Question:
As far as calories go - how is one to determine

the appropriate number of calories per day? We all have such varying weights, but I see the same answers over and over again about the number of calories people should be taking in (500-700??) Even if we all have approximately the same pouch size, does your current or goal weight play into effect, as well as whether your surgery was distal/proximal, VBG, etc.? I am 7.5 mos. post-op and have lost 65 of the 120 lbs I want to lose, and I really have no idea as to my caloric needs. I've visited alot of calorie tracking and nutritional websites, but I'm assuming the figures represented at the websites are for non WLS type individuals. Even my doctor is pretty vague on the subject of calories. Please, can someone give me some advice on the REAL number of calories I should be consuming per day???    — Jennifer C (posted on November 2, 2002)

November 2, 2002
Hi Jennifer. Did your doc at least give you guidelines on how many grams of protein or carbs to eat each day? Some docs express diet guidelines that way rather than through calorie count alone. For what it's worth, I asked my dietician about calories, and she said to expect to eat about 1,500 calories for maintenance following WLS. Obviously, that will vary with the individual, and some calories (protein) are more equal that others (carbs) and some should be actively limited (sugar, fats). As far as the 500-700 calorie range is concerned, that's about what I was eating in the early months (not early weeks -- those were even lower). I've been able to eat about 1,000 calories a day or so (counting protein shakes) since I was about three months out. In my case, I've lost more since I reached the 1,000 calorie level than I was losing back in the lower calorie range. And looking forward to being able to eat more!
   — Suzy C.

November 2, 2002
I think you might discover your approximate calorie needs by keeping a food and "activity" record every day and then averaging your calories over a week or month - whatever. Also you could make your own weight graff and each week follow the "connect the dots" progression of weight loss. Then average your calorie intake same period of time. I used ti click off 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 pounds a week -caloroes varied 850 to 1100. But I think everyone would vary a bit. Now that I had wls 10 months ago and my weight loss really plateaued - I got a fancy Nutri-Counter - portable little thing - and really check it out. I know - some don't go in for all this "counting" - but I do- and also weigh any time I am curious. My counter is set at 800 calories (for now) and I plan 100G protein for sure - and then try to keep the carbs(sugar) under 20, and the rest fats - probably 30G. I think this will help me - because I did NOT realize all these months that I was really not getting enough protein - and eating too many sneaky carbs. Carbs make me hungry - I try to eat most of them in the evening and then chain myself to the bed.
   — charlene M.

November 2, 2002
I just posted that my counter is set at 800 cal. But so far I am averaging about 850 or 900 as 800 seems to low - I am "listening to my body" like the doc said.
   — charlene M.

November 2, 2002
It's going to vary, as you get further and further away from the surgery. At first, you're really not able to eat more than a couple of hundred calories per day; then, as your pouch starts to accommodate a bit more food, you can build up to 700 - 800 cal/day. My nutritionist basically said to eat according to my hunger, and to make sure I got enough protein (80-100 g./day), and the rest would take care of itself. Now that I'm at my goal weight, I'm working on getting my calorie count up there. I have been at about 1500 for the past couple of weeks, but think I am still losing, as my clothing feels looser again. If I get weighed tomorrow a.m. (I do it Sunday a.m. at the gym) and find that my weight is, indeed, down, I'm going to push my calorie count up another notch, to the 1600 range. I'm basically playing it by ear, trying to figure out the balance point for my body. Everyone's body will be different -- I'm 5'10" tall, and exercise a lot, whereas someone who's 5'2 and not so active will need fewer calories for maintenance. According to the charts on www.nutrawatch.com, where I track my calorie intake, I should be taking about 1800 cal. for maintenance, but other sites, taking my physical activity into account, say it's more like 2300. I doubt it's that high, but based on the fact that I'm still losing at 1500, I suspect 1800 might be good for me.
   — Karen I.