What happens if...

I will be 4 months out on the 12th. I am barley getting in 20-30 grams of protein a day bc I can't eat more then a 1/2a cup. Fluids I'm good on. I can't drink protein shakes as the live me feeling full of hours on end and sick to my tummy. Poretin bars, I haven't found any I can stomach. I drink milk, hate yourgut. I try to eat meat for proetin. I guess what happens if I can't make it to what I am suppose to have. (60 grams) I'm not tried, or weak. And this is the 1st time I haven't lost any weight in a week. What can I do, I'm thining about calling my nut to ask her as well.

Protein is fuel for your body, eventually when the fuel runs out you will become malnourished and start to have real physical health issues, up to and including death if it gets bad enough.  Call the nut and find things you can eat.  It's serious.

Ditto on calling your nutritionist or dr. Getting enough is a must.

In the meanwhile, you might try low fat or fat free cottage cheese, low fat cheese sticks (I ate so many mozarella cheese sticks during this phase I can hardly tolerate them now - be sure and mix it up with different kinds).

If you are cleared for it, salmon and tuna are great protein sources. My hubby also ate a lot of shrimp (I can't stand it).

Have you tried a soy isolate protein shake... I had the same problem with whey that you describe.... Also I hated yogurt my entire life... But now I kinda like the Oikos Greek yogurt and you don't have to eat much to get 8g of protein.... My breakfast is usually a Greek yogurt and a glass of milk or a soy shake made with milk... With either of these I can start my day off with 20-23 g of protein

Scooby, how often do you eat? I have always eaten 5-6 times a day. Early out it is hard to get your protein in because you cannot eat much at a time, so it is helpful to eat more often. I know not everyone's plan is structured that way.

What are you eating at meals? There are lots of ways to get more protein in, even when you can't eat much at a time. Cottage cheese, for example, is something lots of us eat. A half cup serving has about 14 grams of protein in it. So that is just one protein rich food. There are so many more things available than shakes, bars, and yogurt. I love greek yogurt, but since you hate it, there are lots of other things to try.

As time goes on, you will be able to eat more and it will be easier to get your protein. I also like beans and chicken. Lots of people here eat shellfish (shrimp, scallops, crab) and regular fish too. Have you looked at BariatricFoodie and TheWorldAccordingtoEggface for some ideas?

I try to get every 3 hours. But its impossiable at work. I work 8 hrs and we have no breaks so trying to eat at work almost never happens. I can't eat until I have been up for 2 to 3hrs otherwise it upsets my tummy(before surgery as well) I wake up at 3pm and go to bed around 7-8am. 

I usally start off with special k protein ceral and milk(nut said this is ok) then some form of meat as its dinner time for my parents, i hate seafood of all kinds so usally ground beef, pork, or chicken. I am so sick of peanuts, cheese sticks and pudding as thats what I ate for 2 months stright lol. My doc said I have really good restruciton bc I am now able to eat a 1/2cup was a 1/4 for the 1st 2 months. 

I haven't looked at the websites for ideas, I was thinking about it. Thanks

After that if you manage to eat some meat and cheese here and there you can get to 60. You can't run the risk of staying so low with your protein this far out. As mentioned it can have serious side effects.

Lack of protein for long term will cause your body to eat muscles to survive.  Your organs are muscles. It takes time to get in enough protein saying that at 4 months out you MUST figure out a way to get in more than 20-30 grams per day.  There are so many options for protein (eggs, deli ham, cheese, yogurt, meats of all kind). 

How often are you eating?  You say 1/2 cup and I understand the restriction but you might need to make yourself eat more often OR you MUST find a shake to get in enough protein.

Seriously you will become malnourished and may require a feeding tube.  PLEASE call your surgeon and NUT (if you have one). 

You need to read this, please do not think I'm trying to be mean, I AM concerned that you aren't getting in more than 20-30 grams per day at 4 months out.  This will cause you a HOST of health problems.

THERE'S NO CRYING IN BASEBALL!!!

 

By: Leilani

That's the sentiment (scenario) that comes to mind sometimes when I hear some of the comments from people who've already had the surgery. In case you haven't made the connection, that's a line Tom Hanks made famous in the movie "A League Of Their Own." Resorting to tears or just giving up every time the going gets tough. Or your sick of taking vitamins, getting in protein is hard, water doesn't taste good, etc. That kinda' thinking is NOT going to make you successful or keep you healthy. ENOUGH already! It's time to LOVE yourself enough to get "TOUGH" wtih your aftercare. Your longterm health is worth it!!

