lack of protein means gain weight? HELP!!

**abbyb0416** · 06-12-2013 05:05 PM

I was only taking in about 30g of protein a day for the past week and I gained almost 3 pounds. I bought protein powder yesterday to help me get more. Could lack of protein be the reason I gained 3 pounds when im only 3 weeks post op?

**luke** · 06-12-2013 06:03 PM

Lack of protein will only make you heal more slowly and lose muscle, feel weak and generally sore. It won't make you gain weight. There has to be some other reason. What are you eating? Are you active at all? Walking? Have you been dehydrated? Regaining water will add weight. Is your scale broken? Lots of reasons but not enough protein isn't one of them.

**Gothikim** · 06-12-2013 06:16 PM

Being a little dehydrated will also cause your body to hoard water, so you have to get the fluids in! Push for 80 ounces a day. I wasn't getting my liquids in when I went to full liquids (ironically enough), and my hands and feet puffed up, and I stopped losing. Once I started drinking more, the edema went down.

Protein shortage may also contribute to excessive hair shedding down the road. If the body doesn't have enough protein to maintain muscle mass, it will shut down the less critical processes that require protein, like nail and hair growth. As Luke mentioned, your body will eventually cannibalize muscle mass for protein, and that's NOT all all healthy. It can cause all kinds of metabolic mayhem.

I put unflavored Unjury protein powder in my soups, which sneaks another 20 or so grams in a day. I regularly hit 65-70 grams a day, and it's not too much work to get there. If I can do it, you can too!

Dang, I just noticed how similar our starting/current weights and our surgery dates are!

**abbyb0416** · 06-12-2013 06:19 PM

That all makes really good sense. Ive been eating tuna mixed with mayo and mustard and put onto a reduced fat cracker, turkey ham, pinto beans, chili, slim fast shakes. Im still in puree stage for another week. I just started walking yesterday for about 30 minutes. I know im not taking in 40 oz of water a day but I have noticed I dont ever have the "gotta pee really bad" feeling ever anymore. My scale isnt broken its brand new. Maybe I've hit a plateau?