Question:
What else do I need to insure successful weight loss?

I know I have to stay away from sugar, get a least 65 gr of protien in a day, take my citracal, B12 and daily vitamin. But what else do I need to do? I am 4 weeks post op and I am on soft foods. What exactly should I be doing? What about friuts and vegtables? How much Fat per serving should I limit too? What about carbs? Co-woker was appalled that I wanted a Soft Taco from TB (minus shell). Tried to explain that Protien is my number 1 thing when I sit and eat. She said it did not sound healthy. Am I wrong? Granted TB meat is probably not the best, but we will be out of office.    — Jeff D. (posted on September 25, 2003)

September 25, 2003
If I had a do-over, I would have started watching the amount of carbs at 6 months out and I would have exercised from day 1.
   — bbjnay

September 25, 2003
Limit the carbs, but to insure weight loss. Exercise as much as you can.
   — John P.

September 25, 2003
Jeff...first, congrats on getting to the other side. Second, I don't think 65g is enough protein. I would check with your surgeon, but I started feeling better after I started getting in 90+g's of protein. At 4 weeks, it may still be too early for fruits & veggies. Again, you'd have to check with your surgeon. Many veggies are fibrous or tough to digest, and if your insides haven't completely healed, it may be too early. Also, many fruits are high in calories. I probably would limit those for a while. I did eat strawberries (berries are lower in carbs/calories) in the beginning, but I found that eating sweet things made me crave more sweet things later in the day, so I sort of put those on hold. Once in a while I'll have a couple of apple wedges with peanut butter (but that was after I hit my 3 month mark). I've been limiting carbs since day one so that I can keep my weight loss on a roll. I try not to exceed 25-30 grams a day. With fat, I try to limit that to 20 a day. So far, I'v been losing steadily, although I'm sure if I exercised more, I'd lose faster. Who knows? As far as the Taco Bell thing..well, the fact that you chose protein was a smart move. I would take everything people say to you post-op with a grain of salt. Thank her for her concern and tell her that you're working closely with your physician to be sure you remain healthy. It seems like WLS brings out the "Dr. Phil/Dr. Laura, et al" in everyone! It's kind of like (not that you would know this first-hand) when people see a pregnant woman and decide that it's open forum for advice! It's nuts! Stick to your guns and eat your protein first. You'll do great!
   — Amy A.

September 25, 2003
Don't be afraid to take in a lot more protein than 65 grams a day, be it from protein shakes or protein foods.<P>To maximize your chances for good weight loss, I'd recommend tracking your food on fitday.com for several months, which will help you be very aware of exactly what you're eating (in terms of calories, and grams of protein, carbs, and fats). It is too easy to *think* you're eating less than you are if you don't really track it carefully, plus, as your eating capacity increases, this'll discipline you to develop good eating habits before you hit that period (about six months out or so) where you can eat a lot more. Also, don't forget that if you've had the RNY, you malasorb fats, so I'd be limiting the sugars pretty strictly, and keeping the carbs in check in general, but fat is on the bottom of my list of things to worry about because I know the malabsorption helps me a little bit there.<P>I'd also recommend getting an exercise program going now, if you're able to.<P>
   — Suzy C.

September 25, 2003
Water...don't forget to push the water. It will help flush everything out that needs flushing while your losing the weight. Other than that...protien, exercise and watching the carbs. Good luck!
   — eaamc

September 25, 2003
EXERCISE, EXERCISE, AND MORE EXERCISE!!!!
   — Gene F.

September 26, 2003
I know that all Dr's are different, buy my doc said that my protein should be 1 gram of protein for each 2.2 lbs that I weigh (weight divided by 2.2 = protein) Starting out at 283 lbs. my goal was to get 128 grams of protein in (that was not easy at first) now at goal (139 lbs) I get in at least 63 grams per day. I usually try to get more since I am trying to maintain and still can't eat volume so I have a few shakes a day to supplement the calories needed to stop weight loss. I started eating veggies (steamed at first then raw) about 1-2 months out, fruit scared me (sugar) and I didn't eat any until 5 months and then I went slow (1/2 banana and I would dump - I can still only eat 1/3 of a banana) The main thing during your first year is to find out what works FOR YOU!!! My surgeon was very vauge on a follow up diet and at first it made me a little mad, he should have provided me with a plan, but then as I went along I realized that my whole life I followed plans that worked for everyone, but me!! So I used this tool to help me realize what works for me and what I can live with. Don't worry about your friend, there are so many changes in our lives, they just are concerned. Taco bell has some good choices and some bad, but let's face it, we live in the real world and have to figure out how to have normalcy in our life, and sometimes Taco Bell, McDonalds...... have to be included. Sounds to me like you made a sensible choice. (add up the calories, at this point, it is nothing to worry about) By the way, what did your co-worker eat from Taco Bell, I can bet it was more than the insides from a taco...LOL!
   — Dana B.