways of making it work. At first I couldn't drink it straight but now I
just mix it with water and it's no big deal. I'm used to it. If you do find
a protein powder you like try www.getbigger.com or www.fitnessfirstusa.com
to buy them. They usually have much better prices than GNC. Good luck to
you!!
— Tiffany A.
October 21, 2001
You need to discuss your concerns with both your doctor and the diatician.
I too could not tolerate milk based drinks. I guess it is a result of being
on Optifast years ago. They just made me gag! When I discussed this with my
diticain she suggested I try Amino 2222 (Fruit Punch flavor). It has 22.22
Gm of Protein in three tablespoons. I add six tablespoons of Amino 2222 to
one cup of crystal lite and I have a pleasant fruit punch drink with 44.44
Gm of protein! This has really made the difference for me. I hope this has
been of help for you. Amino 22.22 is available at GNC food stores. If you
try a product from GNC and are not satisfied-keep the receipt and you can
get a full refund of the purchase price. Amino 2222 costs around $27.00 and
lasts about a month. It is wise for you to find out ahead of time what you
will tolerate before surgery. Good luck and God bless.
— Wanda W.
October 21, 2001
I have not had a drop of milk for over 7 years. My surgeon forbids it,
same thing as candy. I loved the stuff, thought I could not do life
without my milk, ice cold, BIG glass. I do life just FINE without milk
now. I am lactose intolerant, so can still do cheese & other non-sugar
dairy products, but I no longer have the stomach enzymes & such to
break them down. I get my protein via supps (with water--I LIKE them!), my
calcium via pills, and so on. I can measure exactly what I get, no
guessing or portion issues. I eat everything but milk & sugar, and it
makes so way easier than all that counting & weighing. I measured the
volume size when I was a rookie to hold the small pouch size. Life got SO
much easier when food was no longer my focus. Milk is not required to be
successful. I weighed 108# this morning.
— vitalady
October 24, 2001
I'm lactose intolerant and I haven't drank any milk in years.
I always thought milk was a no-no after surgery. There are protein
drinks that are you mix with water. I don't remember the one I
drank for 4 weeks...but...I got it at Bread & Circus in Brookline, Ma.
If you go to a health food store, they can help you out. You are
right about life style changes. If you really want to succeed you will
hve to eat and drink quite differently. The few people I've known who
have "failed" over the years didn't have pouch issues. They just
couldn't
adapt to the dietary and lifestyle changes.
— [Anonymous]
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