Re: the protein saga continues

[Guest guest]

Sheila,

I did hear one person on the AMOS chat site said that the only way she got her

protein down was mixed in with sugar-free pudding and then she didn't even know

it was there. Everything else made her throw up. Just thought that might be

another thing you could try if you liked pudding at least.

Good luck!

Anita

Pre-pre-op in Denver

> Hi ya'll,

> Well it was a heavenly weekend free from the protein drinks but as

> promised I tried again today with the Natural DP in place of the

> chocolate. I agonized for hours afterward then puked so hard I felt

> like I was turning inside out. This was by far the worst. I am so

> sore now and it really hurts in the lower right after the intense

> throw up session. I don't feel sick now that my tummy is empty...now

> I just hurt from the heaves. I may...and I stress may try smoothies

> but right now I am in no mood to even entertain those thoughts due to

> my hate for the protein stuff right now. If the smothies don't work

> I am out of ideas.

>

> Sheila

[Guest guest]

Dear ladytexan,

I am getting the feeling that there is a big problem

with protein supplements post-op.

I'm a pre-op. It ain't any of my business, but I would

forgo the taking of protein for the time being. It's

not like the entire field of diet is full of folks who

agree with one another. There are the juicers, the

vegans, the fasters, etc. Maybe your body is saying

that you don't need protein for the time being. Folks

can go for very long periods of time without taking

any protein, and I am sure that you recall how those

high-protein low calorie liquid diets resulted in

heart damage. This was a few years back. In an ideal

world, we would all eat some of this food group and

that food group and that food group. Well, the GBP

people ain't normal anyway. Plus, tossing your cookies

is a big stressor, especially after just being

operated on.

The important thing is to get plenty of liquids that

don't make you nauseous and give your tummy time to

recover and your metabolism a chance to make some

adjustments. This protein obsession worries the

medicos because folks lose hair when they lose a lot

of weight, but, from what I can tell, they lose it

even with all the supplements, since the weight loss

is so very speedy.

Don't worry. You've got plenty of hefty muscles to

feed your metabolism for the time being with all the

protein it needs.

Leonard, big mouth

--- ladytexan_sheila@... wrote:

> Hi ya'll,

> Well it was a heavenly weekend free from the

> protein drinks but as

> promised I tried again today with the Natural DP in

> place of the

> chocolate. I agonized for hours afterward then

> puked so hard I felt

> like I was turning inside out. This was by far the

> worst. I am so

> sore now and it really hurts in the lower right

> after the intense

> throw up session. I don't feel sick now that my

> tummy is empty...now

> I just hurt from the heaves. I may...and I stress

> may try smoothies

> but right now I am in no mood to even entertain

> those thoughts due to

> my hate for the protein stuff right now. If the

> smothies don't work

> I am out of ideas.

>

> Sheila

>

>

>

----------------------------------------------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

Hi- I am a pre-op but I have had lots of anatomy classes and

nutrition and stuff. I can tell you the importance of getting enough

protein over the long haul is to prevent wasting of lean body mass.

If you don't have enough protein, your body will break down its own

muscle(which includes heart and organ muscle) in order to get

protein. Also, this will happen if you are not eating carbohydrates

at all- some organs need glucose(like the brain) to run on and so the

body will manufacture glucose using protein supplies- it can't do

this from fat.

I would still think that protein is important right after surgery

since the body needs protein to repair and heal itself in a big way.

Still, maybe the worst damage is done over the long haul(and can be

serious in terms of damaging your heart and organs) so maybe there is

more focus on that.

Amy Y.

> > I am getting the feeling that there is a big problem

> > with protein supplements post-op.

> >

> > I'm a pre-op. It ain't any of my business, but I would

> > forgo the taking of protein for the time being.

>

> leonard, i have been thinking the same thing. didn't someone else

say getting the protein in the beginning isn't top priority? i was

under the impression that it became more important after a few

months. can anyone shed any light on this?

