Eat More To Lose? (I Must Be Dreaming)

[Ready?Going.. 10]

Today I had my 3 week post op check with the surgeon. He is very happy with his incision site healing. I told him I'd dropped 20 pounds the first 10 days or so, but have stalled since that point......not that I'm complaining.....just wondering what is going on. He questioned what I was eating. My daily intake has been 64(+) oz fluids daily, predominantly Water, 2 powders? utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury Protein Shakes (to be sure I get @ least 50gm Protein daily), 4 oz yogurt (Activia, I am c.o.n.s.t.i.p.a.t.e.d.), and maybe 4 oz apple sauce, fat free refried Beans, or cottage cheese. I've been taking in about 400-500 calories daily.

His answer?.........eat more! Increase the carbohydrate intake to stimulate the metabolism as my body has gone into starvation. He actually told me to quit worrying about counting calories and just eat. Of course, that is with the understanding that what I'm going to eat isn't some calorie dense liquid, like milkshakes. I was instructed to stop worrying about having meal times, and just graze.....keep food available and when I'm hungry, just pop a bite in my mouth. Continue the protein intake like I am currently doing and continue the Fluid intake and.........eat.

Has anybody else had this advice?.............how did you get past the stall out?

[2bsmallagain 156]

I am not sure about the grazing. I would love to hear responses from some of the veterans on this question.

[MyGastricSleeveLife 180]

You're consuming too few calories. At 3 weeks, I was getting 600-800 a day. My surgeon says to aim for 800-1000 calories a day during the whole "losing phase" & I normally average between 750-950 most days now that I'm almost 9 weeks out. If you're getting too few calories, your body will hang on to everything it has & you won't lose much. Everyone is different & sometimes we have to do things to trick our bodies into continuing to lose.

As far as grazing goes, my surgeon says to only have 3 meals a day, no Snacks, & to only have Protein shakes or Water between meals. Every doctor is different though. Some say Snacks are fine, but you really don't want to get into the grazing habit.

At 3 weeks out, I was on full liquids & could easily get more calories by using cream of wheat or grits and creamy Soups. At that point, I didn't have to limit my meal times or not drink around a meal since everything was liquid. When I moved to puréeds, my surgeon said to stop drinking 30 minutes before & after a meal & to limit to only 1/2 cup of food for a meal. It really depends on what stage you're at though.

[2bsmallagain 156]

I agree with not getting into a grazing habit. I feel it can cause possible weight gain in the future during the maintenance period. Having a schedule is key from what my doctor told me.

[LewsIn12 1]

The nurse told me to eat more also. I'm getting about 650cal a day, and 2 days a week maybe 450-520 and one day about 850--900. I stalled at one point for 2.75 weeks. When I ate pizza, I lost 2lbs the next day, lol. Well, the scale went down. And everytime I stay the same weight for 2 days, I eat something not as great for me- like have Pasta instead of chicken, and Bam, I drop weight. She said that my body is starving.... Since I've been playing w/ my calories, and dropping a day here and there, and have a high day every now n then, my weight has been sliding off... She said that if I would stay between 900 and 1000, that I would lose consistantly... but that scares me... I dont want to stretch my stomach or whatever, so I've just been counting what I eat and making good choices. I do eat so much chicken I could cluck- and I follow the Protein rules and I do not drink w/ meals. I stop 15-30min before and wait 1hr to drink after.

[wsmith 1]

My Dr told me not to graze! He wants me to have 3 high Protein meals a day! He told me to try to eat protein the size of golf ball at each meal. If I snack he wants it to be Protein Bars are fruit or veggies. I have been trying hard to follow that and weight loss has been better!

[traceyc 89]

I was having a lot of trouble getting my Protein and calories in 3 meals at the beginning. My doctor said it was fine to do 5 or 6 small meals a day. I felt much better doing more smaller meals. I was trying to push myself too much with only 3 meals and meet my requirements. Now that I can eat more in one sitting I try to limit to 3 meals and a healthy protein snack each day.

[LewsIn12 1]

I also eat 5-6 small meals a day. All about 1/4 a cup, no more than 1/2 a cup.

[guitar819 13]

The nurse told me to eat more also. I'm getting about 650cal a day' date=' and 2 days a week maybe 450-520 and one day about 850--900. I stalled at one point for 2.75 weeks. When I ate pizza, I lost 2lbs the next day, lol. Well, the scale went down. And everytime I stay the same weight for 2 days, I eat something not as great for me- like have Pasta instead of chicken, and Bam, I drop weight. She said that my body is starving.... Since I've been playing w/ my calories, and dropping a day here and there, and have a high day every now n then, my weight has been sliding off... She said that if I would stay between 900 and 1000, that I would lose consistantly... but that scares me... I dont want to stretch my stomach or whatever, so I've just been counting what I eat and making good choices. I do eat so much chicken I could cluck- and I follow the Protein rules and I do not drink w/ meals. I stop 15-30min before and wait 1hr to drink after.[/quote']

I am so glad I stumbled upon what you wrote here. I have noticed when I eat a bit more I do drop some weight. Last week I lost 7 lbs, only to put 5 back on, then two off, grrrr, I just want it to stay off. I hate the yoyoing. I had my surgery the 19th of June and haven't gone over 27 lbs for my total loss. What do you usually eat for your daily diet? Sometimes I feel so hungry, but when I eat then I'm full, but a half hour later I'm hungry again. The Protein drinks make me feel like I want to puke, I'm so sick of them. I can't sleep at night, tired during the day....ugh...I go back to the Dr.s Sept 27th, I have to at least be down 20 or more pds. I hope I didn't stretch my tummy out...Low carbs are what they said to do!!