I’m two weeks out on puréed and today I ate about 1000 calories? I don’t feel much restriction or hunger, but I’m so excited to be allowed to eat and I wonder if I went overboard. Is 1000 cals too much this soon?

According to the old tried and true programs.....early calorie restriction is the best bet. You'll find a lot of folks who will say that's too much.

HOWEVER...

My group would say you're on target. We do 1000-1200 calories as soon as possible after surgery. I made it to 1000 calories per day at 3 weeks and have been happily eating 1000-1200 per day since.

Newer long term research is showing people who eat 1000-1200 calories per day sooner in the process don't lose weight as fast, but do lose just as much weight over time as their calorie restricted counterparts.

Additionally...there is evidence that they regain less of their lost weight over 10 years.

In my group...you'd be congratulated. In another group...you'd be scolded.

Bariatrics is an emerging field.

I put a lot of thought into choosing my group. My deciding point....was that it's using a protocol developed by a research hospital I trust.

Edited January 12, 20188 yr by Creekimp13

Thank you for your response. I’m glad to hear I haven’t failed at week 2. I am capable of eating so much more than most at this stage, and it scares me a little. Another question: in my study of nutrition I was taught that beans and lentils are a very healthy source of protein. But my Nut counts them as a starch and says they don’t qualify as a “protein first” food. I love black beans and hummus. Do others’ doctors count these foods as carbs or as protein?

We count them as calories. We also count their protein content.

We don't count carbs. We count calories 1000-1200, and Protein 60-80g+

We are discouraged from eating carbs that are high glycemic and have simple sugar that causes insulin spikes.

Hummus and lentils are staples in my diet...they are low glycemic, and paired with brown rice protein make a complete amino acid. I also eat a lot of oatmeal, greek yogurt, and will be eating more nuts and seeds next week:)

Edited January 12, 20188 yr by Creekimp13

You will encounter a lot of plans then encourage high animal protein and few carbs. They work for some people and some people are comfortable with them.

I prefer to balance my animal and plant protein, eat whole grain carbs, beans and lentils, fruits and veggies, and eat a diet more similar to Mayo Clinic Diet and Mediterranean Diet...since they're correlated with lower instances of cancer and more longevity....than high animal protein diets.

My group's plan works great with these diets.

I’m two weeks out on puréed and today I ate about 1000 calories? I don’t feel much restriction or hunger, but I’m so excited to be allowed to eat and I wonder if I went overboard. Is 1000 cals too much this soon?

Yes that is a lot 2 weeks after surgery. I was at 400 calories for the first 6 weeks. But it depends on how much you have to lose and what your bmr is. 1200 calories is maintenance for me and I won't lose eating that much.
My program encourages beans in small quantities. Make sure to chew well even the Refried and soft beans to help with gas.
My surgeon said not to eat nuts just because they're so high in calories for the quantity.
You won't feel much of the restriction yet but don't worry. You'll feel it when you eat solid protein.
Good luck on your journey.

My program was different however at 7 months out I’m struggling to get 800 calories in a day. My doctor has ordered (like really wrote an order) for me to do 3 protein shakes a day to get my calories. His goal at this point is 1000-1200 for me but will settle for 800-1200. Down 90 pounds total, it’s just a struggle to eat.

My program was different however at 7 months out I’m struggling to get 800 calories in a day. My doctor has ordered (like really wrote an order) for me to do 3 Protein Shakes a day to get my calories. His goal at this point is 1000-1200 for me but will settle for 800-1200. Down 90 pounds total, it’s just a struggle to eat.

That sounds really difficult, but what a loss! Congratulations. I’m wishing I had more restrictions because so far I feel little difference and am worried this won’t work for me.

You will encounter a lot of plans then encourage high animal protein and few carbs. They work for some people and some people are comfortable with them.
I prefer to balance my animal and plant protein, eat whole grain carbs, beans and lentils, fruits and veggies, and eat a diet more similar to Mayo Clinic Diet and Mediterranean Diet...since they're correlated with lower instances of cancer and more longevity....than high animal protein diets.
My group's plan works great with these diets.

This is how I’ve been taught to eat as well, so I feel conflicted about my Nutritionists recommendations. I eat meat now but was a vegetarian for 8 years so I have a taste for plant proteins and don’t feel good eating meat meat meat. I’ll do what it takes though.

30 minutes ago, Lotte22 said:

This is how I’ve been taught to eat as well, so I feel conflicted about my Nutritionists recommendations. I eat meat now but was a vegetarian for 8 years so I have a taste for plant Proteins and don’t feel good eating meat meat meat. I’ll do what it takes though.

At my first meeting my nutritionist asked what diet you followed, vegan etc and would create a plan based on that. Maybe have a sit down and tell her no meat!! Good luck.

Keep in mind purees will go down way easier (they slide through) than soft or regular foods, so you'll feel the restriction more then. The calories are probably ok, but as stated depends on the plan your team uses. In mine it'd be a lot early on, but fine, they want us in that range. We're supposed to be low carb, but beans are ok. Hummus has more net carbs than beans, so they said it's ok, but limit it to a serving a day. Same with nuts and seeds, fine, but only 1 serving per day. I've found I can't really eat hummus (too thick), but loved it pre surgery. Lentils are great and I've had a lot of lentil soup, which is also pretty high calorie.

I've only been tracking protein at this point, but my goal is 60-82 grams and that's about how many calories I take in in order to get to the top of that range.

I've always focused on calories and protein. If you eat enough protein and stay under 1,200 calories you will find there isn't a lot of room for carbs. Especially if you're eating refined carbs.

My nut wanted me up to 1200 calories as soon as possible. I think I began to consistently hit 1200 around 6 months. I had a dip in my calories when I went to solid foods as I was able to eat less per serving and had to convert to a 6 meals a day diet.

I now average about 1100-1300 calories a day, 90-100 grams of protein and keep my carbs below 100 grams. I've lost 116 pounds and am 10 pounds from goal so I think this diet has done well by me.

As for beans and lentils. I was allowed to introduce them at the pureed stage. One of my go to meals at pureed was refried beans with salsa and melted cheese. Also I was allowed to introduce nuts at 3 months.

I just started the soft food phase, I’m 1 month post op and can barely get 400 calories in. I do get 50gm protein in with the help of a shake.

My calorie intake is far less than what you were prescribed, the focus now is how many calories did use to what I consume for the day. My goal is to burn the calories i consume daily (500-700 cals), my road bike is now my friend again as I go on 25-30 mile bike rides again for my big workout days, when the weather is warm enough of course. The formula works for myself and has contributed significantly to my overall physical conditioning while healing from surgery.