How long was it post-op before you started getting closer to your "normal" calorie intake (whether that's 800-1300 calorie range.)

I did Medifast for most of the 3 weeks pre-op and I'm one week post-op now. So, I've been on liquids for a week and mushies for 2 days. I'm dropping weight like crazy, which is GREAT, but I'm a little concerned about how my body is going to handle living on 400-500 calories a day for an extended period of time. I got down 1/3 cup of cottage cheese this morning, a latte for my morning liquids/snack and just polished off a big old 1/4 cup of chicken salad with Tzatziki sauce mush for lunch and I'm full.

I know the hunger will come back eventually, and that I'm still swollen from surgery, but how long did it take to get back to a basic minimum of calories where you felt like you were getting your basic nutritional needs met?

Honey, enjoy it while it lasts. Personally, my appetite came back (and with a vengence) after about 2 weeks. Getting 'enough' calories was not a problem for me.

Well, I was banded on March 19 and I just got my first fill last Friday. I'm still not feeling much, if any, restriction AND my calories have not been over 750 per day. Not because I couldn't have eaten more, but because my dietician guidelines say that I should not be eating more than 2-4 oz at each meal. With such little food and staying on plan, I cannot seem to get over 750 calories in any one day and I log everything that I put into my mouth..

Mine came back within a week and a half or so. I thought something was terribly wrong but the dr said everyone heals differently and it just meant my swelling was gone. Still have to go through the stages of re-introducing food though.

My calorie intake was up to about 1000 cal a day within a couple of weeks of being banded. I now eat 1200 - 1300 cal a day.

Please don't be alarmed if you gain a little when you increase your calories. That is normal and the weight will start to drop again. Your body needs to adjust when you make changes like that. I was lucky and it didn't happen to me but I was only on liquids for 2 days and then mushies for 4 weeks (probably only 3 weeks) and my calories increased quickly so my body never really adjusted to the super low calories. As a matter of fact my body didn't like that one little bit and I don't lose much my first week.

Good luck!

Honey, enjoy it while it lasts. Personally, my appetite came back (and with a vengence) after about 2 weeks. Getting 'enough' calories was not a problem for me.

I know, I know. :thumbup: It seems silly and I should just enjoy it.

I've been feeling the effects of the really low calories ever since I started Medifast a month ago (though I think that was mostly the lack of carbs) and kept saying, "Oh, it's going to be better soon." I also had a couple family members drop dead from electrolyte imbalances (ie, no potassium) during dieting/severe dehydration episodes so I'm paranoid, even though I'm taking my Vitamins like a good girl.

I'm sure I'll be chasing the hunger again in no time. :biggrin: Just curious when that happened for people.