Hi all! So Im four weeks post op today and have lost 28 lbs total. Im thrilled with that! But have some concerns regarding not getting my vegetables in for Fiber and other nutrition. By the time i eat my Protein, Im full and have no room for veggies. Im only suppose to eat three meals a day. Im on soft foods currently but am worried no getting veggies may contribute to hair loss down the road-or other issues. I am faithfully taking my Vitamins and meds. Any suggestions? Anyone else worry about this or am I just being weird?? Lol... Thanks!

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Wow, the veggies first, Protein last thing is brand new. I know my nut believes in total balance so she has had me eating 2 bites of protein and 1 bite of good carbs like veggies and fruit. Even to do that, I still have to drink one Protein shake every day to get to my 70 protein goal.

I guess every nut is different.

My doc told me not to drink protein shakes once I am on full diet. Just eat a balanced healthy diet.

I'm with the Davis Clinic in Houston. They promote veggies first and only require 40 grams of protein per day. I focus on veggies, fruit, and fish. I occasionally eat chicken. I have no had any processed meat, beef, or pork since March.

Wow! My protein target is 100 grams and the lowest my surgeon recommends is 80 grams.

Check out The Davis Clinic on Facebook. They are all vegetarians, and Dr. Garth Davis has written a book on the benefits of a vegetarian diet. I'm just not ready to give up fish. Lol.

Even if you are vegetarian your body still needs protein.

What about baby food?

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What about baby food?

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What do you mean "what about baby food"?

To me, regular grown-up, adult, real food is much better nutritionally and flavor-wise than baby food.

@@Djmohr my NUT says the exact opposite. 2 bites of fiber and one bite of protein.

@@Inner Surfer Girl
The theory of the clinic is that if we get our Proteins from the rainbow of fiber options and focus on clean healthy eating we will eventually naturally crave what our bodies need. They are training our bodies to healthfully maintain the heart first then add Protein last.

@@Shrinkinqtpi

Wow, goes against everything I have been taught. Protein is critical for healing. But balance is important too.

@@Inner Surfer Girl

The theory of the clinic is that if we get our proteins from the rainbow of fiber options and focus on clean healthy eating we will eventually naturally crave what our bodies need. They are training our bodies to healthfully maintain the heart first then add protein last.

The heart is a muscle and if you are protein deficient your body will start to consume your own muscle. It seems that being protein deficient would be more dangerous for your heart.

I'm chewing a piece of beef jerrky (sic) while I read this...

I actually think that eating a variety of vegetables is a great goal, but just not at the expense of getting enough protein, ESPECIALLY early out when we need protein to heal from major surgery and we have a limited amount of room for any food.

If you research it, vegetables have protein in them as well ... some of them in quite decent amounts. So please don't write off vegetables as unimportant.

@@Inner Surfer Girl - do the research - you can get enough protein from non-animal sources. Chia, quinoa, veggie-combining, beans. I personally also have some cheese (though I completely enjoy vegan alternatives), and eggs. We will all go through the malnutritive phase of this process. My surgeon's team has been extremely successful with this process (father/son practice). Few to no cases of kidney stones. Long term healthy heart check-ups from most. And most importantly a feeling of control within a framework of good nutritionally sound food plans based on research for anyone not just bariaric patients. This is a commitment for life for all of us and they are teaching us a different way in this clinic. So far so good. I'm a newbie, but have met enough people through group meetings and my clinic's information network that I feel confident in their advice. Protein is abundant in nature. I have already been eating between 40-60 grams of protein per day and I am only in the puree phase. It will only get easier.

Edited August 14, 201610 yr by Shrinkinqtpi

I agree that you can get enough Protein from vegetables IF you are able to eat a large enough quantity of vegetables. Show me how someone newly sleeved can get enough protein from just vegetables and that is great. But, for me, in order to get enough protein. I have to focus on protein. I can't just eat vegetables and assume I am getting enough protein.

I am not arguing with eating vegetables, I am arguing with the idea that just eating vegetables is an effective way to get enough protein for someone newly sleeved. Especially since protein is critical for both healing and weight loss.