ASampson

Yes, I still get hungry. I never lost my hunger completely even in the beginning. It’s much more of a struggle to maintain my loss that I was expecting it to be.

I feel you! I have regained 5 lbs over the past couple of months and I’m not exercising nearly as much as I used to. Definitely need to get my head back in the game. I am about 16 months out from VSG now and the restriction I used to feel when eating has all but vanished even when I stick to the “protein first” rule, so it makes it extra difficult to not overeat. 😝

Congratulations!!! 🎉🎉🎉

Congratulations!!! You look amazing!!!

4 minutes ago, ms.sss said:

@OAGBPal:

Oooooohhhh....MATH & SPREADSHEET time! I'm not an engineer, just a comp sci geek, but I love me some math & spreadsheets (don't judge me).

I always sorta cringe inwardly when I read posts of us comparing number of calories consumed and total lbs lost without taking other factors into account....specifically BMI (there are other factors, but those are beyond the scope of this post). Long ago I tried to push the math of this but I sensed all the virtual eyes of the collective glazing over, so I didn't push it further. But since you seem data-friendly, I present to you this (the fruits of my anality and boredom):

I took the liberty of pulling your stats from your profile, and looked up my stats at 2 months post op to do a side by side comparison:

First the obvious: You are a good foot taller than I am, and weighed roughly 30% more than me on our respective surgery dates (Plus you're male and I'm not)

While we started off at at a 5-point spread in BMI, at the two month mark, we were reeeeeally close in percentage of BMI points lost (m-17% vs o-16%)

Your lean muscle mass percentage at 2 months vs mine at 2 months is higher by 13%. So technically, I was fatter than you.

Now, what's not so obvious is that while I was consuming 500 cals at two months and you 1200, if we factor in just total LMM, the difference of calories per lb of LMM is 1.3 calories. Which, when applied to our respective spread in LMM, amounts to 133 calories.

So that means, based on our makeup of LMM, I was just eating the equivalent of little over 1 tbsp of butter a day more than what you are eating.

And when you take into consideration the fact that you are bigger/taller/higher LLM than me at 2 months, that difference of a tablespoon of butter is all but eliminated (if not more) as your BMR is likely way higher than mine was. You burn more calories just existing than I did. Plus you're a man and your metabolic rate is likely more efficient than mine.

Sooooooo....when people are shocked with the number of calories me and others eat/ate, consider the context. Context is KING. QUEEN.

Ta-da!

Added Notes: of course, this is a very simplistic view of it all and assumes that we have the same BMR, exercise habits, medical conditions, etc. etc., But you get the point, I hope.

P.S. I also hope I didn't make YOUR eyes glaze over...lolololzzzzz

Ms.Ss would you please do a chart like that for me too? My stats are up to date. It would be much appreciated!! ☺️

4 hours ago, OAGBPal said:

Thanks for all the great insights. I think I'm just listening and learning and trying to get a hold of my own take on all this, to be honest. I guess we all are, to an extent

And honestly, my fat free mass right now is probably 30-70% higher than what yours was when you were in the beginning (it's 195 lbs today, just had it measured), so who am I to talk when I have days of 1,050 cals, too. BMR vs. calorie intake it probably comes out about the same? The reason my goal isn't 220 is that I'm under no illusion that I won't lose muscle during this process; I already have (not percentage wise, but in lbs).

For me, it's all about the long-term regain risk. I'd seriously feel handicapped if I ended up in a situation where I'd gain weight at, say, 1,800 cals a day. It really sounds like you did it right - use the opportunity when it presents itself (first months, year) and then focus on health. That inspires me!

Can you explain a little more about BMR vs. calories please? I’m a newbie when it comes to some of this stuff. I think that’s why I so panicked about upping my calories to 1100-1200. 😝

3 hours ago, ms.sss said:

Agreed.

Further to this, Arbitrarily assigning a set caloric level at a set date to all patients does not take into account each individual's weight, height, other physiological aspects into account. If one patient is 6 feet tall and 250 lbs at the 6 month mark, and another is 5 feet tall and 170 lbs...why would they both be prescribed the same caloric level goal?

I do agree with that. My dietician was taking into account my height, current weight, muscle mass, body fat percentage, etc. After measuring all of those things, that’s when she suggested moving up to 1100-1200 calories per day.

Thank you to everyone who has commented so far. Your replies are extremely helpful and informative.

5 minutes ago, OAGBPal said:

FWIW, my program ups women to 1,500 a day after 6 months and men to 1,800. Just a data point.

2 minutes ago, km13118 said:

1000 to 1200 and I'm within 5 pounds of goal.

Great job, congratulations! How many net carbs do you typically have per day?

I was doing 800-900 and then at my 6 month post op appt, the dietitian wanted me at 1100-1200. I feel like this might prevent further weight loss and I haven’t quite reached my goal yet. 🤷‍♀️

Hi All,

Curious to know how many calories you’re eating per day if you’re 6 months or more post op? Thanks in advance.

I am 6 weeks post op and eating solid food now. Do you think it’s okay to eat these since they are high Protein and low carb? Curious to know everyone’s thoughts?

I’m 5 weeks post op VSG and I’m curious about how many calories per day I should be eating? My plan says 70-80 grams of Protein but doesn’t mention calories. Any advice is much appreciated! 😊