Question:
What is the side effects of not enough protein?

hi everyone i had open RNY 6 weeks ago I don't get my protien. I AVERAGE 20grams a day. what is the side effects of not getting enough protien?    — Julie B. (posted on December 15, 2001)

December 15, 2001
If you don't get enough protein your body will start burning up the protein that is in you, such as your muscles and heart. With low protein your body will start holding onto water until you are swollen with edema. Your hair and nails are made of protein, they won't do well without protein in your diet. You can get quite ill if your protein intake is limited for a long period of time. Try the liquid supplements, I prefer the bottled stuff over the shakes. Once you get enough protein with limited carbohydrates you body will burn up your fat like crazy. Besides the protein you have to have plenty of water/fluids, so you don't damage your kidneys. Really work at whats needed so you don't end up with permanant health problems.
   — Helen B.

December 15, 2001
I encourage everyone reading his who is fairly new post op to NOT PANIC. Most of us were down on protein early on, and although in a perfect world we would be getting enough protein that just doesnt always happen. Now you dont want to be protein deficent forever but a couple months isnt the end of the world. By 4 months I was able to eat enough, but before that I wasnt getting enough in. I tried protein drinks and found most were yucky. One was so bad tasting it came right back up:( I try to eat cheese everyday, that lorraine swiss is yummy and eat lots of meat too. My surgeon prefers we get our protein from solid foods, which is fine since most protein drinks make me ill. I am down 100 pounds so its working. Just take one day at a time. I hd the same problem with water the first month, on the edge of dehydration, then things got easier. Some stuff takes time, just do the best you can.
   — bob-haller