Calorie Intake - Advice

Hi My Name is Sandra.  I had my RNY in Jan 2005 and whilst not reaching my ideal weight did lose 160 lbs down from 390.  I maintained my 220-230 weight until early 2010 when I began to gain a bit a weight due to some spinal issues and serious lack of movement and the dreaded peri-menopause.  Then I totally let it get out of hand this year working on one of the worst projects I have ever had  (stress and excessive overtime) and eventually all told have gained 40 lbs!!!  Yes horrible.  I might say that 220 was a good weight for me, at 5'9"ish, and large frame a size 16 was ok for me (age 53), I was happy with it.

Obviously I need to get the weight I gainned off and if possible I would like to drop an additional 20.  My issue is that I cannot find on any web location what a good calorie intake would be for those with the RNY.  I am using myfitnesspal.com and I love it, and have been strict in my food intake for 2wks now keeping to around 1400 cals to attempt to loose 2 lbs per week for the 1st month, with plans to go to 1600 or so for 1 lbs per week, after the 1st month.  But I recently spoke with another RNY source who tells me she was on 800 clas per day for the 1st several months and to date is down 75 lbs (this person had gained over 100lbs back). 

So if a person is 5-10 yrs out, do we simply follow the typical caloric intake that is recommended for ordinary persons, or are there any 'special' cir****tances we must be aware of?  Seems to me that 800 clas will lower ones metabolism too much and thus in the end cause a lengthy plateau...

2wks - loss 11.2 lbs

Have you thought about doing the 5 day pouch test to "restart your engines"?

While I have not done the 5 days test per se, looking at it I find that I pretty much did this prior to my 2 wks start of my strict eating plan, it seems to me to be just a crash diet or sorts. I did go to all liquids for 3 days and then gradually increased my intake so I in essance did this.  But thanks for the tip.  In general I am asking about calorie amounts and such... to continue to loose weight for a RNY person given that we are suppose to have some malabsorption issues, however maybe when you are 6+ years out that is no longer a major issue.

 Hi Sandra:

When I had my gain which I am currently working off, I looked to see what the newbies were taking in to lose their weight in the beginning.  Most of them were around 500-600 calories.  I started my diet on 600-800 calories a day.  I did this for the first 3 months.  I now have my calories up to 800-1000.  But these are quality calories.  90-100 grams of protein a day, carbs usually around 70 grams or lower.  Sugars below 20 grams and Fat below 25 grams.  Fiber is some where between 25-30 grams a day.  I walk approximately 5 miles a day during the week and 6.5 miles a day on the weekend.  In five months, I have taken off 48 pounds of a 70 pound gain.  I have 22 pound left to get back to my original 155 pound lost.  I have noticed that most people who are consuming 1300 to 1400 calories are on a maintenance diet.  Those, who consuming more calories have a higher intensity workout that lets them eat more.  I hope this help you with your calorie count.

Thanks Tess.
Wow I am not sure I could sustain 600-800 for 3 mths, my BMR is around 1895 so I cannot imagine going lower than 1000 that this stage, but I guess it may be worth a try.  My biggest concern is going that low changes ones metabolism and I did not want that to happen if possible.  Also newbies have the smaller pouch, and I certainly can eat more than when I was a newbie and actually have been able to eat a 'normal' portion now for at least 4.5 yrs.  I recently has my pouch checked to ensure it was not oversized and while it is larger than it was it is not in the area of 'revision'. 

Thanks for the tips, I may just attempt this next week, after I have eaten some of the fresh veggies and fish,  I already went out and purchased.

Sin ce we need to focus on protein I would recommend trying the Atkins Diet. I'mtrying that right now.

Julie

I was curious about the same thing.  It seems like dropping to 600-800 cals./day would put our bodies into "starvation mode".  I just don't want to slow my metabolism down anymore, and do more harm than good.  What has everyone else's experience been?  How many cal./day did you drop down to, to start losing again?  I'm wondering if I should try the 600-800/day or not.  That seems extremely low, but if it works, hey...