Question:
Recommended calorie intake?

I was wondering if anyone knew how many calories the post op patient should consume daily. I am 9 mos post op and I consume between 500-800 calories per day. Does that sound about right?    — Brandy H. (posted on January 14, 2009)

January 14, 2009
My group was talking about this last week. The nurse said we should not be counting calories only protien. Ifwe were getting enough protien and not hungry not to worry about how many calories we had had. Hope this helps.
   — trible

January 14, 2009
That doesn't seem like quite enough to me. I have about 1000. I am 60 and somewhat active.
   — nofrogs29

January 14, 2009
My nut told me not to worry about calories... I don't really agree with that. I think that it depends on how active you are. Your surgery is a tool, however, basic chemistry doesn't change. You have to burn more calories than you consume. 500 seems a little low unless you are VERY sedintary. If you are active at all you will need more than that.
   — phyllismmay

January 14, 2009
My nutritionist built my intake up to 1000 calories a day. My protien always comes first and then I ad in veggies, some fruit and a couple carbs if I have calories left. I journal everything I eat and I am losing about 10 to 12 pounds a month (I had RNY in August) I ALWAYS count calories. It would be too easy to fall of the wagon otherwise. Hope I helped you.
   — katiecakes

January 14, 2009
That is too little caloric intake even if you are sitting still. Don't worry about calories. How active are you? If you want to worry less about calories step up your activities like light exercise; for example a walk or simple aerobics. Good Luck and God Bless, vinnigirl, retired RN
   — vinnigirl

January 14, 2009
My surgeon also told me not to worry about calories - said that if I stop losing weight, we can look at it - but I do watch my calories, protein, carb, fat and protein intakes with CalorieKing.com. It's mostly for me so that I am aware of what I am taking in. And I get around 900 calories a day, 70 g of protein, and watch my sodium (no more than 1500 mg a day). I am not quite so finicky over carbs and fat because the only carbs I take in are from protein and a few veggies, and I don't ever get more than 20 mg of fat right now. But I also do at least 30 minutes of cardio 6 days a week (2 days I do an hour of water aerobics and that alone burns 499 calories an hour). So, if you are exercising at all (which you should be), that doesn't seem like near enough to maintain your muscle mass. Wendy
   — Wendy M.

January 14, 2009
Hi! I agree with most of the poster...you need to exercise and consume less than you burn. But I just talked to my nut and told her I was consuming between 600-900 cals a day and eating 3 2-3 oz meals. I asked if I should take this amount to 4 0z..she asked if I had reached my goal weight yet. Since I am still 14 lbs away, she said not to increase anything. I have also always journaled my food intake and I keep track of ounces, grams and cals, as well as what the food is and what time consumed. i have a lil memo pad that I got to do this in. It will help later too when I need to look at what I was eating to lose weight and at a quick glance I will know calorie totals for foods. I have another memo pad with all the foods listed in alphabetical order(like a phone book) with foods and cals listed for the foods I seldom eat, but that way I don't have to figure out the cals each time. i just look it up quickly and write it in my journal. Tho my nut said not worry about calories right out of surgery, It was hard for me not to keep track. It keeps me accountable and I have learned to stay away from high caloric foods...unless I am low for the day ..then I may treat myself. Hope you find some of this helpful. Congrats on being on the losing side! Hugs, Kim
   — gpcmist

January 15, 2009
The first year, you really don't need to count unless you are having trouble with gaining rather than losing or you are very far from goal and the math does not add up to reach it(as long as goal is realistic). 500 a day sounds way low...800 better but still a little low...How do you think you are doing? If you are losing and not hungry...don't even worry...You might add a protein drink for lean protein cals is all I'd do...and if that slows you down...Just stop the drink and keep doing what you are doing...If it helps...well, then you'll know in a few days!
   — .Anita R.