Question:
I am 3 1/2 months post op. I eat about 800 to 900 calories a day, eat what I am

supposed to, get my protein, etc, Am I eating too many calories. Should I be eating less calories? I am on a plateau and the scales won't move. I walk 2 miles a day. Am I eating too many calories. thanks for your support.    — Judy W. (posted on November 7, 2002)

November 7, 2002
At 10 weeks post-op, my surgeon told me that I should be eating between 1,000 and 1,400 calories a day. I was only eating about 500 and he made me try to up it to at least 1,000. Plateaus happen and the best way to handle them is to not weigh very often.
   — Patty_Butler

November 7, 2002
Hi Judy! If anything you are eating too few calories. The fewer you eat the more often your body will plateau. Your body will go into starvation mode and not let go of a single thing! I am 3 months post op and average 900-1100 calories per day. My weight loss is slow the past few weeks and I am exercising often to get it moving again. It sounds to me like you are doing great! Good luck!
   — Jean T.

November 7, 2002
I am 6 months post-op and eat from 800-1000 calories per day. My surgeon says I can eat anywhere up to 1,500 calories per day but it would be a slower weight loss with the higher calories. She suggested from 1,000-1,200 but I still eat 800-1,000 and am still losing at a good rate. Also, she said at 6 months post-op, I can eat up to 100 grams of carbs per day. However, I try to limit my carbs to under 60 per day, although I'm not an angel 100% of the time. ;o)
   — Jennifer A.

November 7, 2002
You sound right on the money to me. That's about what I ate for the first 7 mos. (I have a typical day's meals on my profile for 4 1/2 mos & 9 mos if you want to take a look.) 800-1000 calories is not starvation mode. I lost fine until month 7 when I could eat more and my hunger returned. I floundered around for a couple months then upped my protein and got the last 15 pounds off. You are doing fine. If you feel like you need to eat MORE, make it protein. I usually try for 100 grams a day. With your calorie intake you might not need that much, maybe 75 grams. Plateaus are gonna happen, but just keep your measurements. You are probably still losing inches.
   — ctyst

November 7, 2002
I am a week behind you as far as surgery and I eat about the same amount of calories as you. I am still losing. I have lost 84 pounds in 3 1/2 months. I can't be doing too much wrong. I do go over a 1000 calories every once and awhile. Only a few times a month. Keep up the good work.
   — tulagirl