Food Quantities for Females v. Males

In reading the menu threads (both VSG & RNY), I see the quantities some of you dudes post and I think as I'm reading...dayum, shazammm! I eat more than them (as a pre-surg). But I also can't envision eating less than these guys once I have surgery?

So here's the question? Does the stereotype, "Guys eat more than girls," get completely erased through WLS--regardless of surgery type? So essentially, post WLS, are we all eating the same quantities, girls and guys? If so, don't guys need more nutrition than females? Or is that a myth?

Immediately post op, the target for both genders is pretty much always 600-800 calories or less and 60-80g of protein (or 100g for some surgeries).

Eventually, men tend to "get to" eat more because of higher resting metabolic rates than women and the fact their healthy weights are generally higher and require more calories to maintain.

Speaking very generally -- men tend to lose more weight and more rapidly than women post surgery. It's very discouraging if you're a woman and you compare your loss with a man's with a similar surgery date. Most men begin with far more muscle mass and thus have a higher resting metabolic rate than the average woman -- and that carries over even after reaching goal. I have noticed that most men can eat FAR more calories per day than I can and maintain.

Right out of surgery men in my surgeons practice are told to eat 20-30g more protein than the women are instructed to eat. That automatically translates to more calories. So yeah, I think men get to eat more.

Another reason to love to hate them, lol.

My surgeon's practice has flat guidelines for what you should eat. Once you've reached maintenance, what you eat should be determined by your physical needs, not an arbitrary sex-based stereotype.

Fred does he give some "if" "then" for your physical needs? How do you know what your physical needs are? TIA!

Sorry, can't edit: And what are the guidelines for weight loss? Thanks!!

it probably varies - just like it does between women. I'm in maintenance and can eat 1700 calories a day and stay in my range. Other women on here can only eat 1200 - some have to stay under 1000. I never got any guidelines re: calories after the first few months out. At some point it's whatever calorie range allows you to keep losing - or maintain - your weight. It's going to be different for everyone.

During weight loss, we should all be on the same plan. We NEED certain nutrients -- protein, fats, vitamins. We need zero carbs, but it's harder to do in practice than reality. So, the calorie requirements are no different.

When we consciously decide we are done losing, it all depends on what that will take. I've seen some women on 900 calories a day, and some at 1800 or 2000. Men are usually somewhat higher, but size and lean mass are still the greatest factors.

I eat more than my girlfriend -- about twice her daily calories. But I also weigh about 80 percent more than her, do more strenuous physical activity, and I'm 16 inches taller than her. Generalizing male vs female is just too general.

Men with larger frames require more calories and protein, but capacity for ingesting that larger quantity will probably be the same. To make up the difference, they may eat an extra snack or a more protein dense meal.

I, on the other hand, may very well out-eat most of them.