Daily Calories Question for the 'old-timers' ;)

Hi.  I've noticed some people who had their surgery a number of years ago are eating ~900 or so calories a day.  I'm eating that now at 3 1/2 months out.  I've lost 67 lbs, so not that worried, but it's slowing down a bit.  The dietician told me I'd be able to increase to 1200 eventually and keep losing weight, but I'm wondering what the general experience has been.  It seems odd that you could eat only 900-1000 calories and not KEEP losing weight. Thanks!

Right now your body is not absorbing all your calories. At one year to eighteen months this goes away.This is why it is so important to follow plan and get the most out of your weight loss now before you start absorbing the calories again.

Along this journey you will have slow downs and stalls. It is usually your body adjusting to the new regime. If you have not done so take your measurements. Often when the scale does not move the inches will.

If I want to lose weight now at nearly three years I need to go below 1000 calories and continue to exercise.

I weigh 120 pounds (start weight 290) and easily maintain by eating 1200-1400 calories per day at 9 years post-op (some days more, some less but not frequently less or I will lose). I will say this though: It is my personal opinion that long-time vets actually eat more than they report - bites, nibbles, an extra spoonful, eye-balling servings, etc. I do this myself and have to be mindful any time I am anywhere near the kitchen. Again, just my opinion, but I would challenge anyone several years out to eat exactly 900 calories per day over a week and not lose weight.

Peoples bodies all work differently. I know vets at several years out who can eat upwards of 1600-1800 calories per day and still maintain and others like myself who have to keep it a little lower. I didn't start counting calories at all (never****il recently when I was trying to gain weight. My focus was, and still remains, on nutrient counts. Specifically, I count protein and carbs - very high protein, low carbs, I don't eat refined sugar, I don't avoid full fat items at all, I enjoy them - your own specific number formula for success will depend on your body and metabolism.

As a general rule, the less you have to lose the slower the weight is coming off. Remaining mindful is key.

Thanks Karen! Your response is very helpful as always!

I agree about the nibbling.. and I am 2 yrs, 3 months post (don't know if that's yet considered a vet lol) and can easily eat upwards of 1600 cals and still maintain so far.. (I just gotta be mindful and weigh often lol) (maintaining a 140ish loss, current weight 135ish - I fluctuate between 132/137 pounds, to me that's not a loss or gain, its normal in my books)

I agree on the weight fluctuation of a few pounds either way. I say I weigh 120 pounds - I may weigh 116 today, 120 tomorrow, 119 the next day, 122 the next... and back to 120. It's sort of like my "3 pound average". lol

I may be the only person that does not count calories, never have and I can proudly say that I am maintaining a 100lb weight loss.  My surgery was 6 years ago.

I am currently in trying to lose again mode (I go up and down).  And I am currently aiming for around 1200 lbs.

Dawn