I'm 3.5 years out. For such a long time I followed my Dr's rules and strived to stick with the 1,000 calories on a non-workout day and the 70g protein goal. But even with that protein goal and water I still find myself hungry and over the past year my calorie count has picked up. My Dr continues to advocate no more than 1 cup of food 3x a day with one snack of veggies. That just hasn't been sustainable for me.

My weight has remained fairly steady so there haven't been any real negative impacts, but I just get so stressed when I'm not meeting the intended goals.

So - where are you all at?

I'm 6.5 years out. The only things I pay attention to anymore are protein grams, fluids, and overall calories. Unless I have a REALLY intense exercise day, I'll be fine if I stay at or under 1700 calories (but of course, this is going to be different for everyone). I need to average about 100 grams of protein a day or my prealbumin level tanks, so...I also strive to do that. Fluids, of course, need to be at least 64 oz a day. But...that's it.

I hit around 1300 calories a day. I strive for 80-90 g protein but usually fall short around 70. Try to limit carbs to 120g, fat 40g. That's about 30% each protein and fat and 40% carbs. It works and I am stable with a 3-4 lb. bounce over the past year. Rarely I will be at 1100 calories and occasionally I will hit 1600 which is usually due to more carbs.

I still have a protein shake daily to hit that protein amount.

I hover around 1,000 calories a day with around 70 g protein and at least 64 oz water daily. I just started going to the gym again six weeks ago, so I get 90 minutes of cardio daily. I'm losing . . . .SLOWLY . . .

4+ yrs out: I guesstimate a lot.

I rarely track my entire day, but I will spot check a meal to make sure I’m getting enough protein or limit my sugar intake.

I haven’t looked at my overall calories in a long time. I’m certain if I start tracking now I will “behave” so it won’t show a realistic picture of my habits.

I have hungry periods where I feel like I’m eating more than usual and then there’s times when I’m not as hungry. Since it’s been happening for so long I just roll with it.

I’m definitely not eating 1000 cal or under. If I had to guess it’s around 1500-1600. That was my BMR according to a smart scale I used to have.

One thing I know for sure is that I can’t eat anywhere close to the amount I did pre WLS. And my weight has been mostly stable for a few years.

18 years...

I don't count anything but meals of which I try to eat three per day. Meals are pretty much what they've always been since surgery: protein at about 3-4 oz and veggies/other an ounce or so. I don't measure, it's all just habit now. I rarely eat snacks.

My weight stays fairly consistent where it has been for the last 15(?) years, which is a bit lower than my original super-wish goal. I couldn't even entertain the possibility I would be where I am now. My mental image of myself is beginning to sync with my physical self which is a weird sensation after all this time.

Good luck,

Tek