It was just something he said in passing....

Bits and pieces of last nights group keep coming back to me and make me need to write them down.  You are all semi captive prisoners to my quiet mutterings.  Dr. Cirangle said something so simple yesterday, yet I think it is the crux of much misinformation on for many patients.  I thought I should repeat it here. 

When he tells us to eat 600-800 calories, he does not want us to aim for 800 calories. He wants us to get our protein in, and eat as few calories as possible. If you can do that and be satisfied with under 600 calories, he is thrilled.  It reminded me of my early experience when I was eating nothing but protein and taking in less than 400 calories.  I went to him all worried that I was off program. He looked at me like I had grown a second head. He wondered why I thought I needed more calories and explained to me that I needed the protein, not the calories.  I see so many people actually trying to eat more because they think this will make them lose faster.  They are wrong and according to Dr. Cirangle, a bit silly (OK that last part is mine, but I feel safer attributing it to him.  He is bigger and stronger than I am). 

I had a good day today with approximately 500 calories, 35 carbs and 72 protein. Felt satisfied and good. Somehow more so than on days when I have been closer to 800 cals. It is totally doable. Of course feeling no hunger helps a lot....

We are within a week of each other. I find myself eating closer to the 800 calories - I get 60-80 grams of protein and 40-50 carbs. My program says no protein shakes or powder - calories should come from food. I have to say that I could eat more - I feel hungry and I don't get full but I stop at these numbers. Could you list what you eat to stay your goal numbers - maybe I could get some ideas. Thanks. Paula

Hi there! I wish I could ditch the shakes too but that would mean I would have to up my real food consumption by 30-35 gr of protein and I really don't think I can physically do that! Are you on myfitnesspal.com? I log my food there so if you want you can have a look at my food diary. I also sometimes list my day on the 'whatcha eating today" thread.

I should probably keep track of such things, but I don't.  I mostly just drink protein shakes, very rarely do I have any desire to eat whatsoever and I'm certainly never hungry.  So yea... getting 600 good calories in is pretty tough right now, but at least my body has what it needs.

I think that living under 600 calories per day long term would probably deprive you of some very important nutrients that your body needs.   Even if you are getting all your protein requirements, you still need some carbs for energy (which come at a higher caloric value), fiber (again, higher caloric/carb value).  We have to learn to eat a variety of foods to satisfy every nutritional need we have.  I would think eating healthy foods (within a healthy caloric range) would be more beneficial to our bodies in the long run than eating nothing but protein and neglecting the other areas of nutrition.  

Just my $0.02.

I hear you Angie, I think the definition of long term is the issue here.  He is not talking about for the rest of your life but only about early stages of weight loss.  The all important six months.  You don't have to agree with him or with me.  He sited numerous studies that incorporate this technique for rapid and safe weight loss for MO people.  He said this is well known and isn't even all that new.  He also mentioned that the 1000-1200 calorie diets with higher carbs counts are not likely to lead to significant weight loss or to sustained long term maintenance.  We are each entitled to find and follow our own gurus on this journey.  If your journey is different, I wish you the same amount of success.  There is no room here for one upsmenship, just information sharing.  Whatever works for us and is sustained by your experience and research is what each of us should do. 

On a side note, my labs were just fine with the exception of iron, but my iron has been low prior to VSG and there seems to be a genetic link in my family for low iron.  So I can't really blame it on the VSG.

Did you happen to write any of those sources down?  My NUT/surgeon don't even want me to count calories, includes carbs, etc.  I have followed your program.  Would like to show my surgeon if he ever questions me on my plan.

I can and will get them for you. But you can research it out too.  Look for VLCD and weight loss.  There is a ton of research stretching over many years now.

That helps I'll look it up that way. Thanks!