Protein intake post op...

[Jewel]

I'm 3 months out and am noticing that I am losing hair at an alarming rate.... I'm a little unsure of how much protein I'm getting in. I try to get in an egg and two pieces of turkey bacon for breakfast, but I find myself throwing up a portion of it becuase I have a hard time eating that much food. Most meals consist of two bites of whatever it is that we are eating before I hit that 'wall.' for lunch I will have a cottage cheese cup (the breakstone's single serve ones)... sometimes, if I take a long time to eat it, I can get it all in. Dinner is usually fish or chicken - 2 or 3 small bites and I'm full. I don't ever eat veggies, etc. mostly because I'm always trying to get protein in first. Is this normal for anyone else? My doc doesn't want us to drink our calories.. but I'm starting to think that I don't have a choice. If I total up what I was able to eat yesterday, I'm thinking that I got in maybe 25g of protein. Now that I'm working out everyday.. it kinda freakin' me out! I just bought some myoplex meal replacement bars.. they have 25 g of protein, and I can eat 1/2 of one in one sitting. I really thought that I would've 'stretched' a little by now. What does everyone else do? Are you all in the same boat that I am? I'm at such a loss....

[Anamor2011]

I am only a month out, and it seems I can eat a lot more than you. I was able to eat a whole pure protein bar in one sitting. I eat about 1/2 cup of cottage cheese with a small cup of mixed fruit all in one sitting also. I would call your DR and let him know the amount of food you are eating. I don't know but to me this doesn't sound normal 3 mos out. There could be other things going on, like reflux/Gerd or a stricture. Let's see what other at 3 mos are doing, but I would contact your dr's office. They might need to do a Upper GI series to make sure everything is normal.

[Dena]

I'm 3 months out also and am having the same issues. I'm eating protein only and depending on the density I can only eat 1/4 to 1/2 cup at a time. They did a scan to be sure I didn't have a stricture or a twist and they said my sleeve is just really tiny. Yea! I know the docs say don't drink your calories but for me getting my protein in is more important at this point. I drink a protein shake for breakfast which gets me 25 grams. In the afternoon I drink 1/3 of a protein bullett mixed with a cup of water which gets me 14. That's the only way I come even close to hitting protein numbers and even them I'm not to the 80 I'm supposed to be. I range 60 - 75 per day.

[Jewel]

see, I was able to do more on my pureed phase too. it's when everything went solid that things went haywire for me. I'm sure that the fact that I have no appetite isn't helping my situation either. Doc says to stop eating when I'm full, or after 1/2 hour.. whichever comes first. I just can't seem to find a balance. can't eat fast, can't say I'm not full after 2-3 bites. I have a call in to my dietician today, we'll see what happens. thanks!

[Jewel]

I'm 3 months out also and am having the same issues. I'm eating protein only and depending on the density I can only eat 1/4 to 1/2 cup at a time. They did a scan to be sure I didn't have a stricture or a twist and they said my sleeve is just really tiny. Yea! I know the docs say don't drink your calories but for me getting my protein in is more important at this point. I drink a protein shake for breakfast which gets me 25 grams. In the afternoon I drink 1/3 of a protein bullett mixed with a cup of water which gets me 14. That's the only way I come even close to hitting protein numbers and even them I'm not to the 80 I'm supposed to be. I range 60 - 75 per day.

omg - u have no idea how much better I feel after hearing you say that. I was starting to think that I was the only one who wasn't able to eat!
What's a protein bullet?

[DebiA]

I'm almost 4 weeks out and I have created a spreadsheet of my menu everyday, and I track the calories, protein and carbs. I also take 3 pills a day of Biotin to help with any hair loss. To be honest, I lost more hair before surgery then now. Also, don't forget to take a fiber supplement, like Benefiber. My dietician says I have to take at least 10 grams a day and says I have to avoid large amounts of grains/carbs. Find out from your doctor exactly how small he made your stomache.

[Shanna1573]

My doctor has told me to get 60-80 grams of protein in a day in order to not lose my hair. I am only 6 days out but keep track of my protein and water first and foremost. I recommend doing a little journal to keep track.

[UK Tim]

Make with the protein shakes ASAP...

[justme1]

You are not alone in this. I guess it is trial and error as we discover what we can eat and how much.

[scgal21]

I am almost 6 weeks out and I still have 1 protein shake a day to make sure I'm getting in all my protein. I'm like you, I can't eat enough volume at one sitting, certainly no room for fruits or veggies. I also track everything I eat so I can be sure of the calories, protein, carbs, etc. (FitDay.com) sI also take Biotin and multi vitamin, B complex and fiber supplements to make sure I'm getting some vitamins. Good luck!

[Tuliptwy]

Hi Jewel. I had a lot of trouble getting protein in and so I've been losing hair for a while and quite a bit (well, to me). I've been faithful to my protein and vitamins (including biotin) and it's slowed down. My understanding is that after ANY major surgery you will have hair loss - just the way things are. I saw my hairdresser and she reminded me that we lose, on average, 160 hairs per day without anything being out of kilter. She suggest I count the hairs the next time I think I've lost a whole bunch and I'll be shocked that it's really not as much as it seems. Hope this helps. Also, I use Unjury unflavoured protein with Crystal Light and have two drinks per day - they're 20 g of protein each with ZERO calories!! With how little you're taking in though, a few calories in a protein shake won't hurt you. All the best in your journey.

[N2DVN]

Have you tried the unflavored protein powders that you add to food? The one I have is Syntrax . I don't taste it one bit. It offers 10 grams of protein per serving.

Directions for Oral Use: Based on protein requirements, mix one to two scoops of Nectar Medical™ per 4-16 oz of your favorite beverage or food. When adding to foods or warm liquids, add protein slowly while stiring. Do not add to liquids above 130 °F to prevent denaturing of protein

From experience, do NOT dump the entire thing directly into chicken broth w/o sitrring or w/the broth too hot. It was gross looking and I had to throw out the entire batch.

[Jewel]

so for my Biotin users.. how many mg do you take?
I just talked to the doc and got the green light for protein shakes for a week. But they are totally opposed to me drinking my calories
From now on, I sprinkle everything I eat with parmesan cheese (2 tsp = 2g protein) and will be adding a scoop of any whey to my greek yogurt at lunch time (14g from the yogurt and 17g from the AnyWhey). Sometimes I just need people to give me ideas on what to put in my mouth..
Lunch today? 1/2 an apple dipped in PB2 paste (fake peanut butter-18 g protein).. mmm!
Sometimes I love having a dietician a phone call away.

Thanks for the support everyone!

[yankegal]

Hey Jewel, yes!! I had the same problem, so I wasn't able to get in all the protein as we were told, be sure to get yourself some biotin 7500 mcg. and get 50 gm of zinc, it has helped me with all the hair loss! it was awful!!! 3 months and out it was coming, Dr told me because our bodies went into shock, and we have less food intake, our bodies deplete our nutrients that it stored, so about the third mo. is when we notice hair loss. So go on line or to the store and get yourself these nutrients it will help with the hair loss but do remember that it will grow back. good luck to you!

[yankegal]

also make yourself some frozen yogurt and add some protein into it. pudding with added protein, add unflavored protein to soups, and other foods. there is no taste.