Fitday question

Well, I'm going to go against the grain (as usual). Firstly, I can see why doctors want us to focus on protein and water primarily, before anything else. It fills up our pouches, keeps us satisfied for longer periods of time and builds muscle. I follow basic recommendations from my surgeon, follow the plan laid out for me (in fact, I adhere more strictly than what is allowed), and without trying I arrive anywhere from 800-1000 calories a day. I have run this by my nut and by my surgeon and while they tell me not to focus on the calories (yesssss I know ), this is absolutely fine! That being said, I do NOT see the need to restrict calories to 500 or under. I'm sorry. I think it's fine if you get your required protein in through food and supplementation, taking your vitamins and the numbers just happen to arrive low (under 500). But to actually make the attempt to keep the calories super low makes NO sense to me whatsoever. IMHO, it would be very very difficult to get your protein and nutrients in and keep the calories that low. (insert plug for whey protein shakes) I'm in the camp that protein from food isn't the easiest for us as WLSers to absorb, and that whey protein is. I try to supplement with protein shakes ...at least 2, but some days I only get one in. I don't stress over it. Some people don't do shakes at all...I personally think they should, but who am I to tell them differently? I can only toss it out there and tell them to do their research. If you have anything but a lapband or what Cara has (sorry, the name escapes me at the moment), you have the benefit in the fact that your body is not going to absorb all the calories you eat anyway. Regarding carbohydrates, I'm on the fence. I eat low carb in general, but I am not overly restrictive. Again, I do NOT see the point. I did Atkins for years, mainly because I have PCOS and I feel it benefitted me in that respect, though I never lost very much weight. If you feel "induction level" (20 gms) of carbs a day benefits you, then by all means eat low carb. Maintenance carbs in Atkins or just about any LC plan is 100gms a day. I average about 50-60 a day, naturally...but I don't TRY to focus on that number. It's how I eat now and it averages out at that number. I am always shocked at how little everyone eats on this board. I seem to be the only one eating in the range I do in terms of calories (700-1000 daily). I feel I'm doing fine and so does my surgeon, and I guess that's what counts. If others who are eating less than 500 calories and their doctors and nutritionists know about it, are doing fine then more power to them! I just don't feel I need to restrict myself to very very small portions or severely limit carbs *purposely*. I eat no more than 1/2 cup (4 ounces) of food at a time. Interestingly enough, I have a "micropouch", which has a capacity of 2ccs. There are many opinions on this board...just giving you mine. JMO, JME, IMHO, (etc etc) Chele (whew, opinionated this morning, aren't I?)

Well, I feel I have to get in on this one. LOL First of all I think everyone needs to follow docs orders. Mine wants me to get in 50-60 grams protein and at least 48oz fluids. He says right now 500 calories a day is normal and I should work my way up to 800 and no more then that till I reach my goal weight. Although my doctors allows carb, I choose not to eat a lot of them. Thats just me. I feel better when my carb count is low. As for sweets and sf stuff. I cant allow these things in my life right now. I have had a 2 slips and I paid for them. But for me, if I eat sf treats or candy Im affraid of where that might lead. I do have an addiction to food and over then next year I plain on breaking that addiction. But heres the main reason I cant allow those things.........We only have rapid weight loss for the first 6 months then it slows down. This means I only have 2 1/2 months left to loose a big chunk of this weight. Sf candy just adds extra calories I think I dont need. It adds tons of carbs and probably no protein. I must be doing something right. My doctor is thrilled and I am down 87 pounds and only have 50 more to go...... just my thoughts, kristi

"MY TWO CENTS" by Valerie Smith My surgeon says "you did not have this done to be on a diet your whole life, you tried that and failed!". He does not beleive in shakes or bars. He likes us to get our nutrition from food. I feel like I eat quite a bit more than most of you with a few exeptions. I do try to get protein first then veggies and then complex carbs. I am probably getting about 800 cals a day. I have lost 63 lbs since Jan 3rd so I feel like it is working for me. Oh,as far as sweets. I have had a few sugar free and a few not so sugar free. I figure if I go with the infamous "3 bite" rule I am doing okay. So I guess the moral to my story is...live and let live,different strokes...,judge not...,people in glass houses...,a rolling stone...oh,wait,that one makes no sense...whatever!