Success comes with a backbone, NOT a wishbone!

First and foremost, you have to keep it POSITIVE. As with everything in life, if you think you can't - you WON'T! Simple enough?

I have to wonder when "we" (as adults) finally take ownershipfor our actions, our life and our health? We have been given a gift, a second chance to actually LIVE life again instead of merely existing on the sidelines. It's up to each of us to do that as healthy and productively as possible.

 

We're ALL statistics waiting to happen and the insurance companies are chomping at the bit. The bean counters are eager to drop Weight Loss Surgery ("WLS") from the policies; some already have. Don't you know that any negative feedback thrown into the mix only strengthens their cause? I may not be able to control every thing that happens to my body after WLS, but most things I can. I CHOOSE to take control and I will be a positive statistic when the numbers get counted.

We live in a spoiled society, expecting everything in life to come with a buncha really cool choices. Well, guess what? When it comes to your health, you're not always going to get a choice. You either DO IT and stay healthy, or you DON'T and your body pays the price.

The way I saw it, I had a 90 day healing and adjusting period after surgery. My 'super morbidly obese' body had more than enough stores to survive the learning curve. In turn, it gave me plenty of time to heal, adjust and learn. For those of you OVER 90 days Post-Op, the probation period is over - its time to get serious and LIVE what you've learned.

* You say you can't get in enough liquids throughout the day, don't like the taste of water, or just keep forgetting? -- TOUGH! It's not an option anymore. Find a way to do it, get suggestions and tips from others in support groups, message boards, etc. Read, learn and JUST DO IT!! Why do you think there is a choice here?

* You say you don't like the big horse pill type vitamins, or the tart chalky chewables? ... it's just too many to bother with? Or maybe you just can't remember to take them? -- TOUGH! You gave up the option NOT to take vitamins when you agreed to have your insides rerouted. FIND a way to get them in; crushed, minced, chopped, liquified, in a shake, etc. No exceptions, your health depends on it.

* Protein is a must. So you can't get it all in via foods and you don't like the way the shakes taste? -- TOUGH! Either get it through your meals (and there are a gazillion food choices out there) or supplement it with protein shakes and bars.

Trust me, I don't drink my protein shake every morning because I think it tastes like a chocolate blizzard from Dairy Queen. I've tried many varieties over the last 2 years. I'd even venture to say 25 of the top sellers/flavors have crossed my lips. For the record? I've yet to find one that is as 'delicious' as boasted by the distributor. So what. I still drink one every morning. My HEALTH dictates that I need "X" grams of protein per day. If I'm not getting enough from my meals then I supplement a shake. 'Nuff said.

This surgery is a gift, I owe it to me and everyone else fighting the approval process, to do it right! I will continue to choke down my vitamins, my water and my protein every single day, for the REST OF MY LIFE. Some days will be easier than others, regardless, no days will be missed.

It's all about discipline. Create a routine, set a timer, develop a pattern, tie a string around your finger, glue a note on your forehead, whatever it takes.

You're an adult - take responsibility! If this surgery doesn't slap a back bone into you, not much will.

 

My biggest issue is my job. We don't get breaks, so trying to eat and run when I am suppose to slow down and eat is a pain. I try hard. I have tried eating more often. I end up feeling sick, just like when I drink a shake I full up on about 4 ozs and if I drink more it comes back up. Then I can't eat for 5 to 6 hours afterwrads bc the feeling it leaves in my tummy. I went a month were I couldn't handle milk, now I can... Eggs are on and off and I can't handle any delit meat as it makes me sick. I really do think if I had a better job I could eat more then have more. There are days where I get more protein then that, but this is about normal right now. I don't workout bc I'm not taking in enough cals maybe 500-600 a day. And I walk a couple miles at work each night bc we dont get to sit. I am really trying though.... it's not fun getting sick at work

I personally do the GNC lean shakes, premade ones. Days that I work: 3rd shift. I do one in the morning when I am getting my son ready for school, around 630am, then I take him school and come home and go to bed around 8am. I get up at 4pm, do dinner with family, 7pm I do a snack normally sliced cheese with 3 crackers. I do another shake at 9 while I am getting ready for work, then around 1 I do a weigh****chers turkey breast with gravy meal. Some days I will have a snack around 4 normally it is almonds. I do most of my protein and food intake before I get to work. I am a CNA and dont get to stop to much during my shifts. My biggest thing is find a protein shake you like, I cant do the powder ones, they make me feel yucky. Also you can buy special k protein water mixes that are 5g for each mix. I like the lemonade one.