3 Meals versus 6 Meals

I am struggling with this whole post-op eating thing in the sense that on one hand I am told I will need to get in as much protein as possible, but not to eat more than 3 meals. I have about 250 lbs to lose to get to a reasonable weight. I have noticed that many of the post-ops who were large like I am (432 lbs - BMI 64) and had very large losses in the first year, seem to typically be eating 5-6 meals. They are eating this way because it is the only way they can get in enough protein, not because they are always hungry. That's the other thing, the surgeon says protein, protein, protein and then proceeds to say do not eat unless you are hungry. This is contradictory to me. I realize we are trying to learn to eat "normal" and listen to our body, but I also do not want to severely malnuourish my body and spend months getting my strength up etc. It doesn't need to be that way in my opinion. I hear of too many people 2 months post-op (no extenuating circumstances) that are still so tired and have no energy to exercise etc. I do NOT want to be there, assuming I have no post-op problems. <p>Protein is so important to our bodies. It helps in healing, maintaining muscle mass so that your body eats up the fat instead of muscle, it helps build your stamina back up, may help lessen hairloss, will give you strength to exercise more and longer and on and on and on. The way I figure it with a 1/2 ounce pouch, I will be lucky if I can get a total of 12-15 grams of protein in at first, in the three meals. A long ways from 60 grams and a long ways from what my body needs to protect itself from starvation mode and going after the protein and muscle mass in my body. Even if I ate 6 meals I would still only be at 25-30 grams but it would be a lot better. I know over time my pouch will stretch some and allow me to eat a bit more, but if eating 6 small meals allows you to keep your pouch small, you are likely to have that really great weight loss early on. I talked with someone a few weeks ago who lost 183 lbs in 8 months and she eats 6 meals a day. She's within about 40-50 lbs from goal. She said if she didn't eat six meals she would never be able to get in adequate protein and calories. So obviously she has not stretched her pouch a lot. <p>If protein is so critical to our bodies, which I know it is, then why aren't these surgeons having us do everything possible to get in the protein we need. The more muscle mass we maintain and can build the more weight we will loose. Muscle mass speeds up the metabolism so your body burns fat. I know what it is like to lose 200 lbs in 13 months. Because I did it on 1200 calories and lots of exercise. I never went into starvation mode and lost muscle mass etc. and consequently the fat literally fell off my body. I was eating about 25-30% protein. <p>I will be discussing with my surgeon on the 27th, but I do not intend to sit back and watch my body deteriorate the first few months when I could be well on my way to that great weight loss and having tons of energy to do things. I will watch the calories very carefully. Even 60 grams of protein is only 240 calories, which is way below where your body kicks into starvation mode. I intend to add designer protein to everything under the sun to get the protein level up, but when I look at many people who have been thin all their lives it's because they eat many small meals. They spread the same amount of food the average person eats in three meals into 4-6 meals and their body is burning it right away and storing very little. Sounds ideal to me.<p>I actually had the idiot dietician tell me that I should not be having weight loss surgery because she could not open her ears and hear that my concern was about getting more than just a few grams of protein and not that I was worried I would not get enough food and constantly be hungry. All I know is that if you can get in decent exercise you will still lose quickly on as high as 1000-1200 calories and about the only way to get in even 600 calories is to eat more than 3 meals, at least for the first 2-3 months. I've rambled enough. Please give me some imput as to what your experiences have been!

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