I mean four bites for breakfast and four bites for dinner.

Oh my. I just noticed I spelled appetite wrong. I really need to get off of the demerol! LOL!!!

I do get my 3oz in at each meal time but I also ask my doctor that I dont think it adds up to the 65grams of protein required. He suggested I eat every 3-4 hours and one fruit serving in between and also said this will get rid of the tiredness I am experiencing.

Tofu a must in the diet! Get over the No taste! Infinitely better protein than eggs or any animal source for that matter. Chuck the fruit especially if it has sugar and add tomatos or avacado !

I agree that you may still need the shakes - especially after what you have been through.

I just started drinking them again - I can only tolerate 1 a day and then have to drink a bit at a time just out of the fridge. I had zero energy - could not get enough protein through just food - like you, am not hungry.

I also am trying to drink 8oz of milk 1-2 times per day which has lots of protein as well and adds to fluid intake.

I really noticed a big difference in energy level when I didn't get enough in...good luck with everything!

...Chris

The demerol is probably what is killing your appetite. Everyone is different, and your treatment team should be giving you advice tailored for your particular situation. Being on a powerful med like Demerol may mean you can't stop with the shakes and bars and maintain healthy weight loss. Or overall good health for that matter, as not eating enough is dangerous for anyone. I have the same issue b/c I take meds for bipolar disorder and anxiety, and need more carbs than is often recommended so I don't lose my mind. I have found from the beginning any way I can get a large portion of my daily protien in liquid form really works. That way I satisfy both my fluid and protien requirements. I have a shake first thing in the morning and mix a protien shot into my first 24oz sipper bottle with water and ice. Even if I don't eat anything else until after noon, I already have 55g of protien in. I also make sure the protien from these supplements is derived primarily from whey/milk isolate. Anything else is a waste of money for a WLS patient. BTW, 60g is the MINIMUM - an active woman needs far more.

After what you've been through, it's no wonder that you still can't eat much.
You will gradually be increasing that as you heal now. I would drink the shakes if I were you.
I also agree with Brett........tofu is good protein, it will take the taste of what you cook it with. Greek yogurt is a great source of proteing also, comes in flavors.
I myself know that I still am not getting in enough protein at 8 weeks out, so the other day I decided to try a shake.....2 sips and I was sick. I think my body is saying .........no more of that crap.
It will get better.

I was always just a little short on my protein, mostly because of not feeling hungry and partly because of having to remember to stop drinking for the 1/2 hour before, taking at least 1/2 hour to eat and then not drinking for the next 1/2 hour. That's when I decided to include 8 oz of skim milk twice a day (also counts towards my liquids). That has helped me tremendously.

You are right about it being difficult to eat when you are not hungry or "feeling" what you are trying to eat. It was weird for me to get used to because I would always check myself for what I was in the mood for and choose food based on the physical reaction I'd have when thinking about eating. No more after surgery thats for sure. I almost have to have an out of body experience and treat myself like a patient or another one of my kids, and feed and water myself robotically for at least the first 6-7 months after surgery. Now that my hunger is back it is easier, but not much, still have to preplan my meals, when before it was just an impulse to eat.

Here is a sample of what I was eating to get my protein in at six weeks post op. It worked so well for me that I must have had this same menu for like 4 months straight, LOL. You can modify it to fit what you like, but if you read your labels and add up the protein grams over a day, as time goes on you'll get there!


7-8am I start my day off drinking coffee, (bad old habit) and drink approx 8oz

8:30 protein bar 20g

9:30 - noon - Sip on a sobe lifewater 20 oz.

12:30 2 pepperjack string cheeses + 6 triscuits (Weird, but my favorite lunch) 15 g protein

1:30-3:30 Sip water or crystal lite 20 oz

4:00 - Snack 1/2 banana w/2Tbs peanut butter = 8g protein

5-6:30 More Sobe lifewater 20 oz

7:00 Dinner ( ex mexican night - 25g protein)

9:00-11pm Maybe up to 4 s/f fruit popsicles. They count towards fluid intake and are 2 oz each. So 8 oz total. I have become a huge s/f popsicle addict and it really quenches me being so cold.

Protein total: 68 g
Water total: 76 oz


I know you're only 6 weeks out, but most of the foods on this list were ok'd for me to start eating then. Here's some more ideas:

Chicken breast, 3.5 oz - 30 grams protein
Chicken thigh 10 grams (for average size)
Drumstick 11 grams
Wing 6 grams
Chicken meat, cooked, 4 oz 35 grams

Fish
Most fish fillets or steaks are about 22 grams of protein for 3 oz (100 grams) of cooked fish, or 6 grams per ounce
Tuna, 6 oz can - 40 grams of protein

Pork
Pork chop, average - 22 grams protein
Pork loin or tenderloin, 4 oz 29 grams

Ham, 3 oz serving 19 grams

Ground pork, 1 oz raw 5 grams; 3 oz cooked 22 grams

Bacon, 1 slice 3 grams

Eggs and Dairy
Egg, large - 6 grams protein
Milk, 1 cup - 8 grams
Cottage cheese, cup - 15 grams
Yogurt, 1 cup usually 8-12 grams, check label
Soft cheeses (Mozzarella, Brie, Camembert) 6 grams per oz
Medium cheeses (Cheddar, Swiss) 7 or 8 grams per oz
Hard cheeses (Parmesan) 10 grams per oz
Beans (including soy)
Tofu, cup 20 grams protein
Tofu, 1 oz, 2.3 grams
Soy milk, 1 cup - 6 -10 grams

Most beans (black, pinto, lentils, etc) about 7-10 grams protein per half cup of cooked beans
Soy beans, cup cooked 14 grams protein
Split peas, cup cooked 8 grams
Nuts and Seeds

Peanut butter, 2 Tablespoons - 8 grams protein

Almonds, cup 8 grams
Peanuts, cup 9 grams
Cashews, cup 5 grams
Pecans, cup 2.5 grams
Sunflower seeds, cup 6 grams
Pumpkin seeds, cup 8 grams
Flax seeds cup 8 grams