Alright, y'all, I'm 6 weeks post-op and feel great! I've had a very smooth recovery, and am truly grateful for that. Two weeks ago, I got an update from my dietician about week 4 & 5 phases, including suggested meal schedules and calorie intake. I was a little lower than her goals, but figured I was close enough that over the course of the 2 weeks I would get there. Today I got the week 6 & 7 guidelines and I'm realizing I'm further "behind" than I thought I was. Her guidelines include 3-4 meals a day, 3-4oz each, with an overall 1,200 a day caloric intake (70g protein goal). I'm still sitting at 800-900 calories with 2 meals a day and a protein shake or two, which does allow me to hit my protein goal every day. However, if I try and up my meals to 3 a day, I feel super full and uncomfortable most of the day, and then struggle to get all my fluids in because I'm so full. Then, if I skip the shake to compensate, I don't come close to my protein goal.

On top of that, I'm struggling with the mental piece of wanting to "ride the wave" of not being hungry as long as I can. Its so tempting to say, well I'm not hungry so I might as well make the best of it and not eat while I can get away with it! Weight loss will never be easier than it is right now... blah blah blah. I realize that's unhealthy, borderline disordered thinking and I recognize it and I'm working on it. Just adding it in there for context, that this is super freaking hard!

I have an email out to my dietician, but would also love some personal experience on how to up intake when you're not hungry and additional/bigger meals is still difficult. Is it even that big of a deal to keep pace with my program, or will it all sort of work out in the end? I do NOT want to slip back into extreme restriction type behaviors, I want to do this properly and in a way that creates a healthy, sustainable lifestyle. Any advice to that end is welcome!

45 minutes ago, Queen ApisM said:

This sounds like me. I had my two month check in about 2 weeks ago, and the nutritionist said I should be at 1000 calories a day, especially since I was adding in moderately intense exercise again. I was averaging 600-700 at that point! They also wanted me to ease off the shakes (I was having one shake a day) in favor of food, though Protein Powder was definitely ok to use. She emphasized that WLS isn't supposed to be very low calorie forever, otherwise other problems arise. I assume it is metabolism concerns.

I've managed to get it up to more like 800-850 calories on a really good day, but it is hard. I'm just doing the best I can - yesterday I managed to get to 1000 for the first time but wow that was a project. I feel like I am eating or drinking or waiting to drink all day long. I'm keeping the one shake a day because honestly that is an easy 160 calories, otherwise I need to figure out another snack to add to the rotation.

I'm just doing the best I can, without adding in unhealthy things. So, adding in good carbs and listening to my body as much as I can. Just focus on doing the best you can. Good luck.

Man, I'm TRYING not to eat too many calories. I'm hungry all the darn time. Maybe I should try adding some "good" carbs... I wish my surgery center would get back to me someday with answers to my questions!

8 hours ago, Sleeve_Me_Alone said:

Have you reached out to your dietician? That is really not sustainable and could result in some long term health issues. I know its hard, I am right there with you, but you HAVE to take care of yourself and nourish your body well in order to be successful. At 200 calories a day, you are going to be rapidly losing lean muscle with is starvation, not weight loss. Please reach out for support!

I have, and I'm trying. They set a manageable goal for me to try to make it to 500 a day so it didn't feel like climbing a mountain, and I've made it a few times, but I've had some issues with acid reflux/air bubbles and sometimes I can't eat a single bite. At least I finally found some protein shakes that don't gross me out.

23 hours ago, pintsizedmallrat said:

I had surgery a week before you and I'm still struggling to pass 200 calories a day. I'm not hungry. I have to force myself to eat. I'm happy with the weight I'm losing, I'm taking a Multivitamin, Iron, and Calcium every day, but I feel sooooo weak all the time.

Of course you are weak all the time, you are starving. Please talk to your surgeon and dietitian. You need much more sustenance than you are getting.

1 minute ago, Sunnyway said:

Of course you are weak all the time, you are starving. Please talk to your surgeon and dietitian. You need much more sustenance than you are getting.

I have. They're aware of what's going on and while they're ok with me going at my own pace to build confidence, they set a reasonable goal for me to try to get 500 calories a day. I get there maybe once or twice a week. I have had a lot of issues with air bubbles/acid reflux, and it kind of spooked me around week 3. Unfortunately sometimes I feel full all day long. I've found a few "safe" things that are rich in nutrients that I try to get down every day, even if it's 2 oz at a time.

4 hours ago, lizonaplane said:

I'll have to look into that sauce. I'm sort of terrified of sauces because most are high in sugar...

This one is seven grams of sugar per tablespoon, but it's super flavorful and 6 Tbsp (42 g) covers a pound of meat which lasts me 5-6 meals. I'm supposed to have 80-120 g of carbs per day so this is a little thing to make ground turkey less... gross... and it doesn't "cost" me much.

My understanding from my surgeon is that the reason for the surgery is to stop dieting and just eat healthy. I hate calorie counting and what a pain it is and my doctor and nutritionist take the approach that as long as I make smart, healthy choices with protein first and listen to my body then stomach will do the rest.

9 hours ago, Astonishing Mr J said:

My understanding from my surgeon is that the reason for the surgery is to stop dieting and just eat healthy. I hate calorie counting and what a pain it is and my doctor and nutritionist take the approach that as long as I make smart, healthy choices with Protein first and listen to my body then stomach will do the rest.

I like your surgeon’s position. I wasn’t given calorie goals only portion size recommendations so I didn’t have to count calories while I was losing but I’d do random checks for my own interest. Still do. Helps me keep on track. I check calories & nutrient content of all food stuffs I buy. I do a lot of my own cooking so it’s not always possible to work out exact calories which is when I rely on portion size. I don’t like using the word diet. This is just what I eat now & what I don’t eat. The nutrient value is the most important consideration. The only things I count carefully everyday are protein & water.