I was banded on 4/12. I had to follow a no carb diet the week before surgery. I lost 19lbs but I would have hurt somebody's grandma for a ill sugar! I just went for my follow-up appointment yesterday. My Dr. said he wants me on the same diet post-op and to include a chewable vitamin. He said fruits and vegetables are not important to incorporate. He wants me to solely focus on protein. He also said to only eat when I am hungry. If that means once or twice a day that's fine. Where are the nutrients coming from? Fiber? Clearly I am not a nutritionist and wouldn't have ballooned up to 335 if I had all the answers, but I am having a hard time wrapping my brain around this. He told me to trust him. Any thoughts?

I've been doing this for 3 months now and I stay pretty confused about what to eat. My doctor says 3 meals (protein & veggie) and a planned snack everyday. When I go for my check-up they tell me I'm not eating enough. Go figure. Congratulations on your surgery and good luck!

I've been doing this for 3 months now and I stay pretty confused about what to eat. My doctor says 3 meals (protein & veggie) and a planned snack everyday. When I go for my check-up they tell me I'm not eating enough. Go figure. Congratulations on your surgery and good luck!

Hmm...no snack was ever mentioned. I'm really not getting this I guess. Should I be consulting a nutritionist?

This is strictly my opinion. I'm not a doctor nor a nutritionist.

Once you're healed back on regular food, you have to find food guidelines that work for you. Everyone is different and what works for one person doesn't necessarily work for the rest. You have to find out what works best for you and your metabolism.

I personally can't do the whole low carb/no carb thing. I need a diet routine that I can use for the rest of my life and that definitely isn't it. I believe in moderation not deprivation. I also believe there's nothing wrong with carbs as long as you choose healthy ones. I've lost over 200 pounds in 15 months btw so I'm living proof that you can lose while having carbs.

I would go talk to a nutritionist, tell them your dilemma and see if maybe you can come up with a plan that is better for your life and more nutritionally balanced. When I originally saw mine, I told her flat out I refused to feel like I was being deprived and I didn't buy into the whole "carbs are bad" fad. She agreed and together we came up with a plan that works great for me.

Best wishes.

I think the largest problem is the conflicting instructions from physicians. Each physician has their own set of instructions that they want you to follow. I have spoken with my physician, his partnering physician, their two different dieticians and I have taken a little from each one. I can only provide you with the direction that was given to me. Your body is still healing and you have some time that you need to re-learn how to eat correctly. I was banded February 15, 2013 and I am still trying to teach myself to slow down, chew and take smaller bites. I still get distracted when eating with other people, so I tend to eat by myself or with people I am truly comfortable with.

I take in about 800 - 1100 calories per day. I start off my mornings at 4:30 a.m. with 8 oz. of room temperature Water and wait for my morning coffee to brew. I personally found that initially starting off with hot liquids would make my stomach jumpy (a new thing after surgery). My Breakfast is usually a poached egg with 1/2 a tomato or raw zuchini or a Protein shake with 2 T of sugar free pudding to flavor change and thicken the shake. This keeps my hunger at bay and really fills me up. My morning snack is a turkey meatball or 1/2 a chicken thigh and a dannon light and fit yogurt. My lunch is usually 2 meatballs (I have several sauces to diversify my flavors), the other half of the chicken thigh and 4 oz. of steamed or raw vegetables. My dinner is usually a Protein Shake or 4 oz fish and 4 oz vegetables.

The basic rule of thumb is to keep your protein level up, veggies are your friend, your bad carb count down, sugars to null and void and your water intake to at least 8 classes a day. When the doctor gives you clearance to exercise start slow so you don't hurt, but keep with it.

I hope this helps a little. I am not an expert, just learning like the rest of us. Each day comes with a new challenge. Good luck.

This is strictly my opinion. I'm not a doctor nor a nutritionist.

Once you're healed back on regular food' date=' you have to find food guidelines that work for you. Everyone is different and what works for one person doesn't necessarily work for the rest. You have to find out what works best for you and your metabolism.

I personally can't do the whole low carb/no carb thing. I need a diet routine that I can use for the rest of my life and that definitely isn't it. I believe in moderation not deprivation. I also believe there's nothing wrong with carbs as long as you choose healthy ones. I've lost over 200 pounds in 15 months btw so I'm living proof that you can lose while having carbs.

