The Dreaded Calorie Talk

[Bypass2Freedom 1,029]

So, I am almost 2 months post-op, and I am due to have my 8 week check-in with a bariatric nurse.

My friend also had the same surgery as me, just the day prior, and she has had this check-in already. She was told that at the current stage we are in post-op, we should be eating 900-1000 calories a day!! 🫠🤯

I genuinely don't think my body is capable! I think I eat around 400-500 on a good day, and I mean a REALLY good day (which is rare), and around 300 on a normal day.

Maybe I need to have more Protein Shakes? I don't know. The prospect of eating that much seems so daunting, and I really get full on what I am already eating!

[ShoppGirl 5,072]

I don’t think at the two month mark I was Consuming anywhere close to 1000 calories either but 300 may be a bit low. Are you getting all of your Protein? That seemed to be all my nutritionist was concerned with at that point. If not, I would definitely be adding in shakes. Otherwise, listen to your team because everyone’s goals are differnt depending on a number of factors. Your goal will most likely not be the same as your friend.

Edited July 13, 2024 by ShoppGirl

[SleeveToBypass2023 2,680]

Absolutely no way. Not at 2 months. I was at 400 - 500 calories. I didn't make it to 900 calories per day until I was around 7 months out or so.

[NickelChip 1,358]

At 2 months, I could hit 700-900 fairly easily most days. Here is an example of what I was having. Ignore the goals as this app syncs with FitBit and insists on updating all your goals based on your exercise. Those are not the ones I set!

Edited July 13, 2024 by NickelChip

[Arabesque 7,601]

I only got to about 600 calories at 6 months. Took me another year to get to 1300. Yes some programs, encourage people to consume around 1000 calories at about the 3 month mark. But you can only eat what you can physically eat. I even had that conversation with my surgeon at the 8 month mark when I had pushed up to about 900. He understood my position and was happy I was working at increasing my calories even though it was a slow process.

I eat about 1500 calories now which according to those BMR calculators is about what I would need to consume for my age, height, activity level & to maintain my weight. It’s plenty of food. I don’t feel hungry.

Some will say you need to get your calories up or your body will go into starvation mode & you’ll stop losing. Didn’t affect me like that. Didn’t slow my losing more than what is expected to happen. Didn’t stop me reaching my goal or exceeding it. But we are all different so your experience and needs may be totally different.

If they do say increase your calories, don’t tie yourself up in knots about it. Just slowly increase your intake as you’re able. It naturally increases as you progress anyway. Those recommendations are based on averages too. Remember the recommended calorie intake for a woman is 2000 calories. I’d be as large as I was if I ate that much. lol!

[Lilia_90 612]

I was at probably 200 calories at the two month mark. I'm not sure how they expect you to be consuming 1000 calories a day!

I'm almost 7 months post op and not able to get to even 900 calories a day (mind you I workout hard at least 4 days a week, I lift and do Pilates and run and all sorts of cardio). It's a struggle to eat enough, and what I learnt is that I will not force myself to eat any more than I can, I will get there eventually so what is the point of rushing?

I would say eat what you can and don't force it, the whole point of surgery is to eat less 🤣

Edited July 14, 2024 by Lilia_90

[summerseeker 2,398]

I agree with @Arabesque I was on 200 Cals at 2 months, Didn't manage to get to 800 until about 9 months. Nine months later I was on less than 1000 Cals. My team only bothered about Protein and liquids. They advised me to try 6 tiny meals a day. Full fat products helped me. As in cheese, nuts, milk and yogurts. I never had Protein Drinks. My surgeon was against them. I had milk shakes but made my own but M&S do some, a strawberry shake per 250 mls = 180 Cals and 8 grams of protein.

Don't stress over this period, just do your best every day. We are not all the same

[SleeveToBypass2023 2,680]

Now that I'm 2 years out from my sleeve and 1 year out from my revision to bypass, I can tell you that I eat around 1200 calories per day when I'm not working out and 1400 - 1500 per day when I'm working out (depending on the type of work out I'm doing). I'm on my feet all day at work, so I increased my daily calories from what they were before. Same with my work outs. I can't work out as often now, so I go harder than I used to on the days I can actually work out (now that I have full medical clearance with no restrictions).

