I'm 9 days postop and have been getting back to my preop activity levels, since I need to be back at work and school tomorrow. My surgeon specifically prohibits protein supplements. I've been tracking my protein and calories. The problem is that I'm getting around 400 calories a day and expending 500ish just through regular activity. My protein is around 20-30 grams a day. I'm a shaky, grumpy, tear-filled mess and a tough semester of school and work restart for me tomorrow. Anyone else been in this boat? Should I call to beg my surgeon for protein?

Edited March 13, 201610 yr by yarnismyantidrug

I'm two weeks out. I drink 3 11 ounce containers of premiere protein shakes a day. Each has 30 grams of protein. Feeling great with 90 grams of protein per day. Not sure why your doctor won't allow, but everything I have read and my own doctor encourages protein protein protein. You are not getting enough. I would do what was necessary to get what I needed. Just a suggestion.

Well I called and talked to him and he says this is emotional, it's all in my head and I don't need anymore protein than I'm already getting.I can't be at school or work like this, but he says I need to go to get past this. I'm feeling so confused.

Well I called and talked to him and he says this is emotional, it's all in my head and I don't need anymore Protein than I'm already getting.I can't be at school or work like this, but he says I need to go to get past this. I'm feeling so confused.

I am normally the first person to say listen to your surgeon, but from everything I have learned, he is insane.

You NEED more protein, however you get it.

You need protein to 1) heal from surgery, 2) so your body doesn't starve, and 3) so your body KNOWS it isn't starving and will release weight.

Do you have a good NUT? If your surgeon is doing this alone without a NUT on staff I would b concerned.

My excellent surgeon, who has outstanding results has me get 100 grams of protein a day, every day starting from he day after surgery.

As far as he is concerned, protein supplements are essential to help us get in all of our protein until we are physically capable of consuming most or all of our protein from food.

What I know is that to heal, and lose weight, my body NEEDS enough protein.

I would be really curious to see how his other patients are fairing both short term and long term on such low protein.

If anything, again from everything I have learned, most programs have INCREASED protein requirements over the last couple of years because of recent research results.

How experienced is your surgeon?

Use supplements.

I have to agree -- normally I am all about following your surgeon's orders, but that's with the basic underlying assumption that your surgeon isn't following some crackpot theory that no one else in the world follows. Get protein.

I will say, you don't need extra calories -- your body is perfectly capable of getting the fuel it needs from your fat cells. Having an abundance of caloric energy stored in massive quantities of fat cells is why we all ended up needing bariatric surgery.

Protein is a different matter -- the only place your body "stores" protein, which it needs, is in your muscles. I think refraining from protein supplements is a terrible idea. I think this may be the second time in 3+ years I have ever just said here that someone should go against what their surgeon said, but I can't help myself here. Good luck!

Can you have Protein powder? I can't have premade protein shakes--but can have Protein Powder .

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I wouldn't be worried about the calorie deficits if I weren't taking in so little Protein. I'm concerned about burning muscle rather than fat.

No protein powders, shakes, nothing I can't get from food. (Which I'm all for once I can take in more than 2-4 ounces at a time)

How are you managing to get 20-30 grams of Protein in? What does your approved diet consist of?

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Full liquids. Cottages cheese, yourt, cream soups, etc. If I eat cottage cheese and yogurt at every meal I can get to around 30, I'd get 42 of I were able to do 4 ounces at every meal but sometimes you just can't, you know?

Considering how rare your diet is, I don't think it would hurt to add Protein powder. What vitamins/minerals are you taking?

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Full liquids. Cottages cheese, yourt, cream Soups, etc. If I eat cottage cheese and yogurt at every meal I can get to around 30, I'd get 42 of I were able to do 4 ounces at every meal but sometimes you just can't, you know?

If you need to stick to no supplements then you will just need to eat more often.

You have to get enough Protein.

Oh man, so much better today. Cheated and drank part of an isopure. I feel bad breaking my surgeons rule, but I feel so much better physically and emotionally. Got 52 grams of protein in with the little extra that I had. This is really hard to manage. My surgeon is a hardass, and usually, so am I. There has been very little pain or discomfort to this surgery, it's been the physical feelings of adjustment to nutritional needs. My activity level is already high; 10,000 steps is a normal day off for me, much more when I work or have school, so I feel like my body just didn't adjust to lack of nutrients. I've always reacted emotionally to things like this. I know I'm dehydrated when I get weepy, lol. So I'll keep some protein as an emergency measure only if I feel the weepys coming on, a and otherwise I'll try my hardest to stick to the surgeons rules, as unusual as they are. Thanks for your support, you guys. I'm so glad to have you all.

If you feel that much better, use it! You will be able to consume a lot more protein within a month or two and can stay away from supplements then. But you definitely will eat your muscle if you don't have enough protein. There are plenty of us on here that have done great with using supplements in the beginning. I'm eight months out and almost never use supplements any more, but I can eat a lot more now.

Is your surgeon's program a Center of Excellence? I am really curious why his instructions are so far off of anything I have heard.

I'm with the others. My surgeon is the leader of a practice that's a Centre of Excellence certified by the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). And Protein shakes and protein powders (especially in the early months post-op) are recommended for all WLS patients as supplements to protein-rich food.

Below is an excerpt from the ASMBS Web site describing acceptable sources of protein for patients post-op (including shakes and even bars). Based on this, I think your doctor is really uneducated about what's necessary. I would recommend you ignore his ill-considered advice and eat a helluva lot more protein than you're getting now.

Nutrition (food and supplements) and Fluids

Healthy lifestyle choices give the best results for health and Quality of Life after surgery. Protein-rich foods are important, with patients advised to take in 60-100g of protein daily, depending on their medical conditions, type of operation and activity level. The ASMBS warns patients to avoid excessive carbohydrate intake, such as starchy foods (breads, pastas, crackers, refined cereals) and sweetened foods (Cookies, cakes, candy, or other sweets). Limiting carbohydrates to 50 grams per day or less helps avoid rebound hunger problems which can lead to weight regain.

Q: How should I get my protein? With shakes? Bars? What if I’m a vegetarian?

A: There are many options even for those with special dietary needs or preferences. Your dietitian can provide additional information on protein sources. meats, eggs, dairy products, and Beans are common protein sources in everyday foods. Protein extracts made from soy, brown rice and whey are commonly sold in stores. Protein Shakes or bars may offer additional ways to meet your protein needs. You may find it helpful to calculate your daily protein intake to be sure you’re not falling short. As you are able to tolerate more regular foods, you get a higher portion of the requirement during regular meals and supplements become less necessary.

Q: What happens if I don’t take in enough protein?
A: The body needs additional protein during the period of rapid weight loss to maintain your muscle mass. Protein is also required for your metabolism to occur. If you don’t provide enough protein in your diet, the body will take its protein from your muscles and you can become frail.

http://asmbs.org/patients/life-after-bariatric-surgery