Question about Daily Protein Amounts?

Just wondering - how much protein should we be aiming to take in post-surgery? I thought that I had read we should try for 60 - 80 g per day. My protein shakes are 30 g of protein each - if I drink 3 of these and also eat some food with protein in it, I will be over the daily limit. Is this dangerous?  Can we take in too much protein or will our bodies just absorb what it needs and get rid of the excess protein?

My surgery is next week but I'm trying to make sure I'm clear on everything before then. Thanks!

Deb

 I think 2 shakes should be enough.   Then you can get more from other things in your diet.  :-)

Dawn

Hi Deb

I'm definitely not an expert, but there seem to be a number of WLSers on maintenance who are taking in 90 - 120 gms of protein / day.  I think if you make sure that you try to stick within the 40 % protein, 30% carbs, 30% fat guidelines as well as getting enough protein, you should be balancing out OK nutrionally and weight loss wise.  Willing to be corrected though, although I've not heard of anything with respect to too much protein specifically.

Claire

Post-op it will be very hard for you to get in 3 protein shakes a day for many months.  I know its hard to believe when you are pre-op, but you will have trouble getting even 1 protein shake in at first.   Whatever you choose to eat or drink needs to be protein dense because you can't get much in for the first several months post-op.  I wouldn't worry too much about getting too much protein right now.  The challenge will be to get in enough protein and water.  Good luck with your surgery next week!

You CAN take in too much protein...eventually. And it CAN have adverse effects if you suffer from any chronic conditions like diabetes, kidney or liver diseases.

But like Sandy said...your focus will be on trying to get in ENOUGH protein. It'll be tough for a few months out. I have a goal of 100+g per day and I still have trouble with that even supplementing with shakes and bars.

Thanks for the great answers ladies - it makes perfect sense when you think about it. I guess that I was forgetting how little space I'll have in my new pouch, so it's not too much of a worry that I'll take in too much protein. I'll concentrate more on things like Greek yogurt.

Deb

its not dangerous, per se, to go over your protein requirements. If you have difficulties with your kidneys, it can cause problems. Some people who have difficulty processing protein can suffer with gout.

just remember after surgery there will be NO way that you will be able to intake the amount of fluid or protein .  Also you won;t be eating anything of substance for several weeks and sure the soft food stage will allow you to mix protein into your cottage cheese yougurt etc..but that's a couple of weeks down the road.

I recall the bariatric nurse telling me to focus on getting my fluid intake up increased by a small amount every day, there would have been NO way I could have drank protein shakes even at 3 weeks they are simply too filling.

the main focus is to prevent de-hydration in the first 2-3 weeks...after you can boost the fluid levels you are putting into your body then the concentration on protein plays the next step...remember you have had major surgeyr, but your body has a LOPT of resevres in which to life off of...what it does not have is water/fluids.

I was also told that anything over roughly 26 grams of protein in a shake is just expelled with no nutritional benefit to us..I am just posting that because I have read where people think that having two scoops of protein is helping IT'S NOT...it only helps body builders and people that are bulking up..bariatric patients have different needs.

All the best in your journey ahead~!!

Thanks Mary - that answers one of my other questions. Namely, when to introduce protein powder into our diets. I'll wait until I'm at the soft food stage. Good to know that our bodies can only effectively use 26 grams of protein at a time.  I guess my main focus will be on staying hydrated. I drink a LOT of water now but I'm sure that I will see a big difference after surgery.

Deb