Question:
Can you get enough protein eating regular food or am I fooling myself?
— Jazzy (posted on March 13, 2003)
March 13, 2003
Congrats on your weightloss! My doctor never told me to take extra protein
or even to eat protein first. I didn't take any protein supplements but I
would still try to eat meats first and high protein foods throughout the
day. I asked my doctor if I needed to take supplements and he said I
shouldn't have to and when I get my labwork done if protein is low then we
could look into it. I had labs done at 6 months post op and everything was
normal including protein levels. So I would have to say it's not necessary
but try to eat high protein foods whenever you can. I highly doubt that
before surgery I consumed alot of protein. Because I wouldn't eat alot of
meat, didn't really like tuna,fish or seafood and all. RNY post-op 8mos
-100-ish pounds :)
— Sunny4x4chick
March 13, 2003
What a small world! I am also 3 months (and 1 day) out from the micropouch.
I've lost 53 lbs, but have 100 left to go. Congrats on the loss! I have
been getting a lot of protein in through food as well. i've also found a
protein bar by EAS that is a crunchy oatmeal raisin..not too bad at all. I
also had to give up on the heavy protein bars. I suggest that you track
your diet on Fitday.com . As long as you're getting in about 50 g of
protein a day, my doctor says it's fine. Good luck on your continued
success!
— fieryfish
March 13, 2003
Hi- You will get some differing opinions on this topic. For instance, my
surgeon recommends 120 grams of supplemented protein every day for the
distal and medial RNY patient.
Since you have a smaller pouch than a lot of us, can you possibly eat
enough during the day to get all the required protein? I won't be able to,
but all our experiences are different.
One more thing - my doc also says that many people who don't get enough
protein do not feel the effects of it until 4-6 months post op. Their
blood levels might not show deficiencies in this area (4-6 month
out)because they are living on the reserves they had prior to surgery.
Notice that people's hair starts to fall out at 6 months?
I guess the moral of my story is: only your surgeon and nutrionist
(together) can tell you exactly what you need for your body. And get
levels checked often to avoid nutrition issues. Congrats on the weight
loss!
— toolio
March 13, 2003
The dietician who taught the classes I had to take was adamant about not
using any calorie-containing beverages and she emphasized that this
includes protein shakes. I used some early on, but it's because I was so
sick I had to have something. I almost never do them now at 10 months out
and I am getting in 60-90 grams a day via food. Also, about hair loss.
I'm not convinced that lack of protein contributes to it. I've just seen
too many posts from people who got lots of protein and still lost some
hair. I think it's just a matter of chance.
— garw
March 13, 2003
Only your own labwork will tell you for sure. I am a distal procedure, so
my needs are higher to begin with. Eating 120 grams of protein a day was
not enough to keep my protein levels at normal. Drinking 75 grams of
protein supplement, and eating 30 or so, is keeping me where I need to be.
Although the "standard" is to recommend 60 grams of protein a
day, you need to monitor your blood work carefully and let that be your
guide. -Kate-
— kateseidel
March 13, 2003
I'm 7 months out and down 80 pounds. I have never had a protein shake or
bar. No hair lost either.
— barbara A.
March 13, 2003
Janet, you're going to get both kinds of answers. Personally, I get it from
food and from supplements. I probably eat about 40-45grams of protein a
day, then I get about 30 grams from supplements of some kind. My bloodwork
is fine as well. And as you saw from previous posts, those who mainly
supplemented or mainly ate their protein had good bloodwork, too. So, I
don't think it matters, more a personal preference. But if you would like
to, it is possible. You should probably eat 5 smaller meals a day to
achieve atleast 60 grams of protein. Goodluck to you!
— Lezlie Y.
March 13, 2003
There is a lot of contraversy obout how much of the protein we actually
absorb from food. I have heard everything from 30% to 100%. However, in
the latest study put out by the American Societ of Bariatric Surgeons it
says that post ops that followed their doctors recommendations on protein
were still showing insufficient amounts of protein. Here is a link to the
study
http://pippo.ingentaselect.com/vl=593351/cl=14/nw=1/rpsv/catchword/fd/09608923/v13n1/s5/p23
When you have labs done make sure that they are checking you protein
levels. And when you get your labs back don't only get the "your labs
are fine answer" ask details. Like what exactly did you test for?
Are my labs normal for a post op person or for a normal person. Ask what
the actual numbers are.
— Linda A.
March 14, 2003
Your not fooling yourself, however, I agree with Linda that no one really
knows how much protein we are absorbing from food sources. Remember that
we have bypassed sections of intestine that used to be responsible for
absorbing vitamins/nutrients from our food that are no longer used. As to
how much is absorbed, I'm not sure anyone knows nor have the studies of WLS
post-ops been conducted yet to find out. That is why it is still a good
idea to continue supplementing food protein with whey protein shakes, or
another quickly absorbable form of protein. it is also a good idea when
getting labs done to not just check the levels of the current test but
compare it to the levels at the last test. While it may still be in the
normal range has it gone done from high-low or mid-lo to lo-lo ranges?
— Cindy R.
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