Eat more vs. Starvation mode vs. stall

I didn't want to hijack the tread about a stall, but my question stems from that post.  I noticed several of you say to eat more, the body needs fuel.  My question is how do you get in any kind of calorie intake when you are only a couple weeks out? My food intake is severely limited by my doc.  He doesn't want me taking protien drinks, he and his hospitals plan want you eating real food, no soft calories at this point.  I'm on 3 meals a day, 1/4 cup of food per serving, that's it.  So 1/4 cup of chicken, fish, or ground beef for example, and I'm barely at the 200 calorie a day range. Anybody else have such a restricted diet, and what did you do to get in your calories? Scott

Scott,

I think each of the protein shakes was 200 calories X3. You can make these into thick syrup to gulp down, because with the other water intake the liquid can be too much. The remaining 400 calories should be pretty easy. A couple of avacados, some yogurt and you're there.

Best Wishes,

Dave

I'm not a doctor and I don't play one on tv....hell, I've not even stayed at a Holiday Inn Express lately!     In my opinion and it's just that an OPINION...any doctor that tells you to stay away from protein supplements at such an early stage is giving you poor advice.  It's nearly impossible to meet your protein requirements without it.   The calories and the protein not only help get your metabolism firing and wards off stalls in the first few weeks, even more important it aids in your body's ability to  heal.  In my case, my surgeons instructions during the first 3 weeks was to get the protein in through the supplements first (they sent me home with Isopure clear) and to the best of my ability work at getting in my soft, pureed foods as well. There are so many schools of thought out there it's enough to drive one insane...best advice is to ALWAYS follow your doctors instructions PERIOD.  They've got those diplomas on the walls for a good reason. I can only offer what the advice was in my case and what my experience was...you'll have to determine if you want to deviate slightly from your surgeons instructions. Best wishes! CF

Has anyone had any trouble with using the "bullets" for protein supplement in the first few weeks? They come in 25g and 42g of protein for 3 1/2 oz....that's pretty dense and with such a small volume can't you get it in pretty easily? You guys are scaring me....

They bullets are tolerable after surgery especially if you add a little same flavor crystal light. At two weeks out tomorrow, I can say that if I only ate the 3 meals per day, in the quantity that the Doc recommends, there is no way on God's earth i could approach 60 grams per day.  Now he did not say skip the protein drinks, so i've been using them straight (really thick) or adding a scoop or two to cream of wheat/grits.   But there is also the calorie issue, where you basically starve yourself because you are following the guidelines.  If I adding the protein scoops to meals, I would be at 200-400 calories per day. The good news is, I am not the slightest bit hungry.  Which makes all of this more tolerable. Guy

My program and doctor say the same thing as yours. Get your protein from your meals only, no protein shakes. Same amount as you as well, 1/4 cup 3 times a day. I am 3 months out and that is what I am still supposed to be doing. Well, I decided that isn't enough, so this is the one area I don't completely follow. I drink 1 protein drink a day, usually for breakfast. I have been doing this since about my 3rd week out. I had surgery on Nov. 9th and I have lost about 90 pounds since surgery, so I don't think the protein shakes are hurting me at all. I am in the gym at least 2 days a week, and starting this week, will be joining a gym locally and upping that to 4 times a week. I just don't think I can get in enough protein eating that limited amount without the shakes. So, being in the same situation as you, I chose to deviate in this area. Ultimately you need to decide what is best for you, but for what it is worth, I think doing the 1 shake a day has been beneficial for me.

----- 
Even the toughest criminals become remarkably docile 
 once separated from society by six feet of soil. 

I think I am like the others here, that doesnt sound like enough.  For the first couple of weeks i was told not to worry too much about protien but to get all of my liquids in.  After the first 10 days or so i was moved into eating 5-6 small meals (protien drink was considered a meal)a day in the range that u are talking about. After about 2 weeks i was having problems feeling week and just terrrible and the docs office told me i was probably starving and should really work on eating more.  well that advice qworked for me. Even at a year out I find myself having to struggle and keep reminding myself to eat.  If busy i will forget to eat and not get nearly enough calories or protien in. JIm D

The good thing about the shakes post-op is that they seem to be a good energy source. They don't hang around in the stomach, they take a beeline instead to the small intestine.