Annoyed with my surgeon

So, I call my surgeon today to tell him about all of my health issues this summer - the fibro, back pain, abdominal discomfort, etc. He asks me about my start weight, surg. date, weight now, etc. He was THRILLED that I am 186 and I explained to him how I've lost the last 15-20 in the last month and I explained to him that I'm not able to eat much. He asked me how many calories I think I'm getting in a day and I told him I'd be surprised if I were getting 1000 calories in/day. He says, "Oh, the surgery's working! You shouldn't be eating any more than that." I said, "Dr. W, I said 1,000 calories! Before this last month I was eating between 1200-1500." He said, "Well, at 15 months out that's too much, you shouldn't be eating anymore than 1000 calories." I explained to him that for lunch I had 1-3/4 slices of turkey deli meat and 2 whole grain saltine crackers and that was it! I couldn't eat anymore." He said, "You shouldn't be able to! That's more than enough for lunch." I literally sat there with my mouth open. I explained to him that 99% of the time I eat very healthy, only fruits, veggies, lean protein, whole grains, etc. and it averages about 1200-1500 and he thinks that's too much? He said that I should cut out something or eat lower calorie foods. I was so irritated! 1000 calories is NOTHING! If all that I ate was turkey, fish, and spinach maybe, but jeez! He's always talked on the lower side of calorie counts, but I think that's a little extreme, don't you?! He said not to let the GI dialate my stoma - and I won't, but that I've been feeling nauseous and just not "right" so I wanted to get checked out to make sure there's no ulceration or anything and he's totally fine with that. Michelle

If your stoma need dilation, you get it dilated. You need to be able to eat and not feel crappy. I think your doctor is taking some drugs. 1200-1500 calories this far out is not unreasonable. Geez, Kathy

What's up with these surgeons??????? There should be some "basic" standard for what the "average" wls patient needs at what point. I've heard ppl say that they should be eatting 900 calories and others as high as 1800 calories (everyone was under 2 years out)... mine told me 1500 calories. WTH I don't get it at all!!!!!!

I agree with Kathy - I think your surgeon has rocks in his head. EVEN IF under 1000 calories was appropriate - which I say is hogwash anyhow, it doesn't make since that if the only way you're able to stay at that level is because you're sick and feeling like crap - and he's OK with that?

That's what my biggest issue is. I was eating more than that before and now SUDDENLY I can't and I feel nauseous, no appetite, etc. so there's something wrong. He just wasn't listening to that. He was just saying, "Well, now you're eating the right amount of food." That's my annoyance! Oh, well. Hopefully I'll find out something today. Michelle

Dear Michelle, I'm trying to stay between 800-1000 cal/day. I still have 35 lbs to loose. The caloric daily value recommendations are based on age, sex and activity level... there is a good table at the bottom of the page on this site: www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2005/document/html/chapter2.htm#table1 When all is said and done... no one is average.... we have our own needs and nutritional requirements. You need to do what you need to do to feel healthy. If you are trying to maintain your calories should be more than 1000. If you are still trying to drop, he may be right. Kate Z

Thank you for this info. Kate! That is good information to have. 800-1000 cal/day is just NOT healthy in my opinion. No nutritionist or dietician will tell you to eat that little even if you're trying to lose weight. I know right at first we couldn't eat more than that, but to stay at that level for a long period of time is just not good for us - our bodies will be in starvation mode. According to that chart, I should be eating 1800-2000 calories/day to maintain - so anything LESS than that will make me lose. It's all about calories in vs. calories out. I expend more than I eat and I will lose. Michelle

I found out from my metabolic testing that my body needs about 1300 to fuel the organs and brain at complete rest. Without formal exercise, I burn 2000 cals or so just through my normal day of moving around. If I eat more than 1300 and less than 2000, I should lose. If I eat 2000, I should be maintaining. If I eat over 2000, I'm in a surplus situation. If I go to the gym and burn 300 calories...those numbers change to 1600 to 2300 respectively. Kathy