Question:
OMG!Need words of encouragement!
My friend is approx.3 mnths p.o RnY and told me she has "never taken supplemental protein"! I absolutely freaked on her for this and she told me, "its ok, not every patient has to, it depends on your body..." WhAt! Is she serious???I would never "not' take my protein!!!What should i say to her??Is she right?Ive never heard of a Gb patient NOT taking additional protein!!!Im scared for her, even though she is doing good for now...any advice i should give her? — littleguzla (posted on March 16, 2008)
March 16, 2008
I am one year out and have lost 186 pounds. I have tried supplemental
protein but find that either it tates bad or upsets my stomach. Instead I
eat enough protein to take care of the 70 grams a day. If I don't feel I've
eaten enough of protein then my doctor said to eat some nuts (not a lot) to
get some protein in. So far this works for me and I have about 40 more to
get to my personal goal. Hope your friend is ok. I am interested in the
protein pill. Anybody tried that yet and been successful?
— TrevaDeck150
March 16, 2008
I have never been told to take supplements for protein except protein
drinks and bars. Not pills. My dr. said how important it is to take your
vitamins and eat right, lots of protein in you diet but no supplements.
— Claudia C.
March 16, 2008
When I went to my monthly support group meeting, they had a nutritionist
there as a guest speaker. She mentioned supplemental proteins and I told
her I don't take them (I'm 7 weeks out).
I told her I get my additional protein from the protein shakes and she said
that's quite alright...as long as I get the required amount of protein in
me.
— DeeDiamond
March 16, 2008
I never had to take protien shakes or pills. I am out 13 months and feel
fantastic! I do eat all the protien I can (which isn't much. I have lost
252 Lbs so far. I was never told to rely on the pills or shakes. the shakes
have too much sugars.
— obx100
March 16, 2008
Supplemental protein can be any source of protein instead of traditional
food items. This would include shakes, bars, bullets, ProStat 64, Isopure
protein drinks, etc. Maybe she takes shakes and did not consider that a
supplement? Someone misunderstood someone I believe. The one person who
said they were a year plus out can get by without supplemental proteins,
because of the wider variety of foods and the larger quantities they are
able to consume at that time. Ask her about protein shakes. Shakes tend
to be consumed by most RNY patients in early stages as these are available
at many local wholesale stores, nutrition stores, drug stores, etc. At 3
months post op, she can't be getting 60-80 grams of protein from 2 oz
meals.
— Dave Chambers
March 16, 2008
Interesting what some RNY WLS patients have to say here. I guess that some
doctors just do not educate like maybe the one you and I and a few others
went to. I have to take 80 Grams of Protein a day. The shakes my doctor
put on his list do not contain a lot of sugar, as that would make me sick.
I too was taught to lose weight, eat right and excersice every day. The
protein allows you to loose fat and help to build musele. When I told my
doctor that I just was sick of the shakes and thought 70 grams was enought,
he told me to try protein from another list he gave me to make sure I got
80 grams a day every day. There is a lady in one of my support groups that
lost most of her hair because she did not like the taste of the shakes.
There is no substitution for educating yourself, but some people stumble
through and do fine regardless. Just think how much better they could feel
if they followed all the rules.
— William (Bill) wmil
March 16, 2008
initially after surgery protein supplements are essentially for most
people. i started on shakes, but was told to stop the shakes asap because
they prefer you get your protein through foods not supplements. i guess all
doctors are different, but i'm like you and can't imagine never using a
supplement. good luck to her and just keep encouraging/supporting her. good
luck and i hope this helps...Holly
— RNlvnCARSON
March 16, 2008
PLEASE! Tell her to seek her nutritionist for the proper info. If she does
not find it there, have her primary physician find her a nutritionist
skilled in bariatric nutrition. Dr. Jean-Baptiste's nutritionist explained
all of that to us prior and post op.
— bypasschick
March 16, 2008
PLEASE! Tell her to seek her nutritionist for the proper info. If she does
not find it there, have her primary physician find her a nutritionist
skilled in bariatric nutrition. Dr. Jean-Baptiste's nutritionist explained
all of that to us prior and post op.
— bypasschick
March 16, 2008
My surgeon didn't want us to do shakes, he wanted us to get our protein
from 'real' food...easy as that...every dr is different..i'm sure your
friend is following her dr's protocol...and if you have the same dr, maybe
he changed his protocol since you had surgery and when your friend had
theirs.....
good luck
— RAD
March 16, 2008
I am 4 yrs out and I never took a protein supplement. When I first had my
surgery I drank carnation instant breakfast (sugar Free) for a little
while and thats it. She is right everyone is different. If she is eating
protein or drinking protein she should be fine. If her Dr says she is good
then you shouldnt worry.
