Newbie is introducing herself

[Guest guest]

Hi to All,

My name is Suzi and I had a distal RNY on 10-05-01 in

Riverside,California, by Dr. Terry Sanderfer. I have lost 185 pounds

in the last 13 months and have about 85 more to go. I am 59 years

old, divorced with five grown children and three grandchildren.

Prior to WLS my protein levels were low, but each month since surgery

they have dropped lower and lower until now they are 5.7 out of a

normal range of 6.3 to 8.2. My albumin is also low. The doctors PA,

whom I have seen the last two months for my monthly check up, has

expressed concern about this saying that if the numbers drop into the

2's, he will have to put me on IV protein. I drink two protein

drinks a day, generally ProCel or Designer Whey or PS55 Mocha

Cappaccino, all with UpCalD added for calcium. I also take an enzyme

to help absorb protein, Panokase, which is generic for Pancrelipase.

Can anyone help me? Does anyone know of a protein site, not the

perverts, I am already a member of that group, where I can learn more

about absorbsion and how close I am to real trouble, and what to do

about it.

I sure am glad to be able to be a contributing member of this list

now, have been a lurker for many months.

As for a meeting place, my vote is for Las Vegas because room rates

will be as low as $29.00 per night and we can get a penthouse deal

for our group so that we have a meeting and party room. The Arizona

group sponsered an ALS convention in April this way at the Sahara and

it was well attended and really fun. I love the buffets as you can

taste so many things that you don't have to commit to a whole meal in

order to find out if you like.

Hugs,

Suzi [in Southern California, previously New England and Dallas]

[Guest guest]

> Prior to WLS my protein levels were low, but each month since surgery

> they have dropped lower and lower until now they are 5.7 out of a

> normal range of 6.3 to 8.2.

**********************************

Hi Suzi and welcome,

I'm sure you will get more responses from some of our distal folks, but one

thing that seems pretty standard with them is that they do at least 3-5

protein shakes a day to keep their levels healthy. You said you're only

doing 2. I know this may sound simplistic, but have you tried seriously

upping the shakes to see if you can hike those levels. We all absorb or

malabsord differently, and those 2 shakes a day are just not enough for you.

But, I'm so glad you monitoring things before it becomes far too dangerous.

Good luck,

in NJ

[Guest guest]

> Prior to WLS my protein levels were low, but each month since surgery

> they have dropped lower and lower until now they are 5.7 out of a

> normal range of 6.3 to 8.2.

**********************************

Hi Suzi and welcome,

I'm sure you will get more responses from some of our distal folks, but one

thing that seems pretty standard with them is that they do at least 3-5

protein shakes a day to keep their levels healthy. You said you're only

doing 2. I know this may sound simplistic, but have you tried seriously

upping the shakes to see if you can hike those levels. We all absorb or

malabsord differently, and those 2 shakes a day are just not enough for you.

But, I'm so glad you monitoring things before it becomes far too dangerous.

Good luck,

in NJ

[Guest guest]

> Prior to WLS my protein levels were low, but each month since surgery

> they have dropped lower and lower until now they are 5.7 out of a

> normal range of 6.3 to 8.2.

**********************************

Hi Suzi and welcome,

I'm sure you will get more responses from some of our distal folks, but one

thing that seems pretty standard with them is that they do at least 3-5

protein shakes a day to keep their levels healthy. You said you're only

doing 2. I know this may sound simplistic, but have you tried seriously

upping the shakes to see if you can hike those levels. We all absorb or

malabsord differently, and those 2 shakes a day are just not enough for you.

But, I'm so glad you monitoring things before it becomes far too dangerous.

Good luck,

in NJ

[Guest guest]

Dear Suzi,

I have struggled with my protein levels since I went into malnutrition last

winter. I went into malnutrition due to a mechanical problem with my gastric

pouch. I was revised and made more distal in the process, and I am still

struggling with protein levels.. However, the bariatric surgeon prescribed

viokase to be taken with my protein shakes to help me absorb the protein

better. My protein levels are beginning to move upwards.. so there is help

available for you. I would agree with , try upping your shakes to more

than 2 a day.. 3,4,,5 .. I do 5 shakes a day , and some days more.

Hugs,

from GA

open RNY 12/12/00

Revision 04/18/01

Revision 02/07/02

St wt.... 392

Cw.......187

Wt loss..-205

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 11/5/2002 10:05:42 PM Pacific Standard Time,

peachykeene03223@... writes:

> each month since surgery they have dropped lower and lower until now they

> are 5.7 out of a normal range of 6.3 to 8.2. My albumin is also low.

Mine also dropped steadily after surgery, but not quickly (from a 6.9 pre-op,

down to 6.1 at 2 years). I upped my shakes from 1 a day to 3 a day, and have

seen the protein and albumin rise. Went from 6.1 to 6.9 in 3 months.

Albumin went from 4.1 pre-op, down to 3.7. Increase was moderate after

upping shakes, going from 3.7 to 3.8 - but we're headed in the right

direction.

Hope increasing the protein supplements is the answer for you!

Kate

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 11/5/2002 10:05:42 PM Pacific Standard Time,

peachykeene03223@... writes:

> each month since surgery they have dropped lower and lower until now they

> are 5.7 out of a normal range of 6.3 to 8.2. My albumin is also low.

Mine also dropped steadily after surgery, but not quickly (from a 6.9 pre-op,

down to 6.1 at 2 years). I upped my shakes from 1 a day to 3 a day, and have

seen the protein and albumin rise. Went from 6.1 to 6.9 in 3 months.

Albumin went from 4.1 pre-op, down to 3.7. Increase was moderate after

upping shakes, going from 3.7 to 3.8 - but we're headed in the right

direction.

Hope increasing the protein supplements is the answer for you!

Kate