Question:
I AM A LITTLE OVER 4 MONTHS POST OP FRM OPEN RNY

I HAVE LOST A TOTAL OF 55 PDS. MY QUESTION IS I'M CONSIDERED A LIGHTWEIGHT (HATE THAT TERM) AND I KNOW I'VE LOST AT A SLOW RATE AND I WAS WONDERING IF I WAS EATING ENOUGH? (NEVER THOUGHT I'D SAY THAT). THE LAST WEEK I'VE BEEN GETTING DIZZY WHEN I STAND UP OR TURN AROUND ETC. TODAY FOR BREAKFAST I HAD HALF A PIECE OF TOAST, 1 PC OF BACON, AND ABOUNT 5 BITES OF SCRAMBLED EGGS. FOR LUNCH I HAD ABOUT 5 BITES OF SALAD AND 2 CRACKERS, FOR A SNACK I HAD FOUR CRACKERS W/PB (WHICH MADE ME KINDA SICK) AND FOR DINNER I'LL PROBABLY HAVE 1/2 CUP OF REFRIED BEANS W/HALF A PIECE OF CHEESE. LATER TONIGHT I MIGHT HAVE 1 SCOOP OF NO SUGAR ADDED ICE CREAM. DOES THIS SOUND ABOUT RIGHT OR NOT ENOUGH????    — sandy V. (posted on June 25, 2003)

June 25, 2003
According to the nutritional guidelines I was given by my surgeon and nutritionist you are really low on protein and a little high on carbs. While salad and crackers may taste great, nutritionally it is a big zero. Try incorporating more lean protein (chicken ,fish, turkey, low fat cheeses) and supplimental protein shakes if needed to get you up to 60 - 75 grams of protein a day.( or what your physician suggests). Are you getting in at least 64 oz. of water each day?? Check on the dizziness with your docotr, it happens to me when I don't drink enough water or my blood pressure drops. Good luck!
   — Linda 1.

June 25, 2003
It sounds like you aren't getting in enough fluids and are dehydrated.
   — Robin T.

June 25, 2003
Hi! You are eating too many carbs!! Your sugar can be going too high, hence the dizzieness. It can be something else... so keep an eye on it. DO change your diet!! That lunch really sucks big time, in this diet!! Do you realize that is a complete carbohydrate lunch?? Yes, that lettuce is carbs!! There are essentially three nutritrents (besides water, minerals, etc.), Carbs, protein and fats. Veggies fall into the carb catagory. Your breakfast sounds great, well balanced. Lunch... eck... cut out the crackers and most of the lettuce/salad, and get some protein in. Dinner is pretty high in fat, and having that much fat at night isn't good..., you won't lose weight as easily, nor as much. Cut out that ice cream, too. Get a meat snack instead. Too many carbs in ice cream. SO: your menu revised would be: Breakfast: half a piece of toast, one piece of bacon and one WHOLE egg (scrambled, or whatever... eat it BEFORE you eat that toast or bacon. If you can get away without the toast, do so, or at least cut it down to a fourth of a slice.), not just five bites; Mid-Morning Snack: 1 oz. cheese; Lunch: one to two ounces of meat protein, either fish, beef, pork, poultry, venison, ostrich, etc; one bite of salad and NO crackers. Mid-Afternoon snack: 3 crackers, 1 TBSP peanut butter; Dinner: 1/4 cup refried beans, 1/4 cup browned ground beef, 1 tblsp salsa, 1/2 oz. cheese. Evening Snack: 2 sugar free popsciles (sugar free bomb pops are great!!). Could you live with that change?? I don't mean to sound harsh, but you are kinda carb high, and I promise, if you switch it around, you will be much more successful! :~) Read my profile/email me if you like. I am 18 months post op, and my husband is 12 months post op. He has been on a plateau for six weeks, and he finally listened to me and changed his diet around and in the past seven days he has lost 3.5 lbs! It really does matter... and remember!! Those salads and fruits are CARBS! Not no-cal. foods or free foods, not for us! :~) Hugs!
   — Sharon M. B.

June 25, 2003
Hi, I am also 4 months out and have lost 87 lbs(started at 250 w/bmi of 42) I don't think that you are eating enough. Also you are not eating nearly enough protien. I would dump the crackers, toast, and lettuce. Stick with your meats, beans, and cheeses. And stay away from that Ice Cream.LOL
   — hooterzgirl75