Question:
Do we have to drink protein drinks for the rest of our lives?
I'm 9 wks post rny and drink a protein shake Iso prue every morning and just wonder if this will have to be forever. — Julia M. (posted on October 31, 2001)
October 31, 2001
Absolutely not. You'll be getting your nutrition from regular
food....plus your vitamin/iron/calcium supplements before you
know it. My surgeon puts his patients on liquid protein for the
first month after surgery and then advances us to real food.
But, I worry a bit about getting enough protein and I don't have
much of an appetite in the mornings. Knowing how importqant it is
to eat a good breakfast, I usually have a protein drink or a protein
bar for my breakfast. I know a few others who have a drink or a bar
when they need a snack.
— [Anonymous]
October 31, 2001
Do you have to supplement protein for the rest of your life?? Hmm.. well, I
would say only if you want to be healthy. A lot of RNY post ops try to
convince themselves that it's not necessary and that they are getting their
protein requirements met through "food." I am VBG with no
malabsorption, and I still believe that I need to supplement protein
forever... it's just not physically possible to consume 50 to 70 grams of
protein a day.. plus, if you could, think of all the calories, because food
protein doesn't come alone.. it's usually bound up with lots of nice fat
and occasionally carbs. You're malabsorbing nutrients.. why take risks
with your health? Slug back those pre-digested protein supplements...
Drink to your health!
— BethVBG
October 31, 2001
Beth, I just wanted to ask you if you think that I am screwed because I
can't tolerate any of the protein shakes. I can't seem to stomach the bars
either. I can handle skim milk but that's about the only dairy I'm
comfortable with. I eat only meals high in protein, adding tofu to some
things, cooking things (like for example--beef) in high protein
liquids--like broth. I try to do my best and so far all seems to be
working. My blood tests came out normal and I have met several people
who's doctors are not advocates of protein supplements because of high
calories. Instead they push high protein foods. I do believe that if we
make the right choices, adequate protein can be achieved. I wish I didn't
have to worry about only protein meals...that I could rely on protein
shakes/drinks/bars so that I can deviate a little...maybe a little more
pasta and a little less chicken, etc. But, because of my situation, I have
found that I'm making better food choices than I ever imagined possible.
For me, this is what Has to work and it is.
— Kristin R.
October 31, 2001
I'm with you Kristin! While I could drink protein drinks and eat
the bars; there's no need to do so. I get my protein by eating
high protein foods also. The rny'ers who develop protein deficiencies
are those who do not base their diets on protein. They tend to be
fruit and veggie eaters and it makes sense for those people to supplement
their diets with protein drinks/bars. Plus those formulas/bars are pretty
pricey....I'd rather use my money for new clothes.
— [Anonymous]
October 31, 2001
I'm 14 months post-op and haven't had a protein drink in months. I get the
protein I need in the food I eat each day. The first thing I eat at each
meal is protein. Then if I want something else I have that. I'm not worried
if I eat a few extra carbs or fats. I had this surgery because for me diets
don't work and being obcessed about not having any carbs or fats sounds too
much like a diet to me!
— georgiacarol
October 31, 2001
I have copied and pasted here a response that was on the Graduate-OSSG
list, posted by a member who is, herself, a medical doctor. She has given
the best medical explaination I have ever read about WHY food protein just
isn't "enough." However, it is of course, up to each of us to
decide what is ultimately "best" for us. Take it for what you
will.
"Even considering that the definition of proximal used by the surgeon
varies greatly, in ALL proximal RNY surgeries, the duodenum is bypassed.
In order for dietary protein to be absorbed, it must go through several
enyzmatic reactions in order to be broken down into amino acids, which are
the only form the protein can be absorbed into the small intestine. The
first and second of these steps are missed - even in the most proximal
RNY. (1.Acid breakdown in the stomach, and 2.delivery of bile and
digestive enzymes from the pancreas through the duodenum - necessary for
protein breakdown)
[This part is in medical-ese, but I can't say it without being so] The two
most important proteolytic (protein breakdown) enzymes are secreted from
the pancreas in inactive forms - trypsinogen and chymotrypsinogen. In the
duodenum, the enzyme enteropeptidase activates trypsinogen to trypsin,
which, in turn activates, among others, chymotrypsinogen to chymotrypsin.
The trypsin and chymotrypsin split certain peptide bonds within the
protein.
Another pancreatic enzyme splits off single amino acids from one end of the
protein chains that occur in the digestion process.
Since the chewed food doesn't even start the digestive process (for protein
anyway) until it reaches the common channel (where the 2 upper parts of the
Y), it has significantly less time to "do its work" and breakdown
the
dietary protein into the amino acids that we (or anyone) can absorb. It is
my opinion (and it is an opinion only) that dietary protein should not be
counted for more than 25-50% of its value in the proximal RNY patient. In
the distal patient, dietary protein would not be counted at all.
In determining the daily protein requirements of an individual, one must
also consider the person's activity level, health factors (pre-op,
post-op,high stress, other ongoing medical conditions), height and
weight."
— BethVBG
October 31, 2001
I LIKE the protein shakes. I make mine with a banana & lots of ice and
chocolate flavoring and make it like a huge thick shake. I'd rather drink
that than eat just a few bites of something. Besides I HATE cooking, but
making a shake for me isn't cooking. Actually, I'm now bored with
food...boy, THAT's a first.
— Betty Todd
October 31, 2001
This is a subject on which you will find this site distinctly divided. As
a pre-op patient, I read all the pros and cons for months and became
progressively more confused and anxious regarding protein supplementation.
I finally came to peace of mind by deciding that I (and my insurance
providers) were paying my surgeon a lot of money to take my life and my
future welfare in his hands....the least I could do as a patient was to
trust his expertise and experience, and to follow his after-care
instructions to the letter. I felt confident that, as one of the pioneers
of current WLS and an internationally renowned specialist in this field, I
could trust his judgment. His patients use protein supplementation for the
first six weeks, then it is discontinued. He stresses the importance, and
ability, to obtain adequate daily protein in the diet and states that, in
his opinion, the whole purpose of this surgery is to return the patient to
an improved state of health and establish "normal" eating
lifestyles....not focusing every moment of the day on protein or fat grams,
or counting calories. The critical factor for success (as previous writers
have said) is that RNY patients must eat their protein-containing foods
first during their meals, adding carbohydrates last. All I can say is that
I have followed this plan as directed....I am 19 months post-op, have lost
145 pounds (10 lbs. from goal), my serum protein levels have been in the
high normal range ever since surgery, and I feel great! This is also true
for the other three people in our family who have had proximal RNY surgery.
Best wishes!
— Diana T.
November 2, 2001
My surgery was the DS, so I have more stomach capacity than many RNY
patients. I could absolutely get all of my protein from food. I keep my
protein intake in the 80 - 100 grams daily to be on the safe side (I have
lots of life insurance too, I like being safe). I usually choose to take a
protein supplement from two reasons: I actually like them, and, they give
me the freedom to deal with food as I wish. If I want to have salad
instead of protein, I can do so and still know I've met my protein
requirement. Some days I skip the supplement, and just focus on making
sure I have 20 - 30 grams of protein at each meal. Very do-able, so it
comes down to personal preference for me. -Kate-
— kateseidel
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