just some questions & concerns

There is NEVER going to be enough time in the day to get in everyhting they want you too. Just make the best choices and try...that's the best you can do. It doesnt mean your not going to lose weight or that your going to get ill...as long as you keep STRIVING to get it all in...you'll get in enough. I personaly think of it like this ...If your body actually needed 10 grams of protein a day and they told you that, then people would find way's of struggling to make 10, and they would on average do about 5...so maybe just maybe they are pushing you for an outragious amount thinking by trying to achive that one, you'll actually get in what you need! Kind my way of thinking, same thing if someone is always late comiing and going so you tell them the party is an hour before it actually is, so when they show up an hour late, they are actually on time...that kinda thing :)

Going back and reading my own post makes me realize Im prolly the only fool on here that can understand my psycho babble..lol But I'll be completly truthful...since my pre op I havent had one single protein supplement. I eat lot's of cheese and meat with every meal, I take my vitamins and I drink water all day long. I havent had any issues with healing or other wise. Im not saying to go against your docotrs wishes, but everyone IS different and I think Im getting in enough protein on my own, if I wasnt I would be having issues with my hypoglixemia ( I would think ).  Dont stress it...just do your best!

We have an open forum here, which is great, and since opinions are like a-holes, I'll just keep mine to myself given your honest remark.  BUT...I hope that when you have your doctors visits you will be honest with they that you are doing NO protein (other than what you eat).  If they are withint their right mind, they will discuss the cons of that with you. L L

just out of curiosity?  how did you manage to get in all the required protein with out shakes when you were in the stages where you couldn't eat food or could only eat very little?  Especially since some say that even when they can eat normal, they have a hard time consuming.  I'm just interested.  Thanks

I want to share with you a story about a woman I know , I will not give her name, but I will tell you that she too , did not do any suppliments from day one . For the first 6 months she was fine , labs were good and all was right in the world . Until , she fainted at the local Walmart. No reason why at first , then she went to her WLS . Guess what ... he did her labs again, questioned her about her protein and suppliments. She went on to tell him , that she only used food as her protein source. She now suffers from kwashiorkor. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protein_in_nutrition  (Symptoms of kwashiorkor include apathy, diarrhea, inactivity, failure to grow, flaky skin, fatty liver, and edema of the belly and legs. This edema is explained by the normal functioning of proteins in fluid balance and lipoprotein transport )  I swear I am not trying to be hard here. I truly care, I just want you to fully understand the repercussions from not doing your protein suppliments .  RNY patients do not in the first 2 years absorb all of our food. We may get 50 to 70 % of the nutrients we need. So unless you are eating meat all day , or cheese by the pounds, there is no way that long term you will beat not having some issue with your body because of this .  You are 3 months post op . At 6 monthts your body is going to really start recognizing that it needs to step it up , and it will begin sucking protein from where ever it can find it . It will start anywhere from your nail bed, to your hair , then it will start eating your organs. Your heart , liver , kidneys will suffer .  I myself did and always have done my suppliments. At 6 months I was up to 120 grams of protein , I lost a lot of hair . If you look at some of my before pics , you will see I had beautiful long hair . I can also contribute it to the quick weightloss .  Protein is so essential in WLS . Protein keeps your motabolism going , it fuels your body and with out the correct amounts , will cause your body to falter .  Just keep this in mind , your body still holds many nutrients , protein and hormones in your fat cells. Once this is gone , it will be up to YOU , to decide how you want to handle it .  As hypoglycemia - this is normally brought on by diabetes . It can be related to Gastric Surgeries. http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/hypoglycemia/  Yes , we are all different . But if we can all agree that RNY patients just do not absorb our nutrients the same , and that protein is the key to success , than yes we are the same .  Please think about what I am trying to say here . If you do start to have issues later , just please get back to your surgeon as fast as you can . I just donot want to see you later on with complications .  With the utmost respect ,  Natalie

