800 calories ? IS IT ENOUGH?

[Womanvsmirror 314]

I have not been to see my doctor or nut since my staples were removed a week after surgery. I have not weighed myself since like week 4 (now at week 8 ). I have an appointment with both my surgeon and nut next Friday. But wanted to ask is it possible that im not eating enough calories? or enough of the right things? I ditched the scale because of the dreaded 3 week stall and I don't feel or see a difference in weight at all. I aim for 80g of Protein a day and usually get between 60-80. staying under 30gm of carbs and getting right around or under 800 calories a day. Im not having bm regularly only once a week tops, and that's with help of either a softener or enema. So I guess I said all that to say this, Any suggestion would be great ....

Edited July 27, 2016 by Womanvsmirror

[becomingmandikaye 262]

My calorie goal is between 600 and 800 calories, at least until I'm 3 months out.

If you're not weighing yourself at all, are you taking your measurements? I bet there's more of a change than you think there is.

[cindyw41 761]

My calorie intake is 600-800 as well and I'm 6 months out

The Constipation comes and goes with me. My nut told me to add a probiotic to my meds along with making sure I get all my fluids in. It does help.

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[rebecca wills 190]

Your body is always changing. The one thing I've learned in the past 5 years is to trust myself. You and only you are in control of what happens in your body. You proved you Love yourself by taking control of your health. Positive vibes reap positive results. Get out the tape measure, and start keeping records. Journal not only physical aspects of your progress but your thoughts, and emotions as well as spiritual thoughts. Those things impact our well being. We are always evolving. The caloric intake isn't important yet, the focus is on the Protein and Water intake, Vitamins and minerals. That is because your healing. The nut I had told me to not concern myself on caloric intake. Since we don't hold much in our sleeve. Protein counts first, supports muscle and keeps us from breaking down muscle. I mentioned 5 years for a reason. At some point I will put my story on my journey. Short story is I had my thyroid removed 3 years ago. I'm a work in progress. But at 54 years old I have learned to Love myself. Be happy and best wishes! Your doing great!!!!

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[rebecca wills 190]

P.S. Add magnesium and Calcium together just before bedtime you will wake up in the morning ready to go.

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[Montana Gal 448]

Constipation became a major problem for me after surgery. My PCP helped me develop a daily habit of taking stool softners, Benefiber at night and Natural Calm(avail at most health/natural food stores) in the morning. I am almost 6 months out and my calorie intake varies from week to week. If my weight loss slows down I usually change things up a little and increase my calories and lower my carbs, so anywhere between 800-1000 calories. I try to keep my Water around 80oz. I hope this helps, hang in there and good luck!

[Ale Nunez 80]

Have you tried Mylanta?

[Womanvsmirror 314]

Thank you all for such a quick response. I do have a chart to keep measurements but I have to admit I have missed a week or 2 . Not staying consistent is one of my struggles that lead me here. the clothes are fitting better and when I do measure inches are definitely dropping. I have recently added flaxseed to my yogurt daily . But the lack of bm's got pretty bad 2 weeks ago and it was literally impacted.(sorry tmi).. The few times I jumped on the scale at the gym I was still at 195ish... been that weight since week 3. I get about 32-40 oz of Water a day eat plenty of Protein but have little to no Fiber in my diet.

Edited July 27, 2016 by Womanvsmirror

[tcjmom 20]

My nutritionist gave us a sheet with calorie, Protein, carb and fat requirements:

week 1 - Clear liquids - less than 200 cal - more than 10g Protein - min 25 g carb - 0 fat
week 2 - full liquids - 200-400 calories - 40-50g protein - min 25 g carb - less than 10 g fat
week 3 - pureed - 200-400 calories - 40-50 g protein - min 25 g carb - less than 10 g fat
day 22-40 -soft - 300-400 calories - 50-60 g protein - min 25 g carb - less than 10 g fat
40+ days - normal - 400-600 calories - 60-80g protein - min 50 g carb - 10-20 g fat
2-4 months - normal - 600 calories - min 60 g protein (female) 80 g protein (male) - min 50 g carb - 10-20 g fat
5-6 months - normal - 600-700 calories - min 60 g protein (female) 80 g protein (male) - 70-80 g carb - 20 g fat
7-8 months - normal 700-900 calories - min 60 g protein (female) 80 g protein (male) - 70-80 g carb - 20 g fat
9-12 months - normal -900-1000 calories - min 60 g protein (female) 80 g protein (male) - 90-100 g carb - 30 g fat
Lifelong - maintenance - 1100-1200 calories - min 60 g protein (female) 80 g protein (male) - 90-120 g carb 30-50 g fat
Lifelong - active - under 1200 calories - min 60 g protein (female) 80 g protein (male) - under 150 g carb - 30-50 g fat

