Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Are 300 calories a day typical postop?



Recommended Posts

I am still in week one clear fluids following VSG last Thursday. I am easily getting at least 70 oz of fluids and 70 g Protein. But the only carbs I get are 5 calorie Jello. So at the end of the day all my calories are from Protein. Each gram of protein is 4 calories. So 4x70=280 calories total for day. I have yet to get 300 calories. Is this typical? I was so used to 800-1200 calories per day. Is that why we lose so much weight first few weeks after surgery?
Sent from my SM-T580 using BariatricPal mobile app


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Do Not fret the liquid stage but this is really low - I was running art 500 for the first few months. Make sure you are keeping the Vitamins and minerals up high. You will crash if you don;t trust me I did.

Yes at that rate you will shred the weight - Me and a few others here Ran low calories for the first 5 months and shredded the weight. But you have to keep balanced vitamins and minerals and supplements, that was the hardest part for my journey

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have been faithfully taking one Bariatric Fusion Multivitamin, B12, Calcium/D3 and Biotin since day one as instructed by doctor in postop orders. Been a little confused about Multivitamin. I take fusion chewable once a day according to discharge orders. But bariatric center in preop education said I needed to take 4 each day. Will double check on Monday on postop visit.

One thing I don't like about fusion is they do not include Vitamin K. Will ask if I need to get separate Vit K. If I take fusion 4x a day, I get 1200mg Calcium in addition to the 1200 mg I get from Calcium+D3. I think that is too much Calcium (2400 mg). Until Monday, I am taking just one Fusion a day which gives me 1500 mg Calcium. I already have early osteopenia in hips by bone density scan so Calcium/D3/Vit K are all necessary to rebuild lost bone. Recommded D3 for me is 4000 IU per day so I take additional two D3 2000 IU per day.

I really don't like that I get no Vit K in FUSION. The company that makes FUSION told me the don't include Vit K because interacts with a few people on blood thinners and that deficiency of Vit K is "rare". Then why do ALL OTHER Multivitamins on the market (bariatric, OTC and kids) all include Vitamin K? I am not believing I don't need Vit K supplement. But will wait to see doctor before I add Vit K supplement.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My first week post op, I barely took in 300 calories that WEEK total. Barely any Water, and no Vitamins (yikes!)

My team just said to do the best I can.

After that first week I was still mostly under 300 A DAY until about the end of month two (mostly Protein shakes). I was able to down more water and all my vitamins at this time, so that was a good thing. By end of month 3 I was around 500-600 a day (note though that i'm only 5'2" and my starting weight was 235...)

By my 3 month follow up, all my labs were perfect (other than being a little high on B12).

Soooooo....what I guess I'm saying is that I wouldn't worry too much (I know, easier said!). Keep up with your appts and your doc/labs will let you know if there is something to be worried about, or need to adjust. One week of low cals and no vitamins isn't going to any real lasting damage (I think, lol - check with your doc).

P.S. ...and YES, the ultra-low cals plus the fact that we are so big in the beginning is EXACTLY why we lose so much those first weeks/months 😎

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, over65 said:

I really don't like that I get no Vit K in fusion. The company that makes FUSION told me the don't include Vit K because interacts with a few people on blood thinners and that deficiency of Vit K is "rare". Then why do ALL OTHER Multivitamins on the market (bariatric, OTC and kids) all include Vitamin K? I am not believing I don't need Vit K supplement. But will wait to see doctor before I add Vit K supplement.

I have osteoporosis so I take Vitamin K - but I take mine separately from my multi.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, over65 said:

You take Vitamin K2 alone or with D3. So many formulas but from what I've read, Vit K1 is for clotting factors and K2 is for bone and hear health.

Sent from my SM-T580 using BariatricPal mobile app

I take K2 every morning and D3 every OTHER morning, but since I take my K2 along with my Calcium tabs, and the calcium tabs have D3 in them, then I guess that means I take K2 with D3!

yes - K1 is for clotting. K2 is for bones

oh - and there are two versions of K2, of course - MK4 and MK7. I spent a ton of time reading up on these to see which one was better and ended up going with MK7. But either will work for bones (I think I'm remembering that MK7 was more easily absorbed or something - but I can't remember - it's been awhile). MK7 is also more expensive because it's a natural Vitamin - I think it's derived from natto Beans, if I'm remembering correctly.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Amazes me that dietitians seem ignorant of Vit K2. I bet it is K1 in Multivitamins so why they think deficiency is rare. One paper says MK-7 can be cleaved by body enzymes into MK-4 when needed so makes sense to take MK-7. Fermented soybeans (natto) major source in Japan. Impotant for deposit of Calcium in bone.

The following people are likely deficient in K2.
-take antacids
-menopausal
-on statins
-GI problems (IBS, diverticulitis)



Sent from my SM-T580 using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

On 6/3/2020 at 12:11 AM, over65 said:

Is this typical? I was so used to 800-1200 calories per day. Is that why we lose so much weight first few weeks after surgery?

Yes, this is typical. I did not start eating 400 calories until around 3 months post-op. You are doing great!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

52 minutes ago, PlanetHopper said:

Yes, this is typical. I did not start eating 400 calories until around 3 months post-op. You are doing great!

that's pretty low. I was eating that (400 kcal/day) the first two or three weeks post-op. By a month out, I was eating about 600 a day. At three months out, I was eating 600-800 pretty consistently. Of course, I started out at a much higher BMI than you, but still, that seems a bit low.

Edited by catwoman7

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

49 minutes ago, PlanetHopper said:

Yes, this is typical. I did not start eating 400 calories until around 3 months post-op. You are doing great!

that's pretty low. I was eating that (400 kcal/day) the first two or three weeks post-op. By a month out, I was eating about 600 a day. At three months out, I was eating 600-800 pretty consistently.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

33 minutes ago, catwoman7 said:

that's pretty low

So I went back to look (I stopped logging my food a while ago). I was eating around 600 calories on average at 3 months. Thank you for pointing that out. Maybe if I was eating lower calories then I would be at goal by now.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I think 600 is pretty average by that point. Much lower and you wouldn't be getting enough nutrients. You'll lose the weight - i ended up losing all of mine...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

8 hours ago, catwoman7 said:

i ended up losing all of mine...

congratulations!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×