How many calories should I be consuming?

I had my vbg 4 years ago tomorrow. I started at 380 lbs. I went down to 190, which looked good for me, since I am 5'9. I regained 40 lbs, and I'm super duper depressed. I drink tons of water. Eat no carbs basically, exercise every day, eat a lot of proteins, and vegees, and drink no sugary liquids. Why cant I lose this 40 lbs? I have cancelled my wedding because of it. How many calories should a post op bypass person consume? I am so sad and depressed I rarely even leave my home now. People are like '' oh, guess you are regaining it all back "" :( :chair:

Sorry Cheryl, I'm a little "rusty" with my surgery types! Is the VBG similar to lap-band, in that there is no malabsorption factor, just restriction? I'm sorry for your troubles - you've still done so great though. You lost an awful lot of weight and have kept a great deal of it off. I know it's hard, though, no matter what surgery you have had. Are you still gaining now, or have you kind-of leveled off after that 40 pound gain? That might be something to consider as you ponder the issue of your regain. Don't forget, almost all of us do regain some weight in the years following surgery. It sounds like you are doing all the right things, too. Just so you know - lots of us here are struggling with regain or trying to maintain. It's definitely very difficult, so you have my support here, believe me. Best wishes. Carlita

I'm not gaining now, i've regained that 40 lbs and just cant rid my self of it, over a course of a year............. Cheryl

Hi Cheryl, let me start off by saying that WOW!!! You have done an awesome job in your weight loss. However, I just wanted to know if you had talked with your surgeon, NUT or one of the bariatric staff members of your team? I don't know where you wanted to be but reading your starting weight, it looks as if you have done a real good job so don't give up. They told me that it was a life long process and it usually takes years for putting weight on and it may take a couple of years to get it off. Also, have you tried Fiotday.com. It may help you to know how much you should be taking in. You should also try livingafterweightloss.com Take care & best wishes as you continue this journey.

Hang in there Cheryl, you may have to do a little tweaking and experimenting to find the answer here. Have you tried kicking up your exercise, or changing your exercise? Tried increasing your protein a little? Or changing your primary source of protein? Have you let a potato sneak in there? How about rice???? Processed foods??? If you are eating any of those things, especially processed foods, whew, calorie bombs!!!! That alone will make weight creep on and do not satisfy you! My doctor told me that I should keep my calories between 1200-1500 and most days I do that. Mind you, my weight loss has been very slow after the first hundred came off, and I used to get really crazy over that, but it's ok. I am so sorry you feel bad, it is so difficult to ignore the comments and taunts of others, but please try. Live your life, don't let a few pounds bring it to a screeching halt! Your regain does not take away the fact that you lost alot of weight! Be proud of that, be proud of YOU!!! Good luck Cheryl!

As a post op, over 6 months, for the rest of your life, you need to eat 800-1200 calories per day. Here is the formula: 100-135 g protein per day (drink two high protein shakes per day ie: Extreme Smoothies which are 35g) Eat every 3-4 hour (eat at least 6 small "meals" per day) ( includes shakes) 2-4 oz protein per meal 1/4-1/2 cup veggies or cooked sides 1 cup raw veggies or fruit 1/2- 1 gallon of fluid per day Exercise: Increase the INTENSITY of your exercise. Your body gets used to what you have been doing, so you have to switch it up and push yourself a bit more every few days. I was walking 3-4 miles a day and now I am starting to jog.... The basic formula for weight loss is calories in vs calories out. If you are not losing weight, you are eating more calories than you are burning. Be sure to take your measurements to gage your inches shrinking. Good Luck ! VAL

I disagree At 5 years postop..i'm a competitve runner/adventure racer/hiker/biker/boxer etc.. I eat around 3000 calories a day..sometimes more..I eat around 350 grams of carbs a day..your "plan" isnt for everyone..you cannot assume or tell somene that that is what they should be eating for life. Everyone is different..everyone follows a different diet protocol..everyones amount of exercise is different as is type of exercise. Everyones nutritional needs are different. I do no shakes, no bars..all my protein is from food sources..the support groups I chair and co chair also do not recommend such a low amount of calories..especially for people over 2 years out.. I really think people need to work with a nutritionist to find out what amnount of calories would work for them based on age,dietary needs and amount of exercise. Just my .02 ...not a flame of course..just want everyone to do what is right for them and not follow what others do..because as we all know..what works for one person probably wont work for someone else

