Any bad experiences ? by not taking vitamins/protein drink

[Megdelyn 85]

@@shirleyjohn001 I disagree somewhat with most of the previous posters. Protein shakes are not necessary in order to get in your Protein. It is possible to eat the required about of protein (the requirements vary depending on your surgeon). I focus on eating protein rich foods and only occasionally supplement with a Protein shake.

With the Vitamins and Water - I think it's a mixed bag. Yes, we really should be taking Vitamins. I notice that when I forget, I feel tired and "off" more frequently. I am trying the Vitamin Patches. I don't have my blood tests until mid November so I'll find out then how well they're doing. With the sleeve, there are not the same malabsorption issues as with RNY. So it is possible that if you are eating a well balanced nutritious diet, you could get everything you need. And vitamins are not an all or nothing thing. If you only take them 3x/week that is better than not taking any at all. Daily might be ideal, but they don't deplete that quickly in your body.

My Water consumption varies daily. My goal is 64 oz, but I don't always make it. But then some days I surpass it. Weeks when I get in more water I lose more weight. There is a direct correlation there. But don't think death is imminent if you don't consistently get in 64. But you should try.

All the PPs have a point about not following directions. The surgery by itself is not the solution. You have to make these changes if you want long-term success.

Also, I know lots of people who take daily vitamins, extra b's and Biotin and their hair still falls out. I've heard nothing about loose teeth. Scare tactics.

[blashlee 509]

It is very possible to get enough Protein from food, but probably not at only 2 months post op. At 6 months post op, I still have the best days intake wise when I add Protein to my drinks or to my yogurt. On food alone, I can barely break 90g unless I eat meat and cheese for every meal.

Eventually people stop taking protein from shakes and supplements all together, which is fine, but at 2 months post op, you're setting the foundations for long term success. I dont have a protein shake everyday, but i make sure protein makes up 60-75% of my meal. If I have a salad, it has meat on it and I eat the protein before I get to the salad part. Which generally is never because I'm full from the meats. On days where I don't feel like eating much, I have a lot of greek yogurt and a Protein Shake or scoop unflavored protein into food.

I agree, you don't need to necessarily DRINK your protein, but you need to be getting it in somehow.

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

The thing about a Vitamin deficiency is by the time you are reading/feeling the results it is too late. Your body is going to first use what it can from your body, the once that runs out, the deficiency shows, but by then the damage is done.

Set times on your phone/computer whatever and take your Vitamins. Get your Protein in. Don't like your Protein Drink, eat your Protein or find a different brand.

These 2 things are not optional.

[JamieLogical 8,727]

Also, I know lots of people who take daily Vitamins, extra b's and Biotin and their hair still falls out. I've heard nothing about loose teeth. Scare tactics.

There's a big difference between the brief and temporary Hair loss that nearly everyone with WLS experiences and permanent and significant hair loss due to malnutrition. What we're talking about in this thread is the malnutrition kind that happens to people who starve themselves of vital nutrients for prolonged periods of time. That sort of starvation and malnutrition also causes your teeth to fall out, loss of bone density, and all sorts of other potential organ failures, anemia, etc.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

You don't have to drink Proteins shakes. You *do* need to keep your Protein levels up. Same thing with nutrients that you get from Vitamins and supplements. I hope you are at least getting regular bloodwork done to monitor your levels so that any potential deficiency can be caught early. At this point you are playing Russian roulette with your health. Not smart. As to can not meeting your Fluid and Protein goals effect your weight loss? I think you answered that question for yourself when you said you only lose about 2 lbs a month.

Call your medical team, sit down with your nutritionist and come up with a better plan. You are risking your health and life by not following basic rules of bariatric surgery. I actually know someone who had a bypass and didn't follow through. She had surgery 10 years ago. She went down to a size 4. She's now back up to a 16, has no teeth at only 55 years old and has broken her ankle and foot multiple times because her bones are weakened due to not taking her supplements. The last one was this summer and took mths to heal, because of the deficiency she has. Don't let that be you.

[jobillandjosh 53]

The mindset here is just wrong. This surgery requires a huge level of commitment to change with clear boundaries on our programs that are lifelong.

