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Needing a meal replacement drink. Having a hard to keep weight on
I’m 6.5 years cancer free from an esophegectomy at Mayo Clinic, but I’m having a difficult time keeping my weight on (114lbs). I am an active person, eat when Im hungry, but not getting in enough calories. Im needing some suggestion's for a meal replacement protein drink or powder that is low sugar, high in calories and good quality. I would appreciate and welcome any and all suggestions.
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Hi Brian-Are the enzymes your taking
Approved by your physician?
A couple of years ago daughter found a study that recommended PERT (pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy) for anyone who’s undergone any type of stomach surgery. I was having issues with dumping so I decided to give them a try. I felt better within one day.
My surgeon just said great if it works for me. My pcp and my gastroenterologist weren’t sure why they worked for me, but gave me a prescription for Kreon which is the same.
At my five year checkup with my surgeon his assistant mentioned that since I had mentioned pancreatic enzymes to them 4 or 5 other patients had mentioned using them as well.
The only issue is finding the correct dosage. If you take too much you can become constipated.
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1 ReactionCan you find Magic Cups? Possibly Amazon
@puprluvr
I’ll check with my primary Doc. Thank you for your suggestion.
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1 Reaction@puprluvr
I bet there are a lot of patients who could benefit from PERT.
Since I was having success with Pure Encapsulations Pancreatic enzymes (Amazon $109 for 180 capsules)
My gastroenterologist asked me if I’d like a prescription for Keon that was a similar dosage. I tried them once and they didn’t work. (I may try them again in the future). So I went back to the Pure encapsulations. The enzymes contained in the capsules are what your pancreas normally produces.
For some reason my stomach isn’t telling my pancreas to produce them. My guess is during my esophagectomy the removal of the portion of the vagus nerve in my stomach created the issue.
The enzymes break down the food in my intestines. With out them food just flows right through me (including vitamin supplements that don’t get digested making me also nutrient deficient).
My BM’s were green, that stuck to the bowl and didn’t smell normal.
The fat in my food wasn’t digested and being lighter than water floated.
I’m now back to normal BM’s.
I regulate my intake of enzymes based on my BM’s. Too many enzymes and I start to become constipated, and I’ll cut back a little on enzymes. I still need to eat smaller than normal portions at meals. I take two capsules at breakfast and one at lunch and dinner. The enzymes allow my intestines to hold onto food and slowly digest it, instead of flushing it out of my body.
You asked about a protein drink you could add to your diet. I use Huel Black Edition High Protein Complete Meal. One 16.9 oz bottle has 27 vitamins and minerals, 35g of protein, and 7g of fiber, 17g of fat, and 390 calories. I drink one daily as a meal replacement. I’m still trying to gain back 5 lbs that I lost after my esophagectomy last December, but I haven’t lost any more weight. BTW, I’m currently able to get a carton of Huel at a reduced price at my local Costco.
@lindainca
I’ve lost around 30-35 lbs since surgery and can’t gain weight which is 113lbs currently. My surgery was 2019 at Mayo..
@lindainca Try Liquid Hope or Nourish you can find them on amazon. I had my esophagectomy June2019 and went in 108 and came out 108 but it is very hard to maintain weight after that operation, I just lost 3 pounds from having a bad cold and cough and have to have a D&C next week and a stone removed after that, I cannot tolerate liquid hope any more too many food intolerances, very hard life now!!!!!!
@naoshapiro1 I’ve been using Huel Black Edition for several months as a meal replacement (390 cal. and 35g protein) that I get at Costco, and it was approved by my nutritionist. My problem is slowing down the nutrients I take in. I eat the number of calories per day she recommended, but they apparently pass through too quickly. Could be a problem of malabsorption. I’m waiting to hear back about testing for that. Thank you for your reply, and best of luck with your upcoming procedures!
@lindainca I can't digest anything high in oxalate because I make kidney stones and I am intolerant to Coco, which would give me high reflux problem. I can't eat flaxseed coconut oil raises my cholesterol level. I work within a nutritionist and every meal is very very carefully laid down I do eat hempbpowder and hemp hearts I eat banana oatmeal, ground pecan ground pumpkin seed and ground walnuts and I can tolerate up to 10 sprays of olive oil on my sourdough bread. I also make a purée of one or 2 ounces of bok choy fennel carrots 3 ounces and einkorn, which is very much like farrow or sorghum everything is weighed by ounces and grams. I eat four small meals a day. My last meal is at 4:45 and it's my lowest value meal just 2 ounces of sourdough bread 10 sprays of olive oil and a tablespoon of my nut butter that I make I have ---so many food intolerances and pre-diabetic and hypoglycemic there's just so much going on I did try MCT oil for a while which they give to babies to help them thrive it'll certainly add weight if that's what you're looking for, but it will raise your cholesterol considerably so I quit that I work with a nutritionist doctor. I also small the boiled potato and banana and kiwi, which are all digestible as I said everything is worked out by grams and ounces. I wish you luck.