Question:
Why are you counting calories and make daily intake so high?

My surgeon said not to count calories. Drink 64 oz. water plus protein supplements. If all I can eat is 1/2 cup cottage cheese or 1 egg for a meal and 1 oz. fish and 1/4 cup cottage cheese for a meal then that is all I need to eat as my stomach will not allow anymore and I should not try. I tried to explain the body might be going into starvation mode but he insists that as long as I'm energetic, take my B-12 shots, walk, take vitamins, drink water and take protein supplements equal to 60 grams/day that all is fine. My dietician disagrees but doctor insists I follow the program or I'll stretch stomach and gain down the road. HELP!    — blank first name B. (posted on April 22, 2003)

April 22, 2003
Maybe I'm missing something, but why would counting calories stretch your pouch? According to your profile, you had surgery at the beginning of February, so you're 2 1/2 months out. That's right around the time I started counting calories and protein and carb grams, mostly because I was curious as to what I was eating and determined not to lose touch with that as I was able to eat more. I kept hearing about the "window of opportunity," and the "honeymoon period," and how my appetite was going to get bigger, and I wanted a way to ease into all those phases gradually, and with some awareness if possible. So I started counting protein grams, carb grams, and calories, and tracking them on fitday.com. I really think it helped me to be much more aware of what I was eating as my capacity (and appetite) grew in the months after surgery. Also, I knew not to rely too much on the scale, because when I track my eating and exercise, I know whether the scale is just off doing its own thing for no reason, or whether it might truly be reacting to my eating and exercise habits.<P>Your surgeon sounds like mine, who also said, don't count calories. For me, I needed to do it, because it's just the way I dealt with my fears of regaining, of not maximizing my weight loss, of not re-learning my eating habits, of just doing *something* to try to prepare for the challenges ahead. I say, go ahead and count 'em and see what that information tells you. Information can't hurt.
   — Suzy C.

April 22, 2003
My 2 cents: I think both are right to an extent. In the beginning you really need to follow the plan as set forth by your surgeon. As you get farther and farther along, your diet will change. I am not sure how far along you are. I am out 7 months (down -116). I still do a protein drink during the a.m. and have high protein meals for lunch and dinner. And I try to get in 60-80oz of water a day. But I have also recently noticed that I am finally getting hungry at times. As for you body going into starvation mode, it is going to do that regardless whether you count calories or not. If you are morbidly obese and start losing a significant amount of weight your body needs time to adjust. The good thing is, that if you eat healthy (protein drink and/or food), get in your vitamins and plenty of exercise, you will lose and your body will adjust. Good luck!
   — Carole J.

April 22, 2003
Oh, I forgot to ask is your dietician familiar with WLS. Unlike regular diets, if you have had WLS, your needs are different. Many dieticians (and doctors) do not recognize that there are differences. If we could lose weight without WLS we would not be on this site.
   — Carole J.

April 22, 2003
Marlene, I started counting calories as soon as I was about 10 weeks post op, When you start to re-train your thinking on eating..... I was able to eat very little, but sooner or later your new little tummy is going to heal and it'll take more to give you that full feeling, if you winde up eating the wrong things, you'll gain weight. The surgery helps us to a point and then the rest is up to us to have the continued weight loss. I didn't count anything but the calories, I just wanted to see where Iwas and what I was consuming, I found on some days I ate more then others, the farther out you get from surgery, with each day you'll consume more, it's making those wiser choices that'll save us and help us reach our goals. (To loose more weight) I'm now 11 months post op and have opted to eat any where from 1600-1800 calories a day sometimes more sometimes less, I eat every 2 -3 hours and opt for protien first on all snacks. So I get in about 100-120 grams of protein a day, the more the merrier. What you consume is going to depend on what you do ie, exercise. and your lifestyle, the more you burn the more you'll be able to eat..... I would definetly start writing down what you consume, make it a habit.... and you'll have continued success with WLS. Much luck, post op 11 months down 128 pounds
   — tannedtigress