Post Op Calorie Count

[Luanddo 14]

I'm 7 months post op and am still struggling with knowing how many calories I should be eating each day. I know everyone's doctor is different. I'm just trying to get some idea of how much others are taking in. My doctor says 800 is too much and his own dietician is telling me I'm not eating enough and should have about 950 per day. I feel like banging my head against the wall. I'd greatly appreciate knowing what others are doing or have done at this point post op. Thanks!

[catdaddy 232]

I'm eating between 700 and 900 cals a day. I'm still working on my goal weight and plan to stay eating this amount until I go into my maintenance stage. At that time I'll slowly go up in cals until I can maintain my weight.

[Djmohr 6,965]

I definitely think I an not getting enough calories at this point and I am on a second week stall now. The good news is I am hitting my Protein and Water, bad news, I am not sure how to up my calorie count, I just am not hungry and when I am, I am craving more protein heavy things like cheese. Ugh! I am getting between 450 and 550 calories a day and I am doing cardio for an hour every other day working off a good chunk of those calories. I am taking all my Vitamins my blood work has been very good. I am just stalled. Any thoughts on what I could do to break the stall?

[Luanddo 14]

Djmohr - I am seeing 2 different dieticians and they would both say that you are eating way too few calories and your body is in starvation mode. I know it goes against what we've always learned....cut down on calories, but maybe you should try adding Protein drinks to bump up your calories. It is all very frustrating!

[Jolisue 112]

Hi! My doc said don't count calories, just get your Protein in, Water and work out. My nut said between 800-1000. I'm eating close to 1000 a day, and have lost 50lbs. I've got 60 to go, and am 5'10" btw. I might lose faster if I ate less.

[Djmohr 6,965]

I am drinking 2 Protein Shakes a day right now which is giving me 320 calories and 60 grams of Protein. Maybe I need to add another with my workouts because I literally am working more than one of those off as I even start my day. I actually end up negative until almost dinner time and then of course cannot catch up.

[Judyr 57]

When I started I was to have 90 grams of Protein a day. Stalls are common. Take your measurements. I found when I wasnt losing weight, I was losing inches. I also found I felt better when I wasnt on the scale all the time. The pounds will come off, they come off at different rates for everyone. I am one year out and my Dr suggested I eat 900 - 1000 cal. I eat about 1100, which he said was o.k. Just make sure you are taking your Vitamins, taking your Protein and drinking your Water. Exercise is so important. I have back issues and exercise has not been an option for me. Dont stress, relax and do the best you can. My favorite foods have been salmon, tuna, cottage cheese, eggs, taco flavored ground turkey, cheese and some crackers for my bread fix. I never ate fish, especially salmon, post op, so taste buds do change. I strive for 60+ protein now. I still drink one for Breakfast every day and maybe one more during the day depending on my intake. I still dont eat Pasta, very little rice and hardly any bread. Dont rush to reinstate your old foods, eat what the Dr recommends and stay on track. Dont go back to old habits, form new ones.

[carolk36 142]

My NUT wants me to be between 1000- 1200 a day. Realistically, I eat between 900 -1000 daily. My weight loss is slower about 1 -2 pounds a week now, (3 months out) but I was warned it would be that way since my BMI was on the lower end to start with. I seem to lose better the closer I get to 1000 calories a day.

Carol

[Djmohr 6,965]

I am really going to try hard to get more calories in me. Protein is definitely not the issue but I am certain I am not eating enough. Let's see what happens after trying that. I am using fitness pal to track everything so I know that is what is wrong. I just have not felt hungry and I need to remember that my body still needs nourishment. Thanks for all the great advice!

[Judyr 57]

I had the same problem. My Fitness Pal was my lifesaver. I always made sure I got in my Protein, which for me was 90 grams. Stalls are common. I found I was much happier not getting on the scale every day, maybe once a week, like a normal person. Measurements are a like saver. I lost inches when I wasn't losing pounds.

[brown eyed gal 59]

I'm in the same boat, only lost 16 pounds since surgery. I'm getting 800 calories a day using myfitnesspal. But it says I need 1000 calories. My team told me to just concentrate on Protein and Water. I don't know what to do!

[Luanddo 14]

My dietician said as long as I keep my Protein level up to 80 - 100, then not to worry about calories or carbs. I'm drinking about 70oz. of Water per day. My average loss is 2 pounds per week. I just worry that I'm eating too much (900 calories per day which includes about 75 calories of vitamins). If I eat too little, they say I'll go into "starvation mode" but if I eat too much, I won't lose any weight! What to do, what to do????

[wildGoose 207]

About six years ago, I spent 6 weeks at a very good fat farm. They fed us about 1000 calories a day. Then, on Friday nights, they would up the calories with a very special meal. It was great fun. All the people would sort of dress up, and we ate by candle light. The idea behind the meal was to show your body that you were not trying to starve it. So now, I try to vary my calories, and what I eat, somewhat. I tend to like the same foods all the time. I like routines. But I am sure that varying what I eat each day is a good weight loss plan for me.

[bellabloom 2,469]

I wouldn't worry so much about starvation mode as long as you exercise and lift weights. That will keep your metabolism going. Starvation mode is a bunch of bull. At worst you will hit a stall. Get your Protein, workout, eat enough to have some energy and watch the fat melt away. Trust me on this I would worry about too many calories way before worry about too few!

If your losing weight slow, cut the calories and start working out. It's simple. There is NO WAY to few calories will prevent you from losing weight. Also if you losing slow, cut the carbs.

Edited December 16, 2014 by bellabloom

[bellabloom 2,469]

I'm in the same boat, only lost 16 pounds since surgery. I'm getting 800 calories a day using myfitnesspal. But it says I need 1000 calories. My team told me to just concentrate on Protein and Water. I don't know what to do!

I would reduce your calories to between 600-800, cut out most of your carbs, and begin a regular exercise routine. You need to eat mainly Protein and lift weights to improve your metabolism. I'm sorry to hear you don't have much restriction but you have to take what you've got, so focus on protein and veggies and working out while you are still motivated to do this!!

Don't worry about what my fitness pal says, it's for regular people and doesn't apply to you. If you want to eat 1000 calories a day that's fine as long as you offset that with 30-60 minutes of cardio.

I would get a regular weekly visit with your nut set up immediately and perhaps a personal trainer for awhile. I'd hate to see you miss out on your goals and your clearly struggling.