Warning! Don't Follow My Lead

I have been one of the most careful people when it came to getting in all of my vitamins and protein.  A couple of months ago I started eating more fruits and veggies to try to combat some of this constipation that I've had since surgery 5 years ago.  Eating more fruits and vegetables meant eating less protein, but I thought I was still OK.  Guess not. 

I went to the doctor a couple of weeks ago because I'm exhausted, swollen and sick and tired of being sick and tired.  I blamed a lot of it on the pain from the accident so boy was I surprised when the doctor called me today.  Some of the lab results are back and the results were not good.  My protein is way, way low.  With only 2 months of reduced protein eating, I've wrecked my health, at least temporarily.  Mind you, I've been eating protein for every meal, just not as much as before. 

I probably would have been OK, except the last few months I've also been taking Pepcid (on the advice of my weight loss surgeon) because I've been taking NSAIDS to reduce the inflammation from the accident.  While I was researching protein deficiencies tonight, I found that taking antacids reduces your ability to absorb protein.  How come nobody ever told us this?

So here are the symptoms of a protein deficiency:

Edema - Got it, got it, got it... GOT IT BAD!
Muscle degeneration - Yep!
Enlarged and fatty liver - Sound familiar Reenie?
Preservation of fat storage
Anemia
Impaired immune system
Weakening and failure of heart and respritory systems
Reduced antibodies, hemoglobin and hormones
Disrupted metabolism
Impaired blood clotting

I really thought I was getting enough protein.  Please have your doctors check your protein levels.  Don't make the same mistake I did and let up on protein for even a little bit.

Connie

We really are a mess aren't we?
Like some big gineau pig that they cut up .
Well the gineau pig now is thinner O so thats a good thing right?
not always!
now we don't obsorb like we use to.
we canb't take some meds cause they will make us not obsorb even worse.
Not to mention but a few years down the road the guineu pigs start to gain. they start to eat less but still gain. befor eyou know it those little piggies are asking about revisions before their tummy tucks explode.
oooo this is not funny.
I'm still glad I had the surgery but ask me in another 5 years at the 10 year mark.
I'm going to go eat a cow.

Connie, How many oz. of protein are we supposed to be eating? I have been eating about 10 to 12 oz. a day for the last 3 weeks and I thought I was feeling so much  better because I've been eating a lot less carbs. I've been really not eating a healthy diet for a long time. I've been doing so bad for the last two years, I went to the eye doctor couple of weeks ago and he told me I have a macular leakage because of diabeties. Well, that has really knocked some sense into me. A piece  of cake is not worth going blind !  So I'm finally trying to eat for my health!
I pray that we all can do this HEALTHY thing and our lives will improve.

Judy

Judy,

I don't know about ounces, but I was told to eat at least 70 grams of protein, but try to get closer to 90.  I have been eating 70 grams a day, but it looks like I'll need to eat more than that.  Maybe others can tell us what they've been told about how much protein to eat.

Connie

From what I have heard & read 70 grams of protien a day is correct. That is why so many do the shakes to help with that. Specially if you can;t eat that much  protien in one day. Hope you are feeling better soon!! Get that protein up, so you can start living
a somewhat normal life, Girl!!  I'm laughing only because normal to you is always
going to be somewhat on the crazy side.

Judy you'd be surprised at the amount of protein that you are getting. With south beach it consintrates on protein with good carbs. Good carbs meaning fruits like seedless grapes. but the protein if I remember correctly is the biggie. I didn't think i was eating enough protein until I started to document it daily on fitday. and found i was eating alot more than i thought i was.
Connie yes thats the same thing my doctor has told me. I do eat closer to the 90 than the 70.
while i did'n't leave the computer last night to go eat a protein enriched cow i did go and make myself a nice protein shake. can't hurt right?
i like the rest of us worry constantly about gaining weight and want to lose lose lose.
but because of my stupidity over a year ago it made me kick myself and do what i'm suppose to do.
its working way to slowly but its working.
i lost 4 pounds then i gain a pound back. of course its summer and during the summer i gain water weight with the weather. so it fluctuates and i need to remind myself of that. i'm not just like everyone body else in the world get to a number and stay there the same every single day. in the morning i'm going to weigh less than at night.
whjy do i have to remind myself of this? geesh! but i do. so i don't beat myself up about it and will just obsess about it instead.
BUT tonight my daughter and I are going to see Beyonce!!!!!!! LIVE!!!!! IN CONCERT AT THE CASINOS!!!!!
I guess you can get I dont' get out much huh? hahaha I love her music. My daughter has a friend who's father is a high roller at the casino and got FREE tickets to her concert but didn't want them! Can you believe it??? so he gave them to my daughter who called her mother and asked if she watned to go before she called any of her friends! My daughter knows I love her music. dont' i have a wonderful daughter?
we can't wait to find out where the seats are. the last time they gave s tickets they were on the floor only 5 rows away from the stage so we are hoping we get just as good of seats.
ALL THE SINGLE LADIES! I told my daughter that when Beyonce sings that song that cause she went and got married my daughter can not get up and wave her arms in the air but I CAN!
yes the guy is still in my life but I am NOT married! hehhe
woooo hoooo gonna have to eat double protein today!

Pammy,

I hope you had the most marvelous time at Beyonce's concert.  Now 6 years ago, would you have gone to the concert?  I know I would have been so horrified at my weight I wouldn't have gone.  Sad, isn't it?  I think of all the weddings and parties and concerts I missed because I was embarrassed.  I think I hid for 1/2 of my life.  I hope that you and your wonderful daughter had the most fabulous time.

Hugs,
Connie

OMG what a fabulouse concert we had a wonderful time. didn't get home until 12 then couldn't fall asleep til 2 now i'm up at 630 and gonna have a long day at work thats for sure.
you know connie i would have gone to the concert but i would have been in extreme phyisical pain. the seats are so small and there isn't any room for your legs.  i was comfortable last nigth not any issues at all. i walked up the stairs sat in the tiny chair with room to spare and my knees were fine but 5 years ago i would have been in agoney. i wouldn't have been able to walk today.
i felt bad for the heavy ladies that were sitting two rows up. they weren't able to sit all the way into the seats and their tummys were hitting the people who sat in front of them. you could tell they were very uncomfortable and probably in pain.

I just don't know how you're coping... when is your back surgery scheduled for? M.