"Diet" plan after surgery

Question - I see the "whats on the menu" posts and all the great things everyone is eating (in small amounts!).  I wonder if everyone is on a diet plan from their doctor or just counting protein and cutting out sugar.  My plan for the rest of the time until I hit goal is supposed to be 3-5 oz lean protein and 2 oz veggies 3x a day; and 8 oz milk or 1 oz cheese with 2 oz fruit 1x a day.  That is it.  No carbs at all.  So I can never have a whole wheat tortilla with meat in it, or a cracker with hummus, etc.  I am already going crazy just eating meat, meat, and more meat and I am only 3.5 weeks out!  I don't know if it is just my doctor who does this or everyone.  I don't want to be on a "diet" I just want to eat small portions of healthy food and no sugar or white flour.  I am wondering what everyone is eating I guess.  Thanks.

Every doctor is different. My surgeon didn't want us eating many carbs until we got to goal either. In the losing phase I avoided white bread,pasta,rice and processed carbs,but once I got to maintenance I was allowed whole grain crackers. I still normally avoid white carbs and any added sugar. I still feel bad if I eat potatoes,pasta,rice or bread so I just steer clear of them.

Most people follow a plan outlined by their surgeon.  Some surgeons give people very specific calorie/protein/carb numbers to shoot for at various times post-op, while other surgeons just give more general guidelines until people to focus on the physical amount of food they're eating and I'm getting in protein first.

My surgeon was one of the latter ones. She gave us a minimum protein of 60g per day, gave us guidelines for how much volume we should be eating at various points during the first year, gave us general information on a healthy, well balanced diet, and told us that if we ate protein first and made healthy food choices, the fats and carbs and calories woul take care of themselves. I have found that to be true for me.

Part of the reason that I chose her was because I felt like you… I didn't want to be on a perpetual diet for the rest my life.  The deprivation gets inside your head and is part of the reason that diets just don't work, regardless of whether you are pre-op or post-op.  (I also liked the fact that my surgeon put her patients back on soft foods on Day Three post-op because she -- and some other surgeons -- had found that people had much less trouble with nausea and vomiting if they didn't have a extended period of liquids, purées, etc. that "babied" their pouch.) 

I am able to exercise "moderation" with most foods (cookies are a notable exception... I cannot even have them in the house).  If I really want something less than healthy, I have a small amount, but I strive to make healthy choices 90% of the time.  I allow myself an under-100-calorie treat each day if I want one. I am also 7 years out, though.

Your diet isnt "no carbs" since there are carbs in veggies, fruits, and dairy.  It sounds like it is no "white carbs" (pasta, rice, flour products). Eating an occasional cracker isn't the end of the world, certainly, but eating those types of carbs can open yourself up to craving them more and more, which can sabotage your weight loss.  

Try to get more variety in the foods that you ARE supposed to be eating. Once you have your new healthy eating habits well ingrained, THEN you can add in some occasional "white carbs" if you want to.  For now, though, do your best to avoid them. Many people regret trying "white carbs" or sugary foods too early, but I've never once heard someone say that that they wish they had eaten them sooner!

Lora

Thank you for the thoughtful answer.  It was very helpful.  I definitely do not want any white carbs or sugar, I hope to never go there again!  It is more like I might want a little bit of a whole wheat wrap for a breakfast burrito or a bit of refried beans with my chicken at the Mexican restaurant.  Just some "normal" foods from time to time.  And if I do that I would only do it one time a day.  I never want sugar or white carbs because from past experience once I have that I want more.  I think you are right it is really getting in my head. 

First, you can have fruit and milk, both of which contain carbs.  But I don't know why you can't have a whole wheat tortilla once in a while.  I'd ask your doc.  My surgeon's plan allowed whole grains in small amounts very early out.

After RNY I ate no flour, bread, pasta, sugar, rice, potatoes, noodles, cookies, cake, candy, or commercial ice cream.  I found recipes on the internet using sugar substitutes and flax seed.  I made Muffin in a Minute recipes that I used in place of breads and sweets. 

The reward is no hunger at all.  Eating the white carbs makes your body crave more of them.  By giving up the carbs, you can go through your journey without hunger or cravings.

At seven years out, I can now have some of anything.  But I no longer crave any foods or want more than a small serving.

Thanks for the idea.  I never heard of Muffin in a Minute.  I am not looking for "sweets" but I would love an egg and cheese on bread or something like that.  I am anxious to try this "muffin." 

Spray a cereal bowl with PAM.  Put in 1/3 cup of flaxseed meal, 1 egg, 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder, 1 teaspoon oil, mix together and microwave for 60-90 seconds.  This is high protein, low carb, and a much bigger than what you would get in a store.

This is an old Atkins recipe from the 1990's and there are many variations on the internet.

I echo those above... you are eating carbs if you are having milk, fruit, veggies and that's a good thing... we need carbs, brain functioning, energy. I'm guessing your Dr means no white filler type carbs (rice, bread, crackers) You are welcome to check out my blog link below (about 8 years of what I've eaten post weight loss surgery.) I am pretty low carb and don't eat any white stuff. Hope it gives you a few new ideas. 

Best to you,

~Michelle "Shelly"

Thank you, your site has great ideas!  I do not drink milk, never have, I just cannot stand it.  I would like to do yogurt but my NUT said it has too many carbs :(  I miss my greek yogurt.  So I am just getting 2 oz of fruit per day and 6 oz veggies per day.  I guess I'll live, I just feel so restricted - I used to be a casserole person I guess.... IDK what my problem is.... thanks to everyone *****plied, I will take your ideas, put on my big girl panties and get over it :)