Question:
Protein Intake

I'm four months post op everything is OK. But I read a lot of messages of people about protein intake like shakes, bars. My doctor and my dietist never told me to take any protein suplements, only calcium and multi-vitamins. Right now I'm on the gym and I'm concern of feeling tired or something happens to me. Anyone can help me????    — cheopr (posted on October 27, 2005)


October 27, 2005
Honey PROTEIN is so IMPORTANT!! Please go get some right away...I guess I should ask which procedure you had done?? I had RNY in Sept. And the most important things are PROTEIN, VITAMINS, WATER AND EXERSIZE. If I am forgetting anything please add to this..but you need to speak to your doctor or surgeon and a nutricianist...before you get really ill. If you need anything please contact me.
   — Franca

October 27, 2005
It is VERY EXTREMELY important for you to take protein. Your body is basically made of protein so it is essential that your bpdy receives this. Because after surgery your body only takes in about 50% of what protein you eat you need to consume anywhere between 90 to 120 mg a day. This will improve your energy tremendously. I had a friend recently tell me that her doctor and dietician NEVER told her to take protein. I was totally shocked and appauled by this! Please for care of your body and long lasting weight loss results please take better care of your protein. I would hate to see you have gone through all of this to get sick or even gain your weight back! Good Luck!
   — JeniferJulie

October 27, 2005
They are both right You need to go to www.vitalady.com and orser you some samples of protein powder to make shakes with. The samples will provide you with the taste to suit you before buying a big container and then not liking it.. and you cant return a used container Anywhere... Did that make since? lol~ hope this Helps you.. [email protected]
   — Flo

October 27, 2005
exercise at the gym, and your reduced caloric intake, will expose you to low blood sugar, providing that u are not diabetic, you will adjust,but it will leave you tired and light headed for a spell. a glucometer will help you self dianose in a instant, protien will help off set the felling, so will glucose but that may cause dumping, not a nice thing. dam if u do or dam if u dont.
   — walter A.

October 27, 2005
Jose- Wow I cannot believe you were never told about protein. As everyone has noted so far on postings, it is so very important. While at times you won't feel like taking it, you must really force yourself to do this. My doctor recommended that I consume at LEAST 70 grams per day. (and this is the low end) The best proteins that I have been told to take are Whey protein, usually found in powder form that you mix into a shake. As someone mentioned, you can get this from vitalady.com or I know in Cincinnati you can visit a GNC store and some have premixed samples there ready fo you to try. I personally like the "Amplify" protein powder from GNC (both chocolate and vanilla are pretty good). I also like the Unjury protein in chocolate and vanilla (available online at unjury.com). It is expensive so make sure you can try samples and get something you can live with. Another note, I know lots of us WL patients also take a sublim. B12 vitamin as well as Biotin for our hair. Have you experienced any hair loss yet? The biotin helps. I am 10 weeks post op and have had no hair loss at all. Good luck!
   — singingcoyote

October 27, 2005
You need at least 60-80 grams of protein daily. You will lose muscle mass without it and that can cause a host of serious medical problems. Whether you can get all that protein from food, shakes or bars is irrelevant as long as you get it-- however, at 4 months out, it will be nearly impossible to eat enough food.
   — SteveColarossi

October 27, 2005
I just had my 3 month check up and everything that has been previously stated is true. I have to get my blood draw in two weeks due too the surgeon wanting me to take another multi-vitamin supplement since I started exercising with weight machines. Once the blood is tested he said that adjustments would be made at that time. I then spoke with the dietician and stated it would help with energy and hair loss which does not show up until the three month mark. I went to a natural food store and found a liquid calcium and liquid multi-vitamin mineral supplement with green foods along with a sublingual b-12 which is what the surgeon/dietician recommended. I also found a protein powder with green food and 23g of protein per 8 oz. container of water, juice, or milk. Hopefully this will help when it comes time for the blood draw.
   — 1968 Loser

