15 grams of carbs/500 or fewer calories a day until I lose 100 pounds?

[Mel1071 149]

I am becoming a bit disenchanted with my WLS clinic. I'm losing at a decent rate (down 35 pounds since surgery 7 weeks ago). What I am not happy about is my clinic's mandate that I follow a diet that has me eating no more than 15g of carbs a day, less than 500 calories a day. Plus, this diet should be in place until I lose 75% of my excess weight loss (which, for me, is 100 pounds - or 65 now)

I met with the dietician yesterday and came out of the meeting very frustrated. She didn't like the fact that I ate a yogurt that has 80 calories, 0g fat, and 12g of Protein - why? It has 8 carbs. "You shouldn't be eating more than 5 carbs per meal" was her reply. Mind you, when I eat that yogurt I'm not going over 15 for the day - but no, it's not good because it's more than 5 carbs for the meal. And it's because I'm going over 5 carbs a meal that my weight loss isn't as fast as other people's.

I also mentioned that I'm a little tired of depending on Miralax on a weekly/biweekly basis and that I was concerned my Constipation is being caused by a lack of Fiber. She said no, it's not a lack of fiber and that I just need to up my Water intake. Um, I'm already getting between 64-80 a day! And to say fiber isn't an issue is utter BS in my opinion.

It's not just the NUT who says this - it's in the clinic's aftercare manual. I am really tempted to find some other doctor/clinic's aftercare suggestions and follow those for a bit and see what happens.

Edited February 14, 2014 by Mel1071

[Healthier2day1227 326]

I can see why you are frustrated! 500 cal doesn't seem like enough especially down the road. I think it's baffling that so many drs have vastly different guidelines. But some of them I think are designed so they can say you didn't follow their instructions and that's why you weren't successful, sort of to cover their asses. My nutritionist doesn't suggest dipping that low but you could always turn it around and ask them why they have 500 cal when others allow higher, see what they say. Hang in there in the meantime sounds like you've lost a lot!

[FishingNurse 1,211]

Wow that is crazy. I would have been so weak and sick. I never counted carbs or cals really...in the losing phase only Protein. (I would guess during losing phase after I was healed I was getting 1100-1200 cals a day.) Worked for me! I would get 75 grams of Protein a day or more. I think you are allowed to modifiy your surgeons guidlines... what ever works for you!

[eyoung 47]

I dont have my manual in front of me but 500 cal is very dangerous. It puts our bodies into starvation mode. Sounds like u should go with your gut here and seek other help.

Congrats on your loss and on your Water intake. Thats amazing! I let about 30 to 40 in

[SuperFab 689]

You can't exercise on 500 calories. Also if you're not losing weight it's probably from eating too few calories. I'd definitely talk to some of the vets about this. They are more in tune with caloric intake. If you don't exercise you're gonna lose muscle. This sounds hinky. I can see it at first, but not til you lose 75%.

[Mel1071 149]

They expect me to be doing 45-60 minutes of cardiovascular exercise 5-6 days a week. It's not happening.

I'm not unhappy with my weight loss per se - it just seems like it has slowed *way* down and I was wondering if this really low carb/calorie diet could be causing it.

Thanks for your input everyone!

[SuperFab 689]

They expect me to be doing 45-60 minutes of cardiovascular exercise 5-6 days a week. It's not happening. I'm not unhappy with my weight loss per se - it just seems like it has slowed *way* down and I was wondering if this really low carb/calorie diet could be causing it. Thanks for your input everyone!

Once your calories are upped you should start losing more. Plus, do not forget that everyone has stalls.

[Recycled 2,182]

Hmmmm, what are they gonna do if you don't reach their monthly goals, are you subjected to shock treatments or banished to some remote island. As others have said, they are guidelines. You're not a machine that they can calculate exact results. Just follow what you know is sound advice. Who cares if they don't like it. If you get the results you want, that is what counts.

[SuperFab 689]

Hmmmm, what are they gonna do if you don't reach their monthly goals, are you subjected to shock treatments or banished to some remote island. As others have said, they are guidelines. You're not a machine that they can calculate exact results. Just follow what you know is sound advice. Who cares if they don't like it. If you get the results you want, that is what counts.

