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having trouble breaking 400 calories



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so, i am one week out. and my doc calls for a 2 week liquid diet of Protein Shakes, broth, sugar free Jello and juice. I am having trouble taking in more than 400 calories a day. 2 of the Premier Protein shakes has 320 calories, and between 10 calorie broth and 5 calorie juice, i end up around 400 calories a day. that just seems like too little. my understanding is that if you dont eat enough calories, you body will reject losing weight because it thinks you are starving. i can drink a couple more Protein shakes, but that would be way too much protein.

would appreciate your thoughts.

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My doctor gave me the same instructions, I drank 4 Premier Proteins a day ate Jello in the evenings for desert and drank broth for lunch and dinner. I lost 28 pounds in two weeks. It's a good jump start for your wight loss. The Doctor knows what they're doing, just go with it.

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My doctor gave almost the exact same instructions. I do have to say it may have been the most eye opening part of the whole process for me. Seeing how ingrained meals were in my daily routine blew my mind. I lost almost 30 in that two weeks and it was a good kickstart. It's extremely hard...but you will learn a lot.

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My meal plan was exactly the same. If I got 200 calories a day the first week I’d be surprised. My wife’s meal plan allowed for full sugar Gatorade and Jello for the first week only to ensure calorie intake was at a safe level until her week two kicked in which allowed for Protein Shakes, and eliminated the full calorie drinks at that point. Both of us lost the the same percentage of excess weight that first week so I didn’t seem to make a significant difference, and we both felt prettt fatigued too.

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The diet my doctor gave me is netting me about 700 calories a day. I'm doing two Celebrate 4-in-1 shakes mixed with 1% Lactaid (his directions...I have no lactose issues) and then one scoop (instead of the normal two that make up a serving) of Premier Protein powder mixed with 8 ounces of 1% Lactaid. The focus is on Protein totals over calories, so I'm getting 89g a day and when I factor in my Crystal Light intake for the rest of my fluids, I nudge just over 700 calories. Every doctor has their own plan (like my doctor wants me to try and do liquids only for 8 weeks before moving to pureed...I don't see how I can manage that) so it's interesting to see the post-op plans of others.

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It’s interesting to see how different things are for everyone. During my two weeks post op, my nutritionist said he was not worried about calorie intake since we are only on liquids. My calorie counting did not start until after two weeks and I started on soft foods.

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My surgeon was not worried about calories the first 4 weeks... he stressed water( 64 +) and 70grams of Protein daily. I was on liquid diet for 4 weeks... averaged btween 250- 350 calories a day. Used Isopure in Bone Broth and Premier Protein drinks.< /p>

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thanks guys, this helps a lot knowing i am not the only one who was concerned. i appreciate you!!!

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1 hour ago, sdjohnson7 said:

My surgeon was not worried about calories the first 4 weeks... he stressed water( 64 +) and 70grams of Protein daily. I was on liquid diet for 4 weeks... averaged btween 250- 350 calories a day. Used Isopure in Bone Broth and Premier Protein drinks.< /p>

Ugh! Bone Broth for me=total dumping syndrome. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to have broth again.

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5 hours ago, joleza said:

so, i am one week out. and my doc calls for a 2 week liquid diet of Protein Shakes, broth, sugar free Jello and juice. I am having trouble taking in more than 400 calories a day. 2 of the Premier Protein shakes has 320 calories, and between 10 calorie broth and 5 calorie juice, i end up around 400 calories a day. that just seems like too little. my understanding is that if you dont eat enough calories, you body will reject losing weight because it thinks you are starving. i can drink a couple more Protein shakes, but that would be way too much Protein.

would appreciate your thoughts.

I was on shakes for months and only taking Max 500kcal and 100g protein and I was fine losing weight well..

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the whole thing about starvation mode is controversial. Not everyone thinks it really happens. Regardless, you'll lose weight - trust your bariatric team.

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I wouldn't worry. I didn't break 400 calories a day until about month 3. And in the first two weeks, I barely broke 400 calories a WEEK. My body did not go into "starvation mode" and I lost steadily until goal with only one "stall" which lasted less than a week around month 4.

P.S. The whole concept of "starvation mode" may be misunderstood by most, but that is another story. I agree with @catwoman7, just keep on trucking and you will lose the weight.

Good Luck!

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We all have different experiences & we can & can’t do different things at each stage. My first fortnight I was only managing 1 shake & half a cup of Soup every day so even less than you but I was ok & lost 5kg.

You can only do what you can do. Don’t push yourself because your healing tummy may revolt. You’ll soon find you can tolerate more.

Good luck.

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I'm on day 7 and barely breaking 200 every day (Protein shake and Broth). I thought I'de experience extreme fatigue, but haven't. Just some naps here and there due to the pain meds.

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I was told to drink 4 Protein Shakes per day for my liquid diet. I also had sugar free or fat free versions of pudding, Jello, popsicles, Soup broth, gatorade, yogurt, and milk. While the total calories were not a lot, I got plenty of Protein and nutrition. I never felt weak. With the liquid diet I lost 13 lbs in 2 weeks and 15 lbs. more by 2 weeks after surgery.

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