Hello, I am only 5 months post op and eat roughly 900-1600 calories/day. I can certainly contribute a few days to grazing but not most of the time. I can just eat more. I am 13 pounds from goal and worry that my sleeve was not tight enough. I am working out regularly and seeing a social worker to work on my emotional eating/stress management. I've added a dietician to my team and will meet her this week.

I am curious to know. How far out are you and how many calories are you eating in a day?

Thanks!

BTW, no it's not ice cream although I do enjoy Shelley's Protein ice cream once or twice a month. I don't eat bread. My worry is the long term success, if I can eat this many calories now, what will it be like in a year?

There is no pat answer to this question, everyone's caloric needs are different depending on their base metabolic rate and their activity during the day.

I personally eat about 2500 calories a day, but I am a 6 foot male and exercise a lot too.

The weight loss down to goal may range from very, very slow to impossible. Remember that you are also probably carrying around 5 or so pounds of excess skin and some subdermal fat that is just hard to get rid of.

So relax, stick with it, you may NEVER get to "gaol" weight but are close enough that if you can keep it and maintain it you are there!

How much can we or do we, yo ucould theoretically eat a TON of calories - your sleeve is just a tool, and not designed long-term to limit your calories, just reduce your hunger needs - remember, without constant exercize you will never really need much mroe than 1000 calories a day.

Get back to an eating schedule. Eat your protiens first, in a measured amount (say about 4 oz), not to exceed that amount but feel for your fullness, and know that if you hit a half cup or so you are good - this is where your tummy stops and your head hunger begins...where you have to grab the reins.

You know you graze, so avoid it and get away from the kitchen, the house if necessary.

This is great! Congrats and learning to take control of our head hunger and make good choices is part of the battle. I am 9.5 months post op and have found myself eating more and grazing. I find myself eating more sugars now and I am totally addicted to sugar. I get a bite and I want more! So now I need to sustain from sugars once again and eat healthy fruits. I am getting bored with my diet and my hubby's eating is driving me crazy.

I ate 1200-1600 cals per day at that point too. I am maintaining at 1800-2000 a day. I just have to keep my cals there and not keep increasing-- that's the key! Maintaining for 3+ months now. I do stay active but don't "work out"

Hello there I am 4 months post op and I usually eat about 800 calories a day. I'm sure I could consume more if I made bad choices in food. The thing I would ask you is 900-1600 that is a huge range. Usually people have a range of 100-200 calories. What is it that is causing you to have such a difference in calorie intake?? You say you are not eating breads, which is good, but are you consuming high calorie proteins?? I try to focus on having lean protein which is usually lower in calories. Are you on mfp?? I would like to know what your daily consumption is. I found myself eating a lot of cheese, which can be high calorie, so Iimit my cheese intake.

People forget that as you lose weight you need less calories. So just because you're eating a certain amount of calories right now doesn't mean you'll be eating more down the line. It doesn't work exactly like that...

I do agree that 900-1600 is a Peru big range. What happens on the 1600 days that doesn't happen on the 900 days?

Don't focus on comparing your numbers. Focus on eating what you're supposed to, in quantities that leave you feeling satisfied and energized.

I actually decided to not count calories and to focus on being sure I was eating for nutrition--partly because in the past I have obsessed over every calorie I put in my mouth and I didn't want to do that, and partly because this isn't a temporary thing, it's a lifestyle change, and I wanted to learn how to eat for health and longevity instead of just to lose weight, if that makes sense.

Everyone's diet and requirements are different--if you're determined to hit your goal, you can definitely get more "mileage" from your sleeve if you fill it with nutritious foods instead of processed foods. Think lean Protein, followed by veggies, followed by fruit. There's not really any room in there for stuff that's going to keep you from your goal. I eat dairy and veggie protein plus a LOT of veggies every day--as I say, I hate to count calories, so I just don't, but I also don't eat junk, period. I had most of my stomach cut out and I'm just not going to eat in a way that will negate that huge change. Plus, and here's the real deal, I feel FABULOUS when I eat right! Go figure!

