Saturday, November 3, 2012

The Ugly Truth



After having gastric surgery just over a week ago my stomach can't digest whole foods. In fact, for the first two weeks I can only have liquids. That in itself isn't that bad, but what you need to know is that I need to be getting 60 to 80 grams of protein every day.
After nine days, I have yet to drink anywhere near enough protein. One day I did drink 50 grams of protein, but that was only one day. From the moment I wake up until I go to sleep, I am drinking, drinking, drinking.
I've worn myself out drinking Total Lean Protein, my protein drink of choice. There are 25 grams of protein in a 14 ounce bottle of Total Lean Protein. That's not bad compared to other protein drinks.
Now if I could guzzle down a bottle, then drinking 3 or 4 bottles a day wouldn't be so bad, but my stomach only hold about 2 ounces at this point. So I drink 2 ounces every 30 minutes or so and then I feel like I'm floating. Of course I can't drink all protein all day. I have to change it up with some Vitamin Water, low fat chicken broth, or a sugar free popsicle every now and then.
Do you know how many hours it takes to drink one bottle, 25 grams of protein? Three or more, but at least three hours. So if I drank that blasted protein drink & nothing else every thirty minutes it would take me nine hours to drink 75 grams, the minimum I need, of protein.
Oh, and did I mention what the consequences are of not getting enough protein? No, I didn't, but I'm sure you can imagine some of them. Let me share the one consequence that drives me to drink this crap all day, it's hair loss. Many people experience a significant loss of hair 3 to 4 months after weight loss surgery.
Guess what folks? I am not going to be one of those people. So yes, the ugly truth of recovering from gastric surgery, for me, is to drink protein until I can't stand it because I WILL NOT LOSE MY HAIR!
Thank you for letting me share

1 comment:

jeanne phillips said...

I can't open your photo. You are so brave to do this. I know you are having to make some big changes in your lifestyle. Keep up the good work.