Bunch of stuff (follow-up visit, PROTEIN, NSV's)

I'm about 10 wks. out from my RNY.  Total weight loss since my consult is 64 lbs.  Total loss since surgery is 26 lbs.  For awhile, I felt some disappointment because I was hoping for a greater weight loss after surgery, but have finally decided my weight loss is part of the "grand plan", rather than the objective of this whole experience.

All that being said, saw my surgeon today, and everything, including all my labs, look great, except for my iron.  It's not terribly low, but he is having me up it from 18 mg/day to 29 mg/day.  I'll see him again in a month, and we'll revisit that based on new labs.

Okay, here's the big, controversial topic of the day:  PROTEIN!  From the beginning (after surgery), he's said he wants his patients off protein shakes as soon as possible; wants us to get our protein needs met through food.  He's also said he wants us to eat ONLY WHEN HUNGRY.  For the longest time, I've struggled with that, because they seem to be contradictory (assuming the need for 60+ ozs. of protein a day.)  I mean, first of all, I'm almost never hungry, and what I eat is almost nothing but protein, and I never get anywhere near 60 gr.  He seems to believe that as we progress, we'll be able to increase our protein intake just through food.  And, he says that when I go back next month, we'll see how my labs are, and if necessary, will have me add a protein shake.   

He says he's more comfortable with lower protein intake, as long as we are spending these early days learning how to eat properly.  By that, he means eating only when hungry, eating protein first, and learning the signs of being full.  He believes that achieving these goals are more important for long-term success than concentrating solely on rapid weight loss.

So, why am I telling all y'all this?  It seems like this information differs from most of what I've read here, so I just thought I'd throw it out there as food for thought.  Truth is, I'm definitely NOT asking for advice.  I feel so confident in not only my doctor's technical skills in the operating room, but also his commitment to the long term success of his patients, that I am willing to take a leap of faith on this.

Oh, and NSV's. . . can briskly walk from the back 40 parking lot to his office without getting out of breath; I can shave my legs; I have gone from a 4X - 5X shirt to 2X; down 2 bra sizes; old clothes are getting looser every day; I can bend over without grunting; my back doesn't ache all the time; I can see my feet when I look down; I sleep better, since I don't have to get up to go to the bathroom every other hour; I can put on my shoes and socks much more easily. . . . and I guess the list could go on, but hopefully, all you post-ops know what I mean! 

I love this surgery.  I love the way I feel mentally, emotionally, and especially physically.  I know in my heart I would never have gotten to this place had I not had this surgery, and I'm so grateful! 

Beth

Given I am a preop, I am not sure what to say regarding the protein, but I love your NSV's today!

I've never had a protien shake. I get all my protien from the foods I eat. My labs are great, no problems with low protien or anything. Actually, my labs are better now than before surgery. I don't count how many protien grams I get each day,(we're not told to count) but I've noticed I usually do about 55-65 grams a day. But all plans are different, so not everyone will do exactly what you do.

I am NOT offering you any advice, just going to tell you about me at over 4 years out. If I only ate when I was hungry, I would almost never eat! I did spend the loosing time learning good eating habits and I credit that to my success to date. I also supplement my food intake every day with at least one mug of Click hot protein and often I will also have a protein bar or a shake. My surgeon doesn't say yes or no to continuing the protein supplements, it is my choice.

I trust my doctor too, but also advocate for my own health through research whether it be prescriptions, vitamins or diet. (That is NOT saying your docs advice is bad!!) I would rather that I not play catch up later if I can prevent a problem easily and safely. That's MY food for thought for you  

Beth, do what you are comfortable with.  You'll get an array of suggestions and recommendations but ultimately you can decide what is best for YOU.  I also had a surgeon like Dr. S. that didn't believe in protein shakes and his plan included 3 meals per day, lean meats and green leafy veggies only.  It worked for me, and I followed it 99% of the time.  I did at one point decide to add protein shakes as a meal and sometimes as a "snack".  My surgeon also made a super small pouch that allowed me to eat only a couple of oz 3 times a day max.

We are all different and our body reacts differently as does on necessary vitamin intake (which should be dictated by labs).

Congrats on your NSV.

I have never done protein shakes, water or bars - nothing but real food for me!!!    I have excellent protein levels, a great diet most of the time and am maintaining 100 % EWL at 8 years out.   I was also told not to eat unless I was hungry but have found that eating every 2-3 hours works well for me.

It is wholly possible to do this without supplementing - although I agree, if you read here you would never believe it!!!!

The commonly accepted protocol for eating your protein is 30gm at 30 days, 60 at 60 days and 90 at 90 days.

Can I steal your signature line, lol. 

I have to agree, great reply Kim.  I sometimes think people go overboard in their thoughts and that everyone is the same and needs to do the same thing.   Not true; I'm sure if I went and pulled my food logs from early out and posted them here people would think I was freakin crazy. 

I ate very little for a long time and honestly when I see what others eat early out I don't always get it.  It's still hard for me to conceive the quantity some are eating.  I'm not judging what is eaten, just unable to comprehend as it related to my eating.

It makes me to see people days out of surgery and worrying about not scarfing down 60 gms of protein a day!!!!!   If you can do that, good for you!    I could no sooner have done that than fly at days out ...   It was all I could do to get fluid down me - THAT should be your full time job for the first couple of weeks!!!!

I also balk at the quantities some are eating so early out too - if I get my 90 gm protein in through food, there is no way I have got the room to eat some of the amounts I see ...  maybe that's why we maintain this far out? 

Feel free to "steal" the sig line - I think it's good to see what experience we have when we post ...

You are doing awesome!!  And you're right, it is part of the "grand plan".  We get so caught up in the numbers that a lot of times we overlook the small things.   I've had to learn that too.  I haven't gotten my 2mth labs back yet, but I'm curious.  I  haven't been taking iron because it makes me ill, so we'll see what that says.  As you know, your doc and my doc have about the same brain lol.  Mine wants me off shakes by 3mths...which is right around the corner.  I still do a shake in the morning in the form of coffee....frappe or hot.  I do it only because I can't eat first thing and I figure if I'm going to have coffee I may as well make it protein.  Some days I don't have coffee...then I don't have a shake.  I don't count my grams...I'm through with counting.  It makes me feel like I'm at WW again and I'm over that.  I just eat what I'm supposed to and go on. 

Keep up the good work and good attitude.

Like your comment about our docs having the same brain, LOL!  I hope I can remember to tell Dr. S. that when I see him again next month!  He'll probably get a kick out of it.  By the way, have you read Dr. Davis' book?  It's probably my favorite of all the WLS books I read prior to surgery.

Can't tell you how thrilled I am to be able to back off from the shakes/unflavored protein powder.  I just haven't been able to gag them down, and have been worrying myself silly about it.  I agree about the counting; I'm sick of that, too, and will gladly give it up.  Truth is, I was doing a very good job of healthy eating and food choices prior to surgery, and that hasn't gone away, so can't think why I couldn't do the same thing now! 

Hope you keep up the good work, too!