10 months post op how much protein, calories, and carbs should I be consuming?

[HeatherS. 230]

4 hours ago, fruitandveggies said:

Nope, no typo. My surgeon changed Protein requirements in the last couple of years from around 80g to 30g based on the latest research on harmful effects of excess protein. He's done something over 3,000 of these surgeries so I tend to believe him! Also, if you do the math, that's about 15 percent protein if I'm eating 800/cals day. Which is actually the RDA % for protein, so I feel fine about doing it this way.

If I were a tall male though, I might have more protein daily--the RDA is still 15% for guys, but of course you need more calories in a day (lucky!) so the number is higher.

Your doctor is the first I've heard who's acted on those studies! How do you feel on the regimen?

[fruitandveggies 456]

13 minutes ago, HeatherS. said:

Your doctor is the first I've heard who's acted on those studies! How do you feel on the regimen?

Now that I've been reading a lot of other people's stories on here, I think he might be! He's very aware of current science, which I'm grateful for. My latest concern is the NIH study on heart issues and Calcium supplements, which he is also considering changing his stance on.

I feel great! To be totally honest, I feel kind of sluggish and "thick" when I have any more than 15% (30g for me) of Protein a day. I feel much better closer to 25g/day. But I'm trying to be compliant, so I'm doing 30-35.

I know that every body reacts differently--and you're right OutsideMatch, the RDAs just barely keep you from being sick and getting rickets, etc. Like for you, it seems like your body really thrives on higher protein. Mine feels much better with lots of fruit and complex carbs with lower fat and protein. My comfort in the RDA is at least it's the minimum, so I won't get sick. Granted--I am tracking carefully and will see how I do over time! I'm always open to adjusting when something doesn't work for me.

Edited April 20, 2017 by fruitandveggies

[HeatherS. 230]

4 minutes ago, fruitandveggies said:

Now that I've been reading a lot of other people's stories on here, I think he might be! He's very aware of current science, which I'm grateful for. My latest concern is the NIH study on heart issues and Calcium supplements, which he is also considering changing his stance on.

I feel great! To be totally honest, I feel kind of sluggish and "thick" when I have any more than 15% (30g for me) of Protein a day. I feel much better closer to 25g/day. But I'm trying to be compliant, so I'm doing 30-35.

I know that every body reacts differently--and you're right OutsideMatch, the RDAs just barely keep you from being sick and getting rickets, etc. Like for you, it seems like your body really thrives on higher Protein. Mine feels much better with lots of fruit and complex carbs with lower fat and protein. My comfort in the RDA is at least it's the minimum, so I won't get sick. Grated--I am tracking carefully and will see how I do over time! I'm always open to adjusting when something doesn't work for me.

I tend to feel my best with a lower fat, lower protein diet, too, with lots of complex carbs and fruits & veggies. That's why I'm so fascinated with all of these studies. (But I also know people who thrive on all protein - in their 80s!)

I hadn't heard about the calcium supplement issue. What's going on with that?

[fruitandveggies 456]

11 minutes ago, HeatherS. said:

I tend to feel my best with a lower fat, lower Protein diet, too, with lots of complex carbs and fruits & veggies. That's why I'm so fascinated with all of these studies. (But I also know people who thrive on all protein - in their 80s!)

I hadn't heard about the Calcium supplement issue. What's going on with that?

Here's the NIH study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4125316/

Here's a quote from the conclusion:

Quote

At the population level, any effects of calcium supplements on fracture risk are outweighed by the increased cardiovascular risk. Likewise, at an individual level, the increased cardiovascular risk will generally outweigh any benefits on fracture prevention. Therefore, the widespread use of calcium supplements to improve bone health should be abandoned.

Obviously, each case would need to be weighed with their doctor. But it certainly concerns me! FYI, food-based calcium is not indicated with the CVD risk.

Edited April 20, 2017 by fruitandveggies

[HeatherS. 230]

@fruitandveggies Thanks for the study link and run-down. That is pretty concerning, especially as there are proven treatments to preserve bone mass that don't involve Calcium.

As a person with adequate dietary calcium intake who had VSG in part to lower my cardiovascular risk, I'll be keeping an eye on this line of study, too.

Did you see the recent report on the high correlation between man-made sweeteners and dementia (early onset or otherwise)? That just reinforced my determination to do this without Protein Drinks.

[fruitandveggies 456]

@heathers. Yes, I did see that study about artificial sweeteners! I've never drank them, but their dubious safety always concerned me since my parents down diet drinks. Even more concerned now!

[HeatherS. 230]

@fruitandveggies I stopped drinking them years ago and my health has been so much better. And then my pre-surgery class insisted on them as part of the prep, and UGH.

I decided I wasn't going to keep forcing them on myself two weeks out, and it's been much better since.

On another note, my mom drank Diet Coke every day from 1980 or so until she had to live in assisted living a couple of years ago, and part of her problem is some kind of non-specified dementia that comes and goes. You really can't help but wonder.

[PatientEleventyBillion 851]

On 4/20/2017 at 4:06 PM, OutsideMatchInside said:

RDA Calculator for needs

https://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/interactiveDRI/dri_results.php

This calculator is terrible though, it has my calories needs daily at 2609 and my Protein at 68 grams. Protein is only 4 calories per gram. Where would I get the other 2300 calories from?!??!!?!?!

LOL

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

@PatientEleventyBillion

500 grams of carbs a day! What could go wrong?!?!!?

This calculator is a perfect example of what is wrong with the food pyramid and why most nutritionists are completely useless.

[ssflbelle 829]

What a horrible calculator. I can't believe these numbers. I am 14 months post op and eat about 1000 calories, no more than 50 to 75 grams of carbs a day and 80 to 100 grams of Protein. If I ate that many calories a day and all those carbs and so little protein, I would be 497 pounds in no time.

Estimated Daily Caloric Needs: 2333 kcal/day

Carbohydrate	262 - 379 grams 1
Protein	79 grams
Fat	52 - 91 grams 2
Total Water*	2.7 Liters (about 11 cups)