When to Increase Calorie intake?

agree with others on the PPI. I had hunger immediately after surgery...i started a ppi and it was gone. it was acid, not hunger. as for Calories. I was at 900 by month 3 and lost the bulk of my weight between (900-1150 calories a day, not low carb). i was over 600 calories by month 2, didn't start to feel human until I was at 800. Everyone is different, what works for one, may not for another.

Start with the PPI and see where it goes.

I've over a year out and eat just shy of 800 calories on most days. If it is a particularly busy day, more likely I'll be around 600 calories which is lower than I like. Those amounts are with activity as well, my job is very physical so I don't eat to compensate for burning calories.

I spoke to my nurse as well as my nutritionist about this. Neither believe it is related to stomach acid. The nutritionist believes my carbs are too low. I try to keep them around 30, but she says that is the bare minimum my body needs to function. Due to my increasing activity (walking, weights, and some cardio), I should up my carbs to at least 50. As long as I am meeting my protein requirement and keeping fat in check, not to worry so much about calories. (I am keeping my calories around 800 now and feeling better.) I will inquire further at my appointment next month. Thank you all for your input.

I always feel awkward when I tell people to disregard what their surgeon's office is telling them, because of course, "listen to your doctor" is usually the right advice! But sometimes I feel it's important to question and challenge it. Be your own advocate by learning from others here, and see what advice applies to you.

First off, there are bazillions (actual number!) of people who experience acid after surgery. It's not a fluke--it's a thing! So I am already skeptical that your surgeon's office doesn't have you on a PPI after surgery as standard practice. But then, when you come in complaining that you have the symptoms of reflux (hunger early out) and they disregard it?? I am extra skeptical.

I am also a little wary that you need to increase carbs right now. Carbs go down easy and give you a quick calorie boost, but they suck for keeping you satiated and full. So, if your problem is hunger, how would carbs help? I can literally eat my own body weight in crackers. I mean, I can shovel down a sleeve of Ritz crackers and barely feel full. But give me some dense protein like chicken breast and I am groaning that I can't take another bite after 10 small bites. If I need to feel full, carbs are not my go-to!

Last, you said you are keeping your fat "in check". More unsolicited advice... don't worry about fat, if you are eating a low carb, high protein diet. Fat doesn't make you fat, but it will keep you satisfied for longer :)

Every one of the surgery pages on OH has some from of a "what are you eating today" daily thread. I might be good to check out what others are eating and find some role models to follow. It helped me to get ideas when I was in a rut, and I also found people who were close to my height and start weight who I could follow and emulate.

Good luck!

You need zero carbs to function. None. You never need to eat a single carb, and you'd be healthy. You need protein and fats, but carbs are totally unnecessary. Any carbs you eat will slow down the fat burning process. That's the first thing they told you that was wrong.

You do not need to eat extra because of exercise. You need to burn fat, and eating anything extra is self-defeating.

Calories matter. Calories always matter. I counted every calorie, and still do. Ignoring calories is horrible advice.

There's no reason to eat low fat.

A PPI will make your "hunger" go away. There's no reason they should not put you on one. Nearly every other program does.