Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Do we all need 70 grams of protein if we do NOT have surgery?



Recommended Posts

Just curious about something....the bariatric doctors and nutritionists keep saying 70 to 90 grams of Protein a day to keep your organs functioning and muscles from depleting etc etc. but did we all ever really get this BEFORE in our lives? I mean I know my overweight butt only ever has gotten a fraction of that. Just curious as to why the difference in requirement or was this supposed to be the requirement for our bodies all along? Thank you!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The short answer is yes - by and large, the bariatric recommendations largely reflect our normal maintenance needs for Protein. Now, that amount varies from person to person, primarily based upon their lean body mass (muscles, organs, skin, etc.) A short woman of normalish weight, say 5' 0" and 100-110lb, would need around 50g of protein to maintain her 75lb or so of lean body mass, while a 6'0" 180lb man with around 150 lb of lean body mass will need twice that, around 100g. If one is actively trying to build additional muscle mass (and doing the work to do so,) then they will need additional protein, maybe up to around another 40g or so depending upon what they are trying to do.

But as an average, what the bariatric programs usually recommend is in line with the normal recommendations for normal people, though maybe a bit simplified, and sometimes with a bit of overkill added in (a bit too much is better than not enough.)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Wow, thank you so much! I guess I never realized how little of Protein I have been getting (I am presurgery right now) until I started tracking in My Fitness Pal. I probably only get around 15 to 20 through food a day since I am a carb person and don’t eat a lot of meat or green veggies (probably how I got so overweight)! I am just so worried about getting the protein after surgery. I have started the Protein Shakes which I actually like but I am so afraid that I just won’t be into getting protein more through food and changing my carry ways. Baby steps I suppose!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I’ve thought about this too cause I never got in all the recommended Protein before my surgery. I probably only got about 30g in on a good day. I never got my Calcium in back then either. Now I do. I believe the recommended amount of protein in the US is 0.8g per 1kg you weigh. In Australia it’s supposedly 1g of protein per 1kg of weight. My dietician told me I had to aim for 1.2g per kg of my weight as I’m a women in her mid 50s. You’d need more if you’re building muscles or very active. I aim for 60g of protein but I can vary from 40 - 70g. But I probably average out at about 60g across each week.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You can add a lot of Protein with legumes. Refried Beans were one of my favorites during the soft food stage. I have transitioned to Whole Food Plant Based eating during the past year, and even without any animal products in my diet, I still get at least 60 gm of protein a day from legumes, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and plant based milks and yogurt. It really isn't that hard to do.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Yes, our bodies really need this amount of Protein. I get TONS of it now because my whole eating patterns have changed post-WLS. I don't eat any carbs and I don't like veggies, so pretty much all I eat is protein. I also still drink chocolate protein (25 g) for Breakfast, so that's 1/3 of my daily needs right there.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I don't eat a lot of meat or necessarily veggies. But stick to. Low carb way of eating and have for years but for some reason it stopped working and I turned to the tool of gastric bypass surgery to help me. Metabolic disorders and inability to exercise due to lifelong chronic illness and disability doesn't help. But I'm here a year and a half later after surgery.

it helps to calculate your baseline Protein using the ratio of 0.36 grams of protein per 1 lb body weight.

I have a morning Protein Bar with tea it's my routine. lunch is my main meal. I might for example have a skillet meal of veggie burger, egg and maybe a little avocado or even a baby banana cooked in. dinner is routinely Greek yogurt usually oikos triple zero mixed with Protein Powder usually PEScience (but I tdon't tidy VEga sport and it's good too) some golden flax, a little Peanut Butter powder sprinkled on top, freeze a bit, top with sola low carb granola only 15 grams I measure everything. Sometimes a sprinkle of pepitas. I like a combination of flavor and texture.

But I usually end up getting more protein than I require ... while being low carb . And minimal sugar.

edit: you don't need carbs to feel satisfied and can get similar taste and texture profiles from low carb meals. I had to deal with sugar addiction long before I even thought bariatric surgery was ever an option.

Edited by Darktowerdream

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I asked my doctor the other day about if I was getting too much Protein because I do 1 Protein Drink in the morning and 1 at night so i get like 150% protein a day.. he said I'd have to be getting way more protein then that to be too much. But I have lost 6 pounds in a week which is awesome (while being on a 1200 to 1300 calorie diet).

