Opinions?

Hi all, just looking for some feedback/opinions. Today I went to my 3 month post op dietician visit. I worked with her for 6 months pre surgery and really liked her. 

 

However today she told me that I'm losing to fast (I've lost 70 lbs in 3 months, but had surgery at 371 lbs) and that I'm "starving myself." I'm currently having roughly 500 calories a day with 55-65 grams of protein. I have Zero hunger so I eat lunch and dinner and drink a protein shake for breakfast. She told me that I should be aiming for 1200 calories a day and that I need to be eating around 120 carbs a day as well as the 60 grams of protein. 

 

To me, this advice seems crazy. How can I possibly eat that many calories a day and still consistently lose weight? I was literally gaining 1-2 lbs a week diligently eating 1600 calories a day prior to surgery. 

 

Has as anyone else received similar advice? Or for the vets who have lost so much and maintain, did you eat this much and still have success? Thank you. 

I am not speaking as an expert. I was told the same thing, that at three months out that I should be getting 1000-1200 calories a day. I had no problem losing due to the surgical malabsorption and exercise. I think that is why my maintenance calorie intake is higher than a lot of people--because I didn't starve myself calorie-wise. I would follow the advice of your team, taking into account what your body tells you. You will have stalls and slower losses along the way, but find what works best for you in the long run. Good luck!

I was a lot bigger than you, and I never got close to 1200 calories while I was losing. I never counted carbs, just calories and protein, but almost no one here will think 120 carbs per day is ok.

I've found the knowledge and experience of nutritionists to be all over the map. It seems to me you are doing a great job so far. If I were to change anything, I'd recommend more protein, not carbs.

Your doc and nut are better qualified to determine what you need and don't need, and they have  a program for you to follow.

That being said, you have to make your choice on what you want to eat.  I have seen people lose that fast, and faster, and their doctors commend them.  Unless they see something else going on that we don't know about I'm not sure how slow they want you to lose.  Especially since we lose so fast in the first few months out.

120 carbs and 60 proteins seems flipped to me, as well.  My doc preaches a diet of eggs, meat, cheese, and leafy greens for the first year, then on to maintenance.  I can't imagine eating enough greens to get 120 grams of carbs!  And I'm not even bypassed yet!  So again, this is completely contrary to what my plan calls for.  BUT my doctor is not your doctor.

I was never told how many calories to eat, just what to eat. The only carbs my nut has suggested is quinoa, and 2 tablespoons max per day. I was told to aim for 60+ grams of protein, then veggies, and if there's room (there usually isn't) then carbs. 1200 calories seems really high to me.

I'm 16 months out and still haven't ever eaten 1200 calories nor that number of carbs.  In fact, at 950 calories I am firmly in maintenance-- your NUTS advice sounds good for normies-- not for those of us fighting the disease of obesity 

How are your labs?  Maybe 500 cal is a bit low?  You know what's working for you so I can't say what you should do or not.  IMO, you should do what works for you and ride the wave of loss while it's working so well.  I was never given any calorie or carb goals, only protein.  I think her plan sounds more for non surgical patients than RNY, but every NUT seems to be different.  I tend to get as much info as I can and then filter it through common sense, what I have learned here and what I know is working or not working for me personally.

Congrats on your WL so far!  You are doing great!

 I think it's a matter of every surgeon/team being different. I am 2 month post op RNY and my team has me on 750-800 calories, 60+ protein and no more than 30g carbs a day. I was stalling for about 2 weeks and my nut said my cals were too low (I was doing about 550 average) so she told me up my cals, protein and water and it did the trick! 

There is no such thing as losing too fast.  You have a lot to lose and a window in which to do it comfortably - no time is as easy as this first six months and to lose the maximum amount you can makes absolute sense to anyone who has had WLS.   I had 100lbs to lose and lost 120lbs in six months.  Your team can give you guidance, but you are an adult and therefore are totally capable of doing your research and making your lifestyle decisions

Welll done on a stellar job so far!

Thanks for the input everyone! I'm such a rule follower when it comes to this kind of stuff so it's really hard for me not to do as I'm told. However I know my own body much better than anyone else does so I'm going to try and increase calories some, but certainly not to that extreme. I also am going to try to incorporate some natural carbs but her recommendation of rice pasta and crackers will be ignored for now.