Question:
I wanted to know for post op people

I am 4 months out. I have lost 53 lb. I have a question for people who have been post op longer and have continued being successful with their weight loss. I mostly eat the same things everyday. Not that I mind. I take all my vitamins and supplements everyday. I just want to know what is a good calorie intake to keep losing steadily. I eat around 800 to 1000 per day. It depends. I exercise every other day. I just want to make sure that down the road when I try new foods, not bad things just other foods besides what I eat every day. I want to get enough calories but not too nuch where I wont lose. I know there are others out there who have must have this calorie thing and fat thing down to a t. My dr. says I should lose at least between 10-15 lb. per month for the first six months. Any tips on how u count fat or calories would be so helpful. To all u pros out there Thanks!    — taterbug898 (posted on March 30, 2005)

March 30, 2005
My personal opinion is that you need to be exercising at least 5-6 days a week, cardio for a minimum of 30 minutes. Check with your doctor if you can add weight training to your routine, I was given the ok to do that at 3 months out. You burn more fat and calories when you have lean muscle on your body. You need to try and expand your horizons with new protein rich foods. Your body can become adjusted to a routine and you need to shake it up a little with extra protein, water and exercise. Just be aware that you may gain a couple of pounds when you start gaining muscle, it is only temporary you will again start loosing fat again. Make sure that the majority of your calories that you are consuming are in protein, of course get a balanced diet. Remember protein and water help you loose the fat. I never really counted fat and calories, I made sure that I was getting the recommended amount of protein grams in a day that the nutritionist wanted me to. I get overwhelmed if I have to keep all those numbers about fat grams, calories, sodium etc in mind. If you are eating dense protein you will be satisfied for a longer period of time, it will stay in your pouch longer. I also made sure that I took my time to eat and watched my body cues to know when I was full so that I did not overeat and of course no liquids with my meals and snacks. Hope this helps. That is what worked for me. Maybe someone else can expound on what I said.
   — ChristineB

March 30, 2005
Now for a little different take on things, Melinda! It sounds like you are doing very well, and your calories sound pretty good too. I say "sound" because I honestly don't know. I never counted anything but protein grams during my weight loss phase. I kept trying new foods, and if something bothered me, I'd leave it alone and try it again in a few weeks. Generally speaking, I lost steadily although I can't tell you how many pounds I lost in any given month. It took me less than a year to lose the 110 pounds that I wanted to. I'll be honest here, too, at the risk of being flamed - I did not do any regular exercise during the weight loss phase. I agree that it is better for our bodies and our health to have regular exercise, but it's just not something I was motivated to do. Now of course, if I had needed to lose more weight, I'm sure I would have had to start an exercise program. Actually, I am now, because after 19 months, I gained back 7 pounds, and I'm working on getting those off now. So at this point I'll say is where I need to count calories, get into an exercise regimen, and begin the hard work of maintaining my weight loss. I have been tracking my food intake on fitday.com, and walking briskly 5 days a week. It is helping me, because I weighed this morning, and 2 of those nasty 7 pounds were gone. I'll admit this hasn't been an easy thing for me to deal with - I haven't "dieted" since before my surgery in September 2003! My advice to you is to keep doing what you're doing and enjoy this "magic" time because it will come to an end, and then the real work will begin for you! LOL Best wishes as you continue on your journey.
   — Carlita

March 31, 2005
I am 26 months post op. Started at 352 and weigh 126 now. I wrote down protein, calories and water. Prior to WLS it takes 10-11 calories per pound of body weight to maintain that weight with moderate activity. Post op you probably need more calorie intake per pound since we don't absorb everything. I need to have about 1200-1500 calories per day to maintain between 122-128. I walk every day and exercise 3 times per week at the spa. I lost till I was 22 months out. I credit my success to a gradual increase in exercise each month. I started with walking every day, then added water aerobics, then floor exercise and last added machines and weights. If you start with an intense exercise program it is hard to keep your body challenged. By gradually increasing exercise you keep your metabolism going. The body adjusts to routine. You need to keep the routine changing to keep losing. When you hit a plateau, increase water and protein intake and change your daily routine.Good luck.
   — dianne E.

March 31, 2005
I am 3 years out and have lost 205 lbs.... I definitely can't tell you how many lbs per month but I lost the weight steadily and have been at this weight for over a year and some change now. i had plastics last year. I have gained 10 lbs but am working hard to get it off. when i was a member at the gym i would do different exercises but never any muscle training. i stopped going to the gym and fell in love with taebo and would do that everyday. you guessed it i wouldn't lose any weight (what a bummer) so i started doing firm, and pilates and i am beginning to see changes in my clothing. ( i do not weigh because i know muscle weighs more than fat but i will drive myslef crazy if i did. Basically, i don't count anything except protein grams and I do no eat bad carbs sunday- thursday (most of the time) hopes this helps
   — tameaka S.

March 31, 2005
I'm 10.5 yrs out and I never did any organized exercise. I counted protein g in (supplemental protein only) and sugar g OUT, avoiding milk and sugar. I lost 150#, took about 14 months, and have weighed 110-115 since. I have had 2 regains, both by becoming involved with sugar. (duh) I have joined gyms several times, but did muscle/bone enhancing things, not cardio type things. I am well aware that I'd look and feel better if I did some regular exercise besides running around and being busy, however I would not expect it to affect my weight, as no amount of exercise ever did before. I have never counted calories. I tracked meal volume, frequency and duration, rpteoin & vitamin supplements, water and again, avoided milk and sugar.
   — vitalady

March 31, 2005
You should ask your surgeon but in my opinion (what do I know though) you are too low on caleries. I always thought 1200 to 1800 depending on your activity level is correct. I'd be worried about your body going into starvation mode and not wanting to give up any pounds.
   — Danmark

April 1, 2005
Take a look here for help re: counting fat & calories: http://www.ntwrks.com/~mikev/chart1.html A
   — AA