good protein drink for VSG?

[Avonlea]

I just had my surgery and I'm in the sip sip sip phase. I am doing well with getting in fluids -- at 4:00 pm I've already got my required amount of liquid today. But I'd like to add a little protein drink to the mix, because I think the clear broths and teas and water are good for liquid, but not enough for me as far as making sure I have adequate energy. I am not really worried about protein malnutrition this early out, but I do want to make sure I have enough energy to walk and heal.

My husband got me small bottles of Vanilla Ensure (8 oz), but sugar is the second ingredient on the list. I drank one of them (and I do feel it helped me feel more "grounded" for lack of a better word), but I am wary of drinking something that has so much sugar this early.

Also, was anybody scared to try real food? I'm terrified to try even a bite of real food.

[Deleted]

I got the Syntrax Nectars and mixed them up very dilute and sipped on those, killed two birds.. protein & fluids. Also, unflavored protein powder (again, Syntrax is my fav so far) added into chicken broth, or mixed half and half with Unjury Chicken Flavor (very salty, watch out!) scratched the itch for something savory. I was on liquids for two weeks, by the time I could eat ricotta or cottage cheese I was ready. I could only eat 1ounce, but it went down fine as long as I really took my time eating it. I posted a message regarding the Syntrax sample pack offer on another thread, if you are interested I can post it here too..

[Avonlea]

Oh that would be great. Is there a protein thread somewhere?

My doctor doesn't require a strict liquid diet for two full weeks, but I think it may take me two weeks to be too scared to try anything.

[Deleted]

Here's the info- & yeah, I understand the fear. Just take your time and no harm in staying on liquids/thick liquids like SF protein pudding or Kroger's Carbmaster yogurts for a little longer. as needed. Heck, I had gotten a batch of Atkins shakes that were thick- like runny pudding thick- my stomach said no. It was just way to filling to get enough in early out... My first mushie was cottage cheese, and that ounce took about 30mins or more to eat. Tiny tiny bites were very filling. That passed quickly. A month out I was eating solids, slowly and carefully, with no issues.. Here's the sample kit info- some I liked, some I hated.. but I found my favs this way.

We are currently offering a one time only, limit one per person special on the Nectar ‘Variety Sampler’ containing 13 full serving packets of the following flavors: Apple Ecstasy, Caribbean Cooler, Crystal Sky, Fuzzy Navel, Lemon Tea, Pink Grapefruit, Roadside Lemonade, Strawberry Kiwi, Twisted Cherry, Chocolate Truffle, Strawberry Mousse, Vanilla Bean Torte and Latte Cappuccino. The price is $13.00. The Nectar Variety Sampler receives FREE SHIPPING and orders typically arrive in 2-5 business days via UPS Ground. If you would like to take advantage of this offer, please give us a call at 866-333-7403 x 801. Our hours are Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm Central time.

[princess10]

I like the EAS Advantage shakes. They have 4gm of carbs and 15 gm of protein.

[Avonlea]

What Nectar flavors do you like? What company is made the offer? I like the idea of a sampler.

I'm pretty weirdly paranoid about drinking a protein drink that has a high sugar content. Sugar is awful for me, I do not want to start this out by having a high sugar drink! My poor husband was so happy to have found the protein drinks for me, but I don't think Ensure will work.

[Deleted]

Jan 14, 2012 19:11:01 GMT -5 Avonlea said:

I just had my surgery and I'm in the sip sip sip phase. I am doing well with getting in fluids -- at 4:00 pm I've already got my required amount of liquid today. But I'd like to add a little protein drink to the mix, because I think the clear broths and teas and water are good for liquid, but not enough for me as far as making sure I have adequate energy. I am not really worried about protein malnutrition this early out, but I do want to make sure I have enough energy to walk and heal.

My husband got me small bottles of Vanilla Ensure (8 oz), but sugar is the second ingredient on the list. I drank one of them (and I do feel it helped me feel more "grounded" for lack of a better word), but I am wary of drinking something that has so much sugar this early.

Also, was anybody scared to try real food? I'm terrified to try even a bite of real food.

don't go faster than your stomach wants to - my surgeon had us on 20 days of liquids and then puree but I pretty much stayed on liquids for a couple of months - just a few bites of yogurt, etc, because I was so full from drinking my protein. this is temporary - go SLOW with food. you are very early out.


I didn't get my full capacity for a year and a half, at least.

[Avonlea]

I think that makes a lot of sense. Honestly, I'm not worked up about the idea of relying so heavily on protein drinks during the first year. I'm terrified of overeating my sleeve, and also of protein malnutrition, and protein drinks seem to be the best way to manage both of those.

