Question:
I can't stand this - I need to be told what to eat!

I'm 4 months post-op (-78lbs.) I've had a few plateaus. I feel like I'm going crazy. Some people say low fat, some people say high protein/low or no carb. Which is it??? Prior to having surgery I lost 50lbs on Atkin's and have crept back into the Atkin's way of eating. I feel I might be developing some sort of eating disorder - I'm so afraid of carbs and if I do allow myself to have a little I usually go hog wild and don't get in hardly any protein. I guess I just need someone to be straight with me and come right out and tell me what to eat, I need some sort of structured plan, repetition does not bother me. I just want to make the best of this tool. Please help!    — Angie B. (posted on July 11, 2002)

July 10, 2002
Calm down, you're not doing so badly! First of all, measure out your food - Try about 1/4 of a whole chicken breast, cut in teeny tiny pieces. Put veg on your plate, no more than a couple ounces, say, cut in teeny tiny pieces. Eat the protein first. Eat the veg second. THEN, if you still have room, eat some more veg. Skip the carbos. If you must have carbos, take one small teaspoon, and taste with the very tip. That's what got me through, and I didn't feel deprived..... Margie B
   — Marjorie B.

July 10, 2002
When I had this surgery I said to myself. "I am NOT dieting anymore!" I eat what I want. I don't worry about fats or carbs or stuff like that. I eat everything in MODERATION. If I want a cookie, I have ONE sugar free cookie. I don't overdo anything. I am 7 months post op and have lost 83 pounds, with 35 to go. I say eat what you want just in moderation. However, the more protein you eat,the better. If you are eating basically the ATKINS diet, that should be fine as long as you are taking your vitamins. Talk to your Dr. and see what he thinks too. You are only 4 mos. post op and still learning this new way of eating. I am 7 months and I am still learning. You'll be ok. Moderation is the key.
   — Kim B.

July 10, 2002
NO DIETS HERE EITHER !!!!
   — Joi G.

July 10, 2002
no one can tell you for sure because it all works different for each of us. i had been staying under 1000 cals per day and walking 2 miles (at least) and using the gazzelle then i had BBQ at my house that wore me slam out. I went up to 1200-1500 cals per day did not exercise at all this week and dropped 4 lbs ...!! go figure...so i think well balanced meals are really the answer. You lose slower,but as long as you eat in moderation AND KEEP UP EXERCISE you will lose im sure!!! No matter what "diet" or food plan you are on there is no magical potion not even protein !!! If you dont burn off more calories than you eat, you'll gain weight!!! Protein is just something we need as by pass patients..and we need to get down what ever your dr or diatition tells you per day....!!!! Drinking water and clear liquids is also another helper...Good luck
   — Jackiis

July 11, 2002
Not going to "diet" here either. NO way. 7.5 weeks and 50 pounds gone. I eat what I want in MODERATION. (and what doesnt make me feel sick at this point lol) Good luck you are doing great! Congrats on your loss!!!
   — Sassy M.

July 11, 2002
Diets don't work. Otherwise why would we need to have the surgery. The key post-WLS is to maintain/enhance your health according to your needs and type of surgery. That means getting enough protein for your body. But it also means eating some fat and carbs so your skin and hair aren't compromised. It means taking whatever supplements are required after your type of surgery. It means staying active. If you do that the weight will continue to come off. You've done REALLY well so far. Don't let yourself fall back into that diet mentality of denying yourself until you can't stand it anymore and then being "bad!" If you want a bite of cake--have it! Be satisfied with it and move on. As long as you are doing everything else healthy, who cares if you have a little cake?<p>I don't think the key to this is a structured plan. You set yourself up for failure that way. What if you are supposed to have tuna for lunch and you don't have any tuna around. Then you say "to heck with it. this is too hard and I'll just eat whatever I want." Better to train yourself on how to make GOOD CHOICES from what is available. Know what is good for your body and pick that most of the time. Then if you have other things it is ok because the basics are taken care of!
   — ctyst

July 11, 2002
Angie, most of us had this surgery to eat normal, not to be on a diet for the rest of our lives. My goodness, a life without carbs must be truly boring! Most of us do eat some carbs and lose weight just the same, so why deny yourself? The key is to get in your protein every day, but there is room for more than just protein. Here is what I eat in a typical day (and I am 5 1/2 months out): For breakfast-one scrambled egg with melted cheese and a dollop of chili on top, for lunch-1/2 of a meat sandwich (yes with bread and mayo) or grilled chicken over a salad(yes with dressing), for dinner-1/3 of a grilled chicken breast or fish with a steamed veggie and maybe a bite or two of potato/rice/pasta. Or 1/2-3/4 of a Lean Cuisine..and I also have snacks-mini bite size cookies, nuts, popcorn, SF ice cream. So you can see I have a balance of protein/carbs, fats in my diet-its eating normally, just small amounts. I am down 67 pounds and loving life!!
   — Cindy R.

July 11, 2002
Angie,I was told by my surgeon to "balance" my eatting habbits and to get protien whenever I can, BUT not to stress any of it. I do, I eat a lot of vegtables and beans.. I eat a lot of shredded / crumbled meats.. I can't eat breads, but can / do eat some pasta or rice when I want it.. Not too much, but enough as not to deprive.. My PCP and I have watched my blood counts carefully for a while, and made adjustments to my diet accordingly.. This last set of blood counts came out straight down the middle of normal.. so .. it all depends on your body really. Trust your gut (or in the posties case - your stoma) and if you feel you're lacking one vitamin/mineral or another, add it. Keep sense about it though, if you have a choice, chose your lower fat cuts of stuff, whole grain pastas/breads instead of high fat ones, sugar free instead of full sugar.. Listen to YOUR body and do what works for you.. Good luck on your journey
   — Elizabeth D.

July 11, 2002
I know that every doctor is different in the way they handle their WLS patients.....I have seen everything on this site.....alot of doctors tell their patients eat whatever you want after 6 weeks as long as it does not make you sick.....I AM SO THANKFUL for my doctor - Dr. Eric Thoburn in Gainesville....He has a nutientist on staff that we are required to see at each visit. We are slowly reintroduced to food, so that you know what works for you or not and certain foods are so much harder to digest than others, they are last on the list....They "INSTILL" in us ....PROTEIN, PROTEIN, PROTEIN !!!! Sure it is hard, but I rather go this route than risk being sick and it is working 8 week -45 pounds!!! Here is what it has been like for me for the last 8 weeks: 1st 2 weeks - LIQUID Week 2-6 - Eggs, Cheese, Beans or Peas, Peanut butter, crackers, fat free mayo or sour cream and white potatoes week 6 - seafood and toast Week 8 - 3 months - Chicken, Turkey and Pasta with low sugar red sauce. That's it. At 3 months a little more will be introduced. But no red meat or pork for 6 MONTHS !!!
   — Sharon H.

July 15, 2002
Hi Angie, Have you tried Weight Watchers? I am 7 months out and have lost a 125 pounds, but just recently about a month ago I went to weight watchers to teach myself how to eat again. Very easy program and my weight keeps coming off try that or get online for weight watchers and maybe they can give you some sugestions. Laura M.
   — Laura M.

Click Here to Return