How am I going to feel?
So I am on a diet preoperatively to focus on portion control and healthy eating. Protein first, I usually get 80-90 grams a day and the rest are like salads and other healthy stuff. If I eat less than 1300 calories a day, I feel really weak and tired, grumpy, and I feel like I have a mental fog. My question is, after my RNY and I am losing weight, is this how its going to feel also? I don't want to feel like this for the rest of my life.
I felt the same was when I was dieting before surgery. Then I went on the liquid diet and felt like I was ravenous, but then on the third dayear of the presurgey diet I woke up feeling fantastic. I had more energy and focus on 640 calories a day then I had in years.
The hunger is temporary. I'm 5 days post op and I feel incredible. I have to keep reminding myself that I have to slow down and heal.
on 8/8/15 4:39 pm
I lost 80 lbs pre-op on 2000-2200 calories a day, and I felt more like I was "dieting" (weak, grumpy, etc.) then than I do now on 800-1000/day. I used to have horrible blood sugar crashes mid-morning too, which stopped right after surgery. It's just a complete change. I never would have survived pre-op on what I eat now without feeling like death warmed over or without (as history demonstrated time and time again) eventually giving up.
Hi Karen! First of all, congratulations on having your surgery scheduled, and YAY for focusing on portion control and healthy eating now, before surgery!
You mentioned you feel really week, tired, and grumpy. Could you share from your food journal what you're getting for calories / carbs / fat and an example of what you are eating in a day? Maybe you're keeping the protein up and calories down but not getting enough of something important!
I *LOVE* that these forums have a weekday "What's on your Menu RNY'ers" that AV posts - perhaps you can join in the daily fun there! There's a few of us 'pre-ops' that are getting in the habit early! Also, if you want some feedback on what you're eating today, just ask! There's so many vets here that are extremely helpful!
Also, are you taking vitamins? If you're eating that few calories pre-surgery, consider adding a 1x daily multivitamin.
EDIT: I forgot to mention that I've been aiming for about 700-800 calories daily, 90+g protein and I feel AMAZING. Honestly, keeping the food journal and planning tomorrow's meals (including snacks) in advance has literally changed my life and I am pre-surgery still!
Lap-Band 2011 | DS Revision 9/28/15 | HW: 380 in 2011 | GW: 140
Blog: http://felicitywls.blogspot.com/ | Twitter: @FelicityQ13
Ok that is easy, I use My Fitness Pal on my Iphone. Yesterday I ate:
I have nice Cuisinart scale and I measure everything, if I don't I know I will cheat.
Thanks for sharing, Karen! I also use MyFitnessPal on my iPhone and LOVE that I can track my foods this way!
What I noticed is that your carbs are pretty high on carbs at the end of the day. Remember that although carbs do give energy, its longevity is much less than energy you get from protein or fat. Things like the Wheat Thins and Pretzels are just empty carbs and salt that will give you a short burst of energy. If you can, i'd suggest crossing those off of your snack list and instead replacing them with high protein alternatives, such as jerky, lowfat cheese, almonds, or a hard-boiled egg.
Another thing I noticed is that you might be feeling lethargic because you're starting your day off with coffee, then having a protein shake mid-morning. How badly would it mess up your routine to start out with protein first? I know some people here add vanilla protein to their coffee as a creamer, or opt for a coffee protein shake (I think they're called Click?). For me personally, I am not much of a morning eater, so if you ask me to start my day eating protein, I would laugh at you! However, I have gotten in the habit of starting my day with a protein shake and it has been helping keep my energy up!I've been aiming for protein shake in the morning, small snack mid-morning, a full lunch (usually dinner leftovers), snack mid-afternoon, then dinner (3 meals, 2 snacks). If I am hungry at any point outside of that, I add one of the high protein snacks. I am nowhere near perfect, but I am feeling a lot better and my energy is a lot more consistent throughout the day than it's been in the past.
Keep in mind - I am not a NUT! (Unless you're saying Nut = crazy person, then that's up for debate). I have been obessive over learning how to eat right in preparation for my own RNY revision, so I am sharing what works for me! Hopefully a vet might chime in and offer their own set of advice too!!
Lap-Band 2011 | DS Revision 9/28/15 | HW: 380 in 2011 | GW: 140
Blog: http://felicitywls.blogspot.com/ | Twitter: @FelicityQ13