Best wishes to you--you know what to do, and it's good that you come here for support and encouragement in doing it!

I ate 1200-1600 cals per day at that point too. I am maintaining at 1800-2000 a day. I just have to keep my cals there and not keep increasing-- that's the key! Maintaining for 3+ months now. I do stay active but don't "work out"

I'm freaking out because I'm eating less that 1300 calories right now, and I'm back at my high bounce from 146 to 152. I'm really freaked out about it. I really don't work out but try to walk some.

Hello, I am only 5 months post op and eat roughly 900-1600 calories/day. I can certainly contribute a few days to grazing but not most of the time. I can just eat more. I am 13 pounds from goal and worry that my sleeve was not tight enough. I am working out regularly and seeing a social worker to work on my emotional eating/stress management. I've added a dietician to my team and will meet her this week.

I am curious to know. How far out are you and how many calories are you eating in a day?

Thanks!

BTW, no it's not ice cream although I do enjoy Shelley's Protein ice cream once or twice a month. I don't eat bread. My worry is the long term success, if I can eat this many calories now, what will it be like in a year?

I aim for 800 a day, and a really bad day is 1000. My doc said that's about perfect, and where he wants me to stay for the weightloss period. I'm a little over 5 months out. He also said to never eat more than 1/2 cup of anything at one time. I can hold twice that, but try to comply with his instructions. I find that if I eat slowly enough, that much food really will satisfy. (Sometimes I get REALLY hungry though.)

I'm freaking out because I'm eating less that 1300 calories right now, and I'm back at my high bounce from 146 to 152. I'm really freaked out about it. I really don't work out but try to walk some.

Don't freak out! if you see 153 then go back to basics and get back to the 140s. You are in control of maintenance! you can do this

Get back to an eating schedule. Eat your protiens first, in a measured amount (say about 4 oz), not to exceed that amount but feel for your fullness, and know that if you hit a half cup or so you are good - this is where your tummy stops and your head hunger begins...where you have to grab the reins.

Perfect advice!

I eat 750-800 calories a day at 6 months and exercise every day. I'm a slow loser now and wondering if I should bump up the calories.

I will always be weighting and measuring my food I think. It keeps me in line. Portion control was my downfall.

Hello there I am 4 months post op and I usually eat about 800 calories a day. I'm sure I could consume more if I made bad choices in food. The thing I would ask you is 900-1600 that is a huge range. Usually people have a range of 100-200 calories. What is it that is causing you to have such a difference in calorie intake?? You say you are not eating breads, which is good, but are you consuming high calorie Proteins?? I try to focus on having lean Protein which is usually lower in calories. Are you on mfp?? I would like to know what your daily consumption is. I found myself eating a lot of cheese, which can be high calorie, so Iimit my cheese intake.

Thanks, I am windcitymom on MFP. Yes, it is a wide range, when I focus and restrain myself I am around 800/900 cal. I just feel I should be lower being only 5 months out. Iam eating alot of cheese now that I am sick of eggs. I like turkey deli meat but also do alot of Protein drinks. I just bought the dummy cookbook and can't wait to dive in

I agree with rootman. I am 6'3 and I workout. I am steadily losing weight and taking in 1200calories. I think activity, height, gender(sorry ladies), age all figure into how fast you metabolize as well as your genetics. My nutritionist has rec at least 1200 for me since I am exercising. If I was 5'0 I am sure it would be less in rec calories. I was so excited to see my current waist size in jeans until I saw none in my inseam. I guess they figure there are no tall guys with a big waist. Stick with what your nutritionist suggests for you and you will do fine.

Thanks all, I really appreciate it!

I think my new NUT on board is going to be here at just the right time to help me determine what my personal numbers should be.

I too am 5 months out and do anywhere from 1000 to 1200. I need to get back to eating correctly. I am eating tooooo many carbs