[Deleted]

Jan 14, 2012 22:09:41 GMT -5 Avonlea said:

What Nectar flavors do you like? What company is made the offer? I like the idea of a sampler.

I'm pretty weirdly paranoid about drinking a protein drink that has a high sugar content. Sugar is awful for me, I do not want to start this out by having a high sugar drink! My poor husband was so happy to have found the protein drinks for me, but I don't think Ensure will work.

Syntrax, the offer above is directly through them. I like the Iced Tea flavor best, and a few of them are good too like lemonade (I prefer all the flavors diluted in almost 25oz water, so a big shaker cup... No sugar, 1g carbs, 23g protein per serving, whey protein isolate iirc.

Premier Protein also sent me out samples of their RTD shakes when I called and inquired. They sent those free. Premier Nutrition- Premier Protein are also very low carb and high protein, they are one of the few milky style RTD protein supplements I like. Their number is 888.836.8977. I was not shy, I called these companies and told them I was going in for bariatric surgery and wondered if they would send samples of their products, some do for free- some charge a nominal fee like Syntrax.

Another sample pack idea- Netrition has a sampler pack they sell, again, some were good, some icky.. Many were low carb, some were as high as 15g I think.. www6.netrition.com/netrition_protein_sampler_pack.html

Oh Yeah (fav protein wafers made by these guys, no sugar alcohols- the bars are great too, but do have SAs in them) also have sampler packs of their powders & RTD's and I liked the TPS powders esp in coffee, I highly recommend them..
ohyeahnutrition.myshopify.com/collections/ohyeah-sample-kits

Hope this helps!

[Avonlea]

That's very helpful! Thanks!

[Deleted]

Jan 14, 2012 23:00:17 GMT -5 Avonlea said:

I think that makes a lot of sense. Honestly, I'm not worked up about the idea of relying so heavily on protein drinks during the first year. I'm terrified of overeating my sleeve, and also of protein malnutrition, and protein drinks seem to be the best way to manage both of those.

some people (and some surgeons) think it's really important to eat "real food" vs protein drinks but I don't see why. I mean - I SEE why, I don't agree with it.

this is temporary - a way to get in all the protein you need. might as well get the habit of NOT eating if you aren't hungry. I think that's just normal.

[meredith123]

I ordered a sampler of the syntrax, but the place I ordered from was more than the offer posted above. I didn't like most of the flavors. I found that the fruity ones just don't mix well and they were lumpy - gross! But since everyone is different you may like them, the sampler is a great was to try them.
My favororite protein in the Champion Whey Stack. I get it in Vanilla & Chocolate and then mix in other things like the sugar free coffee syrups to change them up.
If you don't know what you like, you can order samples from Vitalady - she carries a ton of them, I think it's about $2 each. Well worth trying some before you buy a big tub.

[Deleted]

Jan 15, 2012 22:27:42 GMT -5 meredith123 said:

I ordered a sampler of the syntrax, but the place I ordered from was more than the offer posted above. I didn't like most of the flavors. I found that the fruity ones just don't mix well and they were lumpy - gross! But since everyone is different you may like them, the sampler is a great was to try them.
My favororite protein in the Champion Whey Stack. I get it in Vanilla & Chocolate and then mix in other things like the sugar free coffee syrups to change them up.
If you don't know what you like, you can order samples from Vitalady - she carries a ton of them, I think it's about $2 each. Well worth trying some before you buy a big tub.

A couple flavors were lumpy for me too- the blue one and the apple one.. One thing I learned early out- DON'T use cold water when mixing them, room temp.. then ice if you want it cold. Cold=more clumps. The iced tea never clumped for me, and thankfully it was my fav as well.

[Catie]

I really liked the sample pack of the Nectar so I could pick which flavors appealed. After trying them all, I ordered more of the fruit punch, lemonade and Fuzzy Navel. I use these for breakfast in the morning on my way to work.

For later in the day, I like the Premier Protein ready to drink.

[jillybean720]

heh, I hated all of the Nectars - every single one of them! Which was disappointing because I was really hoping to find a protein I liked mixed with water instead of a milk product, but it never worked out for me. Sample packs are a GREAT suggestion. I also found Jay Robb brand whey protein sold in individual serving packets at Whole Foods, and those were my favorite early out.

You're wise to not want to stick with the Ensure. I was participating in a clinical study after my surgery, and one of the tests required we drink 2 cans of Ensure to mimic an "average" meal. Well, EACH can of Ensure had 50 grams of carbs - yes, 50! I don't care how much protein there is, that is a ridiculous amount of carbohydrates.

