Question:
I know that with the RNY surgery we are only absorbing a certain percentage

We are only absorbing a certain percentage of our nutrients- Can someone tell me, for example, if I drink a protein shake with 20 grams of protein- am I actually going to absorb all 20 grams or is there a certian formula to decifer how much of those 20 grams we actually absorb? I guess I really want to know if I am taking in 80 to 100 grams of protein a day, how much of that protein am I really getting into my system?    — lyndaleigh (posted on July 14, 2003)

July 14, 2003
I haven't seen any articles detailing actual research on this (although wouldn't it be nice???). BUT I talked with my dr about this. I have a proximal RNY (less intestine bypassed) and according to him, I should absorb everything I eat and weight lost would be due to <i>restriction</i> (eating less), not <i>malabsorption</i> (not absorbing what I eat). The more distal the bypass (more intestine bypassed), the more malabsorption figures into the equation so that a person with a distal bypass will lose weight due to BOTH restriction AND malabsorption.<p>That said, I don't believe that my dr knows everything (who does, right???) and I DO have some intestine and my stomach bypassed. So I up my protein intake from what I actually need (77 grams) to about 100 grams. That way I figure that if I do malabsorb part of it, I am still getting enough.
   — ctyst

July 14, 2003
Linda you should ask the vita lady - she knows everything about protein absorption and such. I've heard though that we should plan on absorbing only 1/2 of what we take in (as far as the good stuff such as vitamins, protein, medications) and ALL of the bad stuff (like sugar). But I think a big consideration is how much they bypass. Obviously there aren't any truly hard/fast rules, otherwise we wouldn't have to monitor labs so closely and adjust based on those.
   — Shelly S.

July 14, 2003
I don't plan on any malabsorption having had a RNY on Oct. 9th; it's just easier to assume that I need to get at least 60 grams of protein a day and that every carb and calorie I ingest will fight to stay in my body. If my weight loss slows, then I know I need to increase my protein intake (regardless of what percentage of that intake that may actually be used). My biggest concern in trying to calculate what carbs/calories wouldn't be absorbed is that it could lead me to start rationalizing poor food choices. Understanding my addiction, I've found it's just simpler to not allow myself to consider malabsorption.
   — SteveColarossi