Question:
Why do we need protein???

My Dr., whom I do trust very much, does not recommend protein supplements. I am 10 weeks post op and there is no way I can get in all the recommended protein without supplementing. He says there is no way to become defficient this quickly and as time goes by and I can eat more, I will get adequate amounts.He also does blood work to check levels of these things and vits. He does recommend vits from vita4life.net. If I had never come to this site I never would have questioned the need for protein but it seems ALL of you are obsessing on preotein. I told him this and he tells me not to worry...take them if you want but it's not necessary. I have surveyed my friends both fat and skinny and none of them get anywhere near 60 grams per day...of course the skinny ones who probab;ly eat healthier, dont eat much. LOL. Anyway, pre op I dont think I was getting that much protein either and I want to know is protein one of the things we dont absorb so well??? I know we have a problem with some vitamins. Do we need the protein because of RAPID WEIGHT LOSS??? Is there anyone else out there who's surgeon doesnt force the protein issue either? I am very curious. Although I trust him, I want to make sure I am doing all I can for good health. BTW... I figure I am getting about 20-30 grams by food and I occasionaly take a 50 gram protein shake...but they are kinda expensive. Thanks for your input!!!!!    — Kathy831 (posted on May 8, 2001)

May 8, 2001
proteins are nescessary because if you do not feed your system well you will loose for shure but with all the fat you will also loose LOTS OF LEAN MASS (MUSCLES) you know i am shure you presently get MORE than 60gr a day... dont you know that in a 3oz peice of steak there is already 20 gr of proteins... in an egg... 8 grams in white fish 20-25 gr... 3 onces of meat is not a lot and you eat probably 3 time this amount in one day as a regular steak in a restaurant is 8 ounces... and btw... about 1/3 your 50gr shake who is expensive goes right in the toilet with body wastes because you can only absorb 30gr at time... please dont take my post as rude but you must trust the hundreds of people who have "been there done that" it would be sad to see you completly down in a coupple of month... take care - carole
   — [Anonymous]

May 8, 2001
just forgot.. i was meaning that you were probably getting much more than 60gr when you were pre-op.. sorry english is not my first language... i havent notice you were already 10 w out... - carole
   — [Anonymous]

May 8, 2001
Kathleen, My doctor is the same as yours. He says NO protein supplements. He said that by the time that I start on regular foods, I will be able to get the protein in that I need. He says that it does not help with hair loss or whatever else that has been said. The nutritionist that works with him says that protein supplements actually make you plateau faster and not lose the weight as fast. I have been buying all my puree foods with protein. I hope that I helped. I am 15 days post-op. Your WLS friend.
   — Tere F.

May 8, 2001
My doc did not say NO protein supps but he said you should be able to get adequate intake from diet. I am not a protein person and the nutritionist told me that if I need to supp to get my 50-60 grams, then so be it. You need the protein to protect your vital organs and muscles as well as your hair (if you don't want to lose it.
   — Lisa B.

May 9, 2001
Hi. I am 3 wks post-op prox RNY and stressing about this protein issue as well. My doctor simply says to 'include a good source of protein with each meal'. I was given no specific amount to strive for and no opinion either way about shakes other than to avoid high calorie liquids. My sister's surgeon told her not to worry about protein at all the first month and after that she should be able to get her protein from food. I tell her all the stuff I read here and on other boards and it's stressing HER out because it is contradictory to what her doctor says. I think you have to take in all the information and do what is right for you. I have personally decided there is probably some validity to getting adequate protein and am trying to find a protein shake I can tolerate to use once a day. The rest of my protein will come from food. I am goint to try not to become obsessive about it though. As the previous poster said you can only absorb about 30 grams of protein at once so drinking any more than that at one time is probably a waste. Also for those disbelievers, I too can say with absolute certainty that many and probably most days there is no way that I got in close to 60 grams of protein pre-op. I did not go out and eat steak and quarter pounders every day. I was not a protein eater, I was a carb eater. Yes, if I went to a restaurant and had steak or chicken I probably did. But that was maybe once a week. So when she says she didn't get this amount of protein in pre-op, I believe her.
   — Karen F.

May 9, 2001
Same boat here. My doc is ambivalent about them. He says that we need to be eating healthy, high protein food, but that the shakes are optional. I am really trying to get in a shake a day because I don't feel like eating much now (postop 8 days open rny). But I hope to not have to supplement much after I have a little appetite. I feel like the middle road is the best road to take if you are unsure. Good Luck!
   — Brenda H.

May 9, 2001
Thank you all for your answers. I got what I wanted...a mix of answers from the hi pro's and the don't sweat the pro's!!! The best answer I have found to my specific questions were at vitalady.com... there is an icon to click on "why do we need protein supplements" for anyone else who might be interested in the answer to this question.
   — Kathy831

May 9, 2001
It is my understanding that the protein is to keep you're body from using muscle while losing weight so fast as a source of food. The more protein you can get the less muscle loss you will have.
   — Madelynn M.