calorie conundrum

If the typical 140 lb woman needs 1700 - 1900 calories to maintain her weight, how is it that after surgery a 140 lb women maintains on much fewer calories?

Thanks for any insight,  Anne

 

What is "much fewer calories"? Not sure what you are referring to, and don't know that your statement is true?

I assume that when I get to 140 lbs I'll be eating 1500+ cals a day, whatever the number is that's for me to maintain my weight and work out.

Right now I'm eating 1300 cals, I'm at 156 pounds, work out intensely with trainer 4x week, losing weight, 6 mos post-surgery.

After I'm done losing weight, I can eat more calories and work out less intensely, right?

You are trying to lose weight.  To do that you need to create a calorie deficit.  When you take in less calories than your body needs, it makes up for that deficit using stored calories - commonly known as FAT.  To burn up a pound of fat, you have to have a 3500 calorie deficit.  If you are trying to lose 40 lbs thats 140,000 calories you have to burn over what you eat.

You dont need less calories after surgery - you simply can't eat as many.  Rather you won't be eating as many if you follow the diet plan and exercise program and don't eat around your sleeve.  The surgery just gives you a smaller stomach so you feel full faster.  There are some other effects, such as the elimination of Ghrelin, which will help curb hunger.  

You will be getting the vitamins and minerals you need from supplements.  Following the diet, you will be prioritizing protein over everything else that you eat so that your body has what it needs to build new cells and not cannibalize from your muscles.  This is why we can eat so few calories and not get malnourished.

I've been maintaining for three years, as of last month. (Dec 2013) I go up and down between 142.5 and 145.5. I weigh each and every morning. I log all my food on MFP and although I'm under many times, I can maintain at 1275. I make sure to get all my protein in every day, in fact, the only things I track on MPF are calories and protein.

I hope this helps!