sach1

I think a lot of people's perceptions of WLS are influenced by shows like "My 600 lb Life". Those people lose a TON of weight at first, but you have to keep in mind that they are starting out at a MUCH higher BMI than the average WLS patient. And starting BMI is a major factor in your rate of weight loss (esp during the first few months). Although I have no hardcore research study to back this up, I've been hanging out on these sites for the last six years, and based on my observations, it seems most of us lose in the 15-25 lb range that first month (and it slows down after that). Of course, you will always find people who are above or below that, but I would say most of us fall somewhere in that range. So your loss so far is actually quite normal...

Ok,I have mixed feelings about posting my food entries just now...torn between being honest/transparent and fear of influencing someone negatively. I've decided that we are all adults and can make decisions for ourselves. So pls use whatever info you see on here wisely and safely for YOU.
With that said, I thought I would post a food entry for exactly one year after the series above, just to show what eating looked like for me a year later (back in May of this year). I pretty much eat on average 1800 cals a day now (more if I exercise more).

Apologize in advance...this is long! LOL, after typing it all out, I see its alot. Sorry!
Gonna ask: why do you think you are doing anything wrong? 26 lbs lost in 6 weeks is about average...you are actually doing just fine! Further, losing inches is probably more preferable than losing weight, honestly, lol. I think I may value mobility and looking great in a pair of jeans vs the number on the scale these days.
While these forums are a great source of info (good and bad) and camaraderie, one of the downsides of it is that leads people to compare themselves with others. For purposes of getting info/opinions/options, its all good, but when reading about others journey's makes one feel bad about themselves or towards others, then this is not helpful to you at all, right?
I don't really have an easy solution to this issue, as it is ALWAYS around, but I am in a mood this morning and feel like I need to put it out there. I read too many posts about people feeling bad these days.
Try to be kind to yourself no matter what anyone else is doing. I know, I know, its easy to say....
With that said, to your main question:
So....for info purposes, I am posting some screenshots of what a 500-600 cal per day looked like for me. Here are 7 consecutive days of food logs when I was about 6.5 months post-op.
I also want to say that throughout weight loss phase, I probably ate on the lower end of the range of average calories eaten based on what I have read on forums. I also want to say that I did not feel like I was starving at any point. The amount of food that I was taking in was enough for ME. I had tones of energy, all my labs came back with no issue, and I was never struggling mentally with wanting to eat more. I say this because not everyone would be as comfortable as I was at this calorie level (though there are those that are), and if you are not comfy, then by all means, don't do it. Eat at a deficit level that you can handle.
       

I agree with the others - if you're losing weight at that calorie level, I wouldn't worry about it. You may just have higher metabolism rate than some of us.

The Week 3 stall hits everyone, so welcome to the club. 😀
My surgeon and nutritionist don't have us count calories. They won't even talk calories. They just say to get in the 60-70 g of Protein each day and eat whole food, 1/4 cup portions at first, then 1/2 cup portions down the road and that's it. That's their full suggestion.
I was 600-800 calories in the first few weeks but quickly grew to 1,000. Now this past week I'm trying to reset my pouch after gaining 10-12 COVID and Christmas pounds, so I have been averaging 650 calories per day.
I skip Breakfast. I eat ham and cheese (no bread) for lunch. I snack on peanuts. I drink a Protein Shake for dinner. And I have a protein snack (Optimum Nutrition Protein Cake bites).

I'm 5 weeks out and averaging 900-1000 calories a day. I'm supposed to hit 1200 but I'm finding that hard and so building up to it.
I see a lot of people eating way less than I am, even years out. People have different needs-perhaps that is working best for them. If you've been prescribed a higher calorie plan then follow it.
I asked my dietician a lot about this because in order to get 1200 calories I need to eat 3 meals and 6 Snacks a day. That sounded crazy to me and way too much compared to what everyone else is eating. I basically eat all day long. She explained that it's imperative for me to stay at a higher calorie level because I have a very high muscle mass from years of powerlifting (and the tests she did confirmed that was the case). A very low calorie count for months would just make me lose my muscle mass instead of fat. It also wouldn't leave me any energy to work out and I hit the gym pretty hard. I'm also supposed to eat carbs and I know other people were told not to.
Basically my point is there is nothing wrong with eating more calories than some other people. There is probably a reason you are supposed to do that. Even if we all had the same surgery our bodies have different needs.

You’re doing great! We are all different in what we can tolerate and what we need to lose weight. Activity levels, lifestyles, metabolism, etc all play a part in our journey.

I am like you, 800+ calories on most days. Making all my Protein and fluid goals. At just over 4 months out I am 60lbs down and still losing. Slowly, but losing none the less.

How do you feel? Good energy? Day to day life better than pre-surgery? Is your doctor happy with your results? If you’re answering “yes” then it sounds like “you found a solution” vs “have a problem”. 😎

hang in there. It’s difficult when you try and compare to others.

