Nutrition question

My surgeon's nutritionist won't give me a straight answer...it's SO annoying.  I KNOW it varies person to person, but I know there are guidelines to aim for, too.  Could someone please tell me what to aim for in daily protein, calories, carbs, etc.  I am two weeks post surgery, and on mush food, but I'd like to know what the targets are for "real" food, too.  

Also...when were you able to eat salad?  I have been dying for a good salad! 

Mine only had guides for protein and fluid, 70+ for protein and at least 64 oz of fluid (preferably more). As for carb I know from my own past experience that I need to stay under 20-30 or I get the carb monster stirred up.I usually tried to keep calories between 800-1000 on most days I tried to stay closer to the 800. I would hold off on the salad for awhile it can be difficult at first. I think it was several months before I attempted one and I really had to chew well and go light on the hard veggies like radishes and carrots. I found that the pre-shredded lettuce for tacos was the easiest to get down, not the most nutricious but I load mine with lots of protein so it's more for a change in flavor than for nutrition. Be patient, but you should be able to eat it in awhile.

I keep my calories between 1000 to 1400 per day.  Going below 1000 I dont lose no weight and I need the calories for my exercise .  Just remember you can go to low on calories and your body will hang onto the weight so dont go to low . 

Carbs between 60-80 per day.  You do need carbs , your body needs carbs especially if you exercise !!  My NUT told me we should have at least 20 carbs per meal .

I keep my protein 60-80 per day .

And I love my salads to. I eat salads probably every other day with Light ranch dressing yum yum !!!

Many nuts prefer not to give guidelines as they don't want us to "diet".

As far as I am concerned the only figure I ever really thought about was a minimum of 60 gm protein a day. And I never counted that much. Whenever I did a spot check, I was always getting well over that. I wouldn't kniw how to count carbs!

In the UK the medical advice us never to go below about 1200 cals a day unless you are prepared to take dietary supplements. But many on here go under that and they don't seem to be dying off!

Kate

Minimum of 60 grams of protein daily.  Minimum of 64oz of low/no cal. fluid, preferably water.

I was never given a carb goal to work for, but I avoid white & processed carbs .. flour, bread, potatoes, white rice, pasta and I limit corn.  I will eat small amounts of whole grains.  I do make sure I get some whole grain carbs before my (very strenous, very sweaty) workouts.

I don't remember exactly when I tried salads, but I didn't have trouble with any raw veggies until I was at least a year out from surgery and at about 5cc in my band.  I am very careful to use very low cal. dressing (25 cal/ 2 T) or none at all.  And make sure there is protein of some kind in that salad.  I like baby spinach better than lettuce.. YMMV.

I don't drop much below 1100 to 1200 calories on a routine basis.  There might be days I'm higher or lower, and I don't worry if it's only a day or two off .....but my goal is 11 or 1200.  It's good to "confuse" the body a bit.

hi Jodi.

For protein we are told to aim between 60-80 gms.  I personally keep it closer to 90 and on the days I hit 100 I am exceedingly happy!!  I was originally told by my surgeon to keep my calories between 800 - 1000 because his patients lose best at those numbers.  I personally keep it around 950 and rarely if ever go above 1000.  However, if i do, I don't panic.  Unfortunately I can't really eat that much at a sitting so getting to 1000 any day is a struggle.  As far as fats and carbs i don't obsess but i try to keep fat around 30 gms or under -- most days I go way under -- and carbs under 50.  At this point for me it's not difficult as I don't add any carbs that aren't either in the form or fruit or vegetables. 

As far as salad I honestly waited about 4 months to try.  I don't have a fill but was afraid of something getting stuck anyhow.  But it worked well and it's a great source of vegetables which is sometimes difficult to get in.  I add grilled chicken which rounds out the protein aspect of it as well.

Good luck in your journey!

Thank you all SO much...that was so helpful!  I can understand why a nut would not want to give a carved-in-stone answer for everyone, but at least SOME guidelines are necessary.  I left not knowing if I should have 20 or 200 grams of anything...!  

Take these great guidelines provided, then individualize for yourself.  Find which numbers work best for your weight loss.  Now at least you have a place to start:)