Is it true that a person can only absorb a certain amount of protein at a time, like 20g or 30g?

This is mostly FALSE.

The body absorbs the amount of protein it needs at any given time – it doesn’t turn off or automatically stop at 20g or 30g or 40g.

There is a myth that protein absorption is capped at a maximum amount for a given period of time. While the body is able to absorb as much as 300 to 400 grams of protein during a 24-hour period, this is not recommended because there are complications associated with a protein intake that high. The high end of protein-per-day recommendation is 100 to 120 grams. Absorption of protein relies on many factors including – source of protein, length of the Roux limb in gastric bypass, size of the sleeve or pouch and one's intake of micronutrients like zinc.

The myth probably has something to do with the recommendation that it’s always better to spread out one's protein.

The human body is full of variations for different circumstances – sometimes the body needs more protein such as right after surgery or sometimes less protein, as in the middle of a long sedentary workday.

Five small balanced meals or three meals and two protein snacks is a universal bariatric recommendation.

https://www.bariatriceating.com/2016/08/faq-dietician-told-can-absorb-20g-protein-time-limit-shake-size/

Bariatric surgery isn’t mentioned in this article, but there’s this: "while it’s technically true that we aren’t absorbing 30 grams (let alone more) of protein all at once, it will eventually be absorbed." (In other words, we don't just poop it out.)

https://www.marksdailyapple.com/dear-mark-how-much-protein-can-you-absorb-and-use-from-one-meal/

@nibble. As I said, my calf pain is not bilateral... it's only on the right side. I wish I could figure out if this is something that I did to myself or is it something that I should have done differently. This has definitely put a kink (no pun intended) in beginning a post-op exercise program. I suppose I'm afraid of aggravating my cramp even more. I've thought about water therapy because of how gentle it can be to one's joints and muscles, but I'm embarrassed to admit that I have an irrational hangup when it comes to being seen in an integrated area with men.

Maybe it's my age, my upbringing. This has nothing to do with feeling old, ugly, or afraid of being laughed at since those can happen in front of men or women-- anywhere.

Does anyone else feel uncomfortable exercising in or out of the water with men around? I was uncomfortable with this girl-boy thing even when I was young, pretty, and slender. I repeat: It's not about appearance. It's about modesty. I don't wear shorts or low-cut shirts. I prefer skirts and dresses. Nothing tight either.

I don't know anyone who owns a private pool. And it would also have to be an indoor pool, since I have a year-around aversion to sunlight. (Hence, my vitamin D deficiency).

5 hours ago, Missouri-Lee's Summit said:

thought about Water therapy

Missouri Lee - I'm sure you've tracked when the cramping comes, after certain activity, only at night, etc. but I've had muscle pains greatly relieved by moist heat. if you don't have a bathtub to soak in, put a damp towel in the microwave and wrap your leg in that to see the effect. If nothing else, it sure feels good! You've explored other possible vitamin deficiencies that could contribute? Sometimes it not the dosage, but the timing of them in conjunction with other vitamins. I cannot take calcium for at least 2 hrs after my vitamin+ iron - the iron won't be absorbed by the system. What does your medical team have to offer for this conundrum?

https://www.livestrong.com/article/404539-muscle-cramps-in-the-legs-and-nutritional-deficiencies/

2 hours ago, nibble said:

Missouri Lee - I'm sure you've tracked when the cramping comes, after certain activity, only at night, etc. but I've had muscle pains greatly relieved by moist heat. if you don't have a bathtub to soak in, put a damp towel in the microwave and wrap your leg in that to see the effect. If nothing else, it sure feels good! You've explored other possible Vitamin deficiencies that could contribute? Sometimes it not the dosage, but the timing of them in conjunction with other Vitamins. I cannot take Calcium for at least 2 hrs after my vitamin+ Iron - the iron won't be absorbed by the system. What does your medical team have to offer for this conundrum?

I have my appointment with my bariatric team tomorrow (Monday, July 30). I'm planning to take along all of my vitamins, any recent lab reports (even though they probably have access to my labwork since they belong to the same health system as my hospital). I understand how to take my iron and calcium, but thank you for pointing that out.

Thank you for the article. I see several flags for me in there. My diet is lacking in many respects. I am woefully dehydrated. Water is worse than liquid protein. Some days, I probably get fewer than 250 calories. It's embarrassing because I know better. I plan to be brutally honest with my doctor tomorrow.

So like a few articles isn’t enough to convince me about anything.

I know certain vitamins whatever you dont use gets excreeted and usually it makes your pee bright yellow so you can see it, so that i do believe.
But as far as protein goes, i can’t say for sure that im not absorbing all of it, nothing happens to me if i consume a bunch of protein at once. So i’m still doubtful. I need actual physical proof.