How much Protein at 3-4 weeks post op?

Erin T.
on 2/8/17 5:33 pm
VSG on 01/17/17

I know my targets, but how much are you actually managing to get? I am getting 100% of my fluid intake every single day. My protein target is 60-80g and I'm struggling hard for those last 10-15g now that I moved on to purees. I'm having two "solid" meals per day and my stomach capacity is pretty much exactly 1 egg or about 2TBSP of canned meats (chicken, ham, fish, etc) or 1/3 cup of cottage cheese. I do one premier protein shake per day and then I try to get in a second shake after dinner before bed (an unjury shake, and I do half so it gets me about 11g). I'm not good about doing that shake, I tend to get busy/fall asleep or simply do NOT want to eat. 

I know that everyone says "worry abou****er and the protein will come" but at what point should I worry if I don't get it or if I'm scraping the bare minimum? I'm taking my vitamins, walking 2-3 miles at least 5 days per week and I feel fantastic. 

VSG: 1/17/17

5'7" HW: 283 SW: 229 CW: 135-140 GW: 145

Pre-op: 53 M1: 22 M2: 12 M3: 12 M4: 8 M5: 10 M6: 11 M7: 5 M8: 6 M9-M13: 15-ish

LBL/BL w/ Fat Transfer 1/29/18

Gwen M.
on 2/8/17 5:43 pm
VSG on 03/13/14

I never had any trouble reaching my goal post-op.  With purees I was doing 2 ounces + 2 shakes.  My shakes were 30g each, so that right there got me to the low end of my goal.  

If you're at the point where you're getting 100% of your fluid intake, you should be able to get 100% of your protein intake as well.  It sounds like it's a matter of timing and planning.  

VSG with Dr. Salameh - 3/13/2014
Diagnosed with Binge Eating Disorder and started Vyvanse - 7/22/2016
Reconstructive Surgeries with Dr. Michaels - 6/5/2017 (LBL & brachioplasty), 8/14/2017 (UBL & mastopexy), 11/6/2017 (medial leg lift)

Age 42 Height 5'4" HW 319 (1/3/2014) SW 293 (3/13/2014) CW 149 (7/16/2017)
Next Goal 145 - normal BMI | Total Weight Lost 170

TrendWeight | Food Blog (sort of functional) | Journal (down for maintenance)

Erin T.
on 2/8/17 6:05 pm
VSG on 01/17/17

I'm getting 100% of my fluids because I was told that was my top priority. I'm not sure how I can time plan better. I eat breakfast, lunch and dinner and then try to have a shake between dinner and bed. I don't snack otherwise and I have no desire to, I'm not hungry enough at all. I really don't want to do two premier shakes per day, as my doctor has stressed this stage is to transition to "normal" food. I see my NUT at the end of the month and I'm supposed to only be supplementing one shake per day by then. I also can not eat 2oz of most things in a sitting. 

VSG: 1/17/17

5'7" HW: 283 SW: 229 CW: 135-140 GW: 145

Pre-op: 53 M1: 22 M2: 12 M3: 12 M4: 8 M5: 10 M6: 11 M7: 5 M8: 6 M9-M13: 15-ish

LBL/BL w/ Fat Transfer 1/29/18

Gwen M.
on 2/8/17 6:23 pm
VSG on 03/13/14

if you can't reach your protein goal with real foods, you'll need to do it with liquids.  Protein is necessary for healing and for pretty much all functions in the body.  So it's important to make sure you're getting it once you're able to reach your liquid goal.  

