Question:
Will all this protein stress the kidneys?

I am considering WLS--early syges of discovery. I wonder about he amount protein a post-op WLS patient is expected to consume for life.How does this impact/stress the kidneys? I am concerned that I'll be a skinny person with kidney failure-not necessarily a good trade-off!    — LouiseMargaret (posted on September 27, 2008)

September 27, 2008
To start of with one is require 60 grams of protien a day. You're loosing so much that you have to maintain some muscle mass. It's no more than one would get from a normal healthy diet. For life at least 60 g (for women) per day. There's no problem with kidneys - if you continue to follow the guidelines. Find a great facility with follow up and support groups. You won't be trading morbidity for kidney problems.
   — ap2008324

September 27, 2008
It also depends on what type of surgery you are having. I had lap band and everything I eat is absorbed so I take fewer protein shakes than a person that has had by-pass surgery.
   — pjwinslow

September 27, 2008
My surgeon said 70 grams of protein a day -- I had by-pass. I don't really think anyone gets in the needed amount -- not even those who haven't had wls surgery. If you ask a person how many grams of protein they consume a day -- they couldn't tell you. I thought oatmeal would contain a large amount of protein -- 6 whole grams. So I just get in as much as I can during the day. There is a fruit protein drink -- no sugar -- no carbs that is 40 grams. It's called Isopure and you can find it at GNC or the Vitamin Shoppe -- yep a tad expensive. I make a case of 12 last me a month. However, it is really important those first 6 months are so after surgery because it also feeds your hair. Some people lose hair whether or not they drink the desired protein. My lochtician loves my hair because it's so healthy and he attributes that to the protein drinks. Should you decide to try these protein drinks -- I purchase the frosty grape, apple melon,and something punch. They are an aquired taste so I suggest you start off mixing them with water and then move to drinking them straight. Peace,
   — the7thdean

September 27, 2008
I have been assured by my surgeon the increase in protein intake is no where near as dangerous as all of that fat I used to have pressing on and adding all that extra workload on my major organs. Contrary to another author, almost everyone I know (that is successfull after WLS I should say) is committed to and finds a way to get at least the required amount of protein and usually even more. It is not optional. One member of my support group has told me her doctor has her on "a half a pill every day for the high protein diet", I don't know what it is though to protect her kidneys. Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC, CLC
   — DawnVic

September 28, 2008
It's not really known exactly how much protein is "dangerous"...When I think back to post op days, I could easily order a 16 ounce steak and finish it. It has about 85+ g protein at 1000+ calories depending how it is prepared and how much fat is left on it! (I loved the taste of steak fat...I gag on it now) I used to mainly only eat dinner and skipped breakfast and lunch too, which I rarely do since surgery as I gotta eat every 3 hours or I am a hungry/grumpy monkey! ...I cannot eat 16 oz of steak in two days even if I eat it all day long! But I can eat it's equivilent in protein! I did journal my food intake online on the Grads Board for 6 months for all to see and I eat an average 100 g of protein daily with one daily serving of protein powder. I am also very muscular and have a job that I am on my feet and lift and bend and twist all day long. (I renovate houses) So I NEED that extra protein or I will be in ketosis and lose my muscle mass. I can easily eat over 100 g protein without the protein shake now. The busier I get the more calories I can consume. The trick is that when I am inactive or not finishing a house, I have to actively watch my calories and bring my protein levels down. I would not recommend a 120 lb person who sits in an office all day to eat 100 g's of protein, unless they are really pumping some iron daily and building muscle. You have to utilize what you eat, otherwise it's waste...and that is when the organs begin being taxed trying to get rid of the extra protein. I personally watch my protein levels and creatinine levels which are good at 100 gs for me...and I also watch my GFR Test for signs that my kidneys are being stressed and they come back normal too. Also keeping and eye on my ALT Test for liver damage...I stay right smack in the middle everytime! This is what we should all be doing with labs. It's an altered body system...and it's new! Even doctors aren't quite sure what the long term effects of WLS are because it's still too new. Keeping a close eye YOURSELF will insure that nothing is wrong or going wrong slowly. As someone who is just starting....I recommend you get a full set of labs including all the vitamin levels in your body for a Pre op base line...THEN you will know which vits you have trouble with NOW and which ones you might need to watch closer once malabsorption begins. Then after about 6 months post op...get a new set and compare. EVERY year thereafter, keep an eye on levels and new updated findings and lab "normal ranges". Your own doctor or clinic may not be up to date on WLS normals! Mine is not! Not even close! But that is exactly why I am my own health care advocate...Rather than complain about my poor medical care...I just learned to take charge or I'd still be sick right now with malnutriton and anemia and wondering why, right along with my clueless clinic. Prevention! Good word for this question. Just prevent mal or over nutrition with KNOWLEDGE of your own body!
   — .Anita R.

September 28, 2008
I AM AT 70 GRAMS PROTEIN ALL FOOD AND HAVE ONE KIDNEY.ALL IS WELL.tHE KIDNEY WAS LOST TO CANCER.
   — stanwalker

September 28, 2008
When I was researching low carb/Atkins, I did a lot of research because one of the things I heard over and over again was that the high level of protein was damaging to the kidneys... and I'd much rather be fat with functional kidneys, than be skinny and on dialysis 3x a week. Unfortunately, I don't have any of the info I compiled easily accessible so I can't point you towards any specific studies (though I would encourage you to use google to find them if you want detailed info).... What I found out is that large amounts of protein are just fine (cause no damage or distress) if you have healthy, normal kidneys. However, if you have kidney damage or disease, excess protein may cause problems. Part of the process of qualifying for weight loss surgery will include lab work and testing that should pick up on any kidney problems. If you are concerned, bring it up with the surgeon and s/he can counsel you as to whether or not you need additional testing above and beyond what is routine. Another thing to consider... my understanding is that the reason protein supplementation is used post-WLS is that the restriction caused by WLS makes it difficult to consume adequate amounts of protein and the malabsorption makes it difficult for the body to utilize all of the protein that is consumed... so you aren't going to be eating as much as you think and your body isn't going to be breaking down/absorbing all that you do manage to consume. Good luck!
   — mrsidknee

September 28, 2008
I probably shouldn't even post this, since it is about my dog and from a vet. In my experience, vets have very poor nutritional knowledge, even about the pets they treat. So take this with a grain of salt... My elderly dog is in kidney failure, so he needs a low protein diet. However, he is now losing protein in his bowels, thus has a very low blood protein, which is even scarier than the kidney failure. Seriously bad catch 22, where he needs high protein for the one problem and low protein for the other. What we are doing is to feed him easily digestible proteins that shouldn't make it to the kidneys. In his case, this is mostly dairy (yogurt), an egg at each meal, and just a tiny bit of chicken breast. (Plus oatmeal or rice & chicken broth.) I asked the vet, and she said a whey protein product would be good, too. But NOT soy. So just tonight I added half a scoop of a 100% whey protein powder to the mix. So, if you are concerned about it, research your protein sources and their impact on the kidneys. As I said, I wouldn't take a vets advice (for oh so many reasons), but it is compelling enough to be worth doing your own research.
   — fairysaddle