four weeks out my blood total protein level dropped below the reference range--ouch! I thought i was doing well keeping my daily intake to 74gm daily. I wonder if it reflects that first week after surgery when i could get so little in.

I am going to increase the protein to 80+.

that could explain my fatigue.

part of it could be that i have been exercising everyday and that may be consuming some of the protein. doesnt leave much room for any carbs. I am eating about 750 calories per day and working hard to get that in.

i had decreased my protein shakes by half, so I will have to increase that a bit.

otherwise my blood levels were good.

unsure why????

hmmm...

well the vitamin levels arent back yet and i will discuss all of it with the surgeon next week. in the meantime I am increasing my protein by 10mg a day to 85mg.

I did research and the recomended amount in some of the bariatric literature is 1 to 1.5 mg per kg of normal weight. That is a lot! for an 85 kg man that is 85- 127 gms a day!

I was drinking protein shakes until I was about 7-8 months post op. At least drink 1 a day and my protein shake of choice was isopure because it's low in carbs and cals. My NUT told me at my 9 month appt to stop drinking shakes and I now rarely drink them. I can tell when I need protein because I crave it. The most important things for you to focus on is protein, water (fluids), and vitamins. I've been slacking on my vitamins and I can definitely tell when I need them because I feel very tired. Good Luck and definitely continue drinking your protein shakes