Can some of you PLEASE give me an honest answer???

I've asked several people this question, and I've also seen the question asked on OH and can never seem to get a straight answer. Let me start off by saying that I realize that everybody is different, everybody loses at a different rate, everybody tolerates food/types of foods differently, and all surgeons/nutritionists don't recommend the same things. Now....what I want to know is a general concensus of how many calories all of you eat a day. Is it around 900/day or is more along the lines of 1200 or more? I have gained and lost the same 5 pounds for 3 months now. I am so discouraged that its not even funny. I was originally getting about 1100 calories so I thought I drop down to less than 1000. After 2 weeks, no change in weight. So I upped my calories to at least 1200 thinking my body was in starvation mode. Now, after 2-3 weeks, I still haven't lost anything. I don't know what to do. I still have 40 pounds to lose and at this rate, I don't think it will ever happen. I get plenty of protein, plenty of water, exercise, etc. So I was just curious how many calories you all are getting, or how many YOUR nutritionists are recommending.

I'm Happy, I am in the same boat that you are, except that I have been losing and gaining the same 4-5 pounds for 1 1/2 months now. My average calorie intake is around 1000 a day, but sometimes I pop up as far as 1500. Usually stay around 1200. I think the big thing I have to look at is not calories as much as Protein and Exercise. I find that when I ensure I have at least 90 grams of Protein AND I get in exercise at least 4 times a week , I have a tendancy to lose those few pounds. If I slack off on the exercise, I jump up in the weight. Also, if I get off my routine, I find that I gain. By off my routine I mean traveling (do I eat more when I eat out every meal and maybe don't get in my exercise?) or having a glass of wine. My Dr says it is alright to occassionally have a drink (moderation, moderation, moderation), but I think that the extra sugar really messes with my high protein diet. My biggest problem seems not to be the calories/protein issue, but rather keeping with the exercise on a REALLY REGULAR basis. I work full time and have to push myself to get out after work/dinner and get in that walk. You might want to look at the "Back to Basics" string and see if maybe that will help. Or maybe look at the "Plateau buster" diet info that has been posted here numerous times and see if either of those help. I am not ready for those yet, just trying to get back into and stay into a regular exercise routine. Best of luck. Eileen 337/202/160ish?

Hi I'm Happy, I think the problem you're having is that I don't know of anyone who is actually counting calories post-op as part of a doctor's plan that has that idea at its core. I know I went back to my basic program of 3 meals a day - and only protein - with a minimum of 8 glasses of water. That was enough to drop 5 lbs in 4 days to bring me back to goal. Instead of counting calories - haven't we ALL done enough of that in our lives? - go back to the basics of your early post-op program. Follow it for at least 2 weeks to reset your internal clock. No snacking, no starches, no sweet drinks, etc. The nice thing about being a year post-op - all proteins are a go so it widens that avenue for ya. If you're eating 3 meals a day you shouldn't be able to overeat (the key is WHAT you're eating - 3 meals of cheesecake will sink ya ) Good luck!! Dawn 258/135/132

Hey, I am sort of there. I am not gaining, but I am not losing either. When I bounce around the 151-153lb mark, I know its water, and I drink more. I don't count calories, but I do not eat sugar AT ALL!! Unless its natural sugar, like tomatoes, or fresh fruit. I can't say I exercise regularly at all either, so I am walking, but not as a real walk, I go shopping and walk my butt off and don't buy anything, but that is a lot of walking. I also watch my carbs, and eat mainly salads with chicken and Wendy's chili. I don't drink wine, it makes me yak and sick! I want to, but too much sugar and I still dump, thank God!! Lately I have toyed with the idea of bites of cake or something, but not going to do it. I would rather eat fruit with spray whipped cream anyway!! YUMMY :bounce: I am having plastics in December, lower body lift, and I am upping my protein by using the protica protein vials. I still do the dannon carb control yogurt drinks light n fit, and only has 3 gms of sugar and i add 1 scoop of Any Whey protein powder to it. It helps me a lot. Stay on track and try to drink. I find when I up my protein, I lose more...plus a daily dose of dried prunes keeps me going and the weight off!! Deb