what is YOUR plan?

Hey!  Good luck - I had a great experience with Dr. Ben-Meir.  His office staff are also wonderful.

I'll be honest...I don't track, count calories, or worry too much about what I eat anymore....I am very busy with living life now, and food is not on my mind all that often...so I just keep on trucking ahead and the weight keeps coming off...my surgeon's plan never called for us to actually count calories or carbs anyway. I do naturally limit carbs, because I follow the protein first rule. (I know that many on the boards are very strict with carbs and calorie counting, and it works well for them....but luckily, my weight loss has been good without such careful behavior)

My current plan at 5 months post op (since I'm fairly close to goal weight & am confident that I will get there):

Can eat anything at this point...but focusing on protein food first. Small portion, usually about 2-4 ounces, depending on food item.

Eat 4-5 times a day.

Limit the junk food to only occasional indulgence.

Still consciously eat  very slowly & concentrate on chewing.

Avoid drinking and eating within short time of each other.

I'm only doing 2 one hour fully body workouts weekly now...I probably need to get back to my extra cardio sessions to see goal more quickly.

8 1/2 months out.  My surgeon's plan calls for me to get 63-78g of protein a day, and to eat 3-4 oz of protein at 3 meals plus fiber foods (veggies, primarily) up to 2oz.  My plan also calls for 2 servings of dairy a day plus a 2oz fruit snack.  One serving of 'fiber' food can be brown rice, nuts, whole wheat crackers, etc, but that was only allowable after 6 months.

I can't eat more than 2 1/2 oz of dense protein at a sitting and I am not a big dairy fan unless it's in my coffee.  Generally, I eat  2 to 2 1/2oz of protein 4x a day.  I eat a few bites of veggies, and I  take extra calcium.  Generally, I hit 70g of protein, 30 carbs (20 net), and about 700 calories a day. 

I have been losing weight steadily, although I am stair stepping in loss more and more. I"m actually up this week for no apparent reason other than I lost 6lbs in the preceeding 2 weeks, I guess.

Don't forget to check out the VSG Maintenance Group on this site.  These are sleevers who have met goal and maintaining.  I have read some good information and these sleevers have amazing results.  There are close to 700 members on this site.  The link is below.
http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/VSGM/discussion/

600 calories or less while losing, 40 grams carbs, 70 protein.  Protein first, veg and fruit after that.  Basically super strict until you get to goal.  

So far I'm not having a hard time with that.  At times it is still hard to get all the protein in, and I've developed a complete aversion to protein drinks.  Actually, though, my surgeon prefers we get off the shakes as soon as possible, as the digesting of solid food burns more calories than the liquids.

My doc's plan has no blanket fat, carb or calorie targets, protein 60-80g/day, more if strength training, limit simple carbs and empty calorie foods. Typically 1000-1100 cal per day, 100g protein, 3oz solid meats typ limit, or 2 oz with lots of veg (salads, stews, etc.) typ 2-3 servings veg/fruits per day. Working with nut to selectively boost complex carb intake at lunch to better fuel afternoon workouts - so far, so good with increased time and intensity of workouts but need to validate. Weight loss fairly consistent at 2-3lb/week.

My plan during weight loss phase is:
650 cal, 85-100 grams protein, <40 carbs, 64 oz. fluids and exercise!

My surgeon/NUT do not have a set calorie or carb amount either. We are to get in 60-80 grams of protein daily. I usually get in well above 80 grams per day. I concentrate on protein first, and we are allowed any fruits/veggies/whole grains as long as we get protein first. Also, in reading labels if sugar is one of the first 3 ingredients, we are not to have it. We are to have 3 meals per day and no snacks, but I told NUT last week that I am having either an afternoon or bedtime snack if I feel I need it. She did not have a problem with it. I can also now have 1-2 cups of regular coffee (yay!) daily - I'm doing 1/2 decaf and 1/2 regular.



I have done pretty well, probably averaging 2-3# weekly loss. I don't feel deprived. The one thing I have avoided totally is any type of "sweets" because I am scared I will lose control.




I have also joined Weigh****chers, my NUT said it is a great plan and people can lose on it. I am doing this for long term support. I don't get to my 29 points yet.

In the regular food phase, my surgeon's plan is

1000-1200 calories
60-80 g protein
90-135 g carb
40-50 g fats

2 servings milk or yogurt
6 oz. meat, poultry, fish, eggs, cheese
5 servings starches, breads
2 servings fruit, unsweetened
203 servings vegetables or more if desired
3 servings fats and oils

Protein first, no drinking with meals, yada yada.

This is the plan my doctor gave me.

I followed the plan and lost 100% of my excess weight and have kept it off without a lot of effort.

1. Eat 600-800 calories per day when losing weight and 1,200 calories to maintain
2. Limit carbs to less than 40 grams per day
3. Eat 70-100 gram of protein daily
4. Minimum 64 oz. liquids daily
5. Regular exercise/physical activity
6. Track what you eat ( I use myfitnesspal.com to track calories, carbs, protein, etc.)

Good luck,
George