— Joanc
March 16, 2008
you should be getting all protein from real food -- not suppliments -- your
friend is 100% correct :) as long as you are taking in about 60-72 g of
protein a day with food then everything is fine --you should talk to your
surgeon or nutritionist -- read the nutritional labels on food and get to
know what has high protein and low sugar and acceptable calorie levels --
good luck
— RCassety
March 17, 2008
As long as your friend gets a clean bill of health from her doc and
labs...she doesn't need to take supplements at 3 months out. It is possible
to get your protein from real food. I forced myself to take supplemental
proteins in the beginning and they all gave me such an ache in my
pouch...It would take me all day to sip on a protein drink. After about
three months I gave up completely and never touched a shake again. Well til
recently because I finally found a protein powder I can tolerate 4 years
post op and hundreds of wasted dollars on disgusting tasting proteins. I
cannot eat 100g's of protein in a day if I also want to eat fruits, veggies
and grains too...so I do supplement 30 grams in my 1/2 C of coffee every
morning....My labs showed my protein right on! So I'm doing good there! And
maintaining my weight too. If you really want to make sure she is not
harming herself...ask her to make sure to get her labs to make sure she is
doing good for her own peace of mind! If anything you should be worried
about is her taking her vitamin supplements! Those are just as important,
if not more, especially in the long run...like where I am 4 years out...
— .Anita R.
March 17, 2008
Hi Alice. First, stop freaking out, you are giving me high blood pressure
just by reading your post! Breathe for just a minute. Ok, your friend
needs protein, everyone needs protein, but if she is getting it in normal
foods, she will be just fine. I tried suppliments, and they stink, were
horrible. I think God gave us food to enjoy and use for our bodies, so I
use food for my protein. If she doesn't know how to get enough protein in,
when you ask her in your nice normal voice, good suggestions are: skim
milk, yogurt, some of the single portion canned soups, egg salad, tuna
salad, ham salad, I eat shrimp all the time, about 2 pounds a week, low
fat, good protein! Cottage cheese, all meats, there are lots of good
protein sources. At three months I know she is probably eating very small
portions, but she may be eating several times a day. If she is not getting
enough protein, you can encourage her to try a protein powder that you add
to foods. I got some from www.bariactriceating.com. They have a
suppliment that you can add to food to boost your protein, but as a rule,
if you work at it, you can use foods to get all you need. I would first
see if she is taking her vitamins and calcium, then ask if she is getting
her protein in and how is she doing that and how is she keeping track of
that, and then ask if she wants advice. Let's say that your friend is
doing everything wrong, she is doing poorly and doesn't really care. You
cannot change that. You can love her, ask her if she wants advice and then
give it, but if she won't do it, then she will be stuck with the
consequences of her decision. Many people have wls with good intentions
and then just get lazy and don't care about the rules. I truly hope this
does not apply to your friend because the complications can be very tough
for the lazy patient. I hope she will be on top of her game soon. Take
care. Patricia P.
— Patricia P
March 17, 2008
Your friend is losing weight and feels great. She's happy and her doctors
are happy. (I am assuming that she has a competent bariatric medical team.)
The only one who thinks she is NOT doing well seems to be *YOU*. I suggest
using less negativity with your friend. It's OK to express your concerns to
her and suggest that she talk with her bariatric team about them, but SHE
DOESN'T NEED NAGGING. Why try to steer her off a course that is working so
well her?
— [Deactivated Member]
March 17, 2008
She is quite possibly, one prime example of people NOT following the
"rules" after wls surgery. She might be the 1% that doesn't make
it. My surgeon is ranked number 2 in the United states and #1 in GA. He
said his 1% death rate is NOT from the surgery, but from the people that
don't follow the plan as they should after surgery. I'd find out a bit
more about what her surgeon and her believe is a supplement. I'd also
explain to her about GOOD NUTRITION following gb and try to explain things
to her so she understands. Good luck and God bless!
— crystalsno
March 17, 2008
I personally have taken supplements for protein at times to fight off
hunger only, but my Surgeon does not feel they are needed. He is a firm
believer in 3 meals a day with one snack if needed. Works for his folks,
just had my blood work done, everything looks good.
Kriola
— Kriola
March 17, 2008
We pay money to be "BYPASSED" then we are told to get our protein
from food...thus training our bypassed guts not to be bypassed
anymore...but to grow longer and adapt and absorb...thus the RNY weight
regain down the road. A shame docs don't understand more about nutrition
nor to the nutritionists understand about our altered physiognomies. But I
do have a sad tale to tell about my daughter..who 8 1/2 years ago had the
RNY, and her doctor told her the shakes would make her fat. Too much
sugar?? How much less sugar can we get than 0 grams I ask??
Anyway...after years of my nagging her and worrying about her...last
October, her heart failed her, and she was found dead by her daughter on
the kitchen floor. Am I trying to frighten you? yes, I am. She listened
to her doctor. Should she have? You be the judge. I am heart broken. A
sad and frustrated mother who takes her liquid protein religiously.
Regards~
— Statuesque
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