TEAM NO MEAT!!!!

I'll bring the ribeyes.

Grim - I'm hopping on a plane - save me a bite!

I always have a two week backup supply of meat on hand, just for emergencies.

Also, regarding protein intake, FWIW.  I know every one of us on OH have a different eating plan through our doctors/nutritionists.  After reading on this site, I became worried about if i was eating enough protein, and I discussed that with my surgeon and nutritionist.  

I know this will be different than what some members' plans say, but my surgeon said that while he emphasizes protein first, and that getting enough protein is essential, it is important not to eat too much protein, that this can lead to weight gain eventually.  He said there is not a one size fits all approach, that the national nutritional guidelines for protein each day are usually inflated, and that over time, each person's needs are different.

Philosophically, this sounded fine, but i wanted specifics so I would know what to do for my own health, now.  So I really discussed this with my nutritionist.  She said that in the first month or two it is not as important to have high protein levels, that 30-40 gms/day at this point is great, for an average-height woman.  She then said that the new ASMBS guidelines say a WLS person should eat .8 to 1 gm/day of protein for their ideal body weight in kilograms.  She chose 150 lbs as my ideal weight, and said I would need 54-68 gms protein.  This felt totally doable to me, while before I had been imagining I needed 80-120 gms.

As you go along - blood work will determine if you getting and absorbing enough proteins. 

I had to increase from 70 to 80- 90 then to 100+ per day because my body showed very low level of Proteins. Even now, unless i get 80-90, i get low normal on my blood work.  Low normal means that i am step away from my body breaking down my muscles ... Not cool..

Thank you for this reminder.. You have been helpful in other posts at pointing out how important it is to have testing done on our own bodies to know what we need individually.  I appreciate you reiterating that.   

I can't emphasize enough how spot-on this advice is.  Let your labs guide you!

Hala can you help me figure out how to get it all in ? My protein without meat? 

Hala recommends eating no carbs.  I don't know of any meatless protein foods that contain no carbs.  In order to eat no carbs, you'd pretty  much have to eat nothing but meat.