Alright, I know we are emphasized Protein, protein protein after surgery, and I know that protein is essential in the role of so many things in our body, but why is it seemingly more important now?

Prior to surgery, I would likely get 30 grams of protein or less a day, and I was generally OK.

Now, 1 1/2 years after surgery, I notice problems if my protein is under 50 grams a day. If I work out before having my protein, I get loopy. I have had recent balance issues, possibly also attributed to not getting lots of protein.

How much protein do you eat a day?

What symptoms do you notice if you're low on protein?

Great question, I was wondering just how much protein we should be eating? I am on day 3 of my preop diet now & having 2 protein shakes a day. I am using GNC's lean shake 25. It is 25 grams of protein,8 grams of fiber with 24 vit& minerals. Only 3 grams if sugar and only 3 grams of fat. I really like the cookies & cream and rich chocolate so far. Any comments?

My NUT said to shoot for 80 grams/day for men. I would assume it would be a little less for women.

What is a NUT?

Nut= nutritionist

My NUT said to shoot for 80 grams/day for men. I would assume it would be a little less for women.

Thanks for that. I am getting about 60 or so, that should be ok then I guess. Thanks again!

I shoot for 60 per day. I bet you got a lot more Protein than you realized pre-op because foods such as bread, milk, etc. have protein too. I didn't eat as much solid protein as I do now, but I eat way less overall.

Lynda

I'm post-op and am told to get in 60-80 grams of protein. Protein helps to maintain your muscle mass. You want to lose fat, not muscle. I think protein has always been important. Also with protein, it takes longer for your stomach to digest it, helping to keep you feeling full longer. Which means less food with low/no nutritional value.

I was told Protein helps with healing as well.

I am 5 months out now. My 3 month post op testing said my protein levels were too low when I was shooting for 60 g a day. The surgeon advised me that my goal should be at least 80 a day for a while, and her assistant noted that the patients who stay on supplements long term do better with weight loss as well. So I am having at least 2 unjury shakes a day for the time being...

My goal is 80 grams of protein a day. I get upwards of 60 grams a day. You want to get enough protein to keep from losing muscle mass. If you don't have enough protein, then your body starts to burn muscle for energy because your calories are so low. Proteins/aminos are used for repairing tissue...like when you lift weights...you actually break down the muscle and rebuild it. Another reason is to help prevent hair loss...(this doesn't always work), but every little bit helps.

if you were "generally ok" then you wouldn't have needed a sleeve.. just sayin.

think about the percentage of calories in your pre-sleeve diet that came from Protein. then think about the lesser amount of calories you can get in with a sleeve and do the math. if you maintain the ratio then you get very, very little protein. you were likely just getting enough before to keep things functioning.

now that we're getting less calories it's important to keep the protein up to combat muscle wasting and to make sure we keep our body in the maintenance.

Protein helps you keep your muscle mass .. When you lose weight you could lose your muscle mass or muscle tone thats what my nut told me

I was told pre-operatively by my NUT and the bariatric coordinator that by eating 60-80 grams protein per day will help me to lose the pre-op weight required to decrease fat from my liver. She said muscle burns more calories then fat so to increase my protein would help me to decrease my fat (I have alot to go so surgery is in my near future) and to build muscle. I was also told by getting the appropriate amount of proteins in post-operatively would help to make my body leaner. I look forward to being on the losing side, maybe in April.

in all likelihood they are trying to get us as close to ketosis as possible to speed the weight loss.. ketosis = plenty of Protein, no or very low carbs, resulting in enhanced fat loss.

protein won't do jack for muscle mass if you don't work out. lean Proteins are healthy, low fat, and low card - meaning that if you predominantly eat them it will help with fatty or enlarged liver, which is key before surgery to help avoid any damage or trauma.

Thank you for the responses!

I think Dust made a valuable point- our calories are low, and your body will eventually tap into your muscle mass to lose weight. No bueno there!

The heart is a muscle, as are many other important organs.

I still am curious as to more details as to the importance. Myself and a friend have experienced vertigo-like symptoms that her recent hypothesis of was not getting quite enough Protein. I have upped my protein to 80+ grams a day (I work out a lot so my goal is to get closer to 100!) and we shall see.

During weight loss, you are on low calories. The Protein helps in healing and keeps you from cannibalizing muscle, such as heart muscle. Keep the protein high and you ensure fat loss without muscle loss.

During maintenance, which I am assuming is the question since the OP is 1.5 years out, I have no idea. I would guess that given the limited portion size the protein keeps you satiated and less likely to snack.