Question:
Post-op protein question
I have been reading and reading about the post-op diet we'll need to follow and I am kinda stuck on one aspect of it. In order to lose the most weight post-op, should we be eating almost all protein? From the profiles and journals I've read, it seems the people that have the most weight loss success are eating the most protein. (almost no veggies or fruit or carbs at all) — thumpiez (posted on October 19, 2002)
October 19, 2002
Christie, the aim is for 60+ grams of protein a day. I am 2 months post op
and I am getting in an average of 60-80g per day and about 600-900
calories. I average 20-40g of carbs per day. I find it easy to get the
protein in as I can eat Meat & Chicken without any problems.
— heathercross
October 19, 2002
I'm 7 mos post op and down 126lbs. I eat my protien first but I also eat a
fruit or veggie at every meal. I just try to avoid carbs like bread,
pasta, rice and potatoes. I do occationally eat something like a slice of
pizza or some popcorn at a movie just not all the time maybe once every
couple weeks. I hope this puts your mind at ease.
— Alison N.
October 19, 2002
ALL foods groups are important to eat after surgery, but, at first, protein
is the most important. It helps you heal. It helps your body to burn the
fat and keep the muscle. Once you can eat more you will see that you will
have "room" for your fruits and veggies, just in smaller amounts.
They say to stay away from breads, pasta, and rice. You don't HAVE to stay
away from them but what happens is they tend to swell in your tummy AFTER
you eat them and that can cause discomfort because you end up feeling
overstuffed. They are carbs your body doesn't need anyway. You're better
off getting the good carbs from your veggies. I am 10 months out and I eat
very little rice, pasta, and bread. Hardly ever as a matter of fact. I
don't miss them at all. I find now that I love fruit, whereas before
surgery, I rarely touched it. I get MOST, not ALL, of my protein from
shakes, that way, I don't have to worry about getting my protein in at
mealtime. I can have a salad or soup or whatever without having to worry or
focus on eating protein first. You will figure out what works for you
eventually. We didn't have this surgery to "diet" for the rest of
our lives. I can eat anything I want. MODERATION is the key to success.
— Kim B.
October 20, 2002
I tend to agree with Kim, that moderation is the key. My nutritionist, who
works exclusively with WLS, and I think most nutritionists, will agree that
protein only is not good for you-basically thats the Atkins diet and it
puts your body into ketosis-not a good state to stay in. A balanced
approach is better, however, with more protein than anything else. There
are good carbs in fruits and veggies. Bread should be whole grain, pasta
and rice are optional. Kim is right about how quick they fill you up
though, so many people avoid or minimize them. I was a pasta and rice
junkie pre-op, now I have a little pasta a few times a week, but rice is
not as easy so for now I avoid it. My nutritionist also said that we should
learn to eat "normal" and that means a balanced diet of protein,
fruits, veggies, some carbs and yes, fats.
— Cindy R.
October 20, 2002
I am down 97 pounds in five months only 10 pounds from goal. I went from a
size 24 to an 8. I eat veggies and carbs. I just eat my protein first.
For example, if I have chicken parm with spaghetti, I eat my chicken first
then some of the spaghetti. If I have a steak dinner I eat the steak first
then some potatoes and veggies. I love salads now, hated them pre-op. I
also take Real Meals protein. It has 60 grams per shake plus all of the
other vitamins I need. So I split it into two mini shakes a day.
— Linda A.
October 20, 2002
I love when this subject comes up...it is sooo controversial at
times...there are some people who are firm believers in the *protein only*
mantra...then there are the ones who are *mostly protein* and then you have
me, the bad girl...I am the naughty one who feels I should and do eat
whatever it is that I want to...just in smaller amounts. I believe that
yes, protein should come first...but I am not going to "fill" up
on protein and not have that salad or even some of that baked potato. I
eat regular butter (because of taste and because butter is all
natural...that margerine stuff is made from different types of goop) and I
eat regular Hellman's mayo (Best Foods for those out west) and I eat
regular cheese...as a rny I do malabsorp my food, so I take advantage of
that...I eat a healthy diet...a well balanced diet, if you will. And it
works for me.
Have a Sparkling Day!!
~CAE~
— Mustang
October 20, 2002
I disagree with all protein. Balance is the key. I started at 5'6, 269
pounds and have lost 75 pounds in 4 months. And I still eat carbs, fruits
and veggies. Sure I try to get the protein in first, but I don't neglect
all other foods. You need to have the balance. People are just more
obsessed about "protein good" "Carbs bad" thing right
now.
— emilyfink
October 20, 2002
I had my surgery 13 months ago, and am down 145 lbs. and still losing
slowly. BMI is now 23, and I wear a size 6-8 on a 5'10" frame. I do
focus on getting my protein in first, but I don't go for an "all the
protein, all the time" kind of diet. I have a protein shake in the
a.m., made with a cup of milk and a banana or other fruit (yeah, I know,
it's sacrilege in some circles to mix in the extra carbs...but I don't
believe in food extremism). I aim for about 100 grams of protein a day, and
the shake I have makes up almost half that. The rest of the day, I focus on
healthy eating, but I don't get carried away. For instance, today I had a
peanut butter cookie that my daughter had made for me (she's 8); then I had
lunch of 1/2 can of tuna, some light mayo & pickle relish on a single
slice of bread. Then a very small apple. I am still full an hour later.
My nutritionist told me, and I fully believe, that we get the best chance
at health when we don't fall prey to any food faddism, including all
protein, all carb, all fat, or whatever. We are omnivores, and we are built
to thrive on a wide variety of foods. Our surgery doesn't change that. The
only reason we focus on getting protein in first is that there's limited
room in our pouches, and we need to make sure we get the "basic
building blocks" for our bodies before the other fuel goes in.
My big weight loss secret? Exercise. I hit the gym four days a week for an
hour at a time. Three cardio sessions (including one interval class, with 3
minutes of cardio interspersed with 3 min. of weights), and one hand
weights class. I have great muscle definition, and I eat about 1500
calories a day and am still losing. In fact, I'm going to post about that
in a sec....but basically, I would say that instead of focusing on what you
can or cannot eat, you should think about living a healthier life post-op.
I feel like I've been given this amazing, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,
and I'm not about to blow it.
— Karen I.
October 20, 2002
8 yrs. I don't eat much protein. And I certainly don't eat it first.
That'd take up space I'd rather use for vegies. YUM! And carbs, also yum,
but they also take perfectly good veggie space. Every now & then, of
course, I do eat meats. I get my protein via supplements, both my
prefrence and my doc's instructions. I was always anemic & such not
being much a meat or fish fan (fish is not food!), so the day I found out
my "meat" was chocolate, I was a happy, happy girl! The only
things I avoid are milk & sugar. I dont' feel deprived, because as far
as I'm concerned, the basic food groups are butter, mayo & chocolate,
and those are fine for me. Butter goes on hot veggies, mayo on cold. Such
a simply formula. LOL! No, really, although I do eat those, of course, I
eat a fairly balanced diet, but scanty meat.
— vitalady
October 23, 2002
I don't think it is a matter of eliminating all carbs and only
eat protien, but instead focusing on getting plenty of protien and
then some carbs. But I feel better and have fewer cravings when I stay
away from starch and breads. I dump on sugar,
Including some natural sugars if I eat a lot of them including
fruit if not eaten without anything else.
Do best with abundant protien & veggies, some fruit
and small amount of whole grains and legumes.
Good luck.
— Dell H.
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