Gastric Bypass Surgery and Recovery

[FistFullaRoux]

My wife has been scheduled to have gastric bypass surgery on Feb 24. She will need, according to her doctor, 64 grams of protein per day. She will not be able to do that at first, but she should be able to at about 3 weeks.

She does not like eggs or peanut butter. She tolerates beans to a certain extent, and she only likes fish that does not taste like fish. Salmon and tuna are out completely.

How do I get 64 grams of protein a day for her? Those shakes she is starting to stockpile are freakin expensive. But 8 oz delivers 30 grams of protein.

Any scientific data about? FYI, it is the Roux-en-Y procedure. Her current BMI is 44.

Also, has anyone else shared a household with someone who has had this done? I'm beginning to get concerned about my dietary habits having to change. I'll have to load up at lunch, because there won't be much dinner. Not that this is a bad thing, as I could stand to lose some weight myself.

[Carolyn Tillie]

No ideas or suggestions -- but warmest wishes for a speedy recovery. Our thoughts are with you.

[Msk]

Hmm that takes out alot of options. You could look into protein powders. When bought in bulk they aren't that expensive, and you can then make your own protein shakes.

You can then start to experiment with the powder in other recipes like muffins, etc.

Good luck!

Msk

[EllenC]

My aunt had this surgery and lost like 150 pounds! But I have to say that it totally changed the way she eats. Things that she absolutely LOVED before the surgery just cannot be eaten anymore. And some things she couldn't stand to eat she's learned to like now because they don't upset her stomach. I definitely feel for you, because we have spent the last two years experimenting with foods she can eat - and it's complicated by the fact that ten small bites and she is full. That might also mean that the protean shakes she is getting might not work as well as she would like because the liquid takes up so much space.

Another thing that happened to us - my aunt started sleep walking and eating during her sleep. I guess because she just wasn't getting enough to eat during the day. One night she was cooking in her sleep and failed to turn the burner off. It was a really close call. Now we keep hotdogs and canned cheese products for her to make herself a snack while she sleeps. It's really gross to me but it solved the problem and she seems to be a much less picky eater in her sleep.

My advice is that you go slow and be very patient with each other. What happens to your body is dramatic and complicated.

Edited for spelling.

Edited January 27, 2004 by EllenC (log)

[peanutgirl]

Have you discussed her post-op diet with her surgeon... or a nutritionist?

Some high protein suggestions: low-fat cheese

tofu

nuts and nut butters other than peanut

(eg. almond & cashew butters are DELICIOUS)

Best wishes to both of you!

[FistFullaRoux]

We've met with the nutritionist and all the other specialists that this doctor requires. Which I do appreciate.

I am a foodie. I understand things that my wife does not. She grew up with people who considered 3 "Budget Gourmets", nuked in the microwave to be a meal. How he mom and dad aren't 350 pounds, I'll never know. Food is fuel to her, and she has never really had to make nutritional decisions. She is only now beginning to learn how to read food labels.

The nutritionist told her she needed 64 grams of protein a day, but really didn't give (I think) good advice. For example, she recommended the "beans 'n cheese" from Taco Bell as a "good source". Beans are a good source of protein, but not cut with partially hydrogenated whatever oil and a handful of cheese...

But this is the one that the doctor recommended, and the only one she will pay attention to. I'm just trying to educate myself so I can help her.

[Schielke]

Cottage cheese is an excellent source of protein.

[Mayhaw Man]

Roux-

Here is a good article out of the New York Times on Harry Lee (Jefferson Parish Sherriff aka-The Chinese Cowboy) and the procedure. He is doing very well and I understand that the current report is that he is down about 75 pounds.

All the best wishes to your wife for a speedy recovery and success with her goals.

[wnissen]

Re: Protein powders, some of them are full of crap as well. I believe the 100% whey ones are the most natural, and are not that expensive (~ US$0.50 for 25 g protein ). Not sure if there is a big difference among brands.

Best of luck dealing with this life change.

