Question:
How many calories are you eating after surgery?

I'm 9 months post op...sitting at 197.5 (down from 287.8) and wanting to get to 150. I'm thinking 1500 sounds like a reasonable amount each day (making sure to get the required protein, etc.) I've looked on the Q&A boards and can't find anything talking about how many calories a person "should" eat...I have tried it every other way - and I know I need to track calories...it sux, but there it is. Anything else, and my complusive eating gets out of control and it's curtains. Any thoughts, comments, reflections...all welcome. Thanks. OPEN RNY 7/17/01, -90, 47 to go.    — blee01 (posted on April 14, 2002)

April 14, 2002
This is crazy sounding to me but, the nutrishionist (can't spell..lol) I've meet with through my surgeon says we should only be consuming 800 calories a day, 1000 if we excersise. Sounds crazy don't it? But, that's what they told me. hope someone else answers this too cause i would really like to know what others have been told too. Great question. debbie
   — deborah D.

April 14, 2002
I just started seeing a dietian as I can't lose weight anymore. (Pretty much stopped around 6 months). And if I was active, I should be eating around 1,600! Wow! But seeing I'm inactive (have many other health problems) I should be eating 1,400 to lose. Geese this sounds like alot of caleries. I had thought we should only eat 800-1,000.
   — Danmark

April 14, 2002
I haven't had surgery yet, but my surgeon told me that I would eventually be consuming 1,000 calories a day as a long-term post-op. He said that the pouch simply wouldn't stretch enough to allow for more, assuming you're following the post-op diet and avoiding sugar and liquid calories. However, I've seen plenty of posts from long-term RNYers who regularly eat 1,500 to 1,800 calories a day, so I think that was incorrect information. I was *hoping* it was true, though.
   — Tally

April 14, 2002
My surgeon suggests consuming 1,000 calories a day. Too much less or too much more will slow down or stop the weight loss. I find I have a harder time getting TO 1,000 than I do trying to avoid going over it, it still amazes me. I, too, have always been a compulsive overeater. If this isn't a miracle, nothing is. God bless and good luck to you.
   — Donna L.

April 14, 2002
I am a lil over 6 months post. I have lost just 3 pounds in the past month. I am walking,(brisk), 2 miles everyday. I wrote my surgeon, told him I was consuming about 6oo cals. He said i need to be around 1000- 1,100 cals. I guess I was not taking in enough, thus, stopped/slowed the loss. I have since upped my protein drinks to 3 a day w/ 25 grams of protein a pop, and trying to eat a lil more. I shall see if it works, I am "working" on the fifth day of upping cals. Good luck...
   — Marie A.

April 14, 2002
Okay, I am 10&1/2 months post op, 5 pounds below goal with a loss of 116 pounds,(size 4...WOOHOO!) and I work out every day, cardio and muscle work. When I was in the losing phase, I usually consumed about 1200-1300 calories per day,(but that was when I hit about 8 months post op) but keep in mind I was very active. It was always when I wasn't getting enough calories that I went on the dreaded plateau. As soon as I upped my calories, BOOM, weight loss kicked into gear. I am a firm believer of needing to feed and fuel the body. Now, at the maintenence phase, I get in around 1600 calories per day, and when I slipped down under my goal weight, my PCP told me I should up the calories to near 2000 (at which I literally gasped very loudly!! LOL) and told him that was impossible! Anyway, I am still terrified of calories and am working on this issue to make sure I start to feel comfortable with my eating and stop obsessing about them. Definately eat enough to keep your metabolism going, usually eating 6 mini meals per day, packed with good lean protein and making sure to get in at least one protein supplement per day will keep the weight loss going. And of course, drink the water. No doubt that the same ol' retoric we all hear everyday about protein and water does the trick! Best of luck, and I don't know if this info. helps but just wanted to share my caloric experiences.
   — Vicki K.

April 15, 2002
I am 13 months post op and have lost 177 lbs. Here is a breakdown of approximately how many calories I ate at different periods in my journey: 1 month: 200-300 calories 2 months: 300-400 calories 3 months: 400-500 calories 4 months: 500-600 calories 5 months: 600-700 calories 6 months: 700-800 calories 7 months: 800-900 calories 8 months: 900-1000 calories 9 months: 1000-1100 calories 10 months: 1100-1200 calories 11 months: 1200-1300 calories 12 months: 1300-1400 calories 13 months: 1400-1500 calories My surgeon saif I will continue to lose until approximately month 18, at which time I will "top out" eating between 1800-2000 calories, which will balance my energy expenditure. By that time, I hope to be at my goal. I have 40 lbs. to go and about another 5 months to do it in. Wish me luck!
   — Terissa R.

April 15, 2002
My surgeon told me that they wanted me on 1000 calories for the rest of my life!!! I was sure happy to read the other posts that I might be able to eat more someday. I know that at 6 months out and 76.5 weight loss that I have to keep it around 1000 to lose any weight. I'm increasing exercise to help too.
   — lori T.