Question:
What are the real dangers of not getting enough protein?
— JSlaughter (posted on December 20, 2007)
December 20, 2007
When you don't get enough protein right after surgery, it can slow down the
healing process. Your body needs protein to heal effectively. Down the
line, insufficient protein can cause your body to utilize muscle instead of
fat for calorie burn. So, you could end up losing muscle, which you don't
want to do, because the more muscle you have the more calories you burn.
That's why there's so much focus on adequate protein intake. Eat your
protein first.
— Shirley D.
December 20, 2007
I am 4 1/2 months out RNY and cannot tolerate protein drinks or powders.
My doctor told me that he intends to put a tube into my old stomach and I
will be forced to feed myself 3 times a day through that tube with protein
drinks til my nausea goes away. Could be a long time that I will have to
do that. I am not looking forward to it so I am trying to force myself to
nibble on protein bars and drink Boost Glucose Control. You don't want to
have a feeding tube put into your old stomach, do you? Neither do I. But
that is what will be the result, in my case. So learn to get that protein
down!
— cherub13
December 20, 2007
Your hair will fall out too! Eat/drink your protien.
— Carlyn M.
December 20, 2007
One of the primary reason for protein is to retain you muscle mass. If you
went on another form of a diet, and had minimal protein intake, you would
suffer a loss of muscle mass, and become very weak. Get your protein
through foods, protein shakes, Pro-stat 64, etc.
— Dave Chambers
December 20, 2007
First month or so low protein is common, and 60 grams daily a goal, to be
met over time. Long term low protein can be dangerous, your body will
canabalize itself including muscles, including your heart. This all from my
surgeon dr philip schauer. So how far out from surgery are you?
— bob-haller
December 20, 2007
And, your heart is a muscle, too, so in order to have a healthy heart, get
that protein in. Hugs, Wanda
— momman8tur
December 20, 2007
protein is needed to build and repair our body. Hair loss is one side
effect of not eating enough protein
— RCassety
December 21, 2007
Assuming you are getting adequate calories, you will develop a type of
malnutrition called kwashiorkor.
Below is an excerpt from emedicine
(http://www.emedicine.com/derm/topic797.htm) describing some of the
symptoms.
Kwashiorkor typically presents with a failure to thrive, edema, moon
facies, a swollen abdomen (potbelly), and a fatty liver. When present, skin
changes are characteristic and progress over a few days. The skin becomes
dark, dry, and then splits open when stretched, revealing pale areas
between the cracks (ie, crazy pavement dermatosis, enamel paint skin). This
feature is seen especially over pressure areas.
I highly suggest reading the website... it talks about different types of
"PEM" - protein energy malnutrition. If you are unable to
consume enough protien through your diet, then it is quite possible that
you will need some type of supplementation such as a feeding tube or IV
feedings.
Best wishes.
— mrsidknee
December 22, 2007
Oh, you can lose your hair! For those of us who are vain! BEWARE. I've
seen it with my own eyes - it is patchy loss, and it is very very
inattractive. Equally, you can have challenges with muscle loss - Muscles
need protein to grown, and support their ability to burn fat.
— vkmays
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