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How Much Protein?

I am 2 and a half weeks post-op. how much protein should I be getting in each day? Is it possible to get too much?

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  • Webchickadee
    Webchickadee

    140 g of protein per day? That seems quite high! I am currently in the 250 lb range and I'm getting between 60-80 g a day and even that is challenging without drinking shakes or eating Protein Bars

  • I was told by my nutritionist this week that I need to try for 90g. It's not easy. I'm also about 2 1/2 weeks out.

  • melting me
    melting me

    I was advised 50g per day by both the hospital dietician and the nutritionist at the doctor.

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I was told by my nutritionist this week that I need to try for 90g. It's not easy. I'm also about 2 1/2 weeks out.

:)

I was advised 50g per day by both the hospital dietician and the nutritionist at the doctor.

Wow, 90!? I've been struggling some days with the 60 my doc and nut recommend. I think at this stage you can't get too much, just because its hard for us to eat much. I try to hit between 60-80 grams a day.

It all depends on your weight. You should of course ask your doctor or nutritionist, but here is a general guide for 'normal' people based off of a USDA article.

How to Calculate Your Protein Needs:

1. Weight in pounds divided by 2.2 = weight in kg 2. Weight in kg x 0.8-1.8 gm/kg = protein gm.

Use a lower number if you are in good health and are sedentary (i.e., 0.8). Use a higher number (between 1 and 1.8) if you are under stress, are pregnant, are recovering from an illness, or if you are involved in consistent and intense weight or endurance training.

I would think someone fresh out of WLS would use the recovering recommendation. Again, not an expert just trying to help. You should for sure check with your doctor or NUT.

My rule is 75-85 grams per day. I average 80-90 most days, and use protein shakes, syntrax nectar, and Gelatein 20 to make up what I don't get in "real" food.

My Dr and NUT said that after the surgery I would need to put in 60-70g of protein. But I don't sleeved yet so have no idea how hard it would be to achieve.

I was told from my Nut 120-140 based on my weight. I take two protein shakes per day an usually hit 90 to 100 on a good day I have gotten 120. I like the other calculation because I am usually at 90 grams.

  • 2 weeks later...

I was told from my Nut 120-140 based on my weight. I take two Protein shakes per day an usually hit 90 to 100 on a good day I have gotten 120. I like the other calculation because I am usually at 90 grams.

140 g of protein per day? That seems quite high! I am currently in the 250 lb range and I'm getting between 60-80 g a day and even that is challenging without drinking shakes or eating Protein Bars every day. Naturally sourced protein for me seems to work better and I enjoy it more. But as it stands, I'm eating mostly protein every day and still not really getting more than 80 g.

I also wanted to point out that you should double check with your surgeon that those high protein numbers are what he is advising. High levels of protein put extra strain on the kidneys. That is not a problem in the short term if your kidney function is healthy, but can become problematic in the long term.

Also, high levels of protein require greater hydration (at least 1/2 gallon of fluids for every 100 g of protein), and you must be sure to make room in your calorie food intake for other vital nutrients. Protein is great but not at the expense of everything else your body requires! Carbs are "the devil", but your body needs "good carbs". These include fruits, vegetables, Beans, and whole grains. They deliver essential Vitamins and minerals, Fiber, and a host of important phytonutrients. I try to keep my carbs below 40 per day (occasionally higher or lower). Especially once you begin more strenuous exercise, the carbs are a vital part of your energy stores during exercise, as well as your post-exercise recovery.

Common symptoms of excess protein in your diet include:

- Weight gain (probably not an issue for VSG patients, but may be contributing to stalls)

- Intestinal irritation

- Dehydration

- Seizures (a rare and extreme symptom!)

- Increase in liver enzymes

- Nutritional deficiencies

- Risk of heart disease (with long-term excess protein intake)

- Kidney problems

Again, I want to reiterate, if your medical team is advising you to have 120-140 g of protein per day, you should follow their direction. I simply wanted to put "the word" out that this is quite a bit higher than what I have seen others discussing here on VST and is approx. 2x the amount my medical team has advised me to consume.

I am 2 and a half weeks post-op. how much Protein should I be getting in each day? Is it possible to get too much?

I was told to aim for 60 - 70. I'm 26 months out and I still aim for 60 per day. It is possible to get too much, do a search on line about too much protein. There was someone at a support group meeting a couple of years ago that had to back off, she was getting to much, in excess of 100 grams, I think somewhere around 120....I do NOT remember the problems she was having, but something was going on.

  • 1 year later...

Ok, I know every doctor is different but after some research, I am a little concerned. For the week after surgery, I was on Clear liquids, then I was put on full liquids for 4 weeks. I was told: creamed Soups, sf pudding, CarbMaster yogurt, Protein drink (AdvantEdge (17 grams protein) and to continue with clear liquids. No mention of how much protein.

It seems like everyone else is worried about getting enough protein and have started consuming protein almost immediately after surgery.

I would appreciate some opinions on this. Also, I have been stuck at minus 2 lbs for almost a week now.

  • 2 years later...

I was told over 100 of Protein can cause major health issues.....Please call around and talk to other nuts to find out what they think ... cos 100 to 120 is really high... I was warned during my liquid diet to not go over 100 no matter what... and make sure I get 60 a day... or I will likely have issues with hair loss weakness etc...

  • 2 months later...

The amount of Protein you should intake depends on your starting weight, the nutrients you take in other parts of your diet, and how much you need to lose.

Speak to your nutritionist or dietician for better details.

if you have kidney issues, then yes you can eat too much Protein, but otherwise it's really not an issue. bodybuilders can often eat upwards of 150-200g of protein a day.

each patient is different- my goal is 90-130g per day because i am lifting and starting a weight regimen so i need extra for muscle building. good luck!!

My Nut and doc said anything over 100 is toxic for your body... It might be different for males... but as a female I was told 60 to 80 is safe and enough

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