Question for the fellas

[jenlen 58]

My dad had his WLS 4 weeks ago and as I preceded him two months earlier he usually comes to me first with his questions. My doc told me that 1000 cals daily is a good amount to have and to shoot for 80 g of Protein ( which I have no prob getting). My Dad is wondering what the typical amount of calories per day is for the men who have had this surgery. So far he is doing very well but I am sure he is still at the point where he is eating much fewer calories than he will once his stomach is healed up.

[Arts137 1,811]

I was 423 at biggest, now under 350 (2 months out). Protein about 100 gm/day and Kcals about 1,200. Slow and steady wins the race.

[BigDaddyJoe 246]

I wasn't able to get over 800 a day for the first 4 months. Now I'm 5 months out and getting about 1,000 a day. I get about 80g of Protein a day.

[Keith Goin' for 200 22]

The standard is about 500-675 p/day once you're back on solid foods. 1000 is extremely high post-op. I don't foresee much weight loss success with such a high caloric intake, male or fale. Was that indicated by your doc?

[jenlen 58]

The standard is about 500-675 p/day once you're back on solid foods. 1000 is extremely high post-op. I don't foresee much weight loss success with such a high caloric intake' date=' male or fale. Was that indicated by your doc?[/quote']

Wow that is really low. I figured that men would require more calories than that. My doc did tell me that 1000 cal a day with 80 gram Protein is what I should be around. I lose about 2 pounds a week but do have several times where I stall out for a bit then drop 3-4 pounds all at once. I was afraid 1000 would not be enough for him once his stomach is healed and he is able to eat more than 3 oz at a time. I will be going to his support group with him and will check on what his Nut recommends but I was just curious what others have been doing and how successful that has been.

My dad was 360 pre op and has lost 42 pounds in the first 4 weeks. I started out at 300 and have lost 45 pounds in the last 3 months. I thought my weight loss was a bit slow but my doc keeps reassuring me that I am right on target.

Now I am curious how many calories the gals are averaging and wonder if I need to cut mine back to maximize my effort.

[Fiddleman 4,376]

I like to eat about 2000 calories after 8 months post op to fuel my life and workouts. During the first 6 months, tty and cap calories at 1100 a day (oscillate between 1900 and 2100 at 13 months post op and am with losing or gaining if my strength training is really good). You will eat 300-600 for a couple months and the start increasing towards 1100. After 6 months and down 100 lbs, start increasing towards 2000. It will take a couple months. Try to be progressive and slow about increasing calories as to not cause your body to store. Keep on exercising along the way increasing the intensity as you get more fit and your cardio and strength increase. Good luck!

[jenlen 58]

I like to eat about 2000 calories after 8 months post op to fuel my life and workouts. During the first 6 months' date=' tty and cap calories at 1100 a day (oscillate between 1900 and 2100 at 13 months post op and am with losing or gaining if my strength training is really good). You will eat 300-600 for a couple months and the start increasing towards 1100. After 6 months and down 100 lbs, start increasing towards 2000. It will take a couple months. Try to be progressive and slow about increasing calories as to not cause your body to store. Keep on exercising along the way increasing the intensity as you get more fit and your cardio and strength increase. Good luck![/quote']

Ty for that info. In his younger years my dad trained for power lifting and I figured that if he gets back into working out like that again then he will def need to adjust his calories. His health has gone down hill over the last several years so right now he is doing really good just walking around the neighborhood.

Is there a way to determine one's caloric needs based on activity level? I really can not imagine keeping calories under 800. It seems that would greatly effect your energy levels. Idk I am trying to sort it all out and find that healthy balance that allows for steady weight loss but does not make me feel exhausted all the time.

Thank you all for your input.

[Fiddleman 4,376]

Ty for that info. In his younger years my dad trained for power lifting and I figured that if he gets back into working out like that again then he will def need to adjust his calories. His health has gone down hill over the last several years so right now he is doing really good just walking around the neighborhood.

Is there a way to determine one's caloric needs based on activity level? I really can not imagine keeping calories under 800. It seems that would greatly effect your energy levels. Idk I am trying to sort it all out and find that healthy balance that allows for steady weight loss but does not make me feel exhausted all the time.

Thank you all for your input.

