Question:
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!    — zoedogcbr (posted on January 19, 2003)

January 19, 2003
Always remember the basic premise: we're fat because we're stupid. Then, go from there. Since I know many of "us" who are absolutely brilliant, tops in their fields at whatever they do, I sorta tend to disagree with that blanket statement. I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer myself, but there are a few things I can figure out. You sound way ahead of me in that you've wrestled this thing to the ground and come to your own conclusions. And you never even got as far as malabsorption! Please be aware the surgeons have had VERY little training in obesity, the causes, the treatments OR nutrition. And many dieticians do not uinderstand malabsorption or what it would be like to have a pouch of an oz or half that. Oh, they try, but they dont' live it. You are just SO right on with your thinking here. I HAD to supplement my protein, because my doc insisted, and because I am distal. BUt given a choice NOW, I'd still do it. It's easy, lets me get my brain off thinking about food so much, and there are a dozen side benefits to whey protein. I'm an addict, no question. I ate the 5-6 tiny meals early on, still do 4 (at 8 yrs), though one might be nothing but a few carrots. It has worked for me, and many others. IF I was more of a grazer type than volume type, I'd probably sitll do the 5-6, but 4 works fine now.
   — vitalady

January 19, 2003
You are worrying too much at first none of us could get in all the required proteins some Docs say 3 meals some say 5-6 what you don't want to do is graze you have a high BMI it is not easy to lose all you want to lose You must be dedicated and follow the rules exercise is a biggie and no liquid calories I will pray your lactose intolerant and sugar intolerant and that you are one of the lucky ones who wake up not hungry..the light is there at the end of the tunnel down the road you can concentrate on proteins Michelle the vitalady can help with Protein drinks those are your best source after surgery and she has samples I have noticed most people with high BMI's that made goal substituted 1 or 2 meals a day with Protein drinks or concentrated highly on proteins You will do just fine follow the rules move the fanny and water water waater protein protein protein
   — Kathleen M.

January 19, 2003
hi let me say your right on track for yourself don't let anyone tell you something if it doesn't sit right with what your inside is telling you. my surgeons PA says 6 - 8 meals a day. at first i thought how the heck am i gonna do that. but when they say meals thay don't mean a seven course meal they mean a handful of peanuts a string cheese a yogurt a few fork fulls of tuna salad not really a meal pre op but post op it can be enough. take care and good luck on your up coming surgery. kimberly 11/12/12 -43
   — kimberly T.

January 19, 2003
Just let me clarify! When I say meals what I am talking about is eating 1/2-1 oz of protein up to 6 times a day. Which would still only likely total around 30 grams - hence 120 calories total. I am not big into protein drinks although I just stumbled across one reading through the library that I will order that is the consistency of water and tastes similar to kool-aid. At least that's what that poster said. I do not like to drink things that are thicker, even a little. I've never been much of a shake or malt drinker either. I need my drinks to be like watery liquid. I am not looking to be a grazer. 6 "meals" of 20-30 calories each is hardly grazing. Stimulating my metabolism early on will go a huge way towards eating up that tons of fat. If I hadn't lost the 200 lbs before I would not even question this, but knowing how I did that and that I ate tons more food, is what brings these concerns up. It was the healthiest 200 lb quick loss one could ask for. My main reason for starting to gain it back quickly was a severe underlying depression I had no idea was there. I just do not want to be set way back before I can go forward because my surgeon says 3 meals. I will try it his way for a while and keep track of what I am eating but if I am not getting in reasonable protein and calories to prevent severe starvation mode then I will figure out what is best for my body. Anyone who has lived through a healthy 200 lb weight loss I feel has a way better understanding of their body and how to keep it fueled properly, than any doctor or surgeon. Most dieticians have never been severely overweight and have no clue what it means to lose 100-200 lbs. Just what they learned in books. My goal is to find what works best and along the way educate my surgeon.
   — zoedogcbr

January 20, 2003
hi there :) my surgeon wanted 3 meals 2 snacks. i had open rny feb 8 02. i eat anywhere from 3 to 5 times a day. i just listen to my body, if its genuine hunger and not head hunger, i eat. i make sure i eat spaced out evenly so my metabolism stays on an even keal. i had alot to lose. started at 5 9 370 now weighing in at 189 and feelin great! best of luck to you ! would love to lose maybe 35 to 40 more.
   — carrie M.

January 22, 2003
Ahh...I'd better not go into too much detail about this one, I am somewhat partial towards the 6 meals as opposed to 3. ~~Why??~~Because I'm about RAVINOUS by mealtime. Might feel like a paranha in a fish tank!! This (for me) could lead to weight gain!! Guess my doc may feel I may need to see a "therapist" of sorts, but that's the way I'm gonna go! I feel you, Chris and agree with Michelle C.
   — yourdivaness