As I have been looking at other friends diaries for inspiration and ideas I have noticed a high degree of WLS'rs who don't even come close to getting their protein in for the day. It's very concerning to me and I was just thinking about putting it out as a topic.

I have always kept my protein level at 80, take Iron, Vitamin D3, Calcium and a multi-vitamin and I still lost very long and thick strands of hair from just below the crown on the back of my head. I knew it was a possibility, but I thought since I was doing everything I'd been instructed to do and don't ever sleep on my back this wouldn't happen to me. BUT IT DID!!! It only happened really bad twice after about 3 months out. I didn't even feel it come out. After shampooing my hair during the rinsing when I moved my hands through my hair a whole thick and long bunch was in my hands. I was so unnerved that I for a split second I thought something was terribly wrong. Then I remembered the warning of this possible after affect.

Thankfully my hair is naturally curly and so it's not noticeable to anyone except myself and my sister-in-law who was a hair stylist for 20 years.

I've seen some posts where they say they can't get the protein in, but there are numerous choices during all of the food stages and I should know as I'm a very picky eater and I didn't have to look hard for high protein foods. I've also seen a lot of posts where they say their surgeon isn't concerned with their protein intake.

Mangopickle:

I do hope that your hair does grow back. I had the same problem and I was getting my protein in, found out my zinc was low and that contributed to my hair loss. I now take 25mg zinc 3x a week. Have you had your bloodwork done recently?

I've heard the same thing - that it is really not a lot about our diets and more just a response to the surgery in general.

I also find it interesting that there are such wide variations in what people consider acceptable amounts of protein. I get about 60 g a day, am experiencing great loss and satisfaction, minimal hair loss (like I said, I don't think this has a lot to do w/ diet but throwing it in there), and I'm getting the protein, mostly, from real food. I'm trying to avoid supplements at this stage but sometimes a bar or shake is in order to get at least to 60. I'm eating about 500-600 calories a day. I can see my protein going up when my calories go up. I'm 5 months out.

Cute hats for a while for you! Seriously though, sorry about the hair loss. I've noticed more of mine coming out myself, but that always happens to me in the summer as pony tails and wind from riding can be hard on the hair. Add the stress from surgery and washing it more due to work outs and summer... meh. Confession: I don't always finish logging on MFP for the day, particularly once I've figured out that I'll have met my protein count by the time I do dinner. I throw a scoop of chocolate protein powder in my coffee every morning. I never taste the protein. Just tastes like a mocha to me. One more supplement of some kind (Quest bar, protein Chai or decaf with chocolate protein powder) for an afternoon snack and with the other high protein choices in my diet I'm over 80g for the day. A single bottle of Isopure taken throughout the day is 42g. Pace yourself with that stuff as you can only absorb 25-30 g at one time. 1 oz of beef jerky has 7g, (and a fair amount of sodium). Plain old skim milk is a great source as well.

For those of you that say you "can't" get the protein in... Suck it up boys and girls! This is one of your supplements, like your vitamins. Consider it among one of your prescriptions because it IS. There are so many choices out there, from protein shooters, to protein pudding, brownies, shakes, bars etc. Unless you are just a few weeks out of surgery and your stomach is still swollen you should be hitting your Dr's protein goals! Get creative, do what you have to do, but DO IT! You've put an extreme amount of effort into this process of getting your health back. Don't let something so simple get in your way!

I didn't have any hair loss but I have had several surgeries (once every year to every other year.) My doctor said that my body was so used to being upset that another surgery was no big deal to it. Like other people have posted, he told me that loosing my hair was a affect of stress on the body rather than nutrition.

You told me about your Dad, but I'm real sorry about your daughter's troubles.

You tell them like it is bikrchk. . . . and you're right. I don't understand how some have such a hard time getting their protein when it's all over the place. I have a 30g/protein shake mix I have every day, but most of my other protein comes from foods that most people generally like. They should start checking labels and logging in everything in the a.m. and adjusting later in order to achieve their protein levels.

Bone broth is amazing for you and cheap to make ...I have it as my inbetween snack and I have started using it as a base for my green smoothies lol...instead of fruit I just use veg and bone broth...its lovely!

JULIEBCCS. First of all this was just a general observation and not directed at any one individual. What I perceived was a large disparity across a number of individuals' protein intake and didn't know why there would be such a difference. I now have a better understanding that instructions are based on the Dr's knowledge of what will work best for each WLS patient. Mine has general, overall instructions, but tweak it to fit individual needs, based on general health, any health problems and blood work. This process is learn-as-you-go and I'm leaning more each day.

I do know that eating habits are all about balance and in addition most of us have to now take supplements. Post surgery I have to take Iron, D3, Calcium and a multi-vitamin as I'm anemic. A few years ago I had to have twice weekly infusions for a few months that I found out almost totally destroyed my auto-immune system that will always be a problem.

Some of us are lucky to have a team of Dr's. (specialists) who work together to come up with an individualized plan on for us post-surgery, some only have the surgeon and family Dr., some require extensive follow up the first year, some do not, and some communicate with a person's other Dr's and some do not. Our post-op instructions are as varied as we are as individuals and what works for one doesn't necessarily work for another.

I personally think you are doing great and wish you continued success. Thank you for your comment in increasing my knowledge yet again.

I had my surgery 17 days ago and my protein intake is only 16 grams daily. My surgeon said no to protein shakes. I am worried though that I am losing muscle mass...17lbs down.