I am slightly confused about calories, I read that you should eat between 600-800 calories during your loosing phase, and 1200 calories during maintenance. Is this true?

The ONLY requirements I've been told to follow are to get 70g of Protein per day and 64 oz of Water. My doc and nut did not give me a calorie, carbohydrate, or any other goal to reach. Protein and Water. That's it.

You're doing an awesome job anyway and will be so far ahead of the game when you get sleeved!!!

my doctor gave me no instructions other than protein first and lots of water. I have read other people have other goals like 30 grams of carbs although some nuts tell them over 100 grams of carbs so I do a happy medium and try not to go over 60 grams of carbs. I have a very hard time getting my protein in because it is so dense and I get full really quickly when eating protein....I get plenty of liquids. I love sugar free koolaid and cannot tolerate crystal lite....also my doc told me excercise excercise excercise. I walk about 6 miles a day (3 in the morning and 3 at night to keep the metabolism steady)

after surgery about 900 calories later up to 1,200 for regaining stamina (at least for me heading back to gym as well as slowing weight loss - in month 5 I am near goal)

Prior around 800 to 900 to reduce fatty tissue. Get in your Protein 60 to 70 grams as sleeve not as bad as bypass. Try for 64 ounces Water keep skin soft.

I think in this, as in all other weight loss things, YMMV.

Follow your doctor's plan and if he doesn't give you one you should ask him/her for guidance.

It took me months to work up to a steady 500-700 calories a day. I knew going in what my BMR was, though, and knew I needed to hit around 900 calories a day and not much more to lose at a decent pace. Not everyone is the same.

You're going to see other women on these boards that eat 1200+ calories a day because they have to in order to lose. You'll also see women that hang as low as possible in the 500s and limit their carbs to 20 or less per day.

We all need to do what works for us, not just to lose weight, but whatever it is that we can maintain in the long run.

I'm a slower loser and have been regardless of how I tweak or restrict. I aim for about 900-1100 calories a day, 80+ grams of Protein and 75 or so grams of carbs. It works for me, I never feel deprived and I can do this for the rest of my life with no problem.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer. If there were, none of us would be having surgery in the first place because the first time we gave Weight Watchers a try it would have worked!

So, my advice? Track you intake carefully and add or subtract calories and/or carbs until you find the place where you feel satisfied with both your diet and your results.

~Cheri

Thanks everyone for your replies!!! I think I need to make a list to ask the doc when I see him again.