Calories vs. Net Calories

[CHRISSER27 4]

I am 1 month post-op today and I’m down about 18 lbs. I healed quickly, I’ve been back on the treadmill since week 2 and am walking 2+ miles a day. I had very little pain post surgery and I have had NO problems with any foods. To the point where I feel like I SHOULD be having more difficulty. I have lost little if any weight since January 25th. A girlfriend thinks I’m consuming too many calories. I am eating between 800-1000 calories a day, but burning between 400-500 on the treadmill daily. I’m tall. 5’8” and my SW was 290. CW is 272. I started the pre-op diet at 303.2. Am I eating too many calories? Should I feel ok that my NET calories daily are closer to 500-600 calories a day? I feel like my mind is slipping into that dark space where I feel like this surgery is gonna be a failure. Like…. The weight just isn’t going to come off. I know this “stall” was to be expected…. But I would feel better with more directions aside from meet your Protein and fluids (which I’m doing). Would love to hear your thoughts.

[Spinoza 1,187]

This is a stall. Everyone, but EVERYONE, experiences them. You are doing really well and if you stick to your programme you'll start losing again really soon. They are the most hated of all phases but they always pass. If it helps at all just stop weighing yourself for a week or two. It sounds like you're doing really well. Took me 6 weeks to lose 18lbs after my sleeve.

Also, unless your girlfriend is a bariatric surgeon or nutritionist I would just nod and smile when she says stuff. 😉

[catwoman7 10,867]

you're in a stall. They usually last 1-3 weeks, so you should be nearing the end of it.

I wasn't eating that much at a month out, but then, you're exercising more than I was. i don't really trust those machines because I think they overestimate how many calories you're burning, but you're definitely burning some calories. Once this stall breaks, if your overall trend is down, then you're fine.

[Arabesque 6,486]

Yep, stall. They can last 1-3 weeks. Check with your dietician about your caloric needs especially with the activity you’re doing. Also is your surgeon aware of how much activity you are doing? All plans are different but it seems a little too much this soon post surgery. I was advised gentle walks to begin & not to start more active exercise until the second month but that was my surgeon.

[smc124 118]

I’m stalling right now too. Trying to ignore it and push through. The nice thing about this surgery is when a stall hits we have the confidence to know if we stick to our dr’s plan for it we know something going to give and we will start losing again. Not fun when we are in one but I find it so much less stressful than weight loss stalks prior to surgery.

I’m a little over two months out and also active. My team doesn’t have us focus on calories on Protein and hydration though from tracking on lose it i know I am generally consuming between 600-750 total calories and burning 500 in my dedicated workout time with my active calories burned on my Apple Watch barely ever finishing under 950. I think most of the weight loss we see in these early months is more closely a result of the restriction and absence of gherlin than anything. Also important to remember caloric deficit for pounds loss is itself a very imprecise and variable.

Follow the instructions of your team and you’ll be through this before you know it.

[qtdoll 534]

This is just a stall! Calories in & calories out is THE universal rule & you will continue to lose weight after this little hump. I've had multiple stalls & Im still losing. just stick to your plan & you will see your desired results