Question:
Isn't anyone concerned about kidney damage?
I have to say that while I agree that our new "balanced" diet after RNY means that our ratio of protein to carbs has to remain higher than usual....I am concerned that people are opting to eat such high amts of protein to loose weight quicker. My husband is in kidney failure...not due to WLS. But I am hoping to be his donor. It makes no sense for me to lose weight so quickly by eating such high amts of protein that I add stress to my own kidneys. Anyway, it got me to thinking about so many who post their new eating habits....and while I have lost almost 60 lbs in 3 months, I am eating pretty balanced. I eat high grain crakers, and a piece of bread whenever I feel like it. Comments??? — Lisa S. (posted on March 14, 2008)
March 14, 2008
If you can eat it, then eat it. I never went crazy with the protein. i made
sure I ate it at every meal but I also ate other things too. Is your
husbands kidney failure due to too much protein????? Your weight loss is
about right. You will start to slow down with that in a couple months. I am
4 yrs out and I eat pretty much everything. I cant eat a lot of ice cream
or carbs. If I go out to eat I stay away from the breads because if I am
going to eat I want the good stuff. I can eat a lot of fish. Yesterday I
made a 3 egg omelet wiht ham and cheese and I ate the whole thing. I didnt
feel too good afterwards but I was very hungry and my eyes were bigger than
my belly.
— Joanc
March 14, 2008
In response to Joan's question: No, my husband went into kidney failure
due to vasculitis. But as a potential donor, I am worried about the undue
stress that ketosis puts on my kidneys. At least an ongoing state of
ketosis.
— Lisa S.
March 14, 2008
First, the health impacts of morbid obesity far outweigh the risks
associated with a relativley short-term ketosis-based diet. For instance,
diabetes rates, cancer rates and heart disease are significantly more risky
for the morbidly obese than for the post-op bariatric population. And,
there is a marked improvement in health and in reducing morbidity from
these risk factors by the rapid weight loss induced by bariatric surgery.
Secondly, although the general guideline that many of us follow long-term
is to maintain relatively high levels of protein, the suggestion has never
been for RNY post-ops to live indefinitely consuming 80-100 grams of
protein and less than 30 grams of carbs daily. Rather, most programs that
I've examined which advocate restricting carbs emphasize using low-glycemic
index sources of fruits and vegetables and the more complex sources of
fiber (such as beans).
— SteveColarossi
March 14, 2008
My doctor insist that we have more than 100 oz of water a day. While he
pushes the protein at around 80 gms, he is more concerened if we are not
meeting the water requirement than the protein. He says the protein will
help burn fat rather than mussle, and help prevent hair loss in some
people, but he feels the water is a must to flush the kidney. He said keep
the urine as close to clear as you can. I think people do more damage to
their kidneys by not drinking enought water. I use to be bad about water,
but not any more. I am sorry to hear about your husband. You should ask
your doctor about you donating the kidney. I can tell you truly love him
to give one of your kidney to save his life. That is a wonderful thing and
he is lucky to have such a great spouse.
— William (Bill) wmil
March 14, 2008
I think the idea is to eventually eat somewhat normal, but to eat
healthy(normal). I eat bread now and then too...only I try to eat a healthy
version of it.(Sometimes I just want Italian bread! so I eat it!) I am four
years out and go to regular restarants and eat 1/3 of a meal! LOL But I try
to order healthy stuff (baked not fried) I won't go out for spagetti...For
one, I can't eat it...It hurts! LOL I still eat rice occassionally or make
myself a nice sandwich with lean meats and veggies...I even went out for
pizza the other night...But I try to keep my calories in check...While a
slice of pizza has 44 g of protein, it also has 70 carbs and 38 g of fat
for a whopping 804 calories...That's not a good choice for everyday...There
was a time i could eat half a pizza! Can you imagine???? I eat 6 small
meals a day including snacks...and keep my protein near 100 g...I drink a
ton of water and eat a nice variety of veggies and fruits daily.(I still
need supplements and vitamins) as proof in my labs.
Once you get over the initial weight loss and near your body goal
weight...you won't be in ketosis. It takes only a year and you might never
see that kinda loss ever again. The first year reaks havoc on your
body...but after that it goes back to a regular functioning machine! So
don't stress too much. I lost 150 lbs (158 at most) I could NOT get in
extra protein because I would dump it. So I ate what I could and eventually
I eat like a regular small person only extremely more healthy (minus that
slice of pizza) But I allow myself days to be do this...In moderation it's
perfectly fine! It kicks up the metabloism too, from what I hear!
Good luck with your hubby and you are doing just fine! Don't worry what
others are doing to lose weight...You are doing GREAT! I did it your way
too! :) (Take your supplements!)They help!
— .Anita R.
March 14, 2008
I agree with William. My surgeon also pushes water priority number 1 THEN
protein then veggies etc etc. I have drank a large amount of water on a
day to day basis since 1994. I used to drink 240 ounces of water each day
when I lived in Vegas (yes desert does and can dehydrate you). So my body
is used to it even now that I moved to Georgia, I kept up with high levels
of water. I am now almost 1 year out and have happily increased my water
intake from about 60 ounces a day to at least 80 ounces a day. I will
continue to strive for at least 100 ounces each day. Remember water
cleans/flushes yr system and any surgeon/doctor that doesn't push water
FIRST AND FOREMOST isn't a very good one. Good luck, and God bless.
— crystalsno
March 14, 2008
You also have to remember that we don't absorb all the we eat. So eating
higher levels of protein merely helps to make sure we get ENOUGH.
— Shirley D.
March 14, 2008
I agree that obsessing over protein alone is a daily stressor. I do what
you do, meals are always protein first and then everything else. I make
sure that my snacks, like profect or protein bars have enough protein that
I don't have to think twice about what I am putting in my mouth. There are
also days that I am short on protein grams and I don't sweat it. I just
live life and do my best!!
— bariatricdivalatina
March 16, 2008
i am a nurse and happen to work on a diabetic/renal unit at a hospital. i
work with who i believe are some of the best nephrologist in their field.
prior to having my surgery i asked them about your exact concern (kidney
function) and i was please to hear that: initally ketosis can be a problem,
but it usually quickly resolves itself after the inital wt loss and rarely
poses long-term complications. if you plan on being a donor for your
husband it will be a good while before that is possible, because you need
to recover from your surgery and let your body stabilize itself first. talk
with your doctors closely as well as your husband's doctors and keep them
well informed on what is going on with your body, labs, etc. i wish you
both the best and hope all goes well. hope this helps..if you have more
questions i would be happy to answer or ask my docs and get back to you.
feel free to email me anytime....Holly
— RNlvnCARSON
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