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what happens if you don't get enough protein in?



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Protein protein protein! I'm having a pretty hard time getting my protein in..should I be panicking? I was doing better getting in 60 g when I was drinking Protein Shakes but my NUT said I have to eat real food! Now I'm finding it pretty impossible..everything I find with lots of protein seems highly caloric..any advice it there? Thx in advance!

Ps..I'm four weeks post-op finally feeling pretty good after three weeks of bad bad pain..

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I was the same way so I have added back one shake w 30 grams. I hate it but it seems to be working to keep my Protein at the right levels

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I am 3.5 weeks out, and I don't think I can eat enough real food yet to get in even 60g of protein...my dietitian still has me drinking 2 shakes a day along with 3 very small meals of real food...it is definitely hard getting in all the Protein and also to get in all the liquids..most days it seems I do better with one or the other but not usually both on the same day

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If you don't get enough Protein in your body will need to break down muscle tissue to get what it requires to function, this in turn will slow your metabolism making weight loss slower. Also, low protein levels will make you tired and weak. Therefore getting your protein in is very important to continue to have a successful weight loss journey.

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I had surgery 5/20. I am still in tremendous pain when I bend. I'm frustrated b/c I can't tolerate the shakes and can't get the 70 grams protein.... I am on week 2, eating broth, Jello, fat free pudding, sugar free pop sickles, yougurt. WHAT ELSE??? Help, I'm scared too. I'm so afraid of hurting my stomache. Today has been a BAD DAY....

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Thx Richard..that was super straightforward and clear. Thank you. I think I'll take the advice I got and reintroduce one Protein Shake a day since some day I'm only getting 30 gs!

Rox..I was in DEVIOUS pain for exactly 3 weeks..i thought it would never end. I had to return to work after two weeks and everyday I thought I wasnt going to make it..but I did. After exactly the third week I started to feel better..meaning I could use the bathroom almost normally..could get my socks on myself..eat enough so I didn't feel like hell..I hear these stories on forums and started to freak out that I was still in pain..it'll pass..

Are you onto the pureed stage? If so I took canned chili and pureed it and added sour cream..tuna with tons of mayo..that deviled ham spread..cottage cheese..cream of wheat..tzaziki yogurt with hummus..

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I am 6 mos out and still drink 1-2 Protein Shakes a day. My nut says this is okay as long as I am eating a variety of regular foods and not solely relying on shakes. There is no way I could eat 80 grams of Protein. I don't really have a problem eating anything, just small amounts.

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Yes, Ideally we want to get our Protein from food sources but it may take a long time. I am 12 weeks out tomorrow and still have a Protein shake in the morning. It would be hard to get my Protein in otherwise. I also still make my protein spiked pudding for days when I fall short.

I am of the opinion that it's more important to get the protein then to be overly concerned on how it comes. I think it may take a few more months to get all my protein from food. That's ok with me. I have not had issues with eating anything as of yet but I have not even tried breads, Pasta, rice and sugar. I follow the rules of protein first, veggies/fruits second and well, have not got to the third, just no room. :)

Good luck!

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I had surgery 5/20. I am still in tremendous pain when I bend. I'm frustrated b/c I can't tolerate the shakes and can't get the 70 grams Protein.... I am on week 2' date=' eating broth, Jello, fat free pudding, sugar free pop sickles, yougurt. WHAT ELSE??? Help, I'm scared too. I'm so afraid of hurting my stomache. Today has been a BAD DAY....[/quote']

Try mixing choco protien powder in your pudding maybe the tasteless kind in your broth. You dont have to have it in shake form.if you dont like drinking it with Water try almond or soy milk shakes, I think almond milk tastes better. Get creative !

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I had surgery 5/20. I am still in tremendous pain when I bend. I'm frustrated b/c I can't tolerate the shakes and can't get the 70 grams Protein.... I am on week 2' date=' eating broth, Jello, fat free pudding, sugar free pop sickles, yougurt. WHAT ELSE??? Help, I'm scared too. I'm so afraid of hurting my stomache. Today has been a BAD DAY....[/quote']

Try mixing choco protien powder in your pudding maybe the tasteless kind in your broth. You dont have to have it in shake form.if you dont like drinking it with Water try almond or soy milk shakes, I think almond milk tastes better. Get creative !

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I had surgery 5/20. I am still in tremendous pain when I bend. I'm frustrated b/c I can't tolerate the shakes and can't get the 70 grams Protein.... I am on week 2' date=' eating broth, Jello, fat free pudding, sugar free pop sickles, yougurt. WHAT ELSE??? Help, I'm scared too. I'm so afraid of hurting my stomache. Today has been a BAD DAY....[/quote']

Hang in there, I felt the same way at 2 weeks. It does get better. I finally found a Protein powder I could tolerate after going through at least 12 different shakes and powders. Jay Robb makes a powder that I can tolerate. The vanilla I mix with a banana, ice, and a Davanci Syrup. I also use Lactose fat free milk to boost my calories and Protein. But it took me 3 weeks to feel reasonably better. Getting in most of my protein helped. Keep trying different RTD Protein drinks and various powders til you find one that works. I scoured the food/nutrition section here and ordered a lot of sample packets. Many I hated even with others recommendations. Our taste here are different, so you have to find what works for you. Giving up is not an option....so experiment till you find what you like.

Sent from my iPad: Sleeved 4/24/2013 by Dr. Farrell @ UNC Hospital---Started: 239lbs--Goal: 150lbs--Current: 207lbs

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Hello..im still not filled up on information about Protein and why it's protein protein protein! I get..Thx to Richard that we need it or we lose muscle..feel weak etc..but what happens..anything else? I feel like a tremendous amount of stress is put on us to "get enough protein". Why? Does the lack of it make our hair fall out? Encourage infection? What's the deal?

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Here try this link

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Or this one Here is a more complex one Hope these help you to get the answers you seek.

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Thank you so much Richard! For some reason Google wasn't helping me regarding this topic! my questions are now answered at least regarding Protein :-) I can obsess about other things again lol..

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

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        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
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