1200 calories - starvation mode?

starvation mode  kick in when you have no more fat to burn , which most of use have plenty of or we will not be here, but some people that are well past goal and still losing might run into it

I agree our metabolisms at least mine was shot long before the VSG so eating under 800 calories a day was not going to make any difference. I also read an article the other day and I will try to find it again and post it, about for example is you weighed 150 lbs all your life you would require X amount of calories a day, but if you were a formerly obese person now at 150 lbs you will require far less calories than in the first instance. Meaning if you both ate and exercised exactly the same the formerly obese person would start gaining weight where the normie would maintain. I am in maintenance and sit around 1100 to 1200 calories a day averaged out over a week. Some days I eat more due to activity levels and trying to listen to my body when it says it is hungry (notice I said my body not my head) and some days I eat very little. I always make sure I get my protein in first no matter what my calorie count is for the day. I have about a two lb swing on the scale and I won't let myself go over that. I think eating at 1200 calories a day in the weight loss mode will make it very difficult to get to goal and even more difficult when you start adding calories at maintenance. Just my IMHO but we are not normal and we need to find what works for us. I tried to long to fit into the normal world of diet and exercise and I always lost until I finally accepted that I am not like other people. Well except for a whole bunch of us on here; for which I am so grateful to know everyone here gets it and me. Thanks Everyone

You are very brave to bring up the controversial starvation mode question.  The truth of the matter is for months and months you will be unable to eat anywhere near 1200 calories. My plan is one of the ones that wanted me to get my calories up fairly quickly.  And i stressed myself to distraction worrying about it because I couldn't. I am at goal and I still can't eat quite as much as my nut wants me to) .   am also 10 lbs lighter than she thinks should be lol.  Don't stress yourself like i did.  Listen to your new tummy, Concentrate on getting y our protein and fluids in, the calorie intake will be appropriate if you do this,

Anne

I find it very confusing when I hear or read that someone is unable to get 1200 calories in - I have absolutely no problem doing so at four months out now and even before.  It seems the longer and harder I workout, the hungrier I am . Depending on the type of food or sauces, I find it very easy to eat too many calories and need to watch this closely.  Does anyone else experience more severe hunger on days they have had hard workouts or long and hard workouts?

I am 8 months out and I also have no issue eating whatever I want to. I monitor my calories, especially since I work out 7 days a week. I have never had any issues. If not for the scars and weight loss, I wouldnt know I had surgery.

I was eating that much at 4 months out.  Here are a few points to ponder that helped me-

1.  Dense protein, then veggies.  Do not drink for at least 30 minutes after eating.

2.  Watch how many carbs you take in at one sitting- I would do 15 net carbs at a snack and 30 for a meal.  Too much carbs at once will trigger insulin, fat gets stored, hunger and cravings kick in.  Note, this is not the same approach as low carb- my carbs would hover around 100 net carbs a day. 

3.  Yes, hard exercise made me a little hungrier.  I found if I saved some protein calories to eat after working out (not a huge amount) that seemed to really help. 

Veggies- green leafy adds tons of nutrition, light carbs, and light calories.  A favorite snack was cut up celery and cucumber with hummus dip for example.  1200 calories can be very, very satiating if you skip the junk food and go after high quality choices.  Fish, veggies, lean chicken, light greek yogurt, protein shakes... it is a lot of food in a day and will keep the hunger at bay. 

Personally, I think small meals throughout the day are the way to go.  Eat small amounts every few hours, 6 times a day.  I was eating 1200 calories during weight loss beginning around 4 months out and had no difficulty making it to goal by 8 months.  In maintenance, I eat 1600+ daily (some days a little lower, some a little higher) and exercise less than half of what I did during weight loss. 

Unless you are never eating, you will NOT go into starvation mode.  Honestly...true starvation means that your body's cells have used up all available glycogen stores found in the muscles and liver.  The cells have also used up ALL available fat stores and are now using proteins as fuel--so your cells are cannibalizing your muscles and internal organs.

You will NOT go into true starvation mode. 

And yes, you will easily go below 1200 calories daily with a sleeve.  I hit my protein goals daily on less than 1000 calories each day (usually around 800-900) and have lost steadily since July.

Hi...i am 9 weeks out...i was at my doc two weeks ago and they want me to up my calories to 1000...i am having a hard time putting in 700....and i feel fine...my weight has never come off fats...i have lost 30 pounds since my liver reduc diet two weeks before surgery...i do my protein shakes...added protein during day....veggies....smart carbs( wheat bread on slice a day) and small amount of fresh fruit along with my water.....i am gettin worried by reading all these posts about doing 1200 a day...hugs to you all....

Be careful going below 1200 for an extended period of time.  Unless you are very diligent in getting good nutrition, going too low will not nourish your body appropriately, especially if you are working out.  It also depends on how much you currently weigh and what your body uses in calories just at rest.  All calories are not equal and some of the higher caloric foods, such as good oils and nuts, may up your calorie intake a bit, but give you the valuable fat your body needs.  It is just not about counting calories, but paying attention to how you feel and the nutrients you are eating.  800 calories of junk food, is still 800 calories of junk food.  Meaning going fat free/sugar free on everything just to keep your calories low isn't nourishing your body.  Being healthy takes effort and educating yourself on what nutrients your body needs to function properly, internally as well as to lose weight.

There are those on here that keep their calories on the lower range, but some of those people are also smaller framed people and weigh less than the average person too, so you need to know your own body and not compare it to others.  They also focus on getting lean meats and veggies and notice how they feel when they eat junk.  It is all a balance.  But be careful in getting caught up in the idea that you have to keep your caloric intake extremely low in order to lose weight and get healthy.  

Obviously, at first we are all at a very low caloric intake.  But follow your surgeon's plan and ask your questions.  As time progresses, calories will increase.  Adding the healthy ones during the process forms good habits and keeps you satisfied.  Mentally and physically.  Mind you, the occasional treat is okay too, if it is not a trigger food for you.  Again, a balancing act.

Just my two cents worth.

Blessings on your journey.