Ideal daily protein grams for post-PS recovery period

How many grams of protein a day did you eat during recovery from your plastics?  Also, how did you not gain weight being sedentary and not able to exercise?  I am aiming for 125/grams protein a day, mainly from shakes.  Staying away from carbs because if I eat them, my swelling will NEVER go down.  Also, how many ounces of water/day did you drink and did it help the swelling go down if you drank more?

I am taking my 2x/daily Celebrate multi again, and will restart my Floradix iron routine tonight.  I have zero appetite by the way which I welcome cause before the plastics on Tuesday, I had the appetite of an NFL lineman!

I aimed for 150g of protein per day, and relied on protein shakes to get it. I was really worried about having to deviate from my workouts post surgery. I was cleared to start some cardio and limited weights 2 weeks post op from my lbl and ba/bl, and was able to work my way up from there. My dr. told me my body would be burning more calories in healing, so not to worry about it. I didn't gain any weight, for which I'm thankful, and now at 3 months post op, I'm back to my full work out (sans abs), including my running regimen.

I tried to get at least 78 oz. of water a day, but usually fell a little short. I didn't notice too much of a difference in the swelling vs. my water intake.

And yes, the loss of appetite is kind of nice, but my dr. also cautioned me not to skimp too much on the calories, because your body really does need them to heal properly.

Happy healing! 

I keep holding on to you as my example!  I am so hoping that I will be like you.  I am worried about not working out and to hear you say you were able to start lightly working out at 2 weeks gives me so much hope and to be fully up to speed including running at 3 months is just awesome!!!!

You are already in good shape, and that goes such a long way to a speedy recovery. I had to learn to be very patient and follow the letter of what Dr. LoMonaco told me I could do. I didn't push the envelope at all (well, not the first several weeks, for sure). He let me start at 10 min. a day of cardio, which I did with my step aerobics class and 5 lbs. of weights. I could add 10 min. more a week and gradually increase the weights, too. I didn't get to really start jogging until I was about 6 or 7 weeks out, and then I had to start with just a quarter mile a day, working back up to the 5 miles I'm at now.

I stressed too much about losing my fitness, so I hope you're not getting too worried with it. You don't want to damage your healing tissue or hinder your progress. Your body will spring back in due time, and you already know how to work hard, so it will come back. Hope it all goes well for you!

Protein supplementation is a small part of the story in terms of postop nutrition.  I guess to sum it up:

1. Correct deficiency states ahead of time. Mainly this is going to be iron, folate, B12, and sometimes Vit. D deficiencies.  Its way to late after  surgery to work on this ! Also before surgery...find a protein prep. you can stand !

2. Balance your nutrirional intake. Just taking in protein will be a problem if you do not also take in some carbs and fat.  After a TT or LBL, there is a tremendous amount of healing needed, and ou need energy (from fats and carbs) PLUS protein (bilding blocks) to heal.  If you fail on upping your calories, your body  will simply cannabilize or break down available protein for energy.  This is inefficient and impairs healing.

3. Consider altering your vitamin intake to make up for loss of the water solubles (mainly B family and C). You may have decreased overall intake after surgery is why. I provide Vitamedica (1000% and up of the B vitamin RDAs) for those not already on a speciality supplement.

4. Avoid water-only intake. Proper hydration is of course important, but try and make every swallow count.  All drinks should have some caloric or protein value.

The hardest part about this is mental. Admit to yourself that eating for a good recovery is different and temporary compared to eating for weight loss or maintanence.  The scale going down after surgery is a baaaaad sign.   You have come this far, and bending the rules that got you to your healthier self can be hard...but please follow "doctor's orders" on this one ! 

This brings up another great question about maintaining our health during PS recovery: How many calories should we be aiming for???  Like you and others pointed out, we need our vit/supplements and protein.  But how much should we increase our calories for efficient healing?  And how long after PS should we continue the increase regimen?

Great discussion topic!

Aloha BA-

You have heard the best advice--- from a plastic surgeon himself!

Keep in mind what type of WLS you had - malabsorptive surgeries such as DS  will require increased protein and caloric needs....and that we are all individuals- different levels of fitness,  amount of muscle mass,  age, concurrent diseases, etc.

Personally, my goals were ---  125g+ protein/day ---2500+ cals/day---64 oz+ liquid/day ---same  Vitamin regimen as pre PS. Upped protein 3 weeks pre PS, still keeping it up 9 months out because I lift weights and box. Made every bite/sip count as I still have no hunger 2 years post VSG and very little room in my sleeve---any fewer calories and I drop pounds. Better than average muscle stores/fitness level ahead of time, able to return to stretching/yoga by 12 days post op and cardio/weights by 3 weeks out, back to full workout regimen  6-8 weeks post PS (I had a CBL with BL/BA, and had been at goal for 9 months prior to PS).

Like everyone here, I was worried about losing fitness---but listen to your body! At 3 weeks out,  I was surprised to be fatigued after only 15 minutes of  stretching, but that was all my body could handle. Ensuring liquid /fiber intake helped avoid constipation ( I had started daily DSS about one week prior to PS). No problems with swelling post op, and no swelling with increased activity levels, but I had 7 drains in, hardly any liposuction ( some of mons area), and was not required to wear compression garments. Again- everyone is an individual.

You get one chance at healing right the first time- avoid complications by listening to your surgeon and your body- and don't freak out about losing fitness---your body is expending energy on healing. Be well- XOXOLori