Amen

[gohelpyourself 377]

That is crazy! I can see why you would be frustrated. Is the NUT employed by your surgeons office. I apologize if you mentioned that earlier.

Can I recommend an AWESOME product I stumbled upon at Wegmans (grocery store). It is made by 'Nutiva' Organic Hemp Protein Hi-Fiber Superfood Protein powder, I add it to my shakes.

3 tablespoons of it has 80 calories, 4g fat (good fat), 12g carbs tho, 12g of fiber, 11g of Protein. Since I been using this I have had NO problems with Constipation. In fact I cannot believe how good it works in that department especially b/c I barely eat a lot of solids. The cost is 12.00 for 16 oz. This stuff is beyond amazing.

Can you find another NUT? This WLS Center seems a little unrealistic. I don't want to bash them but I think their expectations are beyond unreasonable.

[gourmetone 394]

its so funny my clinic would land bash me in the private office but send me a follow up letter stating that the doctor felt I was going to have good results within one year. that's another way they cover there ass.

I got so depressed I stop going back for the follow ups and I feel I am doing just fine.

[SuperFab 689]

That is crazy! I can see why you would be frustrated. Is the NUT employed by your surgeons office. I apologize if you mentioned that earlier. Can I recommend an AWESOME product I stumbled upon at Wegmans (grocery store). It is made by 'Nutiva' Organic Hemp Protein Hi-Fiber Superfood Protein Powder, I add it to my shakes. 3 tablespoons of it has 80 calories, 4g fat (good fat), 12g carbs tho, 12g of fiber, 11g of protein. Since I been using this I have had NO problems with Constipation. In fact I cannot believe how good it works in that department especially b/c I barely eat a lot of solids. The cost is 12.00 for 16 oz. This stuff is beyond amazing. Can you find another NUT? This WLS Center seems a little unrealistic. I don't want to bash them but I think their expectations are beyond unreasonable.

Plain Ol' miralax is a few dollars and does wonders. My nut would freak on something with that many carbs. Lol

[gohelpyourself 377]

I wonder if they do this to make their 'STATS' look good?

[gohelpyourself 377]

That is crazy! I can see why you would be frustrated. Is the NUT employed by your surgeons office. I apologize if you mentioned that earlier. Can I recommend an AWESOME product I stumbled upon at Wegmans (grocery store). It is made by 'Nutiva' Organic Hemp Protein Hi-Fiber Superfood Protein powder, I add it to my shakes. 3 tablespoons of it has 80 calories, 4g fat (good fat), 12g carbs tho, 12g of fiber, 11g of protein. Since I been using this I have had NO problems with Constipation. In fact I cannot believe how good it works in that department especially b/c I barely eat a lot of solids. The cost is 12.00 for 16 oz. This stuff is beyond amazing. Can you find another NUT? This WLS Center seems a little unrealistic. I don't want to bash them but I think their expectations are beyond unreasonable.

Plain Ol' miralax is a few dollars and does wonders. My nut would freak on something with that many carbs. Lol

the only thing my surgeons NUT told us to always pair any carb we eat with a protein. They said always eat protein first. They did not give us any rules amount amount of carbs. As far as the miralax, I am familiar with that but I am big on plant Proteins. I also add chia seeds and flax to anything I can.

[lark60 431]

I had a similar experience with my surgeons recommendations at the beginning. He didn't want me eating "anything but protein" and drinking Water. He would tell me I could loose weight by "just drinking the Protein drinks 3 times a day and no other food till I hit my target weight. (thats under 500 cal a day) I hit my first plateau at about 6 weeks and couldn't keep up with the exercise regimen with this limited intake.

I spoke with others that have been through the surgery and told them my concerns (also had the same concern about fiber intake) I chose to increase my calorie intake against the surgeon and NUT recommendations. The weight started coming off again, my energy level came up and I could exercise again.

I am now eating about 900 cal a day and usually get 50 oz of Water in (that is my biggest struggle) I am loosing slowly and no longer need laxatives (I add fiber to my yogurt snack in the afternoon)

There are many threads on this site with suggestions for daily intake. The best rules to remember are to get enough Protein (at least 20 gm per meal and 10 per snack), water and exercise daily. Watching carbs & fat are secondary to getting the protein needed. Complex carbs are good and also needed to balance the protein intake. Avoid simple carbs.