How to eat for maximum weight loss?

I was sleeved on Feb 08, 2015 ( 5 weeks) ago. My post-op education class is in 3 weeks and my first post-op nut appointment in 2.5 months. I am tolerating food very well from the beginning and can eat 1/2 to 3/4 cup per meal (1 cup full sensation) with ease. I am consuming 60-80g protein per day and drinking my 2 liters of liquid with ease. I am good with my vitamins, feel great and BM regular. I have lost 18 pounds since surgery and I am happy with my weight loss so far.

My question is what is the best approach to eat for maximum weight loss in this early stage? I would like to use this opportunity for maximum weight loss and I would like to hear from your experiences.

I know about 2 different approaches but I am very confused which will be best at this stage for weight loss.

1) As low calories as possible, example 800 calories on no-exercise days and increase when needed to exercise but mainly focus on protein. Count liquids, calories, protein and carbs.

2) or balances meals with protein first, then grains, fruits and veggies ( 1/2 to 1 cup per meal), 3 meals and 1- 2 snacks per day. Count only protein and liquids, focus on balances meals, mindfully eating and portion size. (it seems that the calories are a bit more on this method)

3) any other approached?

I would love to hear what has worked for you.

Thanks

Alida

the lower the calories the more you will lose but you need to get enough protien

 no such thing as starvation mode , if you eat to little cal you just burn then slightly slower but you still burn them

 I eat 80 gm protien , 800 cal most days but im a slow loser always have been , I eat 4 oz protien and 2-4 oz veggies but im 1 1/2 years out

 you do not want to add cal when you exercise  unless you need more protien , but 80 gms should be enough unless you run marathons 

Thanks for your advice.

What does your surgeon recommend in your post-op plan? Follow that, as it was designed to maximize weight loss.

Are you instructed to eat 3/4 c per meal? Most plans don't seem to call for that much volume (yours may be different) as many sleevers can't hold that much food, especially so soon post-op.

I am in Ontario, Canada and we have a Weight Management Clinic and do not deal directly with the surgeon. It is very focussed on the Bypass and not lots of VSGs are done. The program is setup for the Bypass and assumed that not lots of food will be tolerated at this stage.  Therefore the later post-op classes and dietician appointments.

Since I am losing weight, I did not demand to see a dietician earlier. but I would like to hear from other people's experience. My experience with dieticians are that they are focussed on max nutrition and I want max weight loss. I can and will call a dietician if needed but I would like to hear from other's experience first.

No, I am not instructed to eat 3/4 c per meal (not any instruction regarding volume and calories yet), that is how much I can eat and not feel a full sensation. I track my food currently at about 800 cal.

When you're relatively new from surgery, you don't feel much of a feeling of fullness because the nerves in your stomach have been cut and are still healing. At about 5 weeks out, I was instructed to eat only 2 oz in a sitting. After a few months that increased to 3 or 4 oz. A year out, I can eat a little more than that if I'm having carbs, but 3oz of dense protein (like steak) has me feeling overstuffed.

So my surgeon's plan and my experience, take it as you will:

• 60 - 80g lean protein per day
• a bite or two of veggies with meals AFTER you've eaten your protein
• limited whole grain carbs, i.e. a whole wheat wrap; avoid until maintenance if possible
• eat 5 times per day (meals or snacks)

I was told to worry only about protein and water, without worrying about calories because of the low carbs. For the first six months or so I ate 600 cal, then bumped things up to about 800 cal. 

I eat three meals a day.  Meal #1 is a protein shake.  The other two meals are 4 ounces of mainly protein.  I pay attention to protein and calories and know that the rest will fall into place due to portion size and composition of meals.  My plan is three meals a day with no snacks.  I exercise 1-3 hours a day and don't add more food on those days.  

Thanks Gwen for your advice. I like the 1st meal a protein shake too, easy in the morning and loaded with protein. I am not exercising extensively yet but I am thinking of starting next week. I am glad to hear I do not have to increase calories. How much calories do you aim for?

My plan doesn't call for counting calories, so I don't.  I just have a shake and two solid meals a day which I measure at 4 ounces.  Since they're primarily protein, I don't worry about the calories, carbs, or fat.  

Alida,

I would definitely reach out to your surgeons to see what their guidelines are.

My experience 800 calories is plenty that far out.  Honestly 600-800 / day is good.  Focus on protein.  You do not need many carbs at all at this point.  I worked out a lot and still stayed at about 800 for many months.  I still have some 800 calorie days and I'm 5'10 and workout hard and a lot.  

Best of luck!