Oh and I forgot to add.. I also run on average 15 miles a day..plus while i'm training..I also bike about 10-15 miles a day and Kayak and use the heavy bag..i'm always in motion.. EXERCISE is the real key for long term success..all the protein shakes and bars in the world wont protect you from some regain if you dont move ;)

Wow... 3000 calories? That is a lot ! The average given by NIH is 2000 calories per day for a person with a normal digestive tract. I could not eat 3000 calories in one day if I tried... I understand your point, however, as a Bariatric Consultant, I advise our clients and patients who are trying to lose weight or maintain to eat 800-1200 calories per day. A lot of patients do not exercise to the extent that you do. I truly do not comprehend how your little pouch is getting in all that. And 300+ carbs? that is excessive. Normal average should be 100-150 per day. If you are eating double the amount of calories most patients are eating, I see why the count is so high. As a post-op, I could not fathom eating that much food in a day... the thought of it makes me gag LOL... I have a hard time getting to the 800-1200 per day considering I am never hungry. I tend to drink two shakes, to get in high protein and then eat high protein items, fruit and veggies the rest of the day. I eat at least 6 small "meals" per day and it a chore... I am amazed that you are eating that much and that you CAN eat that much.... WOW ! My brother-in-law who is 6'8 eats about 2500-3000 calories a day... VAL Bariatric101.com

Ah, but i'm also 3 years further postop than you too I have no issue eating..I eat normally..I dont feel like I had surgery and I eat sensibly..I don't prescribe to the Low Carb theory..I eat a lot of pasta, potato, rices..whole grains..when you're like me..and you run 15 miles in the morning..and then ride your bikde 10-15 miles in the evening and then do an hour on the elliptical or an hour with the heavy bag.its necessary to fuel your body ..with good carbs of course but it's good for your brain and good for you body ..I eat lots of meat, veggies, fruit..and cheese..cheese alone for me is probably 500 calories alone..I cant eat like a rabbit..I eat like a normal person does....I dont consider myself to be abnormal My surgeon is one of my best friends and biggest supporters...his wife and I participate together in Adventure races..triathlons, competitive running and biking..kayaking and canoeing events..it's constant movement thing for us in our support group..I chair 2 and co chair 2 of them..3 of them are for long term postops though Actually on a usual day I eat around 2500 tops.except this past week has been around 3000 due to the amount of physical exertion and intense training for a 4 day running, biking, trekking,kayaking race I have coming up I'm sure you can recognize that every postop is different..we're not all cookie cutter in most ways..in our support groups we encourage lots of exercise and a balanced diet..we dont do shakes and bars..we dont eliminate any food groups..we have all managed to lose and remain successful long term. I dont feel broken anymore like I did before surgery..protein shakes and bars wont always keep you successful..I learned early on that therapy and dealing my food issues were the only way to lose the weight I needed and keep it off..and it's been a great success..I feel normal..because I am normal..I dont eat like a postop, I dont talk like a postop outside of my groups and OH and WLS isnt my life anymore..once im offline and not working with my support group I dont even think about it..but I think you'll find lots of longer term postops feel that way..WLS doesnt define who I am as a person anymore..nor does what I eat or what I dont eat..my physical achievements and success and the ability to help others succeed is what defines me now. So dont be so surprised and amazed that some of us can eat like normal people..or do things outside of the WLS box..no journey is the same..and some of us dont choose to do what others do for the rest of their postop lives..and some of us would rather forge our own path and find what works for us. It's great that you are a consultant..I dont know what that is..do you mean you work with a surgeon? if so..thats awesome.it's always nice to be able to give back..I always encourage my fellow WLS'ers ..newbies and not so newbies to stay IN a group..it really does keep you humble and connected to the old you in many ways