Protein and calorie deficits after surgery

[yarnismyantidrug 5]

I'm 9 days postop and have been getting back to my preop activity levels, since I need to be back at work and school tomorrow. My surgeon specifically prohibits Protein supplements. I've been tracking my protein and calories. The problem is that I'm getting around 400 calories a day and expending 500ish just through regular activity. My protein is around 20-30 grams a day. I'm a shaky, grumpy, tear-filled mess and a tough semester of school and work restart for me tomorrow. Anyone else been in this boat? Should I call to beg my surgeon for protein?

Edited March 13, 2016 by yarnismyantidrug

[notsofast 0]

I'm two weeks out. I drink 3 11 ounce containers of premiere Protein Shakes a day. Each has 30 grams of Protein. Feeling great with 90 grams of protein per day. Not sure why your doctor won't allow, but everything I have read and my own doctor encourages protein protein protein. You are not getting enough. I would do what was necessary to get what I needed. Just a suggestion.

[yarnismyantidrug 5]

Well I called and talked to him and he says this is emotional, it's all in my head and I don't need anymore Protein than I'm already getting.I can't be at school or work like this, but he says I need to go to get past this. I'm feeling so confused.

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

Well I called and talked to him and he says this is emotional, it's all in my head and I don't need anymore Protein than I'm already getting.I can't be at school or work like this, but he says I need to go to get past this. I'm feeling so confused.

I am normally the first person to say listen to your surgeon, but from everything I have learned, he is insane.

You NEED more Protein, however you get it.

You need protein to 1) heal from surgery, 2) so your body doesn't starve, and 3) so your body KNOWS it isn't starving and will release weight.

Do you have a good NUT? If your surgeon is doing this alone without a NUT on staff I would b concerned.

My excellent surgeon, who has outstanding results has me get 100 grams of protein a day, every day starting from he day after surgery.

As far as he is concerned, protein supplements are essential to help us get in all of our protein until we are physically capable of consuming most or all of our protein from food.

What I know is that to heal, and lose weight, my body NEEDS enough protein.

I would be really curious to see how his other patients are fairing both short term and long term on such low protein.

If anything, again from everything I have learned, most programs have INCREASED protein requirements over the last couple of years because of recent research results.

How experienced is your surgeon?

[CBT 450]

Use supplements.

[Bufflehead 6,358]

I have to agree -- normally I am all about following your surgeon's orders, but that's with the basic underlying assumption that your surgeon isn't following some crackpot theory that no one else in the world follows. Get Protein.< /p>

I will say, you don't need extra calories -- your body is perfectly capable of getting the fuel it needs from your fat cells. Having an abundance of caloric energy stored in massive quantities of fat cells is why we all ended up needing bariatric surgery.

Protein is a different matter -- the only place your body "stores" protein, which it needs, is in your muscles. I think refraining from protein supplements is a terrible idea. I think this may be the second time in 3+ years I have ever just said here that someone should go against what their surgeon said, but I can't help myself here. Good luck!

[panthermom38 0]

Can you have Protein powder? I can't have premade Protein shakes--but can have Protein Powder .

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[yarnismyantidrug 5]

I wouldn't be worried about the calorie deficits if I weren't taking in so little Protein. I'm concerned about burning muscle rather than fat.

No Protein powders, shakes, nothing I can't get from food. (Which I'm all for once I can take in more than 2-4 ounces at a time)

[panthermom38 0]

How are you managing to get 20-30 grams of Protein in? What does your approved diet consist of?

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[yarnismyantidrug 5]

Full liquids. Cottages cheese, yourt, cream Soups, etc. If I eat cottage cheese and yogurt at every meal I can get to around 30, I'd get 42 of I were able to do 4 ounces at every meal but sometimes you just can't, you know?

[panthermom38 0]

Considering how rare your diet is, I don't think it would hurt to add Protein powder. What vitamins/minerals are you taking?

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[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

Full liquids. Cottages cheese, yourt, cream Soups, etc. If I eat cottage cheese and yogurt at every meal I can get to around 30, I'd get 42 of I were able to do 4 ounces at every meal but sometimes you just can't, you know?

If you need to stick to no supplements then you will just need to eat more often.

You have to get enough Protein.

[yarnismyantidrug 5]

Oh man, so much better today. Cheated and drank part of an Isopure. I feel bad breaking my surgeons rule, but I feel so much better physically and emotionally. Got 52 grams of Protein in with the little extra that I had. This is really hard to manage. My surgeon is a hardass, and usually, so am I. There has been very little pain or discomfort to this surgery, it's been the physical feelings of adjustment to nutritional needs. My activity level is already high; 10,000 steps is a normal day off for me, much more when I work or have school, so I feel like my body just didn't adjust to lack of nutrients. I've always reacted emotionally to things like this. I know I'm dehydrated when I get weepy, lol. So I'll keep some protein as an emergency measure only if I feel the weepys coming on, a and otherwise I'll try my hardest to stick to the surgeons rules, as unusual as they are. Thanks for your support, you guys. I'm so glad to have you all.

[sleevenv 483]

If you feel that much better, use it! You will be able to consume a lot more Protein within a month or two and can stay away from supplements then. But you definitely will eat your muscle if you don't have enough protein. There are plenty of us on here that have done great with using supplements in the beginning. I'm eight months out and almost never use supplements any more, but I can eat a lot more now.

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

Is your surgeon's program a Center of Excellence? I am really curious why his instructions are so far off of anything I have heard.