Question:
Possible to have TOO MUCH protein?

HI! :) I'm going in for LAP RNY on Friday, 12/27/02 (and am getting pretty nervous!). I've purchased multiple samples of protein powders, and have vowed to keep up on my protein as mush as humanly possible. My question (that I keep forgetting to as my Dr.) is -- Can you ingest too much protein? If I somehow end up getting 60g a day via food and am also using the protein powder, will this cause a problem? I guess right now that I feel like too much is better than not enough, but does anyone here know for sure? Thanks in advance for your help, and MERRY CHRISTMAS all you great people on this site!!! :) SuzAnne in Utah    — SuzAnne S. (posted on December 24, 2002)

December 24, 2002
I've never seen one of "us" get too much protein. It's pretty hard to do when you are not digesting food. That's actually breaking raw food down into an absorbable mass. Then, the food bypasses the "main absorption station (had it been digested". You will be able to follow your labs & see how they go. Always get copies for yourself, and follow the progress with your quarterlies. See if your protein level is moving up or down
   — vitalady

December 24, 2002
Hmmm. I don't know "for sure." I do know, however, that I am 9 weeks out, 40 pounds down, and get between 80-120 g. of protein a day. (I usually have 2 shakes and a bar, and the rest is from food -- my food is almost exclusively protein). Since my nutritionist said I need 60 g. of protein a day, I focus on my percentages after reaching the 60 g. I try to average 55% of my food from protein each day. (The rest are carbs and fat). My labs are perfect...and, indeed, I've found that on days where I get a higher percentage of protein, I lose quicker. Good luck and Merry Christmas! Lap RNY 10/21/02 (259/219)
   — Tamara K.

December 24, 2002
I am pre-op and asked my Dr. this Question because I am afraid of the hair loss. He said your body does not store protein you will only use what your body needs so after that your body just gets rid of it. But I guess if is better to be safe than sorry to make sure you are getting enough. Merry Christmas and good luck.
   — lisab.

December 25, 2002
Your body can only absorb 30grams of protein at one given time, too much I beleive will be stored in the liver, and I beleive thats not the best thing, so keep that in mind.
   — Teresa G.

December 25, 2002
Yes you CAN get to much protein, HOWEVER get all you can while in "the weight loss phase". When you are trying to maintain you don't want to have alot of excess protein as it can hurt the kidneys. To the best of my knowledge it would be extremely difficult to get to much protein for the first 12 months or so. You need alot for all the rapid weight loss so don't worry about it right now. Get all you can! My surgeon suggests 90-120 grams for the first 18 months or so post op, then around 60 grams thereafter. But be sure and listen to YOUR surgeons advice.
   — Danmark

December 25, 2002

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