I would go talk to a nutritionist, tell them your dilemma and see if maybe you can come up with a plan that is better for your life and more nutritionally balanced. When I originally saw mine, I told her flat out I refused to feel like I was being deprived and I didn't buy into the whole "carbs are bad" fad. She agreed and together we came up with a plan that works great for me.

Best wishes.[/quote']

Thank you. I will talk to one.

I think the largest problem is the conflicting instructions from physicians. Each physician has their own set of instructions that they want you to follow. I have spoken with my physician' date=' his partnering physician, their two different dieticians and I have taken a little from each one. I can only provide you with the direction that was given to me. Your body is still healing and you have some time that you need to re-learn how to eat correctly. I was banded February 15, 2013 and I am still trying to teach myself to slow down, chew and take smaller bites. I still get distracted when eating with other people, so I tend to eat by myself or with people I am truly comfortable with.

I take in about 800 - 1100 calories per day. I start off my mornings at 4:30 a.m. with 8 oz. of room temperature Water and wait for my morning coffee to brew. I personally found that initially starting off with hot liquids would make my stomach jumpy (a new thing after surgery). My breakfast is usually a poached egg with 1/2 a tomato or raw zuchini or a Protein shake with 2 T of sugar free pudding to flavor change and thicken the shake. This keeps my hunger at bay and really fills me up. My morning snack is a turkey meatball or 1/2 a chicken thigh and a dannon light and fit yogurt. My lunch is usually 2 meatballs (I have several sauces to diversify my flavors), the other half of the chicken thigh and 4 oz. of steamed or raw vegetables. My dinner is usually a protein shake or 4 oz fish and 4 oz vegetables.

The basic rule of thumb is to keep your protein level up, veggies are your friend, your bad carb count down, sugars to null and void and your water intake to at least 8 classes a day. When the doctor gives you clearance to exercise start slow so you don't hurt, but keep with it.

I hope this helps a little. I am not an expert, just learning like the rest of us. Each day comes with a new challenge. Good luck.[/quote']

Thank you. I was really thrown off when I asked my doc abt salads-which I enjoy. He said you are not a rabbit. I was also thrown when he said not to do 3 meals a day-those days are gone. Don't eat just because it is mealtime only eat when you are hungry. I just can't imagine how maybe 2 hamburger patties a day (for example) is enough nutrition for my body.

Thank you. I was really thrown off when I asked my doc abt salads-which I enjoy. He said you are not a rabbit. I was also thrown when he said not to do 3 meals a day-those days are gone. Don't eat just because it is mealtime only eat when you are hungry. I just can't imagine how maybe 2 hamburger patties a day (for example) is enough nutrition for my body.

I agree with eating when you're hungry- that's how I do it, too. But the rest I don't agree with. Vegetables are a great source of important nutrients and most doctors and nutritionists want us to eat them. I know I eat A LOT of salad and I load them up with Protein, too.

I agree with eating when you're hungry- that's how I do it' date=' too. But the rest I don't agree with. Vegetables are a great source of important nutrients and most doctors and nutritionists want us to eat them. I know I eat A LOT of salad and I load them up with Protein, too.[/quote']

Thank you! I really thought I was going crazy. I kept challenging him when I saw him and he finally said to trust him. I will seek out a nutritionist! Thanks all for your input.

Does your clinic have a nutritionist?

I start my day with a protein shake, I use 2 scoops and that fills me for 4-6 hours. I have most days a large salad about 1-2 hours before my dinner. That way I get in my veggies. I don't use dressing, never have and don't like the taste. I had cheese pizza for dinner. 1/2 of a small one. Where I live we have what is called bar pizza and they are very small and they also make one called cracker crust, which is 1/2 thinness of crust. I won't give up on carbs.

Tomorrow taking my grandsons for breakfast, I will have my shake before going and just have hot tea with them.

You have to make your new way of eating livable for you. I tell my dietitian when I see her every 2 months that I can not do everything she says. She told me my Chinese food should be steamed but I still have it cooked regular and eat 1/2 and bring the rest home.

