First, I want to say that I am happy with my weight loss so far (23 pounds in 7 weeks), although it is slowing significantly to less than 1 kg (2 lb) per week the last three weeks.

Next, I want to say that I understand that there seem to be as many diet plans after the sleeve as there are dietitians. I actually have an appointment with a different dietitian who was recommended to me by a friend who has also had VSG, as a "second opinion" on what my primary dietitian (who works with my surgeon) has told me. When I spoke with this other dietitian on the phone she agreed with me that the diet my current dietitian has me on might not be the best choice for me. My current dietitian also uses basically the same diet for people with the band and sleeve, just reducing the calories a bit for the sleeve versus the band.

The liquid stage was fairly standard. In the puree stage I was told that half of every puree should be lean Protein, a quarter should be non-starchy veg, and a quarter should be grain-based starch (rather than potato or other starchy veg), because the grain-based starches give us B1 and other important Vitamins. OK. This worked fine, even though it seemed a lot more specific than most people have for the puree phase.

Then, he didn't really have a soft food stage, but just moved me straight to full foods, giving me some advice about things that I may have trouble tolerating at first. It turns out I haven't had trouble tolerating anything.

The thing I am having trouble with is the composition of the full food diet. His advice is a lot different from almost everything I see here. Here is the guideline he told me:

1. I am to have a balanced meal, not particularly high in protein or particularly low in carb or fat. This is to make sure that I'm getting all the nutrients I need.

2. I should be eating around 1000 calories a day. He reckons I am burning around 1800 calories a day and this will promote a 2-4 kg (4-8 lb) loss per month.

3. I should not count calories. Instead I should be using an exchange diet as follows:

a. 3-4 servings a day of grain-based carbs. A serve is one slice of bread, 1/2 cup rice, 1 cup Pasta (1/2 cup if it's dense or small), or 2-4 whole grain crackers depending the size.

b. Max 1 serving starchy vegetables a day. A serving is 1 medium potato or 1/2 cup mashed potato

c. 4 servings other vegetables a day. A serving is 1/2 cup cooked veggies or 1 cup of salad

d. 1-3 servings fruit a day. A serving is 5-6 strawberries, 1 medium apple, 1 medium orange, 2 small mandarines, 2 plums, etc.

e. 4 servings dairy a day. A serving is 1/2 cup milk or yogurt, or 1 slice of cheese (like the Kraft slices)

f. A palm-sized 1 cm (1/2 inch) thick amount of protein, spread over 2-3 meals, per day.

g. One teaspoon of fat or oil per day, or 1/8 avocado

h. A max of 2 alcoholic drinks per week, and a max of 2 Desserts or other "treats" per week

I am nervous that this diet has too many calories and too little protein. I am also nervous about the idea of not logging my food (he is strongly against logging and counting calories, because he doesn't think it is a natural behavior for live). I am also nervous that it is so different from what most people seem to be doing.

Is anyone else here on a similar "exchange" type diet, instead of having a set number of calories or protein per day? Is anyone else on a diet that is radically different from the high-protein low-carb low-fat diet that most people seem to use?

Thanks Bec that would be great. Who is your dietitian?

Now worries. My dietitian is Leanne Wagner. She is great. She works at a few places around Brisbane

Could I get in on having some pages of your diet sent to me as well? I've been wondering about my diet as well...@

Bec101? Sorry It accidentally sent.

Could I get in on having some pages of your diet sent to me as well? I've been wondering about my diet as well...@

Yeah that's fine. I'll get it done today. What stage are u on?

Yeah that's fine. I'll get it done today. What stage are u on?

I'm on solids. 2 1/2 months out

The other weird thing is that he said you are probably burning 1800 calories a day. Are you working out that much? If so, even more reason to make sure you are getting enough Protein. You don't want to be losing muscle mass.

My NUT said to always eat your protein first as it is the most important, then if you have room some veggies and carbs.

Good luck with your second opinion!

The other weird thing is that he said you are probably burning 1800 calories a day. Are you working out that much? If so, even more reason to make sure you are getting enough Protein. You don't want to be losing muscle mass.

My NUT said to always eat your protein first as it is the most important, then if you have room some veggies and carbs.

Good luck with your second opinion!

He was counting my BMR (which he estimates about 1300 calories) plus my daily walking and normal daily exertion (I walk at least 10,000 steps a day and do strength training twice a week, in addition to normal daily movement).

Since I have been researching this so much I have compiled a list of all of the VSG post-op diets I can find published online, from surgeons and bariatric centers around the world. I posted it here: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/85182-list-of-vsg-post-op-diets-from-surgeons/

Misty and rosita13 I have sent a copy to u both in the messages

Thanks Bec!

I saw the new dietitian today and I am so pleased. Here is what she said.

I need 50 grams of Protein for now and over time will be able to hold more. It should be spread equally through the day.

Around 50 grams of carbs is good for now. Spread evenly too.

Try to only have 5 grams of fat in a meal to help with my dumping. If that doesn't work she wants me to take a probiotic and try a few other things.

She changed me from caltrate to citracal. She liked my Multivitamin.

She stressed that I need to spread my Water through the day and get enough so my digestive system can work right. I need more if I am dumping and maybe an electrolyte drink.

I will try all this and I see her in a month!

Good to see she has a good plan! What multi are u taking? Oh and by the way I'm 4 weeks out now and have lost 6.7kgs but 14.1kg in the last 6 weeks. Oh and down 27cms overall

Good to see she has a good plan! What multi are u taking? Oh and by the way I'm 4 weeks out now and have lost 6.7kgs but 14.1kg in the last 6 weeks. Oh and down 27cms overall

You are doing awesome! I'm taking Elevit with iodine. It is a prenatal Vitamin but highly recommended for Sleevers. It is behind the counter at the chemist.

Thanks. That's the one I'm taking