[loulou7]

My favorite is still the Isopure Zero Carb, the one in the silver jar. I usually go with Dutch Chocolate, but right now I'm working on French Vanilla.

I mix it with about 4 oz of milk in the blender, then pour into two or three cups of morning coffee - tastes just like a mocha latte, and I prefer it to regular milk in my coffee.

[formerlyfluffy]

The ones I drink the most are Premier, Lean Dessert, Lean Body, and Oh Yeah!

[Deleted]

the only "shake" that tasted good mixed with water was Whey Gourmet. haven't had it in awhile but I used to drink them a lot early out.

[sniffles]

Syntrax Vanilla Bean Torte blended with your favorite yogurt, water, and ice. We have Kroger grocery stores here. I used Kroger Carbmaster yougurts because they are low carb. I also mixed in 1/8 cup of any favorite fruit. That's a very small amount and it enhanced the flavor. Depending how far you are out from surgery, you may want to skip the fruit.

[sniffles]

I also really like the Unjury Chicken Broth. But not everyone does.

[Avonlea]

I tried a Syntrax flavor tonight, the Roadside Lemonade. It seems odd to me that it actually has the full protein content. Every other protein drink I've had is thicker, and I have a hard time imagining it is really as-advertised. Tasted good, though, which is nice.

[Deleted]

Jan 21, 2012 23:45:02 GMT -5 Avonlea said:

I tried a Syntrax flavor tonight, the Roadside Lemonade. It seems odd to me that it actually has the full protein content. Every other protein drink I've had is thicker, and I have a hard time imagining it is really as-advertised. Tasted good, though, which is nice.

Cytomax is a totally clear, not thick at all whey protein isolate drink (that really needs diluting, strong flavoring).. a 20oz bottle is 40g protein and no carbs iirc. They are out there.. I can't deal with the thick stuff myself..

[Avonlea]

I actually preferred the thinner drink myself. I was just wondering why it was so thin, and whether that meant it wasn't as-advertised as far as protein content. But it makes sense that they can make a clear protein. I mean, they must do that for TPN, right?

[Deleted]

Jan 22, 2012 11:21:23 GMT -5 Avonlea said:

I actually preferred the thinner drink myself. I was just wondering why it was so thin, and whether that meant it wasn't as-advertised as far as protein content. But it makes sense that they can make a clear protein. I mean, they must do that for TPN, right?

Just check the label.. there are thickeners/stabilizers added to the "creamy" ones, to improve taste, or to give them a "mouth feel" etc.. it's not the protein that makes it thick. For instance-

Oh Yeah TPS Protein Powder (a thicker, vanilla flavored one)
Protein Blend [OhYeah! Total Protein System Consisting Ultrafiltered Whey Protein Concentrate, Milk Protein Concentrate (Containing Native Micellar Casein and Whey Proteins From Fresh Ultrafiltered Skim Milk), Calcium Caseinate, Whey Protein Isolate], Dutch Process Cocoa, Omega-MCT Interfusion Matrix Consisting of (Sunflower Oil, Maltodextrin, Sodium Caseinate, Mono and Diglycerides, Dipotassium Phosphate, Soy Lecithin, Sodium Silicoaluminate, Tocopherols, Medium-Chain Triglycerides, Non-Fat Dry Milk, Dispotassium Phosphate, Silicon Dioxide), Natural and Artificial Flavors, Salt, Sucralose, Acesulfame Potassium.

Now compare to Syntrax Roadside Lemonade:
Ingredients: Whey Protein Isolate (milk), Citric Acid, Natural & Artificial Flavors, Soy Lecithin, Acesulfame-K, Sucralose, Gardenia Fruit Juice Powder.

Syntrax is basically flavor, protein, and a stabilizer, period. Nothing added to make it "creamy" so it won't be thick at all.

[micahj]

I have been drinking the Atkins Carb Control shakes. Not ideal probably, but it serves the purpose at 15g of protein per shake. I try to do one for breakfast and then depending on how much I eat during the day I sometimes have another before bed. I also have 3 huge tubs of Unjury vanilla and chocolate but have been going through a phase where they smell too strong to drink! I don't really care for their Chicken soup.

Good luck! It's rough some days!

[Carolyn H.]

Early out, I did the Cytomax zero carb protein drinks (whey). They were not 'shakes' per se but I found them cloyingly sweet and would have to water them down. I used (and still do) use Isopure's Dutch Chocolate powder in milk. I can no longer do milk, well, so I put it in coffee. My actual favorite was Protein H20 also by Cytomax (muscle milk), but they discontinued the product. it about killed me. I called the company to complain.