Protein Intake - conflicting information, need clarification.

No...this is St. Vincent's in Carmel, IN. 

In 2009, they were very "on point" with DS nutrition.  That's where I got the 90-100g intake, from my pre-op education. The math makes sense, because if our body only absorbs 50-60% of the protein intake, then eating that much would put us within "normal" limits labwise.

I'm not sure what happened, but this latest thing has really shaken my confidence in them.  If they're giving their DS patients these guidelines, they're going to have some very sick people soon.  I know of one already who is in the hosptial after following the "Flintstone Vitamin" regimen.

I always thought we as DS'ers were supposed to shoot for 120grams of protein.....Now I feel confused.. Newbie here...

It's most confusing because people try different things. I'm a newbie and don't mean to sound like my answers are the right answers for anyone but myself. Many of the long time DS'ers will take you to the 30,60,90,120 rule and you are right at the 120. Nothing wrong with that. It's good to know that they think it is the safest way to go. At 50% absorption an argument can be made that is the right answer.

It's also good to hear from people following something different. As long as we all keep an eye out for the results from those differences. If, based on my labs, I end up needing to add protein I'll certainly post that. For me as a heavyweight it just seems like too much food (120) and since my Doctor said 80 I'm willing to ride on reserves until he is proven wrong. 

I find myself looking a all the individual answers and try and extrapolate what that means to me in the losing phase and how different will that look to me when I hit maintenance. There are enough people on the board that there is some consensus but also some people doing different things.

There is no way I can eat the amount of protein I need to get in every day. 

That's why I'm still supplementing with shakes. 

Trust me, I've seen what long-term PCM can do to people, and to animals (just saw a picture of a dog today who was part of a humane rescue... literally a fur covered skeleton!)

I think shakes are a dandy way to keep up your totals. Every time I miss a shake I end up not making my goals - I hate to cook in the morning. 

Here is my method for calculating protein needs.  From reading every low carb book published in the last 20 years, I've always seen the formula for protein as:

weight in kilograms X .8 = protein grams per day (or weight in lbs X .37)

I have seen some people who claim that there is no proof that we need more than 90-100 grms per day, no matter how much you weigh.  But I do feel it when I go below my protein numbers.  I've tried dropping it many times, and I feel funny/tired/weak.

I've always used this formula, but I've cut the grams down by 20 when in weight loss mode (unless I am doing strenuous exercise, weekend hiking, etc.).  Every 10 lbs, I recalculate the new daily protein goal. 

I weigh 170 = 77  X .8 = 67 gms needed per day

I absorb only 60% of this protein, so how much do I need to eat to compensate for that? 

67 divided by 60% = 102 grams of protein per day. 

Sorry, I'm an accountant.  My sister's eyes start to glaze over when we have these chats....

And I agree that if your labs show you are not getting enough protein, then use 50% absorption from now on and see what the labs show next time.

jashley-

That's the thing...my prealbumin is 23.6  Total Protein is 6.2.  I'm just barely within normal range.  I am out of PCM that was indicated in my labs last May, but I am killing myself to get everything in mid-range. 

I am already osteopenic, my PTH Intact is 142, which means the bone leaching has begun again, despite my throwing all kinds of calciium citrate/magnesium and D in. I was taking 200 mg of zinc daily, 100,000 IU Vit. D daily, yet I still have Vit. D, Zinc, and high PTH (parathyroids send out the signal to start the bone leaching process.)  According to my classwork, the parathyroids are usually silent, unless blood calcium levels drop. I have already had a scan to rule out the possibility of a  parathyroid tumor. (irishnurse, please correct me if I'm wrong, but that's what I learned in class.)  For those who don't know, I'm studying to become a bariatric dietician. 

One thing I've noticed regarding calcium, and this also goes along with what I've learned in class.  If my calcium is off, I usually wake up with horrendous GERD symptoms.  In class, we learned that excess stomach acid is part of the catalyst for the chemical reaction that starts osteolysis (sp) - calcium leached from bones.

The deficiency issues have got me a referral to an endo, whom I will no doubt have to educate regarding the DS.  If he/she is unteachable (refuses to listen), then I plan to get up and walk out of the office!  Actually infusions would solve this problem, just like they did for my iron last year,.  I asked for the infusions,  but got the referral instead.

I used  175 x .8 which says I need 140 g of protein daily.  My weight fluctuates between 170 and 180 ( down from 405), so I used the middle number, 175 fr the formula.

77 x .8 = 61.6

My error.  It's your body weight in Kilograms X .8, or your weight in pounds X .37

170 weight X .37 = 63 grm / .6 = 105 needed every day.

I know I don't absorb 60%, so I tend to use 50% absorption ratio and eat 120 - 130 gms myself.

And I know what you are going through when you ask for infusions, and they refer you to doctors that do not know what they are talking about when it comes to the DS.  And their only reference point is the RNY.  It comes down to the issue - do you let this doctor *****fuses to listen/learn tank your numbers more to prove your point and get your infusions, or do you try to escalate above them in the hope of getting someone's attention.  This is my only major disappointment with this surgery - trying to get knowledgeable medical attention without having to do battle for every single thing, every single year.