More Protein=Faster Weight Loss?

One of the folks I work with had surgery about 2 months prior to me.  The other day we were comparing notes about our experiences thus far and she told me that her weight loss (after 70 pounds) has slowed down considerably.  She's about 20+ pounds from her "goal".  She told me that she's "certain" that it's due to her inability to ingest enough protein.  It seems that I've heard something like this before, but I'm not sure.  I know you are supposed to get in your recommended daily amount to support organs, tissue development, muscle mass, etc.  But, I've never heard the "more protien=more weight loss" argument that she later went into.  I, too, have seen my weight loss slow down over the past few weeks, this seems to coincide with about the same time that I quit protein supplements altogether because I couldn't find one that didn't taste like ass dipped in chocolate/strawberry/vanilla/take your pick.  I'm curious if I should start looking for a protien shake/bar/something again that I can stomach...

I think there might be something to that. I'm 3 months out and I found when I was'nt eating much due to lack of appetite my weight loss almost stood still. Now that I'm making myself eat, I'm loosing again.
As far as protein supplements go, I drink the
Whey Protein Isolate from GNC. 1 scoop mixed with 8 0z. of water = 28 gr protein. I have one every morning for breakfast and I try to have another in the evening.

I'm not sure what my weight is doing as I haven't weighed in about 3 wks, but I'm afraid it's not doing much, cause my pants aren't fitting any different than they did a month ago. I"m averaging 118 grams of protein per day over the past month with very little supplementation. But I'm also averaging about 86 grams of fat per day due to the fat that accompanies animal protein. Even lean cuts of meat carry a pretty good dose of fat grams. I guess I could switch to straight fish and protein shakes for a couple of weeks to see what would happen but.........I'd rather not. Like you guys, I'm looking for feedback from guys who've been there.

I most definitely can attest to more protein=more weight loss. And it seems to be dependent on protein supplements. I never understood why my doctor, my nutritionist and all of the nurses at the hospital kept pushing protein so much.

After about week 6 I hit a big plateau that I just could not get past. I was exercising, eating right and doing everything my doctor told me to do except drinking all the protein supps. Then I decided I would really up the protein intake so I started downing an Isopure or a New-Whey bullet every day and sometimes even throw in a Myoplex Lite. After the first week I dropped 6 pounds and since then I have noticed a direct correlation between protein intake and weight loss. Something about how your metabolism goes into overdrive when you give it the extra protein and forces you to burn more.

With these surgeries and lowering your caloric intake, our bodies adjust to how much we eat so even though we're eating less food, our metabolism slows down so that we're also not burning as much energy. By putting in the extra protein (minus all the extra fat you get from eating animal protein) you really kick up your metabolism.

I guess I ought to get back on the protein supplements and see what happens. Thanks.

Wow, I'm going to have to find something I can stomach.  I've been trying to get all of my protein from animal sources, but what you said really makes sense.  Thanks!

I can definately attest to it.  If I don't get my protein in, and get just a few too many carbs, my weightloss comes to a shreaking halt.  Raise my protein, lower the carbs, go for a walk, and I lose again. Oh.. and.. I can't drink my diet pepsi.  dang it.  LOL.. I can actually tolorate them just fine, with no side effects (not recommended by the way, just looked too good one day and I tried it).. but if I drink more than a very few ounces, I hold fluid terribly. Just not worth it.. tho I do love my Diet Pepsi .  That is the thing I've missed the most.. not sweets, not carbs... Diet Pepsi... sigh.. oh well, back to topic.. yep, get that protein in! Dale

J, During my rapid weightloss phase, I also found that keeping protein levels high Seemed to have an impact on my rate of weightloss. When I would hit a plateau, I’d up my protein and water intake And that seemed to be my “fix.” The pounds would start dropping again. Some of it has to do with tricking the endocrine system That there is plenty of nutrition coming in, And so it starts burning up fat. The whole- “Hibernation Syndrome” thang. Keeping intake of nutrition high, while keeping the calories Lower results in a metabolism that keeps burning the calories Rather than hanging on to them in the face of a famine. Try some extra protein and see how it works for you. Best Wishes- Dx

Not sure where people get the idea that you have to have all tha****er in your protein shake or eat a bar. You can mix it up into a really condensed syruppy concoction with about a teacup of water and just dump it. Boom! It's gone and you barely taste it. Protein is just one of the things that can speed up the metabolism. There's also timing and the macronutrient (carb, protein, fat) balance of your choice ala the Zone Diet, Natural Hormonal Enhancement Diet, Fat Burning Diet or the recent "High Carb Breakfast" diet.

Best Wishes,

Dave

One of the possibilities is that your stomach does grow in size as you proceed post op.  As an RNY patient, it was about the size of your thumb following surgery.  But, it will grow to the size of a clenched fist by about 6 mos post-op and will remain at that size.  That's still a lot better than being the size of a punch ball or football depending on your pre-surgery weight.  That being the case, your rate of weight loss slows as your stomach grows.  It will remain fairly steady from 6 mos post-op to 18 mos post-op due to the RNY.  Weight loss beyond that point will be because of good old fashioned diet (permanent changes-not temp diet) and exercise.