Just when you think you've got this whole thing down; I'm stumped. I'm just 13 1/2 weeks post op and so far, this has been going well and I am losing well. Even went on a 4 day cruise on lost a pound.

My instructions all along, or maybe I listened in the beginning was to stop when I felt full. I was very cautious of this as I never wanted to not have I ever gotten sick.

I do use genepro in my morning coffee. But I try and make sure the remaining protein is from food. I've only recently been told I can add vegetables, but very sparingly. Mostly protein.

As I progress to more dense protein, it often fills me quickly. I just noticed today, if I'm not even getting in 3 ounces before I feel full, I won't meet my protein goal. I can't just keep eating chicken and eggs. I'm not a fan of cottage cheese or yogurt. I'm also trying different cuts of beef, lamb and such.

My NUT really said to eat only three meals a day. What is more important, stopping when full, or should I push through to eat that last ounce of protein. Or should I have four meals a day, or at least four times, I go for protein.

I'm afraid of the consequences of not getting in all my Protein. A woman in my monthly support group has lost a lot of her hair due to this issue. I drink a Premier Protein shake (31 grams) every night if I haven't got enough in from food.

Sent from my SM-G900V using the BariatricPal App

You can make Protein ice cream, pudding and other recipes to help. Check out the World According to Eggface. She posts a lot of great recipes.

Sent from my SM-G900V using the BariatricPal App

This is the reason I had to supplement with Protein shakes until over 2 years out and still do several days a week.

Stopping when satisfied (even before full) is key in my experience because eventually you will be able to eat more than you can now.

But protein minimums are key as well.

No way could I have done both if my plan was one of the strict 3 meals a day no Snacks. I still do 5-6 mini meals daily.

Talk to your NUT and say just what you've said to us here and see what the advice is.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

You should not be moving onto other food if you aren't getting Protein because protein first is the rule. Just as you add protein to you coffee, you can add it elsewhere too. Stir it into to sugar free pudding, yogurt, or drink Protein shakes. A sugar free, high Protein Drink or snack shouldn't conflict with your meal plan. Ask your nut. Make sure you are focusing on what you need to do and not what you can do.

Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I just can not get in the required Protein amounts if I have only 3 meals a day. I have to spread out little mini-meals or Snacks through out the day, in order to get in what I really need. I am 7 months out and still have a protein shake for Breakfast every day (except on weekends).. at work I get two 15 minute breaks, plus my 1/2 hr lunch.. so I bring some type of protein snacks for those break times-- usually a P3, a small bag of pistachios or other nuts, a cheese stick wrapped in some type of lunch meat, a yogurt.. things like that. I see a lot of confusion on faces at work- where they see me shrinking but constantly see me eating little snacks lol.

I don't force myself to eat, even if I haven't gotten enough Protein. I eat high protein all the time and get at least 60g. It should be more like 80g but I won't eat to the point of discomfort - it's a horrible feeling.

I also have high protein Snacks and will snack often (at least twice a day) Just be careful with it, because you can eat around your sleeve that way. It works for me, but doesn't for a lot of others.

Never push to eat more. That is what got us fat enough to need surgery. You capacity will increase and by the end of a year, you will be able to eat a lot more most of the time.

Measure your portions before you eat and if you can't finish put it away for later.

I have always eaten five or six very small meals a day, about 200 calories for each meal.

My NUT really said to eat only three meals a day. What is more important, stopping when full, or should I push through to eat that last ounce of Protein. Or should I have four meals a day, or at least four times, I go for protein.

What is your NUT's rationale for asking you to only eat 3 meals per day? I eat 8 different times per day, and I am only eating 2-3 oz at a time.

The 3 meals a day mandate seems really bizarre to me...

Meet both requirements. If you are not getting enough Protein from your foods than add in more protein shakes. Weight loss is achieved after surgery through meal volume control. You begin at 2 ounces (1/4 cup) per meal and gradually over the next year and a half increase the volume to 1 cup per meal. With this minuscule amount of food, it is next to impossible to meet your protein daily requirements by food alone, so therefore you need to rely on supplements such as protein shakes. I went from 3 protein shakes a day, down to 2, then 1 and finally zero when my meal volume increased to 1 cup per meal at a year and a half.

I had RNY gastric bypass surgery where you had a sleeve. So your guidance might be a bit different on meal volume.

@@trekker954

a little confusion/questions are fine

that shows you realize you aren't a know it all!!!

you know you have plenty to learn

knowledge is power

talk to NUT again about your eating time periods/situation

explain reasoning you might want to eat more often

as far as when to stop eating....

my NUT told me early on

eat til your full, then stop 2 bites earlier!! LOL

little side joke

one guy on the bus asks someone when he should get off for WLS street

other guy says, watch me get off, then you get off two stops before

i'm sure you are doing great

keep up the good work

good luck

kathy

There is no way that I could have gotten my protein in with only 3 meals a day. My restriction was to significant. So I eat 5 smaller meals per day and I get my protein every day.

Follow your team's instructions. Eat three small meals a day and supplement with protein shakes to get your protein in. Do not overeat.

These are exactly the instructions I received -- I followed them and lost over 200 lbs and hit my goal weight.

Follow your team's instructions. Eat three small meals a day and supplement with Protein shakes to get your protein in. Do not overeat.

These are exactly the instructions I received -- I followed them and lost over 200 lbs and hit my goal weight.

So the Protein Shakes don't count as a meal or snack? You can have three meals AND protein shakes? That I could do. I always wondered how you could get all the protein in eating only three meals. I mean I know some people do it but I couldn't have done it. But if you add in protein shakes then I get it!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Follow your team's instructions. Eat three small meals a day and supplement with Protein shakes to get your protein in. Do not overeat.

These are exactly the instructions I received -- I followed them and lost over 200 lbs and hit my goal weight.

So the protein shakes don't count as a meal or snack? You can have three meals AND protein shakes? That I could do. I always wondered how you could get all the protein in eating only three meals. I mean I know some people do it but I couldn't have done it. But if you add in protein shakes then I get it!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

It totally depends on how many calories are in those small meals. Protein shakes have protein and calories. They are not a "free food". I had to stop having protein shakes when I could get my calories in from food.

I think everyone uses a different definition of "meals" and "snacks", so it's important to talk to your team about what exactly they mean when they say those words.

I know if I eat even one bite too many, I am desperately miserable for the better part of a half hour. So pushing the sleeve to hold more is NOT a good option IMHO.

My instructions are to eat 4-6 small meals/snacks a day (every 3-4 hours), with a total calorie intake around 1,000-1,200 calories and a minimum of 80g Protein. A Protein shake can replace a meal. I cannot do super low carb, but I focus on complex carbs and have been keeping total carbs under 100g. My weight loss has slowed down but it's still chugging along. There is no way I could meet my protein goals if I didn't eat multiple times a day.

I also think that there's a difference between having planned Snacks and grazing. Some people hear "snacking" and think "grazing". For me, a "snack" is just a smaller meal than normal, and is planned out, not just grabbing something from the pantry and laying into it.