Question:
How much protien to take in for post-ops?? Any specific amt daily??

   — Chris W. (posted on August 3, 2000)

August 3, 2000
That's a difficult question to answer. The length of your common channel will set the general guidelines for you. The more distal your bypass, the less protein you'll absorb, so the more you'll need to eat. And then there's the personal factor. The one absolute I've learned about WLS is that there are no absolutes. Most people with my surgery, the DS, only need about 50-60 grams of protein daily to keep their lab results well within the normal ranges. An egg, a few strips of bacon and they're halfway home. A burger for lunch and they've met their needs. Not me. If I get less than 90-100 grams, my protein levels plummet. So ask your surgeon or your nutritionist how much your surgery requires and adjust it if you need to.
   — Duffy H.

August 3, 2000
The amount of grams of protein should be set by your dietician and your Doctor. I was set at 60 grams, which seems to be quite a common number. But I have a freind who is also diabectic, and started at a much higher weight and she was given a daily requirement of 80 grams. This is really nothing to guess at. Ask your Doc. I hope he has a dietician on board to help with all you diet questions. Like what to eat and when to start solids. So you give your new body a chance to properly heal. Lot's of luck, Carin
   — C S.

August 3, 2000
60g is a good basic figure. I prefer to get my needs met entirely with supplement, so I know exactly how much I'm getting and don't get any "free" sugar or calories mixed in with it. It's predigested, so I don't factor in the amoutn you lose without a stomach. I don't count food proteins at all. But for me, being extremly distal, I feel better & look better with 150-180g a day. If I get more from food, that's nice, but I am certain with supplement.
   — vitalady

August 3, 2000
The answer to this will vary widely from surgeon to surgeon and will also depend in large part on the type of procedure. Following a proximal lap RNY, my surgeon recommended only 35-40 Grams of protein/day ( the approximate equivalent of 4 oz. meat). These figures were substantiated in some of the most recent nutrition journals. He also stops all protein supplementation at 3-4 weeks post-op, and stresses that protein intake can and should be sustained by diet only. My daughter had a proximal lap RNY in January, and my surgery was in March. Serum total protein values for us have remained in the "high normal" range. Every patient will have a uniquely different response to the surgery. I believe strongly that it's most important to listen to the surgeon/nutritionist, pay close attention to your individual lab values, and not accept as an across-the-board standard that other patients' protein requirements will be exactly the same for you.
   — Diana T.