>

> thanks!

> erika

> 5'2 " , 281.5#, bmi 51.5

> tentative surgery date 5.11.01 11:30 am

> dr. herron

[Guest guest]

Dear Amy, & Leonard:

I will tell you what Dr. Anthone told me, I was so sick for the first 12 weeks that I ate practically nothing, (a 1/4 cup of tomato soup with milk 2-3 times a day and as much fluid as I could get in) and he left my feeding tube for 4 weeks in case I needed it for fluids not food.

He explained that I did not need to worry about getting in protein for the first 3-4 months, the body has a great supply of stored protein what it does and must have is fluids especially water. Even during this time of feeling yuck my blood work was good and I wasn't taking any vitamins or calcium at that point.

So after finally getting my tummy to settle down, with the help of Compazine 20mg I started eating at 12-13 weeks, my first real food was a boiled shrimp and I ate a shrimp every hour or so and then branched out from there.

My incision was left open and healed from the inside out and I had no trouble with the healing.

Huggles,

Tiger

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/27/01 1:00:10 PM, duodenalswitch writes:

<< leonard, i have been thinking the same thing. didn't someone else say

getting the protein in the beginning isn't top priority? i was under the

impression that it became more important after a few months. can anyone shed

any light on this?

>>

Well, Protein IS important - before and after surgery. This is true

immediately after surgery because protein promotes healing. The top

priority really is keeping hydrated and then trying to get protein in.

Problem is, some people experience nausea, etc. and just can't get the

shakes/bars in nor do they feel like/can they keep protein down (they may be

lactose intolerant and can't eat dairy and/or can't tolerate meats, etc.).

However, there are many, many ways to get protein in. Soy milk and soy

products are one way to substitute for dairy.

I don't think that it is a life or death situation if one doesn't get enough

protein in immediately post-op: If one has low levels at the first post-op

appointment, this situation CAN be rectified. Also, a lot depends on the

protein levels pre-op. If they were low, then not having an adequate intake

immediately post-op *may* further reduce it.

Adequate protein consumption insures proper healing, provides energy, etc. A

person's individual requirement really depends on pre-op levels right before

surgery and how much each individual actually can absorb post-op... each body

is different. Our nutritionist gave us a 70 gm goal for the first three

weeks then she upped mine to 80. I've always been able to get that in from

the third day post-op onwards. And, I get my share of carbs, fruits and

veggies, too now that I can hold more.

However, I didn't experience any nausea, pain upon eating and have had total

tolerance of foods post-op. I've read where many people, due to post-op

complications, just aren't able to get the protein in. In that situation, I

think that eating less than the recommended amount is not going to make or

break one for the rest of one's post-op life. I think it should be

considered an ideal priority to strive for when one is able to increase

intake, etc. and the tummy has healed to a point where it isn't as sensitive

or nauseous, though. This point will be highly individualized for everyone is

different.

I also suspect that lower intake of protein *may* be a factor which can make

nausea worse, although I'm SURe this isn't true for everyone and there is no

sole cause for nausea post-op. Since protein aids in healing, I consider it

essential, especially immediately pre-op and post-op.

all the best,

laparoscopic BPD/DS with gallbladder removal

Dr. Gagner/Dr. Quinn assisting, mt. Sinai, NYC

January 25, 2001

61 days post-op and still feelin' fab!

Now 273.5 -- down from 307 pre-op! Yippee!!!

[Guest guest]

> I am getting the feeling that there is a big problem

> with protein supplements post-op.

>

> I'm a pre-op. It ain't any of my business, but I would

> forgo the taking of protein for the time being.

leonard, i have been thinking the same thing. didn't someone else say getting

the protein in the beginning isn't top priority? i was under the impression

that it became more important after a few months. can anyone shed any light on

this?

thanks!

erika

5'2 " , 281.5#, bmi 51.5

tentative surgery date 5.11.01 11:30 am

dr. herron