You were gung ho enough to commit to surgery, but now are deviating from the program 2 months in on something as simple as Protein and Vitamins? We're not talking about a struggle with pizza when hunger comes back. Just Protein and Vitamins to keep you healthy and help you function. If you want to give on these, what else are you going to give up on next month or 6 months from now?

Take it or don't take it. Got no time for people who can't do what they know they need to.

[AnA92212 577]

My surgeon said that we can forget to take our supplements one time, but not on a regular basis. You NEED your protein! It is VITAL! My surgeon does a mal-absorption test at 6 months and then annually. These tests are crucial to see how your body is functioning.

[Daisee68 2,493]

I gotta say that this just ticks me off at the surgeons. How many surgeons are out there doing these countless surgeries without counseling their patients about how very serious this stuff is? I just do NOT get it. You have been given a gift. There are so many that have to struggle to get to the point of surgery - especially financially. You got yours. Don't screw it up. Take your Vitamins. Find a way to get in Protein whether by shakes or food. But find a way. Are there serious consequences? Yes. My aunt died. I think about her every single time that I want to go off program. I am doing this for her and in spite of her at the same time. Find a therapist. Talk to your NUT. Get serious about this or you will end up malnourished, back to your original weight and with 90% less of your stomach.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

Self pay patients may not get as much of that type of instruction. I even read one post where the person didn't want to be bothered to read the manual provided by the doctor

[Daisee68 2,493]

@@BLERDgirl - That is sort of my point at being ticked off at surgeons. How can they ethically do such a major surgery just for the money and with no regard for the education patients need to survive?

The post yesterday (I think) about the guy eating 2200 calories at 2 weeks post op? And his GF who could eat smaller amounts but was already eating hamburgers at 3 weeks out? I mean how does this happen? No other answer other than their surgeons are only interested in the money and not the true outcome of their patients. (Though to be fair the surgeon of this guy did refer him to the NUT immediately. But my guess is they clearly had no meetings with NUT prior to surgery.)

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

I don't see it as unethical at all. Part of how they keep cost down is by not having all those insurance hoops to jumps through. They often give them manuals and put the onus on the patient to actually read the information and do their homework. Like I mentioned there was a woman on here who posted she wasn't enough enough or taking supplements but couldn't be bothered to read the manual. On the other hand their are plenty of self pay posters here who were self pay, did their homework and are doing well because they researched enough to know what they needed to do.

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

I was self-pay but was still required to attend all of the nutrition classes, see a NUT, and have a psych clearance. Fortunately, I had an outstanding, very experienced surgeon at a hospital with a robust program. We had one program fee that everyone paid (regardless of whether you had insurance or not) that guaranteed we had access to all of the services.

[Dub 10,072]

The fact that the OP hasn't responded to the thread speaks volumes.

It is absolutely disgusting to read of the ignorance that is posted, over and over again. Patients who either have no clue.....or those who are pushing the limits so soon after surgery.

I don't get it.

Ignorance and stupidity. At least those that are ignorant to the proper way to eat post-op can possibly be coached up and brought around to engaging in healthy behaviors.

The stupidity.....that is another story. People doing boneheaded stuff that they know is unsafe.

It is freaking sad.

[libby43 136]

If you like coffee you will love this Protein Shake. You can order them on Amazon.... Just a little pricey but will help you get the Protein in daily that's needed. You can also Google them and they will send you a sample. I mix mine with fair life milk 10 oz and two scoops. ( amazing ) just try it!!!! Two of these shakes and you will get in 60 grams of protein in than count your protein you eat. I know protein is hard to get down but this shake made it very easy for me. I'm a little over three months and still drink two a day.

[libby43 136]

Now onto your Vitamin I have all my medication and Water by my night stand. That's the last thing I do every night before turning into bed is take all my medication. Then in the morning take my acid medication. I also keep my Calcium in my purse throughout the day to take with me. Don't forget Multivitamin and calcium must be taking two hour apart from each other. So start and end your day caring for you. You are so worth it!!!!! I hope this help you!!!