Question:
As a relatively new post-op..what should the caloric intake be? How many calories?

I realize we're all individuals, but I'd like to know how many calories are about average. I think I'm taking it TOO many..or more than perhaps is IDEAL. If I do a rough calculation, I get approximately 1000/daily and while I realize that A LOT less than I was eating PRE-OP, it seems like maybe too much. (A sample menu: A protein bar (240 calories), 2 SF/FF yogurts (100 calories, each), a handful of peanuts (160 calories), 2 servings of cheese (string cheese or a slice)(70 each), a serving of SF pudding (70), a mini banana (50, a cup of homemade veggie soup (approx 100).....is this too much? I space it out over the day and don't ever eat a lot at one sitting.................but I hear of folks doing 500-600 daily and I'm wondering if I'm sabotaging myself with these calories. Thanks, I don't know what I'd do without you guys!    — Karen K. (posted on October 30, 2002)

October 30, 2002
I asked my surgeon this question at 10 weeks post-op. He told me I should be getting between 1000 and 1400 calories a day. I was getting less than 500 and he told me I had to get it up to at least 1000. Open RNY 11/29/01 -151+ pounds
   — Patty_Butler

October 30, 2002
I think taking in 500-600 calories per day sounds a little low. At just short of six months post-op, I'm still only taking in an average of 800-900 calories per day. And there are days I have to force myself to eat a bit more because I've only taken in 400-500 calories. I believe my surgeon's nurse told me 600-800 calories per day was good when I was earlier out. Did you ask your surgeon how many he/she thinks you should be taking in?
   — Jennifer A.

October 30, 2002
After reading AMOS a lot - it seems 500 to 600 to start and then move up to 700 to 800 by six months. I am 10 months out and in ketosis and have about 900-1000 calories. And I figure that at 100G protein and try to keep carbs down to 30 or less and 30 to 40G fat. This has broken my plateau - been on it over a week - no set plan to quit. I like to count intake- and use a NUTRI-COUNTER - it is small and convenient and the size of a check book-and it tells the truth! I was eating more than I thought.
   — charlene M.