Kelchicky

Just curious about something....the bariatric doctors and nutritionists keep saying 70 to 90 grams of protein a day to keep your organs functioning and muscles from depleting etc etc. but did we all ever really get this BEFORE in our lives? I mean I know my overweight butt only ever has gotten a fraction of that. Just curious as to why the difference in requirement or was this supposed to be the requirement for our bodies all along? Thank you!!!

I asked my doctor the other day about if I was getting too much protein because I do 1 protein drink in the morning and 1 at night so i get like 150% protein a day.. he said I'd have to be getting way more protein then that to be too much. But I have lost 6 pounds in a week which is awesome (while being on a 1200 to 1300 calorie diet).

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Just curious about something....the bariatric doctors and nutritionists keep saying 70 to 90 grams of protein a day to keep your organs functioning and muscles from depleting etc etc. but did we all ever really get this BEFORE in our lives? I mean I know my overweight butt only ever has gotten a fraction of that. Just curious as to why the difference in requirement or was this supposed to be the requirement for our bodies all along? Thank you!!!

Hi I just wanted to follow up with you. We have really similar stories and I can completely relate! I’m 36, currently 202 lbs (after WLS), I was NEVER a meat eater and was a carb/snack Queen. Anemic, a mostly vegetarian but on a non balanced diet just ate all the wrong stuff. Nobody though I “needed” WLS, but I felt old, tired, loss of energy and my happiness was slowly slipping away. I needed naps, and always was exhausted beyond belief. I didn’t see how I could make all the changes, I was already too tired! I made a decision to set my mind and commit 100% to this process. Yes I had doubt moments beforehand but I dismissed them and followed everything that was asked me to. Once I started the protein supplements I felt great! I didn’t realize my way of eating was making me feel so terrible. I’m 1 1/2 weeks post op and never felt better. I track everything, my energy is up and my addictive hunger cues are silent. Yes there’s pain, there’s intense recovery but I couldn’t be happier. If you want this, tell yourself you can’t fail, put a positive mind on and don’t look back. If it’s not for you, there is great info from nutritionists that’ll help you fix your diet and feel better. Best of luck to you.

You can add a lot of protein with legumes. Refried beans were one of my favorites during the soft food stage. I have transitioned to Whole Food Plant Based eating during the past year, and even without any animal products in my diet, I still get at least 60 gm of protein a day from legumes, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and plant based milks and yogurt. It really isn't that hard to do.

Yes, our bodies really need this amount of protein. I get TONS of it now because my whole eating patterns have changed post-WLS. I don't eat any carbs and I don't like veggies, so pretty much all I eat is protein. I also still drink chocolate protein (25 g) for breakfast, so that's 1/3 of my daily needs right there.

Just curious about something....the bariatric doctors and nutritionists keep saying 70 to 90 grams of protein a day to keep your organs functioning and muscles from depleting etc etc. but did we all ever really get this BEFORE in our lives? I mean I know my overweight butt only ever has gotten a fraction of that. Just curious as to why the difference in requirement or was this supposed to be the requirement for our bodies all along? Thank you!!!

The short answer is yes - by and large, the bariatric recommendations largely reflect our normal maintenance needs for protein. Now, that amount varies from person to person, primarily based upon their lean body mass (muscles, organs, skin, etc.) A short woman of normalish weight, say 5' 0" and 100-110lb, would need around 50g of protein to maintain her 75lb or so of lean body mass, while a 6'0" 180lb man with around 150 lb of lean body mass will need twice that, around 100g. If one is actively trying to build additional muscle mass (and doing the work to do so,) then they will need additional protein, maybe up to around another 40g or so depending upon what they are trying to do.
But as an average, what the bariatric programs usually recommend is in line with the normal recommendations for normal people, though maybe a bit simplified, and sometimes with a bit of overkill added in (a bit too much is better than not enough.)

The easy answer i found is that it takes away your choice. After the surgery you don’t have a choice anymore. It’s not up to you so you follow the steps. Most of the food is available in the stores in individual packages. You won’t be cooking for quite a while and by then you will welcome the chance for some variety.

Everyone's experience is different, but I haven't found managing nutritional needs to be difficult after my sleeve surgery. I'm not cooking these days either but I'm able to get enough protein with basic things like rotisserie chicken from the grocery store, eggs, yogurt, cheese and so on. I eat a little weird because I don't often eat a whole meal but I'm managing to get my nutritional needs met (I know because I'm still keeping track of everything). And of course I take my multivitamin daily and B12 weekly as my doctor prescribed. My bloodwork always comes back fine, the only suggestion the doctor has given me was to start taking Vitamin D, which I did. And there's no malabsorbtion with the sleeve, so that's not a factor.
I do find that my appetite is significantly reduced. I know hunger comes back more quickly for some people, but 20 months out I'm still hungry less often and less urgently than I was before. One of the BEST side-effects of surgery for me is that things that used to be "comfort food" for me no longer have that emotional kick they used to have. I can eat a pancake with syrup and it tastes good, but whatever that emotional hit was that I used to get, that's gone. And that's a VERY good thing for me. I mostly avoid the carby, sweet stuff but I do allow myself a treat every now and then. And then it's RIGHT back on my eating plan because I don't want to wake up cravings for all that stuff.
I still don't keep sweets or junk food in the house. When I have a treat, I have to make a special effort to go get it and it's planned. And I only get enough for one serving. When that's gone, I'm done and it's back to protein, dairy, nuts, eggs, etc.
I'm an apple shape like you, so I know exactly what you mean. I've lost 11 inches off my waist, which my doctor is ecstatic about. Only you can decide if weight loss surgery is right for you, but I wouldn't let malnutrition fears be the deal-breaker. Your bariatric team will give you a diet designed to meet your nutritional needs and they'll be monitoring you. All the best, whatever you decide! ?

I can totally relate to that. Before WLS I felt like I could live the rest of my life eating nothing but cookies and be totally happy. I still don't eat vegetables or fruit now as I just don't care for them. But I get plenty of "sweets" with chocolate protein shakes, protein cake bites, etc. which satisfy both my need for sweets and the protein needs of my body.

Hello everyone. I am going through pre-op approvals and my doctors all feel like I am a good candidate (just waiting on insurance). To be honest with myself and you all, I am scared and go back and forth with this. I am worried most about the protein and nutrition aspect. I am not a cook. At all. I hardly eat any protein or much meat now. I have been trying to do the shakes which I like so that is encouraging. I am not a veggie person. I am a carb person. Waffles, cereal, bagels, chips and salsa. Sigh. I am so worried as to how I am going to figure out 1. How to cook...2. What to cook 3. Staying away from carbs and sugar (my two favorite food groups). I am 40 and weigh 205. I am anemic (shocker due to lack of meat and protein). I started taking B12 and D due to those being low in my labs. All of my cholesterols were not great (not devastating but not great). I was 125 at my lowest and 158 before I had my daughter 8 years ago. I carry my weight around the dangerous middle (42” waist). My husband told me to not have surgery and just eat better and exercise but I kinda feel that if I had surgery I could do that while getting a jump start on the weight loss. Does the hunger go away a lot? Any advice would be great because right now I am so confused!!!! Thank you!