Question:
I was wondering if 1200 calories per day is too much to lose weight post-op RNY?

Not to questions my dietician but she told me that I should be eating around 1200 calories a day and about 60-80 grams of protein per day. Is this too much to still lose weight post-op RNY? Does this sound normal?    — Allison T. (posted on August 18, 2002)


August 18, 2002
How far post-op are you? That sounds a lot to ME, but I am focused on the wt loss. How much of those 1200 cal are spent on protein shakes?
   — vitalady

August 18, 2002
I don't know the correct answer for this but I know what is working for me. I am 11 weeks post op and get about 1000-1200 calories a day. I have found that it doesn't atter the calories I get it depends on the carbs. Once I starting watching them, getting 120 grams of protein and 80 oz. of water I have dropped another 17 lbs. in 18 days. I was on a huge plateau that lasted for nearly 5 weeks and broke a week ago last Thursday. That is when I started getting in all of the water and pretein and started watching my carbs. I keep a rough estiment on Fitday.com. That figures all of the about so I don't have much brain work, lol. A seven year post-op and I were talking about this the other day and we both decided that the guildline that the doctor's gice you are general but you need to kinda personalize them for your own body. I found that I needed the hign end of water and protein while getting a smaller amount of carbs. Good Luck~ Candi
   — Candi B.

August 18, 2002
That is too much for me. I don't lose on 1200. I have to keep mine around 800. But we are all different.
   — Cheri M.

August 18, 2002
Just my 2 cents here, but with a "regular" diet, they always say "2000 calories per day"...and that "maintains weight". Meaning that is about what you should take in and what you should expend to maintain weight. So 1000-1200 sounds like you'll still be losing to me. Of course, after your lose, the calories needed to maintain yourself will be far less than what you required pre op...it's a complex mathematical formula. If you are doing 1200 and still losing, hey, go for it!! Just make it 1200 calories that is "good calories", meaning not sugar carbo filled calories...but good protein filled calories!! Good luck. Have a Sparkling Day!! ~CAE~
   — Mustang

August 19, 2002
My doctor says that I need 1000-1200 cal./day also, and they keep stressing it. Evidently, less than that makes your body think it is starving, and it holds on to the weight. I wasn't eating enough and my body went into "starvation mode" and I have had to up my calories to at least 1000, concentrate on my min. 60 gr. of protein, 64 oz. of water a day, and was still on a plateau for 5 wks. I started exercising a little and now the plateau may finally be ending (the scale says I lost 4 lbs. in the last week, but am not ready to believe it yet). I wish I would have eaten the right # of calories earlier like they told me to; this plateau has been hell. I drink a designer whey shake 1.5 scoops w/6oz. of water and 2 ice cubes every morning (26 gr. protein) and get all the rest from food. If I still need more protein at the end of the day, I drink some of the designer whey bottled koolaid drink to make up. I use fitday.com, which has been a big help. They have charts that show you how many calories you are taking in and burning and for me 1000cal./day is only 1/3 of what I am using! My dietician believes in the food pyramid, getting a normal # of carbs per day, and I am getting around 100 per day. However, if I hit another plateau I may do what Candi says and try reducing them by half for a while. Good Luck!
   — Susan B.

August 19, 2002
Most people on this list will tell you that 1200 a day is too much, but follow your doctor and not what other non-MDs tell you to do. I can easily take in 900-1000 calories 17 weeks post op and I'm losing anywhere from 3 to 5 lbs per week. Most of my calories come from protein although I have been struggling with carbs the past two week--major head hunger!!!!! Exercise, drink your water and take your supplements! Your dr and dietician know what is right for you, don't listen to anyone else!!!!!
   — jenn2002

August 19, 2002
I had been eating 1200-1500 calories from about 3 months post op. I now am a year and take in about 1800-2000 a day and walk about 2.5 miles 4-5 days a week and I am still loosing, but very slowly (avg 4lbs month). I now weigh 160. My starting weight was 282 and I am 5'2.5". Hope this is helpful. -Kim open RNY 7/17/01 -122
   — KimBo36

August 19, 2002
It depends on where you are post-op. Early one, you will barely be getting in 4-600 calories a day, however, as you get further out, you will be able to have 1000 or more calories a day. At 6 months out, I get in about 1000-1200 a day on most days, and am still losing, tho slowly...The protein amounts sound good too. Evryone has to tailor to their own body and you will figure it out. Some on here swear by no or very low carbs, and others say use the food pyramid. Personally, I think that you have to learn how to eat "normal" otherwise its too much like "dieting" which is what we all want to get away from...concentrate on the protein, water, vitamins, exercise and with the left over calories, you can have the good carbs and some snacks....
   — Cindy R.

August 19, 2002
My doctor told me that anything over 1100 calories isn't too good.....I'm almost 7 months post-op and haven't gotten over 800 calories a day. I'm still losing approx. 2lbs a week right now. Good Luck!
   — Jennifer M.

August 19, 2002
My dietician says that 1000-1200 is fine, just don't go beyond that. I was taking in 750-800, and stopped losing (starvation mode)for me. After I upped my intake to around 1000-1100, I dropped steadily again. Just remember to make good food choices and eat a well-balanced diet. The protein requirement sounds great.
   — Tina B.




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