I have a question.....

When I saw a nutritionist several years before my surgery, she suggested that I take in 1500 a day to lose weight with exercise.   I weighted close to what I weight now at the time of that consultation.

I'm back down to that weight again and now my nutritionist says I need to take in 1200 a day with exercise to maintain.  To lose weight, I need to take in 1000 a day with exercise.  Why do gastric bypass patients need to consume considerably less calories to lose weight or maintain?  It confuses me.  I've read from other members on here that their nutritionists recommend the same type of regimen. 

Got any ideas?

I don't think it's just weight loss surgery patients who have to consume less calories. I think each person (even WLS patients) is different. I consume lots more than that and still barely maintain.

You can journal your food and start keeping better track of what you are eating. Measure and weigh to see what exactly you are consuming for a while and just see what your totals look like. That might help.

Some Nuts generalize.  Every ONE is different.

I can eat 1600-1800 calories and maintain...explains why I haven't lost a pound in 6 weeks.  But if I drop to 1400 I lose a pound a week.

PP is correct.  I would write down what you are currently doing for a week.  Average out the numbers and see where you are now.  Then tweak it from there.

I know I hate to journal my food but I do find that every once in a while it is a usefull tool to figure out where I am, tweak it and go from there.

I use Fitday.com to journal everyday.  So I will start today and by next monday, I'll see if I'm down, up, or the same.  My primary physician once said, "Losing weight isn't rocket science."  I beg to differ, lol.  So many things can determine the right formual for each person.  It's frustrating at times, but oh so worth it.  I really want to get to my goal.  I've been maintaining for almost a year now.  Time to get it in gear.

I think you could go to 10 different nutritionist and they would all have something different to say.  Just like all the books and magazines out there have some different miracle formula.  It all confuses me and makes it seem like rocket science.  I know the nutritionist I talked to a few years ago said don't eat less than 1200 calories a day as that screws up your matabolism and plus you can't get all the nutrients you need in under 1200.  So, who knows?  I guess just journal it.  Pick a number and go with it for a week and see if you lose, maintain, or gain and adjust it from there.  Or you could always go have that testing done and see extactly what you need for your body. Not sure how expensive that is though.  This weight loss and weight maintainance stuff can get confusing with so many docs and nutritionist having differing ideas.  Good luck, girlfriend! 

Melissa

Thanks Melissa!!!  You're always so helpful and kind.  I appreciate it.

I went and had a metabolism test done to find out what MY body needed. My NUTs plan called for 1200 to maintain and 1000 to lose as well... however she did state as we got further out and at goal we should get a metabolism test since the information she and the surgeon provide is 'general' and based on what worked for the 'majority' of patients. My metabolism test showed I need to eat 1400-1800 calories to MAINTAIN my weight, if I go below 1400 I will lose... thats quite a bit more calories than the 1200 my NUT said originally. She said the highest most of my surgeons patient**** is 1400... but it really all depends on you, your metabolism and exercise leves - I run a 5K multiple times a week as well do yoga and weight training, I eat every few hours and try to stick to a well balanced diet... the NUT said all this will contribute to being a good calorie burning machine.
As a side note I know of two people here on OH that have to eat over 2000 calories to maintain (RNY!) because of their activity levels.
With the RNY surgeries the surgeons bypass different amounts - its been my experience the less they bypass the less they tell patients to eat... my surgeon bypasses only around 80cm and gives the 1000-1200 a day... it may seem considerably low however my NUT (she has not had any surgery) said she only eats 1200 calories a day - that amount is 'average' for many 'normal' women. Again it all depends on you and your body :-)

Thank you for your response.  That makes so much sense.

Could you tell me what this test is called, so I'll know exactly what to ask for when I see my PP?

Its referred to typically as a metabolism test - resting and exertion... or a BMR test (basal metabolic rate)... your PCP (I assume PP is primary physican?) wouldnt do this test - you will have to find places that do - in my area some of the local gyms, one bariatric surgery and a couple of nutritionists (non WLS ones) offer the testing - personally I had it at the YMCA but I know not all of them offer it. Fitness/personal training/nutrition type places are usually a good place to start.

If you don't mind me asking, how much does it cost?  Generally?