Yes, there are good TDEE calculators that tell you how much to eat based upon height, activity levels and some other things. I no longer have the link, but someone else might have it. A few months ago, I calculated my TDEE to be around 2054. I am sure it is higher now because my activity level is much higher today.

Laura (ven) has a good TDEE link that she used to post. Maybe she will post it here.

[jenlen 58]

Yes' date=' there are good TDEE calculators that tell you how much to eat based upon height, activity levels and some other things. I no longer have the link, but someone else might have it. A few months ago, I calculated my TDEE to be around 2054. I am sure it is higher now because my activity level is much higher today.[/quote']

I just googled TDEE and got a few different calculators that look good ( fitnessfrog.com, thefitgirls.com and skinny equation). All look to be quite helpful.

Thanks for the tip.

[Keith Goin' for 200 22]

Ty for that info. In his younger years my dad trained for power lifting and I figured that if he gets back into working out like that again then he will def need to adjust his calories. His health has gone down hill over the last several years so right now he is doing really good just walking around the neighborhood.

Is there a way to determine one's caloric needs based on activity level? I really can not imagine keeping calories under 800. It seems that would greatly effect your energy levels. Idk I am trying to sort it all out and find that healthy balance that allows for steady weight loss but does not make me feel exhausted all the time.

Thank you all for your input.

Fiddleman is very much inaccurate! The sole purpose of WLS is to greatly reduce ones caloric intake by reducing the amount and types of foods you eat. 2000cals per day is almost twice the amount indicated for a Physician Prescribed Cardio Diet of 1200cals per day. With a 3-4oz capacity stomach post-op, it is absolutely ridiculous to assume that one could consume 2000 calories per day. Think about it! You will be larger and or heavier as you were before undergoing WLS. I suugest that you ignore these quack type nutritional recommendations, and consult your physician and nutritionist! You made the life altering decision to have WLS do I'd advise you to get important info such as this from someone with MD behind their name. This isn't meant to be that type of forum!!!!!

[Keith Goin' for 200 22]

Yes' date=' there are good TDEE calculators that tell you how much to eat based upon height, activity levels and some other things. I no longer have the link, but someone else might have it. A few months ago, I calculated my TDEE to be around 2054. I am sure it is higher now because my activity level is much higher today.

Laura (ven) has a good TDEE link that she used to post. Maybe she will post it here. <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />[/quote']

Those tools are not applicable to WLS patients!

[Fiddleman 4,376]

Eating 2000 calories of high quality lean Protein every couple hours is very beneficial to keeping your metabolism going throughout the day and at night ( if you eat some casein protein). The key is to keep meals small ( about 200-300 calories) and eat every couple hours. I eat about 7 times a day and metabolism is a well tuned furnace. If you lift or otherwise have a decent weekly workout program, then there should be little problem with eating around TDEE once you are far enough post op. You also should eat clean. Do not waste calories on dirty calories (sweets or fatty foods). Instead, eat lean Protein and veggies, good carbs, good fats and drink a lot of Water. Good luck. I do not see why TDEE calculators cannot apply to WLS post ops. Several people have been successful with eating a normal amount of calories post op that I know. My comments apply to folks that are pretty well done with weight loss and looking to maintain.

My weight loss has been 180 in 7 months and I have dropped to 13% bf after that in last 6 months by eating this way. Best part is my energy is awesome for working out week after week with cross fit and being super energetic all day. Love paleo style eating and never being hungry.

[jenlen 58]

Fiddleman is very much inaccurate! The sole purpose of WLS is to greatly reduce ones caloric intake by reducing the amount and types of foods you eat. 2000cals per day is almost twice the amount indicated for a Physician Prescribed Cardio Diet of 1200cals per day. With a 3-4oz capacity stomach post-op' date=' it is absolutely ridiculous to assume that one could consume 2000 calories per day. Think about it! You will be larger and or heavier as you were before undergoing WLS. I suugest that you ignore these quack type nutritional recommendations, and consult your physician and nutritionist! You made the life altering decision to have WLS do I'd advise you to get important info such as this from someone with MD behind their name. This isn't meant to be that type of forum!!!!![/quote']

No worries Keith,

I am following the guidelines set forth by my surgeon. My dad is following his as well, however his surgeon did not give a specific guideline for daily calories. I will ask his Nut next week, but I was just curious what the fellas here have been doing. I certainly know better than to take the word of anyone online as gospel and always verify information against other sources.