Are you getting enuff PROTEIN?

After what happened to Kym's friend, it really got me to wondering about my friends here. Please, keep a log of your intake and be sure you are getting in your protein. I think we sometimes slip in this area and it is SO important. It can kill you! Please get your protein in. And if you need suggestions, I will be glad to tell you my faves and how I get mine in. I am tall and require even more protein than the average person. I aim for 110 grams a day. (This means I usually get in about 80-90). Since increasing my protein, my hair has stopped falling out and I really do feel better. This is a support group and I want you all to be here a LONG time. So lets do this together. Lets hold each other accountable and keep encouraging each other to get in our PROTEIN!!

Hear, hear Paula!! I track my protein every day on fitday. I aim for at least 80 grams per day and most days get between 80 and 100 grams. I never did lose hair after surgery. I really worked at getting in my protein even in those early post-op days. I believe you have to do whatever works for you to enable you to get your protein. If that means 2 or 3 protein shakes a day or using the protein "shots" in the vials, do whatever it takes. The best thing about the vials is that it only takes a couple of swallows to get 30 grams of protein.

I've been getting 75-80 grams of protien. Is this normal? I'm just 6 weeks post op. What did happen to Kim's friend? I didn't hear about that.

That is wonderful that you are getting in your protein!!!! This warning is to those who are not doing so. Kyms friend died due to the fact that her heart muscle was damaged because she did not get in her protein. Keep up the good work!

She didn't die. She came very close though. Let this be a lesson to us all. We have GOT to get our protein in no matter what! I'm very proud of you Alyssa for getting in that much protein this early out. You are doing to well!!! Can't wait to see you at the next support group meeting.

my bad. Thanks for keeping me straight Susan. I had someone else on my mind.

Alyssa, you are doing really well...much better than I did so soon out. Now, I have been consistently getting in no less than 65 grams a day and usually around 75. As short as I am, I think this is pretty on track with my requirements. As for my friend, I have an update. She has been given a very limited life expectancy as she has permanently damage her heart, liver, and kidneys. She has been getting 20 grams of protein or LESS per day for the past 18 months. Now, why has no one caught this before now???? Well, I am not entirely sure, but I have the idea that it is because her doctor is not in practice and I don't know about what follow-up was arranged for. I am really angry with her right now as she has done this to herself. She went through this surgery, sheer hell, lost all of this weight, had a new beginning, and she blew it all away by doing this. I know I may sound horrible but I am just so upset. This girl is not even thirty yet and now she may not see forty. I asked her why she did this and she said she didn't think it was a big deal. I know my anger is coming out of pain that I will eventually lose a dear friend and I will suck it up and be there for her...I'm just mad right now.

When I went in to Centennial in November, Dr. Houston checked my protein... it was an 11! He said it was in the basement. He talked to me about getting up my protein intake, but realized it was not my fault. I had the stricture and wasn't able to get the food down my stomach into the intestine. My point I guess, is that they check labs. Won't the fact that our protein level is so low show up on the labwork that they order at their offices? I wonder why your friends' doctor didn't catch hers, or order it,k or something!?! I am always scared that my labs will come back and show that I don't take my daily vitamin daily, or that I sometimes skip my calcium. It scares me cause I know Dr. H will eat my lunch. I know he would sure sure sure get upset over a lack of protein intake!