October 27, 2005
OMG !! Jose yes you defently need to start ASAP with a protein source. I know its hard to eat and get in protein sometiimes,but yes find yourself some protein shakes and bars. Like someone said the Vitalady.com is a good source and also Bariatriceating.com is another good one. Bariatriceating.com has a assortment of 15 different kinds for 15 dollars and they come with a shaker bottle. So you can mix a shake on the go. Its very handi. My surgeon recommends at least 80 -100 grams of protein per day... And it is hard some times and I am 6 monthes out and I am still loosing hair which started 3 monthes ago. Also make sure your taking a calcuim citrate not the other form of calcuim as our body does not absorb calcium any more. and I take 2000 mg sublingual B-12 vitamins, I split it up a 1000 in the morning and another at night just before bed. Oh I take calcium citrate 3 times/ day 500 mgs x 3. I wish ya the best. Take care. Tom, 536/386/250 -150 lbs.
   — TOM A.

October 27, 2005
Hello, I am four years post-op. And all the above is true. My surgeon has me on 73g of protein a day. I am totally shocked that your Dr. did not make this a requirement for you. Some of the things that protein does for you . 1. Gives you energy 2. stops your body from consuming muscle 3. helps prevent hairloss " hair is dead protien cells" 4. Most important Fat cells hook on to protein cells this is how the fat rides out of your bodys system. So in short the more protien you eat the more fat you will loose. Yes I would suggest at least 70 or more grams per day... Your WLS sister Jo Michalko 375/160/140
   — Jo_Michalko

October 27, 2005
This is a good case of a poor weight loss team. A good weight loss team should include a nutritionists. You need at least 60 grams of protein a day!!! Keep your fat below 10 grams per serving and your carbs under 15 per serving. And in case they have not told you, you need to drink at least 64 ounces of water a day. Call your local hospital and see if they have a nutritionist that specializes in bariatric surgery nutrition. It is very important. In addition to your vitamins and calcium you may need B12 and Iron. Please go to your family doctor and have blood test to make sure you are not becoming anemic. A good source of protein can be found in a drink called Isopure. You can buy it at any GNC. Make sure you get the one called Zero Carb. It contains 40 grams of protein in one 20 ounce drink. I spead one bottle out over 3 or 4 servings between meals. But don't forget to count the calories.(All the calories are from protein, HEY!)
   — Patricia C.

October 27, 2005
I'm going to jump on the other side of this band wagon and say that I think you can eventually eat enough protein to meet the requirements without shakes (I always eat protein first and include a protein snack between meals). Initially it is a problem trying to get enough in, but eventually (if you are not distal) our nutritionist recommends meeting the protein requirements with food.
   — mom2jtx3

October 27, 2005
Protein is very important and I am surprised at your surgeon not telling you. 60g if protein a day is what you shoot for. Ask a direct question of your surgeon and/or a dietician they will be able to answer your question best.
   — vickicarson

October 27, 2005
It's also very imporatant to take iron supplments and B-12 shots monthly (my physician demonstrated how to give myself the B-12 shots). As for protein and shakes, my understanding is that's necessary until you're on solids: then fish, tofu, eggs, are adequate protein sources. Linda
   — Linda G.

October 27, 2005
Not all docs or nutritionists recommend the protein shakes. Mine says that if I want to use the shakes, they need to replace a meal not be extra but he really doesn't recommend using them. You need to check the amount of protein you are getting. Go to fitday.com and you can input your food thruout the day and it will figure it for you. If your protein is under 60 grams a day...then supplement with a protein shake or eat more protein rich foods. Carmen
   — kccjer

October 28, 2005
Jose, You gotta get that protein in -- that is probably why you are feeling tired. The protein is MEGA IMPORTANT. I haven't had the surgey yet, my partner did and you've got to have protein every day.
   — the7thdean

October 29, 2005
Wow your doc and nutritionist never told you to take protien? That is scarey to me. You need protein. I am 3 years out, got away from protein after a year or so, and declined in loss, energy and health overall. I am back on prtoein now for a few weeks and notice a difference already! I lost 6 lbs, and feel more energy. I am even back to work in a very physically demanding position!!! I am not saying that this product is the best, but it is what I use. ISOPURE whey, Dutch chocolate flavor with no carb and sugar. Do a search online for isopure protein, to check it out. you can find 7.5 lb buckets for about $60. MAke sure you can stand it first! I love it!!
   — Jenny_B




Click Here to Return
×