I did a search for this but I couldn't find what I was looking for so if it is out there somebody please tell me where. I am at 4 weeks post-op and I am allowed mushies with small amounts of baked fish and things of that nature. As I start to progress to the "real food" stage what should my caloric intake be at the stage I am now and the 5 week stage to 1st fill? What should it be in general after being banded? The dietician I was sent to talked about amounts and quantities but never calorie counts or the amount of fat grams "allowed". Everything in the house is the light or fat free version. I want so much for this to work. I have lost 22 pounds so far and I am riding my exercise bike at least 30 minutes a day as well as drinking lots of water. Am I making this harder than it needs to be? I freak out about the calories in everything but I am still losing although slower as I was told would happen at this point. Any helpful hints or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I try to keep my caloric intake anywhere between 1200-1700 a day, sometimes it is more but never less.

I've been banded for 4 weeks now, and while I know I should be eating between 1200 -1500, per my doctor, I'm having a tough time getting those calories in.

I've been averaging about 900....I know that I need more, but after I eat a regular meal with Protein and vegies, I'm full. My doctor gave me the go ahead to go to full foods yesterday...so I'm hoping that I can find a way to increase this.

I've added banana's or Peanut Butter to my morning Protein Drink...anyone have any other suggestions for me?

I found this link again for another thread, maybe this will help you all, it did me!

http://www.room42.com/nutrition/basal.shtml

You put in your height, weight, age, and activity level and it gives your calorie, fat, carb, and protien levels for either losing, maintaining, or gaining weight. I want to lose, of course, so it said if I eat 1200 (min) calories a day with 40g fat, 45g protien, and 165g carbs I shold lose 1+pounds per week.

I wonder if I reduced the fat and increased the protien by just a bit, maybe I'd lose a bit faster?

Also, www.FitDay.com is great for tracking calories, etc.

Denise, I think adding banana or Peanut Butter to your protien drink is a great idea. Maybe you could add in one more protien drink a day, and that would get you up over 1000 pretty easy.

LittleBigFarms, as you add in regular foods, it gets a bit harder to lose as quickly as during the liquid phase. This is normal, don't worry. Once you get your fill and get your restriction back, you should find it easier to eat less and feel Oh! so full. I am banking on my own advice as I wait not-so-patiently for my first fill. You are doing great!!!

Thanks so much for all of the advice. It is really helpful. I will go check out those links.

I am three weeks post-op and I have been journaling what I eat (mostly to get in the habit of accountability). I talked to my doctor yesterday and he told me that I should be eating around 1200-1400 calories per day. I told him that I was eating 740. 880, and 900's range. He told me that was fine.

I'm kind of concerned that I'm not going to lose and my body will go into starvation mode if I don't increase to at least 1200 calories, but at the same time I'm afraid to increase for fear of not losing weight either. Anyone have any ideas on this? I have lost 13 lbs. in three weeks.

I did the low calories for three weeks and never went in to Starvation mode but becareful because ( rapid weight loss can and will cause Gall stones ) I am having surgery

in a few days or so.I aslo ate tons of fruit. when I was doing the low calories the weight fell off. I had to do some thing because I was 310 pounds Iam now 231.4 and will be lighter in the morning. My Docter told me yesterday it was worth it. Im much healther now. Look like a new person & feel like Im alive I can do anything now.

Good luck with your weight loss program & being banded that was a great step to better living. and your health.

ps make sure you drink enough water/ liquids/protein and walking is great for weight Loss. take care God bless.

Once you move to solid foods, you will have little trouble getting in your full allotment of calories. Also, please don't worry whether you are losing weight now because you are still in the healing phase. Any weight loss during this period is bonus.

Thanks vinesqueen and jqpublic for responding. I am not losing as fast as most of you did in the beginning, but it's still coming off. I'm down 13 lbs. in 3 weeks. I reinjured myself when I bent over and stretched at the same time to pick up a toy off the floor. My doc said it's probably a pulled muscle, but something tells me it's not. It's been 6 days and I still hurt with certain movements. I'll have to put off walking until my pain is gone! Thanks again for your responses and good luck to both of you!!!

jqpublic, good luck on your surgery. Keep up the good work!!! You've had such an amazing weight loss. Good for you and congratulations!