Long-term Effects of Reduced Calorie Intake

I'm curious if anyone has read anything on the long-term effects of a low calorie diet.  I keep seeing posts that our calorie consumption should be around 1000 calories at about a year out.  First of all, I've been tracking for a few days now and I'm around 1400, which seems odd because I don't feel like I eat that much now that I've managed to curb the carb-monster inside of me.   Secondly, in this program I'm in at the YMCA we figured out how many calories our individual bodies burned with and without activity and my daily intake should be around 2500.  I understand that this isn't where I should be eating if I want to continue to be successful with my WLS, but it brought up a question during my discussion with the trainer. He said that if I continue to eat such few amount of calories long-term, I will end up losing muscle mass.  I did a little research and found the article I've linked to below that supports that thinking: http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Danger-of-Low-Calorie-Diets:-H ow-To-Avoid-The-Yo-Yo-Diet-Trap&id=74029 I know that it doesn't apply directly to WLS patients, but it brings up the question as to how long are we supposed to continue to eat a sizeably reduced amount of calories and what type of effect will it have overall. My trainer is talking to a doctor friend of his at the U who is educated in WLS and nutrition; however, I was wondering if anyone out here had any information on the subject.  Will I end up losing a lot (or a dangerous amount, if there is such a thing) of muscle? Will my metabolism slow as a result of the long-term reduced calorie intake and make it more difficult for me to maintain my weight loss long-term? Also, does anyone have any type of guidelines on the amount of calories that should be taken in during various stages (particularly a year, two-years, etc.) of WLS? I think this would be a good topic to discuss at our next PNC Support Group Meeting.  I might call one of the coordinators and see what info they have. Things that make you go hmmm.....

Im not sure but I eat at 19 months out anywhere from 900 to 1400 a day... usually closer to 100o to 1200.

I think I try to feel how I am on a daily basis and I know forsure when Im too low and I just really amp it up and Im right back.  I think if your eating healthy... getting all vitamins and such in and you LOOK healthy its ok ( for me ) Im gonna go read that article!  Thanks!

Tracy....I hope you continue with this inquiry and find out some information for us. Thanks for sharing. I am a bit nervous after reading the article.....hmmmmmm!!! Hugs, connie d

I read the article as the yo-yo dieting we all went through prior to WLS that made us gain back.  I yo-yo dieted for years and could only lose weight on the the last diet if I ate 800 calories a day or less.  No one can do that -- except if you've had WLS.  It all sounded like the education we have had before the WLS surgery.  We still get the signals it talks about "I'm hungry -- feed me" from our body, but that's where our little pouches (if we stay on the program) won't let us vary from what is really good for us.  Low calorie, low fat, low sugar and low carb diets are the best diets you can be on.  As long as you are getting your vitamins and minerals in, low shouldn't be an issue.  It's the quality of the calories, fat, sugar and carbs that count -- not the quantity. And exercise is a MUST with the WLS surgery.  They tell us from day one that if you lose your muscle mass you will not be able to maintain the weight.  Probably back to the starvation and signal thing with your body talked about in the article. WLS is a tool -- not a cure.  We still have the stuff they talk about, but we have help to get us through it.  Does this make sense or am I rambling????  Just my take on the article. XXOO

I don't think he's right.

If you are eating your protein and lifting weights or doing those type of activities (like at the Y) then you will not lose muscle mass.

That is part of the reason they push protein so much. 

my two cents.

linda

 

I'm not sure what to think - i.e. the reason I posted.   I certainly hope I'm not scaring anyone with this question. I don't want anyone to avoid WLS because of it.  I think it's just another question that if we can understand can help us be more proactive along our journey.  Because of this board and the support group I don't have many questions, but this one really got me thinking, mostly because I'm torn between trying to follow the program at the Y (which I'm paying good money for) and following what I know has been successful with WLS.  There just seems to be a conflict between the two bits of info and I'm curious to know more and ensure that I'm doing what's right for my body. I did leave a message for Dave, nurse at PNC, suggesting that it be a topic for a future meeting and I also asked him to call me back and for suggestions on calorie intake at different stages Post WLS.  I'll let you all know what I find out.  Until then....just scratching my head! 

Okay, so I spoke with Dave at PNC.  I'm pretty sure he thinks I'm crazy!  He did say that he thinks I'm over analyzing things, but I can't say that I disagree with him. In a nutshell, he said that because our calorie intake increases over time that this really shouldn't be an issue.  By a year and half to two years out we are probably pretty close to eating "normal" portions (meaning what we should eat, not what most of the US thinks is a normal portion) which means that we're getting enough calories to avoid any muscle loss. Interesting enough, I also mentioned to him that I get in about 80-100 grams of protein every day and he said I only need to get in about 50 grams.  I didn't mention the fact that 32 grams of that is from milk though - so not sure if it's the same answer. I'm still interested to hear what my trainer's doctor friend says about it all and will report back when I hear more. Still scratching my head...

The bariatrician I saw told me 80-100 - most dieticians say less - but I think I agree with the doc - the extra makes up for any malabsorbtion.   rather safe than lose muscle or organ because I am not getting enough protein.

I bet you are doing it just right tracy and my guess is the person at the Y doesnt have a ton of experience with wls people.

best of luck!

Linda

 

I think we should be concerned with eating too few calories, but I also think our bodies have various ways of telling us -- such as continued weight loss or weight gain.  If you eat a healthy diet, well balanced, and exercise, you probably will be able to eat more calories in a maintenance mode. But since each of us is different, there are several things we perhaps we should consider doing on an annual basis. 1.  Get underwater weighed. Hydrostratic weighing is used by sports teams to determine the true fat to lean ratio.  It's far more exact that BMI.  You might be surprised to find that you have more (or less) lean than you think. My goal was to get to 160, but when I was first weighed this way, I weighed 189.  The results indicated my ideal weight with "perfect" fat:lean ratio would be about 183.  The doctor (of physiology) who weighed me said that going lower would be hard to achieve and harder to maintain.  As it turns out, my body settled somewhere in between. 2.  Get your metabolic rate checked. 3.  Spend at least one week a year tracking food intake in detail and determining calories.  Be sure to eat like you normally do.  It's those little bites here and little bites there that start to add up and can surprise us when we factor them in. (100 calories in 5 little hershey kisses!!). 4.  Pledge to eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly. Exercise is the best way to keep muscles toned and strong but we can't maximize the benefits without a healthy diet.

All great suggestions - thanks for sharing!