I noticed pretty early on that if I didn't eat enough calories during the day, but was still working out, my body thought it was starving and it would hold on to every single thing. As hard as it was to wrap my brain around, I took the advice I saw on here and increased my calories on work out days by a couple of hundred each day and I actually started losing again!!! I was floored!!! So as I increased intensity of my work outs, or increased the weight I was lifting, I increased my calories a bit. I didn't go crazy, but enough to let my body know it's still healthy and not starving.

BUT....I had to initially give myself grace and time to be able to increase calories. Work outs or not, I had to do it on my body's timeline, not a doctor or nutritionist's. No way could I have been at 900 or 1000 calories at 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 months. There just was no way. And honestly, mine didn't expect that. They didn't want to see us above 700 calories before 5 months post op. I had JUST hit 900 calories at 7 months post op.

I'm actually thinking about increasing my calories a little again, because I'm still losing, and I'm nearly 10 pounds under my goal weight, and I really would like to start maintaining lol If I drop to 179, I will definitely increase my calories by 100 everyday and see what happens.

[Bypass2Freedom 1,029]

Hey everyone!

I really wanted to reply to everyone individually but I ended up just running out of energy - but reading your replies it made me feel a lot more confident in what I am doing. I appreciate all of your advice.

I had my 8 week post-op appointment with my bariatric nurse, and she did say that I am probably eating too little, and this could be being driven by the fact I am not drinking enough. So, goals going forward is to drink more Water, and to have breakfast!

I feel good overall though, dizziness seems to have stopped 🤞

I just need to find some low sugar Snacks to bring with me for my tattoo appointments on Tues & Thurs...hmm...

[Bypass2Freedom 1,029]

Oh! I forgot to mention! She was a little confused as to who advised my friend on the 900-1000 cals a day, as she said focusing on the numbers right now isn't beneficial - turns out I worried for nothing 😂

[BabySpoons 632]

On 7/15/2024 at 7:18 AM, Bypass2Freedom said:

I just need to find some low sugar Snacks to bring with me for my tattoo appointments on Tues & Thurs...

Are you a tattoo artist or getting a tat?? I really enjoy ice cold watermelon for a sugary snack and helps with hydration

[ms.sss 15,826]

On 7/13/2024 at 3:28 PM, Bypass2Freedom said:

So, I am almost 2 months post-op, and I am due to have my 8 week check-in with a bariatric nurse.

My friend also had the same surgery as me, just the day prior, and she has had this check-in already. She was told that at the current stage we are in post-op, we should be eating 900-1000 calories a day!! 🫠🤯

I genuinely don't think my body is capable! I think I eat around 400-500 on a good day, and I mean a REALLY good day (which is rare), and around 300 on a normal day.

Maybe I need to have more Protein Shakes? I don't know. The prospect of eating that much seems so daunting, and I really get full on what I am already eating!

my NUT wanted me at 1500 cals (if i remember correctly) by my 3 month mark.

ha. ha.

i was at like 300-400 cals a day at my 3 month mark. even less at my 2 mnth mark.

i don't think i reached 1500 calories regularly until AFTER my 1 year post-op mark (and i was already in maintenance since the 7 mnth post-op mark)

🤷🏻‍♀️

[MrsFitz 441]

I’m glad your appointment went well and it was a positive outcome for you. It’s always a bit disconcerting when you hear so many different things pre-appointment and you worry that you’re doing something wrong! Keep up the good work and Celebrate your successes so far - you’re doing amazing 🤩

[Bypass2Freedom 1,029]

15 hours ago, BabySpoons said:

Are you a tattoo artist or getting a tat?? I really enjoy ice cold watermelon for a sugary snack and helps with hydration

Getting a tattoo!

I have tons already and I am usually fine - but I had to tap out yesterday after 2 hours (which I have never done before) - the pain was unbearable! Probably down to lack of sugar.

I have another one tomorrow so I shall get some watermelon! Thank you!

[Bypass2Freedom 1,029]

14 hours ago, ms.sss said:

my NUT wanted me at 1500 cals (if i remember correctly) by my 3 month mark.

ha. ha.

i was at like 300-400 cals a day at my 3 month mark. even less at my 2 mnth mark.

i don't think i reached 1500 calories regularly until AFTER my 1 year post-op mark (and i was already in maintenance since the 7 mnth post-op mark)

🤷🏻‍♀️

Good lordddddddddd how do they expect that?! 🤣

I am definitely at the same right now, I am just finding it hard to fit more in! All the while trying to drink enough Water 😒

I am just gonna have to keep trying haha