Hi everyone!

I've got my surgery scheduled, and I finally had my nutritional consultation last week. I'm looking forward to the surgery.

One weird thing that came out of the meeting with the nutritionist - they are recommending I try to hit 100 grams of Protein a day, and drink at least 80 ounces of Water. I think the usual is 60g and 60oz?

So I guess I have two questions:

First question: Anyone ever heard of this before? I'm a big guy - not just fat (which I am at 471 lbs), but tall (6'4") and just thickly built.

Second question: This seems like it will be hard to pull off. I'm looking at an average of 16 grams of protein per meal in approximately 4-6 ounces of food by volume, I guess? Anyone have any suggestions on how to make that work?

One more question for everyone - surgeon is saying I will lose 150 lbs, which pulls me down to around 320 lbs. That still seems awfully heavy to me. Are the estimates usually pretty accurate?

Thanks!

Edited July 20, 201412 yr by billw0917

Hi billw0917 first congrats on your choice to be healthy 100 grams of protein and 80 ounces of water is a lot but it is durable once you have had your surgery and go through the stages, I am 8 weeks out and I am only getting in 65-70 grams of protein and almost 64 ounces of water a day and it's a challenge. I'm never hungry and when I am after I eat one or two bites I'm done. But don't forget you can get water through sugar free Popsicles your protein drink crystal light this will all keep you from becoming dehydrated as well as the protein will help you heal. as far as weight loose goes the weight will come off you may not be limited to just the 150 pounds just eat right drink your liquids and exercise at least three times per week and you should be fine. I look forward yo reading your post good luck my friend .

Hi there.

Getting in your Protein and Water minimums will be challenging in the beginning. Immediately after post-op, you do the best you can do. Water is really important right after surgery.

My doc wanted 85 grams of protein minimum and said "try to do more". I did the best I could - somedays achieving it, some days not. In order to get the minimum in, even 6 months after surgery, I supplement with shakes - they are a good bang for your buck. They get old, but they are necessary sometimes for my diet.

The reason you're going to a high protein diet is to ensure you do not lose your lean muscle mass. You want to burn fat, not lose your muscle during this process.

I was told the average weight loss with the gastric sleeve is 60% of your excess weight. If you follow the plan, work hard and exercise, I would think that % would go up.

The Isopure drinks are a great solution to tackle liquid + Protein. At 40g per 20oz drink, you can get 120g per day + 60 oz with three drinks. Granted, the drinks are spendy at ~$4.50 a bottle, but I bought two cases online and a it's a bit less.

Once you move to purees or solids, you could throw in an Isopure between meals to supplement protein/liquids.

My nutritionist recommended not going over 30g protein per hour to maximize protein absorption, but you will be drinking these very slowly anyway.

My nutritionist said to expect to lose 75% of your excess weight within the first year. Your excess weight will depend on what your nutritionist and surgeon set as your ultimate goal weight.

Edited July 20, 201412 yr by AlwaysVegas

It goes by weight. A higher weight/BMI requires more protein and water. My target is 100 gms protein, too.

Do you all order your Protein supplements online or do you pick them up in stores? I'm going to try to find some I like before the surgery so it's one less thing to worry about later!

Do you all order your protein supplements online or do you pick them up in stores? I'm going to try to find some I like before the surgery so it's one less thing to worry about later!

Initially, I got a few sampler packs online but generally I get my protein supplements at the store.

As far as the Isopure advice, please try a few bottles before buying a couple of cases. I still have bottles of that from surgery. It is simply too awful to slug down. It's nicknamed 'Isopuke' for a reason.

I'm pre-op as well but have tried some shakes to see what I like. Although many post-op sleevers have said that taste buds change after surgery and what you like before you may not like after.

I ordered samples from powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury and Syntrax nectar. I really like the Syntrax ones, some of them are more like just a drink (roadside lemonade, lemon iced tea) - also liked the cappachino one. By the way, "like" is a relative term - meaning it tasted good enough that I could finish it. I also bought a Nutribullet to mix them in - without a blender or Nutribullet, you will get clumps of powder - especially with the Unjury -- which is not appetizing to say the least.

GNC sells the Isopure bottles individually so you can try the flavors - my local GNC had 4 flavors to choose from. I find that I can drink them ok when I sip slowly (which we'll have to do post-surgery anyway) and pour them into a glass with LOTS of ice so they are very cold.

I've heard Premier Protein ready to drink shakes are good, but haven't tried them yet.

Oh, and I just tried a Quest Protein Bar for the first time - cinnamon roll - yesterday to see how it tasted. I really liked it! Once you are on regular food, a protein bar would be a good additional supplement, they are usually about 20 g protein each

That's a lot of protein but if you find some of the shakes/drinks you like, you can do it. Good Luck!!!

I'm 7 weeks post op and can tell you that without having a Protein shake, I couldn't get in the NUT recommended amount of protein. I tried to just 'eat' 70 grams of protein one day. not posible. I just couldn't get in enough food. I've been drinking shakes for 9 months now and let me tell you, they suck! I enjoyed them at first, but now that they are required, I would just as soon drink piss. I found New whey protein shots are the way to go for me. 42 grams of protein in a 3.8 ounce shot. My surgon approved of them and said he drinks one a day to supplement his protein intake himself. Not the cheapest way to get your protein in, but waaaay better than sluging down a gritty powder mixed up in a blender in my opinion. Also, all my post op paperwork showed me to need 60 grams of protein a day. But the NUT crossed that out and bumped it up to 80-100 per day for me. So I guess thats normal.

Great advice! Thanks everybody!