Hi Neighbors!

Well, this is Beth in Illinois again! I am now 11.5 weeks post op and am settling in to my new way of eating! Thanks again to all who helped "nurse" me through those rough first weeks!

I am thrilled that last week I got to start salad again!!!!!Yeah! Things are going pretty well , and most of the initial trouble with eating meat seems to have subsided (foamies etc...) . Still I am having some trouble with Turkey/Chicken.

I had a slow down in my weight loss...and at my support group, my dietician suggested I quit logging my food on fitday...probably because I was getting a little stressed out about eating less than 700 calories a day and not losing weight! We discussed if I was eating when I wasn't really hungry and I really was because I was so worried about not eating enough protein...

So, I quit logging and started listening to my body and ate when I really needed to...and have had my weight loss pick up! I have lost 43 pounds total now, and need to lose another 40 to be in a "normal" BMI.

So here is my dilema...I had my first blood work, and my protein was 18.5...Apparently the low side of normal...but, I am losing weight...Is this something I can do my best with, and get more serious about adding protein when the "losing" phase is over?

I am working with a trainer twice a week and he has told me you cannot build muscle while you have a calorie defecit, but you can strengthen the muscle you already have, and make sure you are not losing the muscle you have. I am getting stronger ...so am I okay...or do I need to worry?

Also...what is the right amount of protein daily...my Doctor said 60 grams is my goal...but my cousin who had surgery elsewhere was told 40 grams?

I know you veterans are out there to help me!!!! Thanks!!!

Beth

Beth,
Congratulations on your weight loss.
40 gms protein? I haven't heard even one person say that their doc said 40 gms. I was told 60 gms, but feel much better if I'm between 75 and 90 gms. I think 40 gms is wayyyyyyyyyy too low.

My thoughts are 70 grams or more. I try to beak 100 grams daily.
Remember... protein first!
Even when eating stuff like salad. If it's a Mandarin Chicken salad from Wendy's
eat the grilled chicken FIRST. THEN if you have room to eat more, go for the
almonds and last, the greens. This is another reason why we HAVE to be
diligent about taking our vitamins. There is only room for so much and protein
has to remain our top priority.

In those early days, I didn't count anything other than grams of protein...so I'm glad that it's working out for you! Sounds like you've got a good handle on things.

As for the number of grams of protein, I am 5'6" tall and was told to get in at least 72g per day. I usually get between 90 and 100g. The only supplement is one protein bar that I have as a snack in between breakfast and lunch. The rest comes from my meals. At less than three months out, you might need to add a low sugar protein shake to bump your total up.

Good work Beth!

Hello Beth - Congrats on the weight loss so far!

Funny how each center has a different recommendation for protein. I have studied very complicated formulas for calculating protein needs --- lot of variety in the "science" of it. I talked to a surgeon last weekend who said they advise their patients to have 100g protein/day -- and he hopes they get 70g.

To that end, follow your nutritionist. Listen to your body and keep up the good work. As long as you stay away from empty calories or slider food and fill up first on protein then on complex carbs (veggies) you are going to do great.

Keep up the good work.

We also all need to be careful and not cut our calorie intakes too low. If we don't take in enough calories, our bodies think that we're starving and start slowing our metabolisms to conserve our resources. As Kaye says, follow the instructions of your surgeon and nutritionist, but 40 gms of protein and 700 calories a day sound awfully low to me. Hope things continue to improve for you, Beth.

I get around a 100 grams of protein a day WITH the help of protein shakes. I drink 2-3 shakes a day and at 25 grams of protein in each they really help me keep up my protein levels.