Question:
Can too much protein really cause weight gain?

near 100 g/day, over an hour of exercise each day, ea shake is about 155 cal when made w/ low carb milk...almost 7wks out -32 according to Dr and -40 according to my scale...will the protein speed up the weightloss?    — Iris W. (posted on February 26, 2007)


February 25, 2007
I think someone has misguided your thinking somewhere along the way. It is not that the protein is to help you lose the weight faster, it is a requirement because of our bodies great need for protein and so that you do not lose muscle mass while losing weight this way. Many people in normal everday life do not get the required amount of protein, so it is even more critical if you are a weight loss surgery patient. I'm hoping that I answered your question.
   — fluphystuph

February 25, 2007
32/40 lbs is a fabulous weight loss for 7 weeks post op! Congrats on that. Your nutritionist sets the amount of protein you need based on your weight. Because of the malabsorbtion created after RNY, your body doesn't absorb all the calories you take in. I started at 223 and the nut. set my protein intake at 60-65 grams per day. After 14 weeks and a loss of almost 50 lbs, she reduced it to 50-55 grams. 100 seems high but I don't know how much you weigh so you may need that amount. I think you are doing fine and I wouldn't worry. Keep up the exercise, that is the key!
   — Sheri A.

February 26, 2007
Well, made with milk, maybe. That's what body builders do to add bulk, milk + banana. But a good protein made with water, no. I do 180g a day and still maintain my original 150 lbs loss. 12.5 yrs out. I do have more radical form of RNY than most, so I wouldn't necessarily recommend that much to you, but most of my standard RNY buddies do 120g daily (4x30g) and hold their wt just fine. I think there are still a lot of docs who think "protein = Boost", and I agree that would be the way to put wt ON. But real protein made with water has the opposite effect. I know every summer at the conference, docs are seeing "good" protein for the first time and are being amazed that it is NOT formulated like the canned Boost/Ensure types.
   — vitalady

February 26, 2007
If you can maintain your high protein intake while minimizing your carbohydrate intake, you will put your body into ketosis and expedite your weight loss (the more protein you can consume while minimizing carbs forced your body to turn to its own fat stores for energy). As Michelle explained, you just need to be certain that you are not consuming high-carb/high-calorie sources of protein. Secondly, exercise has lots of health benefits-- but, 60 minutes is a lot at 7 weeks out. Although it will be provide you a significant coping mechanism and is a wonderful life-long habit, you should be cautious to not trade exercise for food and to be certain that you are getting in at least 600-800 calories per day to sustain yourself during your exercise regimen. Keep up the good work. Congratulations on the great success you've been enjoying.
   — SteveColarossi

February 26, 2007
I'm surprised your surgeon/nutritionist allows you to make shakes with milk at all! It's a no-no for my surgeon; but, they all have different ideas....We are required to have 90grams of protein daily which is three shakes. I have only two because I can't get the protein powder easily since I'm living overseas. I'm still losing however! :O) 110lbs. in the last 8 months...Keep up the good work! It's really worth it!!! T.T.
   — zoeysgrami

February 26, 2007
Just the opposite. You need to not drink protein. It will keep you from losing weight. My surgeon forbids the protein. I am 15 months out and I have lost 264 pounds. Point taken.
   — blm4602

February 27, 2007
The reason why many surgeons advise against protein shakes is a sense that patients will develop better long-term eating habits if they are forced early on to confront the need to make healthy food choices-- also, many bariatric surgeons are concerned that if protein powders and drinks are no longer available (which could happen), patients who have grown dependent upon them might be left with no viable alternative. Certainly, there are also concerns raised as many us used SlimFast Shakes to wash down cheeseburgers, that we might use the protein shakes (which are not calorie-free) along with meals and not in place of meals. Those caveats being said, many of us have learned to use protein drinks to supplement our protein intake, and to maintain good health while expediting weight loss (particularly given how vitamin-enriched many of the better products are). I could not have lost over 250 pounds in my first 11 months and over 300 pounds in less than 18 months were it not for protein shakes.
   — SteveColarossi

March 1, 2007
32 pounds is an amazing amount of weigh for only seven weeks, so I do not understand your question! I did not lose nearly aas fast. the protein is to keep your body from "eating" its muscle.
   — Novashannon

March 2, 2007
Muscle is made from protein. The more protein you eat, theoretically, the more muscle. The more muscle you have the higher your metabolism rate is. Amber
   — tinks0702




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