When to stop following surgeon's plan?

When did everyone start eating the way you should, rather than the way the surgeon and NUT told you to? I have followed their plan this far, but know that I will need much more fat than they recommend. Should I wait until I get to soft foods (1 more week) or wait until I am so far out (like maybe 6 months) or what? What about volume? I am only supposed to be eating 1 1/2 oz. right now and that goes to 2 1/2 - 3 when I get to soft foods. Is this because they are trying to limit calories/fat or because that is all our sleeved stomachs will hold? I really want to get the most out of my DS, but want to do it right!

On a related note, what do you tell people about not following your doctor's recommendations? I mentioned to my husband yesterday that I may start eating some very soft foods this week to help transition to solid foods (egg salad, tuna salad, chicken salad) and he told me that I didn't need all that fat from the mayo. I have told him everything I have learned about the DS, but apparently it went in one ear and out the other. My mom also had the RNY and used the same surgeon I did. Her and her husband know the kind of diet that we are "supposed" to follow. I am concerned that everyone will think that I am just not compliant and sabotaging myself. I had a revision from band to DS, so since I failed at the band, I feel like everyone if much more critical than if I were a virgin DSer.

Maybe I just shouldn't worry so much, but that is a lot easier said than done. I just feel like I should be losing a lot more weight than I have at this point. Last week I was down 22 lbs. since surgery, total of 35 lbs. since pre-op diet. I was 6 weeks and 2 days out, so I guess that is averaging just under 4 lbs. a week. Not that bad when I do the math. I just have to tell myself that the DS cannot be broken, just user error if I eat the wrong things! On a positive note, I have been getting over 100 grams of protein for over a week now and am officially on a full vitamin regimen without any problems. I have also only went over 60 grams of carbs one day (4th of July, baked beans were the only "pureed" food available). So I guess I'm doing okay. 

Sorry for my long ramblings!

I did mushies more or less as long as I was told to by my surgeon, althoughfor a lot of it I just mushed up normal food really well.  I had a lot of egg drop soup, scrambled eggs and fish early out and really stayed off the carbs.  I ate the volumes I felt comfortable eating and didn't eat 'til the point of barfing as I was too scared of the damage that would cause to my stomach stitches.

I used child's cutlery and a small side plate and that helped me eyeball what I was eating - if you need to measure, then do... my main focus was just to eat to the point of feeling politely full and not stuffed.

You should be aiming for 30g protein at 30 days out, 60 at 60, 90 at 90 and personally I think 120g protein is a sensible number long term.

The post op nutritional guidelines I was given recommended toast, jacket potatoes, etc and I didn't really touch anything like that 'til I was at least 6 months out.  You don't want to be bloating freshly spliced and diced intestines IMO, plus bowels are harder to control early out so the added variable of carbs really weren't worth it.  FWIW I never had an 'accident' post op if you KWIM.

The 1 to 1 1/2 ounces right now is to keep you from putting pressure on your newly sutured/stabled tummy.You do not want to hurt yourself. As you heal you will be able to eat a little more. I am up to about 3 ounces now and that is pushing it for me. Of course it also depends on what size bougie you were given as well. Mine was small 30cc. Everyone's stomach will stretch a little. You don't want to stretch it to much though or you defeat the purpose. Give it time. 

You can incorporate fat into your diet anytime as long as it goes with your food plan, ranch dressing, heavy cream,  Full fat yogurt, etc but I would not worry as much about fat as you need to worry about hydration and protein at this time. You will eventually start getting in more fat. 

I'm not sure about my bougie size. I should really find out. I have been doing great with protein, hydration, and vitamins. I have just seen past posts where some say that upping their fat intake helped with weight loss. I don't want to miss out on the best time to get rid of this weight!!

Go easy and make sure you follow Dr. Boyce's plan at least until your sleeve heals (about 2-3 months).

As to your husband...sit him down and explain that a normal human needs about 30 grams of fat MINIMUM. Your system is now set to only absorb about 20% of what you eat...so that same 30 grams to him is 5 grams to you. Therefore to get the 30 grams YOU need, it's about 150 grams a day of fat.

As to your mom...politely tell her the same thing and add...your system and mine are different. While you will start reabsorbing food at about 2 years out, my system will never reabsorb food in the same way it use to.

And if they keep it up, politely tell them to STFU

Actually just smile and ignore them and let your cholesterol be your guide and your proof.

I eat LOADS of fat...my cholesterol pre-op was 250+, surgery in Jan 2011. In April 2011, NO MEDS, it was 190. In April 2012, still no meds, it was 183. In April 2013, it was 143.

LOL. Loved your response to my family! I often wonder how my cholesterol will end up since I've never had high cholesterol anyway!

Do you know if Dr. Boyce does a standard bougie size? I tried to ask about that and common channel length when I had my appointment with the NUT, but the only thing she could find was that we are pretty sure my common channel is 120 cm. 

I asked Dr. Boyce how big my sleeve was before I left the hospital. He told me about 4 oz...and I have LOTS of tiny tummy days. FAR more than I like some times, LOL.

So no, I don't suspect he talks "bougie" size. Oh, and I am a lightweight...very lightweight! So he made my common chanel 175. I wi**** were smaller but it got me to goal anyway.

My cholesterol was genetically high. Now it sits at low normal. My dh (also a DS'er but not a Boyce patient) had JUST been put on a cholesterol med about 3 months before his surgery when it finally got to 200. His last reading was 112! And he eats more fat than I do!

I had intended to ask him in the hospital, but was so nauseous and in so much pain, it slipped my mind. I have seen him 3 or 4 times since then (infection at one of my incision sites) but seem to always forget to ask him. I think when he's in the room, my mind just goes blank as I enjoy the view! 

LOL, yeah, he's not called Dr. GQ for nothing...very easy on the eyes!

Only reason I have seen him after I was released from the hospital was due to needing my gallbladder removed about 6 months after my DS.

What they all said.  

More seriously I wouldn't worry about fat for the first 2 or 3 months unless you are constipated a lot.
Until you heal you may not need the extra Ooomph that fat will give you. Although I had one or two days
I added olive oil to my protein drink.

Search around for some posts on DS math. Going through the numbers may help explain the issues
better than trying to explain your new anatomy. Mostly, I think they won't believe it until they see it in
practice.

Congrats on your results. Doing great on the protein and the low carbs. I was chomping at the bit to get off
pureed foods, my Doctor's plan allowed some leeway to go through the stages a little faster.