and btw, how often now do you use protein shakes/bars?

Yea, I do too (think we should get our protein from food mostly) but my body malabsorbs it so.. whatcha going to ?

Drink a shake!

And I'm sorry, but as an athlete, I require more than the average person's need of 60 to 70gms.  I don't think there are many sleevers that could get in 125gms or more in food alone.  I know I can't.  That would be 18oz of chicken breast a day.  No way!  And if anyone with a sleeve IS eating that much, then something isn't right with their sleeve.  Or they are overeating.

Laura

I am not an athelete per se although I am a fairly avid hiker. I hike around 4-5 miles most days and on weekends do longer hikes around 8-10 miles.
I generally eat around 100 gms of protein daily from food. I do not overeat and there is nothing wrong with my sleeve.  I lost 135 lbs in my first 10 mos and have easily maintained that loss for the past 19 months. 
I don't eat 18 oz of chicken breast, I dont even like chicken breast. I eat steak, pork, tuna, greek yogurt, chicken thighs, carbmaster yogurt, summer sausage, salami and other deli meats, cheeses etc. I eat eggs as well.
I also drink around 96 oz of liquids or more daily. I prefer crystal light iced tea.

Didn't mean to offend, but I just can't hold the amount of food that you seem to be able too.  You're lucky, I guess.  I'm just saying that 18 oz of chicken breast is about 125gms of protein, not that that's ALL one would have to eat to achieve that.  I can only eat 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt at a time and it keeps me full for several hours.  So I do have to resort to sakes.  That's just some peoples reality.  And right now I'm healing from a large plastic surgery procedure and my Doc requires 90gms on TOP of what I normally eat.  No way without some supplementation.  And I don't like to eat that much anymore...just not hungry.  Thank God.


Laura

Or maybe YOU are lucky my love!  I can definitely get in over 125 g of protein in food alone, but I eat every 3 hours and my day starts REALLY EARLY!  so.. that might be my secrud!

I also still lurrve the foodies! 

And do you have pictures of your new unsharpei self with your ripledly muscles on your profile?  Do I need to beg you to be my friend to see?

The reality is all of our experiences vary somewhat. Some folks experience hunger more than others, some folks experience "dumping" like symptoms others don't.
I would urge everyone (myself included) not to make statements that someone is doing something "wrong" or "overeating" or "undereating" or other value ladened statements because your personsal experience varies from theirs.
I have been guilty of doing this myself and it is an easy trap to fall in to because sometimes it is easy to believe that our reality it the only reality or that our plan is the only plan that works our that because our doctor does something a certain way that others are doomed to fail because they do not do it that way.
One of my favorite lines, that I stole from another OH person is
You can argue with me but you can't argue with my results

You are right about comparing ones self to others...it should be a no no.  For example, I've never given up carbs... the good ones of course and eating them does not trigger me.  In fact nothing triggers me like so many others have said.  I can eat 1 small piece of candy and walk away from the bowl and never think about it again.  I know many on here say they can't.  So yes, we are all different.  I'm just grateful that food doesn't rule my life any longer.  I think that's why I like the shakes...cause food no longer interests me.  And, I hate the full feeling now.

Laura

I  can understand why you need the shakes. Please help me understand how you body can malabsorb protein post op when it did not malabsorb preop. The way I understand the sleeve procedure it that is only reduces our capacity but does not otherwise alter the way we process our food so I am having a hard time understanding HOW the malabsorbtion metabolically occurs though I understand that it is happening to you.
I am just struggling to wrap my brain around how reducing the stomach size can alter how your body absorbs food.

Dr. C has a theory that it has to do with the B12 and iron stores being low (both my B12 and ferratin were in the crapper at the labs) - and that once those stores come back up that my protein absorption will to.

But I cannot help you understand because I do not get it either!  Its baffling!  But, sure as shooting - I had labs done (that did include protein) before surgery, which were fine, and then a year after - 1 point below normal.  AND, I have always been a protein pusher!! 

I am struggling with understanding right along with you!  MacMadame has the same issue and she said she knew of at least one other person - but I surely do not hear about it much, and I try and tell folks that it *can* happen - but its definitely not something that would make me NOT have the surgery! 

*shrug*!

In many sleeve patients the stomach empties into the intestines more rapidly than a pre-op stomach. That's why some people with a sleeve think they get a mild dumping type syndrome and feel sick after eating too many sweets. 

If the protein you eat isn't staying in the stomach as long, it makes sense it might not be absorbed as well. Crucial enzymes to start the protein digestion process are in the stomach.

Also, taking a PPI cuts down the acid in the stomach which is also needed for protein digestion. In most people that doesn't cause a significant effect- but it makes sense that with less acid, and the food not staying in the stomach as long, that we might not absorb protein as efficiently as before.