Snacking

OK, I need some advice about eating habits. My surgeon does NOT allow snacking....EVER. Every time he asks me if I have been snacking, I have to say yes....but I always try to make it good snacks... I get a 30 minute lecture. He says 3 meals a day and no snacks ever. I told him this is IMPOSSIBLE for me. I work 12 hours shifts (7p-7a) and this is just simply not possible for me. His reply was.... well, then you will just get fat again. My last visit I just went home and cried. How do your Dr's feel about snacking??? Do you snack? If so, how much and what? Do you gain weight if you snack? My biggest problem day is my first day off. I have to sleep some because I am just exhausted. So I usually only eat one meal and one or two snacks. Then the next day I am sooooo hungry. I don't know how to fix this! I haven't lost anything in about 2 months. Pre-op I was 282.....right now I am 174. I have stayed between 172-176 for the past 2 months. Anyone have some words of wisdom for me? Cheryl

Cheryl I think he is nuts! I can't eat enough protein in 3 meals to not have snacks. But what is a snack anyway? I eat 5-6 times a day. About every 3-4 hours. About 100-200 cal each. With at least 10gm protein each. To a normal eating person I guess I have 5-6 snacks a day. Do you also see a dietician? I see mine every 6 weeks and have only seen my sureon 3 times since surgery. He is just a surgeon, he is concerned with his statistics and money not really my personal health! Although I know he doesnt want anything bad to happen to any of his pts he doesnt truly have a vested intrest in each person individually. You are a nurse, we all know how they are. My dietician on the other hand is much more personal and much more knowledgable about post op care. I also work 12 h nights and know what you mean about eating. I usually have over 100g protein my forst night back, eat all day and all night, and then only 30 my first day off. In short I guess what I am saying is...just make sure your snacks are also protein rich healthy choices and continue on!! Jen 243/172/143

Thanks so much for your response. I have never seen a dietician. I don't even count my protein. I was told just to make sure I get 3 oz of meat for lunch and supper, and to eat at least on egg or something equally high in protein for breakfast. When I eat breakfast I usually eat 1/2 egg, 1 soy breakfast pattie (I know that has 10 grams vs only 7 in an egg), and 1 or 2 pieces of turkey bacon, which have 3 gms each. I don't even know how many gms of protein I'm supposed to get. All I know is that I am hungry so much of the time, and try so hard not to snack, but then fail. When I snack, I have been sticking to things like string cheese, beef jerky, nuts, cold turkey bacon leftover from breakfast, etc. My surgeon fussed at me for not getting enough protein, so I have been trying to figure out how to get enough. He wants me to drink those nasty shakes instead of a snack.....but they make me want to vomit! I guess I just needed to hear what others are doing, so I can figure out what to do. Maybe I need to go see a dietician. Thanks again, Cheryl

Cheryl, I would be happy to chat if you want to. I am an acute care bariatric nurse. Good Luck! Appropriate snacking is not only safe, but advised by most dieticians.

Cheryl You are over a year out, how much have you lost. Or better yet what was your starting BMI and what is it now? I love my dietician and it just the regular insurance copay to see her. I would advise that anyone and everyone sees a dietician or nutritionist. This is an example of what I eat daily B- 20+ gm shake (Slimfast Low Carb is really quite tasty) 20+ S- Slice of cheeze and turkey or ham roll up 14 L- 3oz Tuna with whole wheat crackers or melba toast 21 S- 1/4 cottage cheese or low carb yogurt 10 D- 3oz meat and green veggies 21 S- 3 Tbs Roasted Salted Soy beans 10 Total Protein 96gms I am never hungry and I feel like I am eating well. At 5'4 with a weight goal of 140 my protein intake should be between 70-100gms each day. Hope this has helped some. Jen

I do what works for me. I have 3 protein drinks or bars a day, they each have over 20 grams per serving. The Desighner Whey mixes with just about any liquids and mixes with a spoon. The bars I like are EAS AdvantEdge, Carb Control. Both products are available at Walmart. If I get in these 3 I have over 60 grams and figure I'll get the rest from my food. Good luck HW 250 SW 235 CW 179 GW 150

I just found this board and WOW - someone with the same problems. I work 12 night shifts too. I work in CCU and to say the least - sometimes I am lucky to get to pee - let alone sit down and eat. Protein bars and beef jerky help me more than anything. My surgeon said the same about snacks. But once he saw that there was no way to get my protein in - he said to go ahead and eat the protein bars. I like the zone perfect bars - they taste great and are cheaper than most (96 cents at Walmart). I found that if I eat a protein bar on the drive home before I go to bed, I am less hungry when I do get up. Heather 4-11-05 291-173-150?