Sent from my G60 using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My dietician is making me wait another month to get my surgery date because I was eating too much Protein on my low carb pre-op diet. I have to stick within 70-90g or I won’t get approved lol. So I have the opposite problem I guess.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am not a big fan of meat, although I love veggies, fruits, cheese, dairy, etc. I also loved bread and sweets, which is how I got so overweight. I haven't had surgery yet but I have switched to low carb and have been adding more Protein via greek yogurt, Protein Drinks, and more fish and meat (small servings) and I have lost 27 lbs in 3 months! I couldn't believe it. The best part is, I'm not as hungry as I used to be when I ate more carbs. I also find that I crave sweets less now that I eat fewer sweet things (I still eat a fair amount of fruit). I am now a little concerned about what @Ellen_Marie is saying because some days I'm well over 100 g of protein now. I'll have to ask my surgery center.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • NickelChip

      I got a little bag of samples when I saw the nutritionist last week. Turns out I much prefer the Celebrate 45 Tropical Twist vitamins to the Bariatric Fusion orange flavor, so I've placed an order for those and the sweet treat assortment of calcium soft chews, which were almost dangerously tasty. The Unjury chicken soup was better than the other brand I tried, but not enough to buy it. And their vanilla shake was vile. I just can't do artificial sweeteners, and probably not vanilla unless I add something to it to mask the flavor. The aftertaste was so strong and I had a vague impression of drinking baby formula. So far the only ones I've really liked have been the orange and peach flavored Syntrax Nectar Naturals, so I'm going to get two vegan fruit flavored options in case I have trouble with whey after.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Longview Lady

      PS: Also, the 'My Surgery' section of my profile - how do you edit/update that section??  I want to put my height, weight, etc. there but can't find edit button.   
      Can someone help me with that?  
      Thanks in advance.  
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Longview Lady

      I'm new here and unsure how to reply/respond to people. Guess I'll figure it out, or maybe you can help me a lil. lol.  A lil direction would be nice.
      I'm still wrapping my head around having this surgery to lose weight. I have completed all requirements, in 2022, and now it's a waiting game.  I missed a call in Aug. to have the surgery. 1st call I have missed in years and it had to be THAT one!   I was so upset at myself and then fell back back that weekend to my ol' comfort food; ice cream.  I fall from time to time but then get backup on my Johnny Wayne Saddle and do better. 
      I have been waiting so long I forgot what the specific surgery is called. 🤔.  It's the one where my stomach will look like a banana.  I just want this done so I can be on my way to a healthier and more active person, and hopefully feel physically and mentally better and better sleep too. We'll see. 
      Wishing everyone a safe and successful surgery. 
      Shawna 😁
       
      · 1 reply
      1. New To This23

        Has anyone messaged you and helped?

        If you go to the top of the page and click on your user name there will be a drop down that will allow you to do things from there. The interface on this site is a little wonky and could use some improvement, basically, you'll kinda have to click around until you find what you want to edit/update.

        I tried adding stuff to my albums and it uploaded the same things twice and I can not delete the duplicated picture. If you add a ticker and later you want to update it, like you lost more weight or you're closer to a certain goal, you have to go through the whole ticker choosing process again. The site can be a little frustrating.

    • BeanitoDiego

      Today was my 1 month followup, 5 weeks post surgery. My dietician gave me a gold star review for my post op diet, and I graduated to Stage 4 of my program. Stage 5 should be approved in November, and that is the forever way of eating.
      I had to go to a post op nutrition class as part of my appointment today. There was a young lady in there that had been eating WAY off diet, and she was not doing well... She had been eating fast food, but peeling the buns off, eating vegetables that were not well-cooked, and eating all kinds of foods that were not part of the detailed instruction that everyone in this program receives. We had SO many caveats from Day One to not try to jump ahead on the schedule for the foods that we eat. I was baffled that someone would decide to eat off program, especially so soon after surgery. She became tired of the liquids & soft foods, so she chose to eat ahead.
      The result of her skipping ahead was that she had experienced a lot of vomiting & foamies, a lot of pain, and was unable to drink any fluids. She started feeling flushed and faint in class and had to be sent to the hospital to get some IV fluids.
      The discipline that one needs for bariatric surgery cannot be overstated. We have to dig deep mentally and physically to get through surgery itself, learn new things, manage medications, and really lean into that crucial change of mindset and behavior. I hope that this young lady is able to get herself together to make the most of her surgery.
      · 1 reply
      1. Longview Lady

        Great post. Thank you for the insight/update. So happy to hear you are doing so well. Keep up the good work.

        I am still waiting for my surgery...though classes were completed 9/2022. I don't like the waiting game. But I will say that my 'surgery buddy' mentioned this site and am happy I'm hear and hope to gain support and insight for my surgery.

    • Kaitlyn Rowlett EKU Student

      Hello! I am a student at Eastern Kentucky University and a member of the Occupational Therapy program. I am reaching out to find an individual who is interested in answering a few questions for a project that I am conducting. I am in need of someone who is willing to share a typical day in their life as well as someone who is open to helping me create an occupational profile surrounding the topic of obesity. If you are interested, you can direct message me on this platform or email me at kaitlynrowlett20@gmail.com. Through email, I will send the questions I will need answered and you can take your time to send back a response to each! Thank you! 
      · 2 replies
      1. New To This23

        I sent you an email!

      2. Kaitlyn Rowlett EKU Student

        I just responded! Thank you so much!

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×