That week three stall hits almost everybody - it doesn't mean you're doing anything wrong. It seems to be the body taking some time to adjust to the surgery and the major change in how you eat. I wouldn't worry about comparing yourself to those who are eating less because a lot of things go into how we metabolize food: your age, activity level, previous dieting history (the more you've dieted in the past, the better your body is at adjusting your metabolism to compensate), your overall health, etc. If the scale is still moving downward then your calories are probably fine. As you continue to drop weight, there may come a time when you need to cut calories because the smaller we get, the less food we need. But for now, you're losing weight, you're hitting your nutritional goals and hydration goals, so there doesn't seem to be any need to arbitrarily limit yourself to 500 or 600 calories a day. Just stay the course.
Edit to add: I went back to look at one of my early days when I ate around 600 calories. I'm a little weird in that I rarely eat a full meal, it's usually mini-meals throughout the day. Below is what I ate that day. The Evolve is a Protein Shake, the Tillamook is a cheese snack pack, the Kitu is a keto-friendly coffee drink and I think the rest is self-explanatory. I wasn't restricting calories, this was just what I could eat at that point (I eat 800-900 calories a day now).

I only drink hot tea. No sweetness either. Sorry, but even the thought of iced tea makes me shudder.

I guess I left something out......it needs to be hot. He said ice tea loses some of the important properties needed. I started drinking 10oz a day plus at least one 16.9oz bottle of Water.

I know green tea is promoted as an aide for weight loss but the reality has not been true for me. Believe me 17 odd years of drinking it did nothing for my weight. Lol! Maybe it does if you drink green tea instead of ice coffee or hot chocolate or carbonated drinks, etc.
I started drinking it for the anti oxidants & low caffeine.

My former Gastric Band surgeon recommended to his patients to drink 3-8oz cups of green tea a day for added fat burning. My VSG surgeon's dietitian says it should be Decaf. I just began Phase 4 as I am 29 days out.

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Each practice will have varying guidelines so ask your surgeon their rules and why
But a quick search on the internet and I found this site which outlines a few reasons
https://www.vidawellnessandbeauty.com/caffeine-alcohol-after-bariatric-surgery-what-you-need-to-know/

What a great post, GreenTealael! Thank you!
I weaned from caffeine in anticipation of my surgery on January 5th. I treated myself to some specialty teas from Harney and Sons. They have several caffeine-free tea flavors, both loose tea and bags.
I have suffered from reflux in the past and caffeine relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter making my reflux much worse. I'm not sure if that is the only reason my practices wants patients to discontinue caffeine, but that's why I weaned off.

Please ask your team first. That's going to be the best advice given when it comes to uncertainty.

Thank you all for your replies.
Honestly I can't remember anything suggested by the team about caffeine.
So why is caffeine bad after surgery?
I'm just having one cup of tea with milk a day atm.
But as I mentioned before I really want more hot drinks during the day, thought Green tea would be safe.
As many of you still have green tea, i think it should be fine.
Better than other hot drinks like coffee etc..
Isn't it?

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Yes, and it counts as Water. Others here are talking about caffeine as the only issue. My surgeon didn't restrict me from caffeine, so it would be no problem. Of course I drink Decaf coffee when I drink it, but I always have, even pre-op. So drink away and enjoy your green tea.

I drink green tea very often (but usually Matcha) without issue. Definitely consult with your team first. If you are not allowed caffeine, look for Decaf versions.

(Infographic on the comparison of caffeine levels)
But according to the MayoClinic, there are limitations on safe intake levels (keep in mind these figures are based on adults that may not have altered anatomy)

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/caffeine/art-20045678#:~:text=Up to 400 milligrams (mg,two "energy shot" drinks.< /a>

I am an avid hot tea drinker. I drink mostly green teas, oolong teas, herbal teas, etc. I have been drinking tea since day 1. I took chrysanthemum puehr tea bags with me to the hospital and had a few sips. The hospital staff didn't want me to drink it HOT HOT, but I could have it.

I'm 5 weeks out of WLS now.
I crave Hot Drinks nowadays.
Don't want to drink milky drinks or tea with milk as it adds up to calories intake.
So my question is if I can drink green tea and how many cups a day?
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I’ve been drinking green tea for about 17 years because the caffeine in coffee was just killing me. It has about a quarter the caffeine of black tea & yes you can purchase decaffeinated green tea but it still has a small amount of caffeine.
My surgeon was very happy for me to continue drinking green tea from right after my surgery probably because it’s lower in caffeine & I don’t drink multiple cups each day. I drink about 300-350mls a day around mid morning. Adds to my Fluid intake too.

But check with your surgical team.

I drink sleepy tea caffeine free

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Green tea contains caffeine. Does your post op guidelines allow caffeine?
I drink Decaf green tea, maybe that is an option for you...or one of the naturally caffeine low/free teas like rooibos.

I feel you, and same, real hunger. One day at a time!

Thank you all for your experiences and suggestions.
It is real hunger.. my tummy rumbles, I feel low and acidity rising up.
As soon as I eat something I feel much better.
I will try and monitor it further.
Proteins like egg keep me fuller too for longer but carbs don't.
I will try and avoid carbs and eat more Proteins.< br>Maybe this will make a difference.


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