I'm wondering if you are at too many calories for your stage - but I'd follow your nutritionist and surgeon's guidelines.

I take Miralax twice a week. Miralax increases the amount of Water kept in the stools in the intestines and makes them softer and easier to pass. It's not habit-forming unlike some anti-constipation medications. If you are constipated, it might take a day or three of Miralax to get things going again, but after that, you should be okay with just a maintenance dose 1-3 times a week.

[Womanvsmirror 314]

very helpful I am going to ask my team for something like this seems like good guidelines

My nutritionist gave us a sheet with calorie, Protein, carb and fat requirements:

week 1 - Clear Liquids - less than 200 cal - more than 10g Protein - min 25 g carb - 0 fat
week 2 - full liquids - 200-400 calories - 40-50g protein - min 25 g carb - less than 10 g fat
week 3 - pureed - 200-400 calories - 40-50 g protein - min 25 g carb - less than 10 g fat
day 22-40 -soft - 300-400 calories - 50-60 g protein - min 25 g carb - less than 10 g fat
40+ days - normal - 400-600 calories - 60-80g protein - min 50 g carb - 10-20 g fat
2-4 months - normal - 600 calories - min 60 g protein (female) 80 g protein (male) - min 50 g carb - 10-20 g fat
5-6 months - normal - 600-700 calories - min 60 g protein (female) 80 g protein (male) - 70-80 g carb - 20 g fat
7-8 months - normal 700-900 calories - min 60 g protein (female) 80 g protein (male) - 70-80 g carb - 20 g fat
9-12 months - normal -900-1000 calories - min 60 g protein (female) 80 g protein (male) - 90-100 g carb - 30 g fat
Lifelong - maintenance - 1100-1200 calories - min 60 g protein (female) 80 g protein (male) - 90-120 g carb 30-50 g fat
Lifelong - active - under 1200 calories - min 60 g protein (female) 80 g protein (male) - under 150 g carb - 30-50 g fat

I'm wondering if you are at too many calories for your stage - but I'd follow your nutritionist and surgeon's guidelines.

I take Miralax twice a week. Miralax increases the amount of Water kept in the stools in the intestines and makes them softer and easier to pass. It's not habit-forming unlike some anti-constipation medications. If you are constipated, it might take a day or three of Miralax to get things going again, but after that, you should be okay with just a maintenance dose 1-3 times a week.

[losingtheselumps 93]

Reaching your Water goals everyday will also help "move things along". I find that the less water I drink, the more constipated I am. It will also help you lose more weight:)

[Barry W 336]

Reaching your Water goals everyday will also help "move things along". I find that the less Water I drink, the more constipated I am. It will also help you lose more weight:)

Yes - diarrhea is watery stool and Constipation comes from hard, dry stool. Some medications for relieving constipation work by increasing the water content of stool.

[triplethreat 257]

My surgical team told me specifically not to count calories but to learn to eat without getting full (which I've done once and regretted!) Protein is key and then Water on my plan. I can eat 3 oz at a time and feel satisfied for several hours. My team said I should be getting 500-800 calories/day for a while and that's been a good range for me. I don't count calories but I'm around 600-670 per day as I am able to eat "anything you can cut with a fork-- excerpt Pasta or rice," as per my nut.

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[charley27 164]

I'm 5 weeks out and my nut said I'm okay at only 4-500 calories a day.

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[smg 471]

I agree with the consensus here. Water Water water and more water. You can mix in other liquids if you want, but I would keep track of your water separate from things like teas, juices, etc. I know that there is water in all of this, but it's easy to get constipated post-op and staying hydrated will definitely help prevent it.