Brandi- Can I ask how many grams of protein you are getting in each day without supplements?  How many does your doctor require? Of course, everyone is different, but I find it hard to belive that you can actually eat the amount of protein required each day.  At over 2 years out, I take in 125 - 135 grams of protein a day and 50 of that is through supplements, so with you at almost 3 months out, either you are not meeting your protein needs or are eating quite a bit.  And let me tell you...I eat! Please do not think that we are chastising you - our replies are out of concern for your well-being.  But, over the past few montsh, I am growing more and more concerned with how you have accepted your new lifestyle.  I've seen you post that at a very short time out you had chicken and broccoli quich at Ruby Tuesdays, you've had full fat chicken salad and full suagar applesauce from Cracker Barrel, you've admitted to not starting your vitamins and now protein. This is very unhealthy, and I am sure not the road your doctor put you on.  PNH has an outstanding reputation in this area for their program, so I'm sure that it did not include the things that you are doing at the stages you are at.  Since day one, you have tested the waters over and over again.  This is not healthy. All I am going to ask is that you be compliant with your doctor's orders.  This is for your own safety and health.  You do not want to be a statistic, you do not want to lose all of your hair and develop health concerns, and you do not want to regain your weight.  Take this opportunity to get things on track and get in control.  You knew going into this that it would be a life-changing event, but I have not heard you changing as of yet.

Yeah just listen to your body.

Good am Theresa, You've gotten some good answers here. To put things in perspective I honestly don't think ANYBODY in the first several weeks or so gets in ALL their necessary daily protein and definitely NOT by food. I used CIB's (Carnation Instant Breakfast) and for every 8 oz added 1/3 cup of non fat dry milk for added protein. In addition, I went through trying all kinds of powdery protein mixes flavored and unflavored and honestly I don't care how the powder's are flavored they were not kewl. Then time passed and a few things powder wise work so so. Just MY opinion. I drink AchievOne's now and mainly eat my protein otherwise. I'm going to message you with some different ones powder wise that I have been given and although I've not tried them all the flavors sound spiffy. All best!

What Natalie (Tink) said...... I am over 2 years out and consistently intake 125 - 135 grams of protein a day.  Up until March, I was at 150 grams a day easily, and I use supplements daily, but needed to cut back a bit so I could increase my carbs.   But, I workout like a fiend and need the protein to repair the muscle damage and to help fuel my workouts - hence the higher protein levels.  But, for me, it's become a balancing act of carbs and proteins to fuel these longer runs and dance classes.  I just feel alot better with the higher protein levels and have much less weight fluctuation. I've gotten to where I enjoy my morning and evening protein shakes and miss them when I do not have them.  I usually have a chocolate shake made with soy mil**** and a banana in the morning, and chocolate shake made with ice, soy milk and frozen cherries in the evening....YUM!!!! Do the best that you can do....find a protein supplement that you can tolerate and go for it.  The Vitamin Shoppe will let you return a protein powder that you do not like.  They carry many of the Syntrax nectar flavors - such as Tea w/ lemon, Carribean Cooler, Strawberry/Kiwi, Fizzy Naval and they also have a flavorless brand.  It's not quite flavorless, in my opinion, but is great to add to your yogurt, broth, potatoes, etc..... Also, contact bariatriceating.com - she sells samples.  I got a sampler pack that had banana in it.  I'm not a fan of a banana shake, but added it to my yogurt.  Same with the Cinnamon/Vanilla. Jill Dennis of Bublebeecottage.com also carries AchieveOne protein drinks.  They are coffee based.  I'm not a fan (I don't like coffee and have concerns with the caffine in them), but many here enjoy them. Also..look into high protein yogurt.  There are several brands out there that can help you.  Dannon's Carb control (I think it's what it's called), Fage (it's a greek yogurt.  You will need to add flavor to it - I suggest a fruit flavored protein powder, like stawberry or banana), Oikios (I think that's how it is spelled - Sold at Walmart - again, it's unflavored), and Kroger Brand Carb Master.  Also, check out Dannon's Smoothies.   There is also ricotta cheese, with a small amount of sugar free preserves (VERY small amount at your stage) and cottage cheese. But..do the best that you can do.......but, make sure that you are eating more protein based meals and less potato type meals, at least until you increase your protein levels.