You know I don't think anyone can say there is only one way to do this. If that were true, we wouldn't see so many of us asking questions because all of us would be told the exact same thing. Diet and exercise has so many varying factors, like age, current wieght, other health related issues and so on. We all have to do what's best for us. Lets all remember there is more than one way to do things. Our way may not work for some. We can share our opinions and ideas but lets not make anyone feel guilty because they do it different. Leeanne

Hi Kay, Wow, lots has already been said. I just want to add my 2 cents for what it is worth... You know there is not one perfect answer. If there were there would be only 1 surgery type and 1 diet plant to follow. We all choose our surgeons based on the fact that we believed they were the best person for the job. Each surgeon holds their own beliefs on how to do this effectively. For example my surgeon has an example diet for a typical day at my current stage allows for 862 calories 60 carbs 30 fat 85 protein I have done a lot of research and made a choice not to follow his plan to a 'T' I try to limit my carbs a little more. Additionally, I base the carb control decision on talking with WLS grads who had success and controlled carbs (under 40 g) for the first 6 - 12 months. I also choose to supplement my protein. I know of one RNY patient who at her doctors orders did not supplement and lost 23 pounds of MUSCLE - not fat! And she got the recommended amount of protein from food, her body just did not absorb the protein she was eating in food form. Ofter after WLS, the person trades their food addiction for another addiction be it alcohol, drugs, not eating, exercise, vanity etc. They just shift their compulsion from one to another. I was told not to severely restrict my calories because the body would end up in starvation mode which results in muscle loss and vitamin and mineral deficiencies. No one knows exactly how much we malabsorb. I have seen numbers from 35 -75 percent. I would imagine the average person is some where in the middle of that range at about 50%. If I eat 400 calories per day, absorb 200, I am in danger of starvation and malnutrition. Yes, even at 200+ pounds I can be malnurished. the following paste is from The American Dietetic Association, full text of the artical can be found at http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada/hs.xsl/advocacy_adar0802_ENU_HTML.htm Diets Multiple approaches to the modification of caloric intake have been tried. Diets can be classified as: starvation (0-200 kcals/ day); very-low calorie (200-800 kcals/day) or low calorie (> 800 kcal/day) (66). Starvation diets include fasting, which has been used for centuries and results in a loss of lean body mass and mineral loss due to diuresis. VLCDs are protein-sparing modified fasts using either a premixed liquid or meat, fish, or poultry. VLCDs come and go in popularity often according to the push of a commercial program or book. Generally, in a medical environment, they are reserved for patients who have BMIs > 30 and have failed other approaches. Patients should be under medical supervision and must receive supplemental vitamins and minerals (63). It has been established that the weight losses over time are not greater than a mixed diet of equal caloric content, and the resumption of eating solid foods frequently disrupts maintenance efforts (67,68). More commonly used interventions are low-calorie diets that modify the macronutrient composition of the diet. Low-calorie diets emphasize portion control in an effort to reduce energy intake below the level of energy expended. For balanced, deficit diets, the treatment protocol must be adapted to the needs of the patient. However, usually an energy deficit of 500-1000 calories per day is planned for individuals with the expectation that a weight loss of 1-2 pounds per week will occur. The reduction of saturated fat is advised with a total fat intake of less than 30% (69). It is important that total calories are reduced, not just total fats, or little weight change will result (70). Of greatest importance is stressing "healthy eating" advised for all Americans according to the Food Pyramid Guide and the US Dietary Guidelines. Dietary planning and employing caloric dilution to keep the volume of food up while reducing total calories, may decrease feelings of deprivation and restriction. God Bless, Jen