Diet Plan

I am going to follow the 1200 calorie day diet plan I got from the dietician pre surgery, is 1200 too many calories????

Hi Jacelyn, I wouldn't say 1200 is too much if you are following an exercise program. I am almost 4 months out and my nutritionist says to get about 1000-1200 calories if you are working out regularly. Some days I get about 1500 and others I barely make 800. I try to follow the signals my body gives me as far as how much I need to eat, because some days I am actually hungry and other days I am not. It's tough to find the difference between head hunger and real physical hunger, but now that I have I just listen to my body. I've heard that's one of the things naturally skinny people do Hugs, Sara VBG 9/17/04 356/293/175

Hi Jacelyn, I don't know how much you started out weighing, but I have lost about forty pounds in six weeks. Some of that is because I had pnemonia, and was not able to get anything in right off the start. My sugeon's office gave me a bunch of stuff about nutrition, but one part was crossed off, althought it seems pretty accurate to me. I'll write what it said: Caloric Needs, Expectations, Averages: These are expected amounts based on your new banded stomach pouch size and post op recovery. You may consume less calories than shown here. At 2 Weeks: 250 calories a day At 3 Weeks: 300 calories a day At 4 Weeks: 400 calories a day At 10 Weeks: 600 calories a day at 12 Weeks: 700 calories a day At 6 Months: 850 calories a day At 8 Months: 1000 calories a day At 12 Months: 1200 calories a day My main concern now is getting between 45-55 grams of protein in a day. The other important thing is that I keep the carbs under 50 grams a day. I don't even really worry about calories and fat, because the protein needs fill me up pretty much. It has taken a while, and in the beginning, I had way more than suggested just with the protein drinks. So, my guess is 1200 is probably too much if you are just a few months out. Can you eat that much easily? My pouch seems pretty small and would not fit that much if I tried, unless, of course, I just melted chocolate kisses, but I have resisted that! Good luck to you! Theresa 240/199/????

Okay, maybe I am bad but I do not count calories. I have lost 71 pounds so far. I also do not drink protein shakes, etc... During the work week I walk about 2 miles a day and on the weekends I try to walk but it doesn't always happen. I don't drink a lot of juice or other sweetened beverages. I also try not to snack. Everyone's body is different and my surgeon measure by the percentage of your excess weight you have lost. I have heard that if you take your goal weight and multiply by 10 then that is the max number of calories you should have per day to lose weight. So, my personal opinion is the major key to loss no matter what you do is exercise and making sure you're not getting too many calories from mushy or liquid foods. Good luck and just keep concentrating on maintaining weight loss (even if it's just a little at a time). I have times when I don't lose much anything then a day when I'll lose 2-3 overnight. Good luck and hangin there. Natalie 281/210/125

Jacelyn, Some days I might have had that much and some days less. I didn't count calories as much as I watched the fat content of the food I ate, like no fried foods, fatty foods, etc. I tried to eat lean meats, chicken, fish, vegetables and fruit and I still eat in a small bowl that only holds about 4 oz. That was when I was still trying to lose. I still eat healthy but eat a little of everything I want, just several small meals a day. I chew each bite for 30 seconds and usually even when I think I am very hungry I end of full that way. One piece of advice I might suggest is make a journal. I wish I had and now I can't remember at what point I was doing what. I had my surgery last year, Nov. 17, 2003 starting at 257 lbs. I now weight 135. I have been staying around 141 but my doctor has me on a yeastfree diet and I have lost down to 135. My goal is 144 but I like staying around 141 so after the month of this yeastfree is over I will try to get back to 141. I weigh every morning as I always want to be aware of how much I weigh so I won't let it get away from me. We have to be aware forever and keep on our toes. Don't forget the importance of exercise especially if you're eating 1200 calories a day. Be dilligent and it will pay off. Remember everyone is different. I am so thankful for my surgery, it has changed my life.

So it doesn't scare you Jacelyn, they used my original picture. I have sent a new one months ago. I don't know if it is lost or what. We'll have to find out what happened but that is the 257lbs. picture. Dianne