Question:
How many calories should I be eating per day?

I am 1 yr post-op and have been at goal weight for 2 months. My doctor is not practicing any more.    — Jo J. (posted on September 27, 2004)

September 27, 2004
I think your maintainance calorie amount is based on your resting metabolic rate. This number is determined by a breathing test where your hold a mouthpiece in your mouth for around 10 minutes, breathing into it. The attached machine measures how many calories you require to maintain your weight at rest without activity. The number represents 70% of the caloreie count. You have to calculate the additional 30%. At least that is how it was explained to me when I did it. I think mine was 1320, which would, with the additional 30%, make it around 1800 calories possible that I could ingest for me to stay at the same weight. And remember, we don't even digest the full amount of the calories that we take in. That is one area that is still a "mystery". No one really knows how to calculate how many of the calories that we eat get digested. My WLS surgeon did the test in his office. You might want to ask your primary doctor his thought on the matter, and how you could get a test like that done. I am thinking maybe an endocrinologist or metabloic specialist. Good luck!
   — Fixnmyself

September 27, 2004
Jo, if you've been at goal weight for 2 months, it sounds like you are eating properly right now for maintenance. That breathing test that the previous response mentioned sounds cool though.
   — Yolanda J.

September 28, 2004
Everyone is different because we all have varying metabolic rates, the rate at which our metabolism burns calories. Your optimum amount of calorie intake will depend on your individual rate, and how many calories you normally burn (thru exercise usually). You may not be done losing yet, your still a young post-op, so monitor your weight and if you start to lose and don't want to lose, add a few hundred calories a day of good protein, like a shake, or if you gain, do the opposite. At 2 1/2 years post-op, I just know what I can eat and if I overdo it, my daily weigh-ins will catch it. Also keep in mind that the lower the size/weight on the scale, the less calories you can take in to maintain. Alot of post-ops like to go down to very small sizes because they can that first year or so, then lament during year 2 when they eat more and cannot maintain those low sizes, so choose what works for your long term lifestyle and appetite.
   — Cindy R.

September 28, 2004
At 1 year post op, I was doing between 1000 and 1200 calories per day. I'm doing between 1200 and 1500 now and maintaining pretty well.
   — Cathy S.