protein

I have a dump question, I went in for my checkup yesterday, 2 ½ months out and 45lbs lost. I was concern that I was not losing enough so I talked the nutritionist about it. She said that I should make sure I eat at least 1000 calories a day and to make sure I get it 65 grams of protein. I am very bad at the protein and I only eat between 500 and 750 calories a day. When the doctor came in I ask about it he said the protein really didn't have much to do about the weight loss and that it depends on the person and how much you had to lose in the first place. Do you remember before you had wls, I understand about the protein but eating more, I am at a lost. Someone please help and explain this to me in dummy terms??

June, simply put, your body needs X amount to support its systems, (heart, liver, kidneys, brain, muscles, skin etc.). If you don't give it enough calories to work with then it thinks you are in distress and holds onto itself as protection. Continuing down this road can harm you eventually as your blood work will get out of whack. Like the nutritionist said, add in some calories and see if your weight loss increases and/or you feel better overall. 500 is too low this far out from surgery; you should be higher and like they told us at Barix, protein first; you don't want to muscle-waste. (You may look thinner without the muscle bulk, but you'll have no stamina and lack of protein will damage the organs eventually.) Jackie

thanks for the information, i will try very hard to get in more protein june

June, I am not sure why your nurse/Dr have that kind of focus. Protein has everything to do with it! Protein feeds your muscles, hair, fingernails, your blood system, etc...you need the protein. If you are not getting in protein, and you up your calories on NON-protein foods (carbs), all you will do is slow your weightloss, and your body will begin to eat away at all your muscle. You will turn into jelly. This is what I did at first after surgery. I finally started learning and figuring some things out, and now my body is a happy camper. It is true that everyone is different...but it is also true that there are some basics, like the necesity of protein and water and exercise that are the same for everyone. The amounts may vary, but those 3 things are consistent. good luck to you! Sandra