Need protein help for upcoming surgery!!! Thanks!

 I am having surgery (BL/extended brachioplasty) on Dec. 6th and am in need of some help when it comes to diet after surgery.  I have read a lot about needing protein to be high.  I am trying to eat about 100g -120g of protein a day right now.  However, I get a lot of that with beef jerky because I love it and the calorie to protein ratio is pretty good. I know that after surgery I will need to probably stay away from things like beef jerky because of the sodium.  Can anyone give me an idea of how many grams of protein I should realistically consume per day after surgery.  How long after surgery will I need to keep those levels elevated?  Also, any ideas of protein dense/lower calorie foods would be greatly appreciated.  One more thing I am wondering is whether or not I should eat the same number of calories I am eating now in maintenance and just try to fit all the protein into those calories. Or, will I need to up the calories a bit when I am healing?  Any and all input in this is greatly appreciated!! Thanks!

Not sure by your profile how you lost weight or how much, but a surgery like this will usually ramp up your metabolism quite a bit. I have lost 27 lbs since mine 10 weeks ago. If you had some sort of bariatric surgery, the swelling from surgery, & the binders you'll be wearing will all contribute to you not being able to eat as much. I like the protein tubes you can buy at walmart, 6-pack 10 bucks, 25 grams in 3oz tube. It could be hard just to drink water for a while, I didn't even want to eat for a few days either. Or look for some protein shakes you like and stock up, better over prepared than under. I would guess being a women that is enough protein, I have always tried to get about 100 grams a day in for 2.5 years now with my VSG which has no malabsorption and my labs have always been good. Crackers, yogurt, cottage cheese, things you know that won't upset your tummy. Have a little variety around incase some things don't agree with you. You could proably free feed for a while like I did after you get your appetite back (I know I did) and burn the calories off and enjoy why you can.

Good luck & keep us posted,

Bubba

Bubba,
What are these protein tubes? Are they by the protein powder?

These protein tubes are often very pricy.  Please pay special attention to the type of protein that it contains.  If it is whey protein only then it's probably a good choice.  But if it is largely a collagen based protein source, which most of these are, the protein is not as bio-available as the normal shakes, etc.  Personally I wouldn't waste money and tummy space on something that may or may not be helpful when I know that I could use regular old protein powder and make protein coffee, a protein cake, or a shake with it and know that its a good usable protein source.

 thanks for the input!  I hope it does ramp up my metabolism a little, but not too much.  I am at my goal weight now.  I lost 180 lbs.  I didn't have surgery (calorie counted).  What is fre feeding?  Would that still apply to me since I didn't have surgery? Thanks!

well I just finished up about 3 weeks of grocery shopping for my big day ( Nov 8th ) And I purchased 2 tubs of my favorite protein powder which I am making up the first weeks in advance. Cans of tuna, greek yogurt, turkey meatballs, I also got soups, crackers, cottage cheese, sugar free puddings... and tons of easy stuff for my husband to cook so that he does not justify eating out everyday. I'm a lapbander so I have 2 cc's of saline in my band for a year and still have days where i can't eat so I am expecting that to still be an issue after surgery. 

Good luck

You've gotten some excellent suggestions. I agree that your protein intake is excellent and should remain at about that level after surgery, at least per my surgeon. I don't know that I'd concern myself with the sodium unless you find you are retaining an inordinate amount of fluid. However, that might be difficult to determine given the nature of the swelling after surgery. One thing I might suggest if you really like jerky is that you look into ordering some Ostrim snacks. They are a very lean, protein dense jerky-type snack that is about 1/2 the sodium as jerky. They come in a stick like a slim jim or as jerky. I like the Teriyaki flavor. Granted, they are not exactly the same flavor as a slim jim andI have not had the jerky, although I want to try it. It is pricey, but at 60-80 calories for 10-14 grams of protein (jerky vs. stick--different stats), it is a lot of bang for the buck.  As Bubba mentioned, I think it is going to be difficult to reach your caloric level that you are currently at right after surgery. I am now almost 7 weeks out and just getting back my appetite and ability to eat a bit of volume. Okay, a lot of volume--actually kind of scaring myself, but that is a different post!! LOL!

Good luck to you!! I'm sure you'll do great as it seems like you are on top of your nutrition.

Denise

 Thanks everyone! I'm glad to hear that I seem to be on track.  I didn't actually have bariatric surgery.  I lost 180 lbs through calorie counting. Do you think that I will deal with the same issues with a lack of protein that those of you who have had surgery have faced?   I will definitely check out the tubes, the jerky and all the other things that were mentioned.

Love your avatar by the way. Congrats on your weightloss. Both surgical and nonsurgical patients require increased protein for healing, although as a nonop you probably require less to obtain the same benefits for healing. Knowing you are a nonop, I'd say it sounds like your protein intake is actually a little high for regular intake, but probably great for post surgery. Granted, protein needs are a very controversial subject in the nutrition community and I am by no means a nutritionist. I think you're gonna do great.

Take care!

Denise

Congrats on doing it the hard way my hat is off to you. I think Denise is right that is plenty of protein but if you workout now you can benefit from increased protein. I mean free feed like for me personally that 1st year after I had WLS I could eat whatever I wanted and still lose weight, it did all the work for me just couldn't do mass quantities anymore.

Don't know if you have costco close by they have premier nutrition shakes 18 for 25 bucks here. They are 30 grams protein only 160 calories. Taste decent not great but I always keep them around for quick protein if i'm down for the day.

Best of luck
Bubba