Help...very confused

[patiscuba 28]

I had my one month check up today. I lost 21 pounds since surgery, and 29 total since one week pre op diet. I thought that was good, but dr says it is slow. He wants me to cut out all protien shakes, and eat 3 meals a day now for no more than 600 cal. I am not sure how the hell i can get by like this and get enough protien without shakes, and drinking is something i am failing at compleatly. Everything i drink causes nausea and pain. It was an all day even getting the protien shakes in. I see so many different people all With the same surgery, but the docs orders are as different as they can be. I am at a loss as to what to do at this point, even my nut and dr disagree. These are the things that cause me Depression, not having a clear plan. I am very tired, but he said that is normal. Ws worried about starvation mode, he says that is the goal, he said only exersize i can do is walk for 3 months, and i just feel shakey, and wish i could drink. I dont drink artificially sweetened products, so that makes this even more a challenge. Would love any insight or advice.

[bmbrush413 124]

I'm confused by your doc as well... I had lost 27 at my 3 week check up and they said that I was only expected to lose 15-20 by then. Every doc is different - but that being said - I'm surprised they want you to drop your shakes so soon and stick to 600 cals. I know my doc and dietician were mainly concerned with me getting my Protein in - not how it was happening. I still use shakes (9 weeks out today) when I come up short.

[PainInTheGlass 50]

Was going to suggest Protein shots...high in protein, low in carbs...til I got mine out of the cabinet and saw 180 cal in each and then realized that you would be on a liquid diet. So I think I'd call your NUT to see what they can suggest.

[Aries 95]

liquids are your friend! You really should start looking for alternatives on things to drink. I hated Water in the beginning, until I found iced tea. The arizona diet green tea with ginseng was a life saver! I couldnt stand another crystal light packet!

You are right though. Every doctor is different and everyone has different rules. I'm sure it doesnt help that your doctor and nutritionist disagree.

However, if your doctor says you need to cut the shakes, then cut the shakes. Personally, I hated all of the Protein shakes. I couldnt stand the taste of any flavor. I mostly just get most of my Protein from actual food these days (milk, cheese, chicken, fish, and my favorite: salmon sashimi).

I say just try a bunch of different options, as far as liquids are concerned, until you find something you like. I'm sorry I couldnt be of more help!

[apelt001 116]

Thats really confusing and so wrong most people dont lose much the first month anyway post op bc of swelling and lack of excercise. The goal is not to go into strvation mode but to decrease yor intake Id check with your nut. I would stick with mushies and soft protiens you can do it, yogurt for Breakfast, tuna or chicken for lunch a shake for a snack and a soft protien again for supper. You can do it I am 17 weeks out and I sit anywhere from 600-800 cals a day, and I am down 81.6 pds your not a slow loser 29 pounds marvolous job listen to your body and keep up the great work!

[Ms skinniness 3,003]

From my understanding the Protein Shakes help us keep our muscle and promote weight loss. This is confusing to me as well. I would talk with your NUT.

[Webchickadee 716]

I had my one month check up today. I lost 21 pounds since surgery, and 29 total since one week pre op diet.

If you look at my signature line you will see that I lost 22 lbs in my first month and that was the best month I ever had!

You are NOT a slow loser!

As you say, you don't want to be in starvation mode, you DO need to get your Protein in, and liquids help you stay hydrated. I am as confused as you are.....

Is your doctor aware you are only 1 month post-op? Perhaps he has you confused with another patient? It looks like you're doing great to me.

600 calories is okay for right now (assuming that's mostly protein). It was at least 8 weeks for me before I was able to eat anything resembling solid food, so I had no choice but to drink liquid Protein shakes and powders. Mushies helped a bit, but no where enough to meet my needs.

As you can see, I'm about 1 yr post-op now and even though my monthly loss steadily diminished and is quite slow now (5 lbs/month), I have managed to lose nearly 140 lbs.

I now workout regularly 3-5x per week and need more calories and Protein, so my daily calorie intake is about 1200 cal/day. I still have about 45 lbs to lose and it's slow now (4-5 lbs/month), but I'm VERY VERY happy and I know I will make my goal, even if it takes another year.

It's not about getting there FAST, it's about getting their HEALTHY and STAYING at goal. If your doctor's advice seems wrong, I would get a second, third or fourth opinion and go from there.....

[SMO 193]

You are losing nearly a pound a day. What does he expect of you? I would ask for some clarification. And then, I confess, I would keep drinking the Protein Shakes. I am 15 weeks out and I have lost 55 pounds total, 39 since surgery and my doctor told me I am right on target.

[jensjoy28 351]

I haven't looked at your ticker, so I'm not sure where you started at...but 29 pounds doesn't seem slow for most starting weights...I take it you were so surprised at his response that you didn't ask him a follow-up question like, "really, how much would you have expected me to lose?!"

I started at 310 and am down 25 pounds in 3 weeks...if I am like many others and have the 3 week stall, then I will be down 25 pounds in the first month.