I will start by saying that I know this thread might get controversial. I would like to know what you are doing but I don't want anyone to tell anyone else they are doing it wrong. I also don't want anyone to deviate from the plan that their surgical team has worked out for them. I strongly feel like you need to follow the letter of the law, at least until at least one year post-op. I have actually been deviating from my surgical team's plan BY rigorously tracking.

I'm finding MyFitnessPal a little bit "heavy weight" and thinking about trying to track my food in a lighter weight, easier way. It seems to me that if I follow the "rules", and get enough Protein, I will have a tough time screwing things up because I won't even have room for many carbs. It seems overkill to track calories because again, if I get in my protein I am never very high. I might get some value in tracking carbs along with protein.

I can't hide calories in MFP. I'm also just tired of tracking every bite, honestly. I have been tracking every bite for most of the last 12 years. My nutritionist and my therapist have actually both encouraged me to work toward tracking in my head. I would like to find a middle ground. I'm not quite ready to let go of the security of some kind of tracking and don't know if I ever will.

Thanks! I'm sure you're right; once I can increase capacity to 8oz at a time after 6 weeks post op, there will be a little more wiggle room for adding fruits/veggies. Yes, I am on vitamins; calcium 3x a day, multi vitamin 2x a day, B12 weekly, acid blocker daily, vitamin D daily, iron daily. I have been doing fantastic on the protein though, my highest day this past week was 109 grams!

Thanks! I'm sure you're right; once I can increase capacity to 8oz at a time after 6 weeks post op, there will be a little more wiggle room for adding fruits/veggies. Yes, I am on vitamins; calcium 3x a day, multi vitamin 2x a day, B12 weekly, acid blocker daily, vitamin D daily, iron daily. I have been doing fantastic on the protein though, my highest day this past week was 109 grams!

Except I'm almost 5 months post op and can RARELY eat 8 oz. of anything solid and 8 oz of liquidish foods like yogurt is pushing it.

I use mfp and track protein only. It gives everything else but I don't look at it.

Misty - I count my Protein only. Everything else is in my head.

I know if I hit my protein, everything else will fall into place. The only time I might say 'hmm... how much was that worth', is when I'm about to nibble on something a little calorie-loaded. I'll have a look at the packet, do a bit of maths and know where I have to be the next day.

If I'm hitting minimum 42g on protein and at least 1,500ml minimum on Water - I feel fairly confident that I'm going to be good.

Misty - I count my protein only. Everything else is in my head. I know if I hit my protein, everything else will fall into place. The only time I might say 'hmm... how much was that worth', is when I'm about to nibble on something a little calorie-loaded. I'll have a look at the packet, do a bit of maths and know where I have to be the next day. If I'm hitting minimum 42g on protein and at least 1,500ml minimum on water - I feel fairly confident that I'm going to be good.

Where/how are you tracking your protein, if I may ask? Just in your head using the labels?

I know how much each meat roughly gives you per serving and for the other stuff I'm not sure about, I look at the labels . Obviously the shakes and the bars are standard and I only eat one variety and drink one manufacturers product, so its pretty easy.

Edited January 5, 201412 yr by Madam Reverie

I've had fun with this the past two days. I'm making the best choices I can for every meal and snack, then logging at the end of the day. My goal is to have at least 90 grams Protein and less carbs than protein. Simple! And it's a small sample size but I have hit it both days so far.

Also I am logging in MFP and MND to see which I really like better. It seems silly to double-log but it lets me try MND without losing days in MFP.

Now that I am back at work and in my normal routine, I am going to make it a habit to pack my morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, and "emergency food" every day, in a way that makes my food goals easy to meet. I had gotten lax about bringing my lunch and just grabbing something near work. Wasteful and usually not the best choice I could have been making. But mostly expensive!

I even bought a better lunch bag and ordered some new tupperware to help me out.

Yeah, I travel with food postoperative. I have a small cooler that I use on trips. Really helps stay on track when heathy food I enjoy is on hand.

Lynda

Guys, i just found an awesome app that only tracks protein! And it is free!

Search for Protein-tracker.

I do not count calories, measure portions, etc....since my eating is very limited, I just make sure I make the best decisions I can...

I DO however keep a close eye on my Protein intake...as well as Water...I have seen severe symptoms of low protein in a persons diet to scare anyone into being extra cautious...especially when on such a limited food intake regime with WLS....

But it is not that hard to do...I start everyday with a home made high protein smoothie...about 35gm of protein right there to start the day..the rest is just making good choices...chicken fish, etc..(I no longer eat meat)

Also, one of the most liberating things for me was to stop using different tracking apps that measured everything...once I stopped that, the weight really began to come off.....

Our practice gave a packet of info. & in it were daily menu sheets. I photocopied them & tracked my Protein for 6-9 mos. After that, I was able to do it in my head. I only track protein, vitamins/minerals, etc.

I do have a list of the vitamins/minerals [i take] but that's really only for doctors. I keep it in my knapsack to provide to a doctor when necessary (so I don't have to try write them all down on the patient forms). I just have the doctor's assistant photocopy it.

For me, when I have my surgery, I want to use an app for a bit to get back in the swing of counting calories, Protein, etc, however, I don't like the idea that info is available to others who might get all judgy about it. Wouldn't it be nice if they came out with a Bariatric SPECIFIC tracker!

For me, when I have my surgery, I want to use an app for a bit to get back in the swing of counting calories, protein, etc, however, I don't like the idea that info is available to others who might get all judgy about it. Wouldn't it be nice if they came out with a Bariatric SPECIFIC tracker!

You can choose either not to friend anyone, of to friend people but keep your diary and weight private.