Walt

[Kim WB]

Will she be able to eat ground meats? Just use the cuisinart..I think it needs to be like baby food, and lots of people put lamb, beef, chicken in there for babies.

[scottie]

Ostrich and buffalo are both lean, high-protein meats that are readily available either ground or in steak form at Whole Foods.

Tempeh is very high-protein for a non-animal food, and it's better for you than tofu. But I find it must be prepared well or else it is yucky. Barbecue sauce on thin strips of sauteed tempeh is pretty good.

When I was on a high-protein diet, I used to make my own mixed nuts with curry flavoring. I hate peanuts, too, but macadamias, pinenuts, almonds etc. are pretty good. Yes, they are high in (good) fat, but they are also high in protein and I find a small handful of spiced mixed nuts with some raisins or other dried fruit takes the edge off hunger.

[FistFullaRoux]

Just out of curiosity... If I were to start a thread documenting her progress and listing what we learn and when, would anyone be interested in it?

Is this the place for it, from a foodie point of view? There are a number of blogs and diaries out there, but what about the foodie spouse of a WLS patient?

Comments?

[tryska]

myoplex MRPs or chocolate designer whey are my personal favorites.

myoplex tastes good - just about any flavor works with orange juice, even the scary tropical ones. 42 gs protein in one pack.

and chocolate designer whey tastes good mixed with gatorade.

that will take care of sweet...

actually better yet - basically 4 ozs of meat gives you roughly 24gs of protein per serving.

i take in well over 100gs a day myself - i do this by drinking a myoplex shake in the morning (only thing i can manage that early, plus the flavor i get gives me some caffeine), and then ensuring i get protein of some sort or the other over my next 4 meals. ( i eat 5 a day).

schielke's idea is good too - i couldn't live wihtout cottage cheese.

[Suzanne F]

Last summer, I copyedited a book, Extreme Measures, by Susan Nunziato Leach, which is just the one your wife needs. I don't know if it's been published yet (HarperCollins), but it had a ton of information on what to expect before and after the surgery, and a lot of recipes for shakes, soups, desserts, and real food. The premise of the recipes is that regular eaters would enjoy them, too, just in larger portions. I thought most of them looked pretty good, actually -- provided the people eating them like shrimp, and spicy food!

Unfortunately, I do not have any of the material from the book, or I would tell you more of what it said. I do remember that as others here have said, you have to watch the OTHER stuff in protein powders, because if they're made for body-builders they have way too much carbohydrates for your wife and will induce a very scary and unpleasant reaction.

[tryska]

most protein powders are 100% whey protein, or a mix of casein and whey, and typically zero carbs.

a meal replacement has more carbs, usually in the area of 22-24-ish gs per serving, and some of the low carb MRPs are anywhere from 2-9 total carbs per serving.

a weight-gainer (used to add mass and bulk) is typically 24g protein, and upwards of 60gs carbs.

[FistFullaRoux]

Suzanne F,

No luck on finding anything about the book, but we'll keep an eye out for it.

Thanks for all of the great suggestions. Keep them coming. I'm gonna need all the help I can get, I think...

[Suzanne F]

Apparently the title has been changed, and it will be out in April. It's now called Before & After : Living & Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery and the author is using only her married name: Susan Maria Leach

Here's a link to it on Jessica's Biscuit.

And here it is on Amazon.

Edited January 27, 2004 by Suzanne F (log)

[tryska]

hey fist - i just remembered one of my coworkers had GBP done, and let me tell you, she is disappearing a little bit everyday.

she's gone for the day now, but i can ask her tomorrow how she's doing it.

[chado]

I definitely second the EAS Myoplex. The shakes are very tasty and they have a ton of great recipes you can make from that. In the recipe book it comes with you will also find recipes to make high protein pudding, which I think is very good and tends to stay with you longer than the shakes.

Chicken breasts are an incredible source of protein with no carbs! each chicken breast has about 24g of protein. Also, shrimp and swordfish will provide a good source of protein, as will lean ground beef.

