Question:
How many calories a day at 4 months out?

I am 4 1/2 months post-op lap RNY. I have lost 101 pounds. I feel great. In the last week or so I have found that my calorie intake has gone up. Previously I was eating about 850 calories a day average. This last 2 weeks it has been about 1000 calories a day average. Yesterday I ate 1200 calories, with 75 grams of carbs, 105 grams of protein and 45 grams of fat. My doctor and nutritionist don't really focus on the calories. I am only eating 4 ounces per meal if it is solid food and maybe 6 ounces of chili or soup. I drink about 100 oz of water per day. Part of my problem is trying to get in protein makes my calorie intake go up. Is it worth the extra calories to get in more protein. Before I was getting about 50 grams per day of protein. Sorry for the long question. I have not lost alot in the past couple weeks and want to get the scale moving again. Thanks in advance for your help.    — tulagirl (posted on December 12, 2002)

December 12, 2002
I found that at about 4 months my calorie intake went way up for a couple of weeks. I was close to 1200 on several occasions. Now at 6 months I am usually getting in around 900. My surgeons guidelines say 1000cal and 70+ grams of protein by month 7, then 1200 by one year. I think that there are just times when our bodies are asking for more intake. Extra protein does add calories but it is still needed. Your weight loss is great! It sounds like you are doing fine.
   — maryburton

December 13, 2002
Tammi, Hi thought I would ding on in, I'm post op 6 1/2 months at around 4 1/2 months I was averaging about 1200 calories, they say the more you incorporate exercise into your schedule the more you'll need to consume. I'm currently trying to average myself out at any where from 1500 to 1800 calories. I know less is better and less will give me a better result, I just can't see to stay under 1000 calories, my protein shake alone is 290 calories when I add about 3 oz of non fat milk into it. But I'm being a good girl and getting in enough protien. Seems that when you start counting everything it really adds up fast. In the beginning I was doing peanuts, every now and then still doing it, that's probably why my calories are so high... but they help me when I need a little something. I usally eat every 2-3 hours, bunny rabbit eating..... Great job on the water, I've been upping my water with the intake of a little more food. Just be patient with the loos, I"ve been at a stand still for about 1 week now, I think it's better to average any where from 1200 to 1800 calories a day, more or less depending on your lifestyle and fitness reqemin. If you don't eat enough you'll wind up slowly loosing it, as our bodies will think they're in starvation mode..... Lord I miss those first 2 months of not wanting anything.... to do with food..... wish it would last for a whole year.. Best of luck, up the protein! watch the calories and just keep it at a minimun, every now and then we are going to have high days, they'll just make up for the days when we really didn't consume much...... Me I'm post op 6 months down 100 pounds
   — tannedtigress

December 13, 2002
Tammy, I will be 4 mos out on 12-15, have you tried shrimp or scallops...1 Large Shrimp is 10 calories and 2g of protein, the scallops are almost idential. I can eat about 1dz shrimps per meal along with a little cocktail sauce...Thats only 120 cal and 24g of protein....
   — heathercross