Question:
I just had my 6 month check up. Dr says that I need to eat 1200-1500

calories a day! Does this sound normal? It seems awfully high to me (I usually average around 900-950 a day) He said that he thought maybe my numbers were wrong! I use fitday.com to track and if I'm not sure I overcompensate for calories! I drink 70+ oz of water a day, 60+ protein, protein shakes (real meals) and excercise 4-6 days a week. I have lost 102 lbs so far, and would like to lose 30-40 more. I understand that he's not a nutritionist, but I would like to know where my best bet is for calorie range. The weight loss has really slowed down.    — Dana B. (posted on February 10, 2003)

February 10, 2003
Hi Dana, Congrats on you weightloss!I am 13 months post and get between 1200-1300 calories per day and I am still losing about 10 lbs a month. I think at 6 mmos out I was gettung about 800 cal.Are you under the care of a nutrtionist? Maybe they could give you a better idea...Take Care, Toni 01/10/02 -199lbs.
   — toni D.

February 10, 2003
Sounds like you are doing great with protein, water and exercise. Why does the doc want you to increase calories, did he say? I think 1200-1500 is a little high at 6 mo post-op, thats more what we eat at 1 year out or longer, but I would ask him why? And as for slower weight loss, it happens around the 6 month mark, and slows down but does not stop and will continue. As you get further out, the more work you have to put into it. I've heard of a few who do no exercise, eat everything in site and still lose consistently but that is not the norm. Most of us have to help it along!
   — Cindy R.

February 10, 2003
Dana, YES, that sounds right, at my 5 mos checkup with my Nutrionist, she wanted me on 1100 calories a day! Good Luck!
   — heathercross

February 10, 2003
Hi Dana, myself, I think it seems awfully inflated. Personally, I am 10 months post op and only get around 900 calories a day. I wanted to ask the dr about it last visit but never got to see her, so I still don't know if I should increase it just a tad...like at least 1000 calories a day. I think you are doing fabulous with your water, protein and exercise...I am envious. I don't exercise nearly enough and don't drink near as much as you. Did you have to see a nutritionist pre op?? If so, possibly contact them to verify what your surgeon told you.
   — bevewy

February 10, 2003
I would stay at the lower end of that number. Maybe shoot for 1000-1200 at your end. I'm still trying to figure out how much I should eat everyday! lol I am 8 months and try to stay at 1100-1200 calories a day, that with exercising 4 times a week. I am losing alot slower than I used to. But in order to get alot of protein, it's kind of impossible to go less than 1,000 calories, atleast for me! You might see that increasing calories makes you lose more weight. If not, then stay at what your doing, you're not starving your body at the amount you are eating, so i think it's ok if you stick with it, too. goodluck!
   — Lezlie Y.

February 10, 2003
I was just reading that in order to keep our metabolism cranking we should change up the number of calories daily. So a couple days a week, eat a little extra, maybe in the 1200-1500. I understand we should do this with exercise also. Change the intensity every three to four weeks. This is not specific to WLS but to anyone trying to loose weight. Makes a certain amount of sense. I'm 7 months, down 86 pounds and struggling (I've lost 8 pounds in the last 2 months) so I'm going to try this stretegy. Good luck.
   — Sunny S.