The nutritionist at the hospital told me I should focus more on how much Protein and Water I take in, however, while I fully understand this and am taking it into account, I'm super used to logging my food on the MyFitnessPal app. Pre-op I was anywhere from 1200-1600 calories a day trying to cut back and lose weight in preparation for my gastric sleeve surgery.

4 days out and I'm between 500-600 calories (trying to do 3 Protein shakes min. for protein goal, Jello, and broth, had a sugar free popsicle today too).

Just wondering how calories might fluctuate in the months to come. What's normal for a bariatric patient? My current TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure) is approximately 2716 based on an online calculator. So I'm eating less, at a much bigger deficit than I could normally live off which explains why WLS works so great as a tool. But still the question burns, where to cap myself off for calories? Pre-op, I just absolutely tried not to go over 2k calories each day. Now is it more like 1000? What's eating too little, what is too much? I'm making it so I have three meals a day (a protein shake) with some Snacks in between or in the evening (usually broth/miso Soup, jello). 3 of my Premier Protein shakes at 160 calories per bottle are 480 so is that my minimum to get by? Trying to work it out.

If there's anyone that knows about this please let me know. I don't see anything wrong with counting calories or logging food like I do so I don't know why my nutritionist couldn't just give me the straightforward and helpful advice I was looking for. .-. I will keep logging for peace of mind, especially for how hard I've worked to cut back and be mindful with portion control and what not.

Thanks y'all.

Edited January 3, 20179 yr by sasharbinx

Same for me as what @@Heather I and @@Bufflehead said. I ate around 800 calories for the first 14 months, (starting after the first 6 weeks.) At 4 years out, I still need to eat around 800 to lose, maintain around 1200, and gain at anything over that. If I eat 1500-2000, I gain RAPIDLY. I still can't believe it after all this time, and wouldn't believe it if were not happening to me. Some of us just really don't need much to survive and even less to maintain a healthy weight. It's unique for the person, but I've learned from reading these boards that I'm not alone. Misery loves company

@michigainchic, yes, it IS kind of horrific how little we need to survive and thrive, LOL.

One one hand, I truly am eating less/satisfied with much less food and eating healthier, so that's, of course, fabulous. BUT, it's so easy to eat an extra 500 calories in a day!

One glass of wine or beer with a snack at night, POOF, 500 calories packed on with a weight gain. There is no more mindless eating for me. I never was this anal tracking my food/drink -- like, down to a bite of my kids' nugget tracking -- but it has given me quite the focus on what do I want to spend my calories budget on. I feel so much better on a high protein/low carb lifestyle though. No more carb comas, dragging my butt around all day spiking with caffeine and carbs and then crashing an hour later. I like the steady energy I have, and the flawless complexion is a nice byproduct of few carbs and cleaner eating.

I don't know how you all lose weight below 800 calories... When I go under 1K for a long period of time, I completely stall out. At 800 calories, I lost 2 lbs in a month, if that. Over 1K, I'm assured 1-2 lbs. loss/week consistently.

I feel rather lonely here. lol

Having said that, I know all of our bodies are different though.

I wish people would learn more about nutrition instead of focusing on calories.

The type of calories you are consuming matter more than the calories.

Almost everyone who can barely eat anything without gaining is having over 50 grams of carbs.

And it is basically impossible to consume 50 grams of carbs with green veggies which means you are eating trash to get to those 50 to 90 carbs.

1200 calories is the bare minimum I can eat or I stall. I have to eat at least 1500 calories if I barely move or I stall.

It is hard to even hit that many calories on Protein and green veggies. If it wasn't for the cream in my coffee I would never make it.

You guys are tanking your metabolism forever with these calories. You are going to be stuck on starvation calories forever.

@@OutsideMatchInside Yeah, I agree. Nutrition is the best focal point.

Nutrition is the most important consideration. However, if I don't count calories, I still overeat.

Writing down everything keeps me from grazing. I'm certain I could eat an entire side of salmon one nibble at a time if I didn't use calorie counting for accountability.

Sent from my SM-G925V using the BariatricPal App

No one is saying not to count. If people are eating 800 calories a day and over 50 grams of carbs, most of their calories are from carbs not Protein.

That is bad nutrition. The type of calorie counts, just just the calories amount.

Edited January 4, 20179 yr by OutsideMatchInside

Once I hit the regular food stage, I should be around 800-1000 depending on how much I work out. Right now I'm between 600-800.

@@sasharbinx

I agree with @@Bufflehead

--first four weeks: stay under 650 calories

--four weeks - six months: stay under 800 calories

--six months - goal: stay under 1100 calories

--do not count calories burned or attempt to "eat back" exercise calories.

What calories and food intake look like for me yesterday.

I eat from the time I wake up until midnight. My macros are 1781 calories 235g Protein 97g carbs 46g fat. After training, I detox and get back to my bariatric program.

What is normal for one person may not be for another.....

Nutrition is the most important consideration. However, if I don't count calories, I still overeat.

Writing down everything keeps me from grazing. I'm certain I could eat an entire side of salmon one nibble at a time if I didn't use calorie counting for accountability.

Sent from my SM-G925V using the BariatricPal App

Oh me too. I log everything, every bite, every drink, every daily exercise, daily weight, every calorie, every carb, every gram of fat, salt, potassium, nutrients... Etc. It's actually a nice hobby lol.

All about accountability and discipline for me.

No one is saying not to count. If people are eating 800 calories a day and over 50 grams of carbs, most of their calories are from carbs not protein.

That is bad nutrition. The type of calorie counts, just just the calories amount.

I had my 3 Month follow up with my dietician today. She was thrilled with everything except my carbs. She said they were way too low and is concerned when they are below 100grams....My primary current source of carbs is blueberries and strawberries, since I've added those I'm getting 40-60 grams of carbs a day. Have to admit to being nervous about doubling that and stalls. I'm going to follow instructions and gradually increase over the week...but eeek...is how I'm feeling.

I don't eat carbs except green veggies, and the trace carbs from cream, and coffee.

Lots of people eat carbs and are successful but I see a pattern of people with carbs equal to or exceeding their Protein stalling.

If you trust your dietician you should follow her advice.

300 calories the first 10 days, then 400-500 for a few weeks, now, 10 weeks out, 700-800 a day

I don't track calories I plan my meals to come to, 100 grams Protein/25 grams carbs/20 grams fat

1gram of Protein and carbs= 4 calories 1gram of fat= 9 calories there may be added fat in your protein choice.

I'll tell you, my daily average took a serious hit today. Despite prior planning, and taking enough Snacks with me for three meals, events conspired against me and I am behind two meals and most of my drinking. It is a long unhappy story, and I am going to be up late guzzling Protein shakes to catch up on both counts.

@@OutsideMatchInside you do not know me, or what I eat. You do not know my nutritional status. Please do not assume I do not know about nutrition, or that you know more about ME that I do. At 4 years post op, I'm pretty sure I have it figured out. And just as the content of the calories are important, the number of calories consumed DOES matter, as well. The amount needed varies from one person to the next, for a variety of reasons.