Count your calories....how many are you eating?

Okay - I read a couple of profiles that put the average caloric intake at around 500 per day post op, at least for the first 4-6 months. I figured that was a good number to shoot for, so I figured I would do that. I realize, however, that I'm working at making the best choices and compromising getting in more protein in by having a low calorie veggie so I won't eat too many calories. Since I have a 4 oz pouch I'm wondering if my caloric intake is too low for my type of rny. I did a few searches on the web and here and found that intake ranged from 700-1500 a day depending on the person and the length of time out they were from surgery. Yet it's hard to tell exactly which was which. I found with fitday, today I had slightly over 700 calories once all was said and done. I guess it doesn't bother me too much because I remember losing very quickly on 800 calories a day years ago. But I'm curious what everyone else's experience is. If you are eating soft or solid foods now, have you counted up your caloric intake, and if so, what is it? I'm just trying to get a rough guestimate to see if I'm pretty much in line with everyone else. I realize some of you have tiny tiny pouches and probably have a hard time getting anything in, but that's okay - it's good to know the whole range. Thanks for answering this if you can! Dina

My calorie intake ranges from 450 to 600 a day I can't take in more than that or my chest between my brest hurts and burns. I don't know how much I am supposed to have I eat mostley protein. I have a protein powder I add with my food it is tastless it has 5 grams so if I eat a pudding I add 5 grams of protein. That is how I get all my protein in a day. Sarah T

Hi Dina: First thing I want you to know that I have been following your food posts carefully and learning from them. Yesterday I tried the Carb Countdown and finally found a liquid protein drink that I can use. Thanks so much. According to my dd and our surgeon 300 cal. post op for 2 months then up to 500. IMHO - 800 is too high for you right now. How will you limit yourself to 1200 max. daily for the rest of your life if you are starting so high so soon post op. This is just a thought provoking question for you, no need to answer. I wish you all the best on this journey and appreciate your posts very much. Louise 231/210/143 - I gained a pound from somewhere.

Well, since I have a 4 oz pouch it is hard to eat 4 oz of anything 3x a day and get only 300 calories a day. You can't even get 60 grams of pure protein without eating up most of your calories for the day. Thing is, your pouch is probably 1 oz. I had a different procedure and have a much larger pouch. The thing that concerns me is the 1200 calories a day. The average woman burns 2200 calories a day. If you stick to 1200 a day you will continue losing. I'm sure metabolism has something to do with it as well, but I've never heard anyone condoning 1200 calories a day for maintenance. Dina

Dina: Maybe it is the age difference, I'm over 50, but 1200 cal for me is maintenance. An occassional 1500 won't kill me but 2200 and I'd be back where I started. My surg. had told me that my dd would maintain at 1200 when I first met him to ask about her surgery, and that is about what she consumes on an avg. day. She is 5'4" and weighs 135. 3 years ago I was on Cyberdiet, an online weight loss program and most of us could not go over 1200 cal w/o gaining. I lost 70 pounds in 6 months on 1000 cal. per day and my blood work was great. Unfortunately I regained it all and finally decided upon wls for permanent success. Sorry that I forgot about the differences in our procedures. All the best, Louise 231/210/143

Louise - And in my response, obviously I failed to recognize HEIGHT as a factor as well! Certainly it WOULD take a lot less calories for someone 5'3" to maintain than for me at 5'7". And my goal weight is probably going to 150, so that would matter as well. I would love to get lower for once in my life, but I realize it's pretty unrealistic for someone who *truly* has a large bone structure. But if I did make it lower, I am sure it would take more work and less calories to maintain it! Guess we all have preconceived notions as to what is right based on our own experiences. Hard to think like that sometimes when we've been so heavy for so long. Dina

Hey, 'Dinka'! (LOVE the moniker!!) This got my curiosity up. Here's an excerpt straight from my surgeon's aftercare package: Average Calorie Intake: Two weeks - 300 to 600 calories Eight weeks - 700 to 800 calories Six months - 700 to 1000 calories One year - 1000 to 1500 calories *NOTE: Weight loss usually stops at 1500 calories - weight gain begins at 1800 calories. Wow...sure doesn't seem like much, but that's from my 'instructions'. Keep in mind, everyone's metabolism and procedure differs. What's good for one may be disaster for another. After your past jaunts with Atkins, etc, you know your body - you do what YOU have to do and forget everyone else's 'advice'. You know your body... Kimmer Queen of the Niners, Instigator to all Marchers, High Priestess of Giggles

Kimmer - this is great! I'm so glad someone's surgeon broke it down like that as I have yet to see it until now. Do you mind me asking what size your pouch is and how many times a day you are supposed to eat, Kimmer? I am to eat 3 times a day with no snacks. Sometimes it's hard not to want another meal when I don't feel something "stuck" so I find myself eating pickles or cauliflower....something really low calorie. Guess that's better than filling up with crap! Dina

Dinka... I don't know the ounce size of my pouch, but it's the size of a small egg. I'm supposed to be eating at least six times per day...I'm on blenderized/pureed right now. Unfortunately, six times/day 'ain't happenin' for me...just too much. I'm still getting that "dried hairball" thing, so it's difficult to get even four small meals in right now. It's just darned uncomfortable for me. I'm doing mostly yogurt and baby food 'cuz 'blenderized' is giving me a rough ride. Kimmer Queen of the Niners, Instigator to All Marchers, High Priestess of Giggles