Good luck. I hope I helped.

Does your clinic have a nutritionist?

Yes, they do. I will call the office on Monday.

I start my day with a Protein shake' date=' I use 2 scoops and that fills me for 4-6 hours. I have most days a large salad about 1-2 hours before my dinner. That way I get in my veggies. I don't use dressing, never have and don't like the taste. I had cheese pizza for dinner. 1/2 of a small one. Where I live we have what is called bar pizza and they are very small and they also make one called cracker crust, which is 1/2 thinness of crust. I won't give up on carbs.

Tomorrow taking my grandsons for breakfast, I will have my shake before going and just have hot tea with them.

You have to make your new way of eating livable for you. I tell my dietitian when I see her every 2 months that I can not do everything she says. She told me my Chinese food should be steamed but I still have it cooked regular and eat 1/2 and bring the rest home.

Good luck. I hope I helped.[/quote']

Yes, it does help. It was really that some of his information didn't "sit well" with me. I was also told NO liquid calories. I spent some time challenging what he said and left almost shaking my head. I will talk with their nutritionist and hopefully come with a meal plan that works for me.

I was banded on 4/12. I had to follow a no carb diet the week before surgery. I lost 19lbs but I would have hurt somebody's grandma for a ill sugar! I just went for my follow-up appointment yesterday. My Dr. said he wants me on the same diet post-op and to include a chewable Vitamin. He said fruits and vegetables are not important to incorporate. He wants me to solely focus on Protein. He also said to only eat when I am hungry. If that means once or twice a day that's fine. Where are the nutrients coming from? Fiber? Clearly I am not a nutritionist and wouldn't have ballooned up to 335 if I had all the answers, but I am having a hard time wrapping my brain around this. He told me to trust him. Any thoughts?

Hi bagdon.....

I agree with most posts above.....each doctor is different. For example, I am definitely no expert on this because I was banded just one day before you. However, just as an example on how each differs....my doc and his nutritionist rules are as follows.....for two weeks after surgery, I am on Clear liquids. Next two weeks, I am on pureed full liquids. Next comes two weeks of soft foods and then I go to regular. He doesn't even want to see his patients until week number four post surgery unless there is a problem. The nutritionist did call me a few days post-op and asked what I was eating. She told me that I will be working up to good amounts and for now with all the healing, just focus on as much protein (up to 60g) and as much liquid as I could do. Of course I still take my Vitamins every day and at day 14 will add in my Calcium supplement daily. I have no fiber amounts to speak of and so my one cup of coffee a day does what the fiber used to....LOL. But even the regularity of that is only every few days because your body is using pretty much everything you take in just to fuel itself. I was never given any type of pre-op diet to follow either because my doc said I didn't need one. I kinda wish I had been given something to follow so the after math would have been a bit easier but it's rolling along really well now and so far post-op I have lost a total of 21 pounds. I'm scared to start on the regular foods quite frankly so I'm glad this is how it is now. Good luck to you!! I would take Mis73's advice, just look at her track record.....it speaks for itself!!! She is my inspiration for sure.....

I don't know about only eating 1 or 2 meals per day. It is more likely to be 3 meals plus some planned snacks. the 2 meals or less Utopia that some Dr's describe DOES NOT EXIST.

Let me throw in my 2 cents. I am an expert, only with my own body. You should try to be an expert with your own body. As said before, everyone finds their own way. Listen to your body and pay very close attention to what your band is telling you.

Over the last 4 decades I've been on many diets and I've narrowed down the foods and food groups that help me lose weight. I know the ones that hold me back. Having this plastic ring wrapped around my stomach has changed some of those dynamics but I'm listening and I think I get it now. You'll get it too in time. If you've dieted before and lost weight you should know what works best for you.

I loved the information my current nutritionist gave me. I had a different nut a couple years ago and she insisted on arguing with me over foods I should eat. She wanted me to eat foods I didn't like. Well, that's not gonna work! Unrealistic goals and diets won't work if you don't like them or can abide by them. Good luck.

BTW-I was on Atkins no carb diet for years and it always worked for me in the short term. But it's not a diet one can live with for long, imo. I did find ways to modify the diet so it worked for me, similar to the South Beach Diet.

tmf