Calories vs. Weight loss ??

I'm chipping away the pounds - 13.4 in 3 weeks. I'm averaging 450-550 cals per day with 80-100g protein and 70-90 oz water. I've been anemic since the surgery but that's improving so am working at the gym 30 min circuit (similar to curves). Also, me and my metabolism are 60. I ate 1/2c cereal in the hospital the day after surgery so assume Doc left my pouch a bit larger than average because of my height 5'8 and x-large frame. Anyone having similar results? Does it sound like too many or too few calories? How are you big losers doing it ? ?

I had my RNY 12/13/05 - 5 1/2 weeks out and 40 lbs. down. My protein drinks alone are about 500 calories a day. On top of that, I'm having about 600 calories from meals (mostly protein). It seems like you're getting a very small number of calories a day to me, but I'm a newbie.

Hi Bobby You're about 2 weeks ahead of me so I'm hopeful I'll be able to up my quantities in the next couple of weeks. I'm not counting calories for wt loss, but I log my food in a software program that counts all the nutrition in every bite. I think it will come in handy in the future but for now I mainly use it to keep track of my protein. I don't have a lot of hair and don't want to lose what's left from lack of protein early on. Your 40 lbs in 5 weeks sounds wonderful ! ! ! I'm a little envious but I know we're all different. I might just be getting ready for a slightly tardy blast off. (smile) Shar

I haven't been counting calories for weight loss either - in fact I only figured them out the day before out of curiosity. When I saw how your 450-550 figure I was shocked. Does anyone know if there is an expected or average calorie intake? Does it vary with surgery type? With current weight? I see we both had RNY. AFAIK, I'm playing by the rules my Dr. gave me and I'm losing at a reasonable rate. I guess I shouldn't worry about it.

Okay - I am on the oppisite spectrum - barely getting in 400 calories a day. I can only eat VERY small amounts and only certain things. I am still in major pain from that damm stitch and couldn't even imagine going to Curves yet!! I am back at work and managed to walk across the parking lot and up the stairs without crying out in pain!! I have a thermacare patch on at all times to help with the pain. Geesh am I a baby or what?? Anyway - sip, sip, sip, that is what I am really trying to do. I may not even eat regular meals, just sip on water, protein drinks. I do eat - just have to force myself to do it. Yogurt, Mushy meatballs, tried salmon (not good), tried Wendy's chili - VERY good. Oh well - I think I may be down about 20 lbs (according to my scale at home). I go for my 1 month next week. Holly

I'm not counting calories or carbs. All the years of BAD eating I can almost look at whats good for me and whats not. I don't think I am eating enough of anything for the calories to add up fast. My protein drinks have more calories than the food I am playing with. I am not eating sugar and I am checking the labels for that. Using sweetners and a little fats here and there and I do mean a little. The next hidden thing I am looking out for is hidden SALT. If I can stay on this track when my food intake increase I think I'll be ok.

I am almost 6 weeks out and have been eating about 2 0z. now at a time. I do better with pureed food. If I eat regular (unpureed) food. it gets stuck and I vomit. I love oatmeal with protein powder, cinnamon and splenda. I have lost 29 lbs. since surgery and 57 lbs. all together. I can't seem to write my food log though. I am taking a Flintstone chewable vitamin with iron. When did you get your bloodwork done? Are you taking a vitamin with iron? I am just curious since I went to the doctor this week and no bloodwork was taken or even mentioned. Lee

I had a problem after surgery and had to have 3 units of blood. Soooooo . . . the blood tests and iron twice a day. I'm still a bit anemic. Your oatmeal sounds delicious - I think I'll try the cinnamon in my cream of wheat. I'm taking Opti-source multi chewable with iron - absolutely delicious - I use them as a snack. I use Diet Power - a software where I record absolutely every morsel that enters my mouth, any exercise and journal - and it graphs any element of your journey you might want to watch (calories, exercise, wt loss, sodium, carb, prot, vit's, fat, etc.) $29 or so for the program. Another 14 pounds and I will have lost 100 pounds - It took me 3 years to do it and my joints don't have another 3 years left while I diet off the rest. Therefor the surgery. Keep up the good work Shar

I'm a 32 lb. loser since 12/16/05. I do try to get 1000-1200 calories in a day, but when I was where you are in the journey I wasn't getting them in. As time passes you will! Don't worry! Exercise is great! 70-90 oz of water?? Do you think that's making you feel fuller and inhibiting your food content. A lot of times water or any other liquid can make you feel fuller faster when eating; do you stop drinking about 45 mins. to 1 hr. before your meal and start 1/2 hr. to an 1 hr. afterward?? Just suggestions, we're all struggling to do what we're supposed to do. Don't feel bad if you're not getting everything done perfectly. The weight will come off for all of us eventually. Try eating 3-5 small meals if getting the 3 avg. meals is a problem. I think your protein is excellent....keep up the good work honey! It's a process. One day you'll look back on this time and laugh! I guess... Anyway, God bless, Holli

I just wanted to add my two cents in but both my nutritionalist and doctor told me that if you go under 600 calories a day your body goes into starvation mode and you won't lose as much, plus you can damage vital organs and lose muscle mass instead of fat which makes your metabolism grind to super slow. Please go see your nutritionalist! 48 to 64 oz of water and 1000 calories is what you should aim for for maximum weight loss (but you can go over if you get hungry, up to 1200 is okay as time goes on.......) Also stop drinking for 30-45 minutes before and after eating once you are on pureed stage because if there is water in the pouch it will make it empty too soon and you will get hungry faster. Also it will not allow you to absorb the calories and vitamins you need. Please look at my post on exercise as well because the doc gave me a great explanation of why we need to exercise! I don't mean to preach. I wish you nothing but sucess! I just want every one of us to hit ONEDERLAND! Best Wishes Sweetie! Carol G. 339/306/180 Carol G. in Augusta