Question:
4 week check-up- RN & surgeon said not to count fat and calories?

I had my 4 week post-op check-up yesterday and my surgeon and RN (who had the RNY 4 years ago) said just to be concerned about my water intake and protein intake. Which they said is great. Because I asked how many grams of fat and calories and carbs i should be getting. I know to do protein first, then veggies, then fat/carbs. But they said don't worry about it. Is this ok? I know WLS is A TOOL, but i also shouldn't feel like I am dieting either. My scale at home in the morning w/o shoes says i lost 35 pounds- doc's scale in afternoon after eating with shoes said i only lost 30 pounds! :( made me sad. Any help please! Thanks, i'm still new, so I need support sometimes!! :)    — Lezlie Y. (posted on July 2, 2002)

July 2, 2002
My surgeon told me the same thing. There are foods like peanut butter and cheese that do have a kinda high fat count, but are still worth their weight in protein. He doesn't believe in counting and weighing food. He said just to make sure that I am eating high protein foods first. He wants things to be as natural as possible so that they will be long term. I think you are doing great, so just keep up the good work and don't get too tied up in counting fat and calories. Your body will let you know if you eat too much fat.
   — emilyfink

July 2, 2002
Dear Lezlie, Get off the scale. The only one that counts is the surgeon's scale. I'm 5+ weeks out and haven't weighed since 19 days post op. My surgeon's expert says to read package label-no more than 10 g sugar per serving. She also watches fat but not as closely-says about 10 g fat.
   — Janis D.

July 2, 2002
Meat, cheese and eggs are great protein sources. If you try to also stop fats, you can't eat all of this great protein. Trust your doc. We all know it is the junk food that gets us in the end (pun intended)
   — faybay

July 3, 2002
The reason there probably telling you to not count calories is that you need ALL the calories you can take in now, no matter what they are. Your a brand new post op so your not taking in that many calories to begin with. Listen to the doctor. There right.
   — Patty H.

July 7, 2002
They are 100% correct. Just eat proteins and drink your water. Add some non-starch veggies or a small salad with non-diet dressing and you're set. Fat and calories are not an issue. Sugar and starches (which are metabloized as sugar) are! Also, beware of milk. Ounce for ounce, it has a lot of carbs compared to an equal amount of cheese and it won't fill you up like cheese will. Check out my site: http://www.WeightlossSurgery.ws It may be helpful to you. Good luck, Diane N.
   — DianeN