VSG with Dr. Salameh - 3/13/2014
Diagnosed with Binge Eating Disorder and started Vyvanse - 7/22/2016
Reconstructive Surgeries with Dr. Michaels - 6/5/2017 (LBL & brachioplasty), 8/14/2017 (UBL & mastopexy), 11/6/2017 (medial leg lift)

Age 42 Height 5'4" HW 319 (1/3/2014) SW 293 (3/13/2014) CW 149 (7/16/2017)
Next Goal 145 - normal BMI | Total Weight Lost 170

TrendWeight | Food Blog (sort of functional) | Journal (down for maintenance)

cappy11448
on 2/8/17 7:22 pm

Hi Erin,

Its important to reach your protein goals, especially when you are losing weight fast.  I couldn't tolerate the sweet protein drinks after surgery so I used to mix unflavored protein powder into anything I could stir - jello, pudding, yogurt, cottage cheese, soups, etc.  I always reached my protein goals.

best wishes,

Carol

    

Surgery May 1, 2013. Starting Weight 385,  Surgery Weight 333,  Current Weight 160.  At GOAL!

Weight loss Pre-op 1-20 2-17 3-15 Post-op 1-20 2-18 3-15 4-14 5-16 6-11 7-12  8-8

                  9-11 10-7 11-7 12-7 13-8 14-6 15-3 16-7 17-3  18-3

     

(deactivated member)
on 2/8/17 8:00 pm
VSG on 01/12/17

Your capacity seems much smaller than mine. For dinner I am eating 1 egg and less than a half cup of beans made thinner with hot salsa. I don't know how much my stomach is supposed to hold, but I have been eating about 4-5 oz of my soft foods at a time.

Erin T.
on 2/9/17 11:26 am
VSG on 01/17/17

Ugh. I'm just not sure when I'm "full" (obligatory comment here about knowing I shouldn't be full). I get hiccups that people talk about, but at a ridiculously early point in my eating. Maybe I'll "get it" more when I'm on full dense proteins. 

VSG: 1/17/17

5'7" HW: 283 SW: 229 CW: 135-140 GW: 145

Pre-op: 53 M1: 22 M2: 12 M3: 12 M4: 8 M5: 10 M6: 11 M7: 5 M8: 6 M9-M13: 15-ish

LBL/BL w/ Fat Transfer 1/29/18

(deactivated member)
on 2/9/17 2:43 pm
VSG on 01/12/17

How quickly are you eating? I eat verrrrry slow. My meals take about 45 min- an hour to complete. I am very careful with how quickly I consume foods since eating way too fast has always been a big issue for me. Also if any food is very dry, it's not going down at all.

Erin T.
on 2/9/17 2:59 pm
VSG on 01/17/17

Yeah, that's about how long I take. Started at about 90 minutes and I've' worked my way to 45-60 minutes. Nothing has been dry so far! I'm trying a Ricotta bake tonight and I'm stoked to see if I can get some more of that in. 

VSG: 1/17/17

5'7" HW: 283 SW: 229 CW: 135-140 GW: 145

Pre-op: 53 M1: 22 M2: 12 M3: 12 M4: 8 M5: 10 M6: 11 M7: 5 M8: 6 M9-M13: 15-ish

LBL/BL w/ Fat Transfer 1/29/18

jachristmas
on 2/9/17 12:13 pm
VSG on 12/14/16

 At 3-4 weeks I was on soft foods and I stirred unflavored protein powder into lots of stuff to make sure I could hit my goal with such tiny portions. You may need to continue with shakes a little longer until more of the swelling goes down and you can eat more. Personally I  like one for breakfast.if you are tired of sweet shakes definitely try stirring some unflavored powder into some of your regular food..jello, cottage cheese, yogurt, soups, SF pudding even SF hot chocolate or coffee then you are getting liquid and protein. I mix plain greek yogurt instead of mayo with my tuna, eggs, chicken salad (more protein). You can add some to crystal light or Syntrax makes some great fruity flavored protein powder..again liquids and protein double hit but not overly sweet or creamy. you could do frozen protein pudding or yogurt pops. I have frozen crystal light and protein into ice cubes and add them to my drinks.  I have to get a little creative sometimes but I am 8 weeks out and have always met or exceeded my protein and water. In a few weeks you will start to notice a difference in how much you can eat comfortably, hang in there it will come together. Just keep working at it..you are doing great!

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