How many calories should we be eating?

Hi, I read all the time but don't post a lot. I'm 6 weeks out and have lost 32lbs. I was wondering how many calories should we be eating. I range between 500-750 is this too many. I was told to have 50-60 gr of protein a day. Any insight would be helpful. I feel like I'm not really losing alot compared to the rest of you. I exercise 5 days and drink 50-60 oz of fluids. HELP.

Dee I think you calorie count is fine. I remember my four month post op meeting with my nutritionish.I was doing 800 to 1,000 and she said that was ok. Great going on the exercise and your fluid intake! Keep up the good work..you are on the right track!! Joanie

For many post-ops, if you are exercising regularly, you probably need at least 600 calories/day to avoid your body going into "starvation mode"-- the phenomenom where the body slows down its metabolism to conserve itself when it gets far too few calories. Interestingly enough, the body doesn't go into a starvaion mode when it gets too few carbs (provided it is also getting enough protein). Consequently, because the body does not burn all calories equally, weight loss would be expedited by upping your protein (try for 80 grams/day) and keeping carbs to less than 25/day (which can be challenging given that vitamins and calcium supplements will give you about 10 grams of carbs daily). The greatest weight loss is achieved (historically) by those patients who can maintain ketosis. However, the truly important thing to keep in mind is to find a healthy sustainable relationship with food that will promote long-term health. And, for as many of us who will post a response to your inquiry, there are at least that many different means of achieving that goal. Good luck in forging your own path.

For every doctor out there, there is an opinion too regarding what we should and should not eat. Check my post for daily goals. You are doing great, keep up the good work and the weight will come off. This is not any easy path we went down, but if you use the gift to your advantage, you will do just fine!