For lower amounts of protein, cottage cheese as mentioned, yogurt and reduced fat string cheese are good ways to go as well.

Chad

[FistFullaRoux]

Apparently the title has been changed, and it will be out in April. It's now called Before & After : Living & Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery and the author is using only her married name: Susan Maria Leach

Here's a link to it on Jessica's Biscuit.

And here it is on Amazon.

Thanks for the info. We'll keep an eye out for it.

No wonder I couldn't find it....

[EllenC]

Just out of curiosity... If I were to start a thread documenting her progress and listing what we learn and when, would anyone be interested in it?

Is this the place for it, from a foodie point of view? There are a number of blogs and diaries out there, but what about the foodie spouse of a WLS patient?

Comments?

I think this is a great idea.

[Cusina]

I eat a zone perfect bar every morning for breakfast on the weekdays. (they carry them at Target here) I think they are tasty and provide 15 grams of protein per bar. I'll bet your wife would enjoy them. Stick with the chocolate flavors for the best taste.

I would welcome the opportunity to follow your progress in a blog type thread. Good luck to you and your wife. I can imagine it will be a huge transition.

[tryska]

I definitely second the EAS Myoplex. The shakes are very tasty and they have a ton of great recipes you can make from that. In the recipe book it comes with you will also find recipes to make high protein pudding, which I think is very good and tends to stay with you longer than the shakes.

Chicken breasts are an incredible source of protein with no carbs! each chicken breast has about 24g of protein. Also, shrimp and swordfish will provide a good source of protein, as will lean ground beef.

For lower amounts of protein, cottage cheese as mentioned, yogurt and reduced fat string cheese are good ways to go as well.

Chad

chado - could you share the pudding recipe? i don't think i've ever seen an EAS recipe booklet. did it come with your box?

[Ladybug]

Just out of curiosity... If I were to start a thread documenting her progress and listing what we learn and when, would anyone be interested in it?

Is this the place for it, from a foodie point of view? There are a number of blogs and diaries out there, but what about the foodie spouse of a WLS patient?

Comments?

I would absolutely love to hear about your wife's progress. My mother-in-law is due to have the same surgery sometime this year. (She's on a waiting list.) She's already asked me for help - but not to cook! My father-in-law says he'd be embarrassed to go buy baby food for her and she wants me to do it. I'm wondering if baby food is going to provide enough nutrients/protein for her. I'd like to know everything about her surgery so I can help her if she needs me. She doesn't cook now because she doesn't get around too well, so if I brought her some things she'd probably really appreciate it.

[FistFullaRoux]

I would absolutely love to hear about your wife's progress. My mother-in-law is due to have the same surgery sometime this year.  (She's on a waiting list.) She's already asked me for help - but not to cook!  My father-in-law says he'd be embarrassed to go buy baby food for her and she wants me to do it.  I'm wondering if baby food is going to provide enough nutrients/protein for her.  I'd like to know everything about her surgery so I can help her if she needs me.  She doesn't cook now because she doesn't get around too well, so if I brought her some things she'd probably really appreciate it.

This is one of the better blogs/sites I've seen

The guy is a stand-up comedian (really), and it makes for interestig reading. As far as baby food, he recommends Gerber Blueberry Buckle. Lots of links on that site as well.

As far as the baby food nutritionally, it's only supposed to be for a little while. Some doctors are even saying, now, that the pureed food isn't completely necessary. Most people can tolerate a little more than they originally thought. Remember, this surgery is relatively new, and new stuff is being learned all the time. My wife is supposed to be on solid food (well-chewed of course) on the 2nd day. Steak is out for a couple of months, but she should be able to eat just about anything else at about 7 days post-op. I find this inceredible, but there it is. The protein shakes and stuff are to provide the necessary protein (and them some) without adding 1500 calories to the diet, and requiring digestion of 32 ounces of food. It needs to be delivered in more compact form, as not to over extend the freshly operated upon internal organs. It's as close as we can get to a protein pill.