Sleeved 5 days ago, was wondering how many calories I should be taking in?

[thebabycakes 23]

Hi, so I was sleeved 5 days ago and was wondering how many calories I should be taking in. I did nothing but sip Water and broth the first 4 days and am eating about 800 calories now, but am concerned that may be too low and put my body in starvation mode. Just wondering how many calories I should be aiming for now and in the future, thanks!

[cinward2001 141]

I hate the starvation mode "myth." I really, really do. I'm not sure that there's ANY true scientific study that shows that this happens. If it did, people wouldn't starve to death. We just don't have an "alternate" biochemical mechanism, feedback loop, etc, that suddenly "turns on" with reduced calories.

Personally, I think "starvation mode" is more about us, as dieters, getting frustrated with slow weight loss and then giving ourselves a reason to eat more. Or the plateau is due to "sneaky" calories getting in.

I do agree, though, that you need to eat enough calories to heal and to be able to exercise. But right now, you have plenty of calories in storage. If you can drink some Protein and stay hydrated, you'll do fine! For me, I'm using this post-op time...time when I can't really exercise hard anyway, to keep my calories as low as I can to get a jumpstart on weight loss. I'm probably bouncing between 500 one day, to maybe 800-900 the next...just depends on how hungry I feel and what I'm doing.

I'm not about to "make" myself eat a certain number of calories at this point. When I start exercising again (personal trainer and working on my 3rd degree black belt), I'll have to increase them...otherwise, I get light-headed.

[Lorraine_2013 11]

Also sleeved the 21st and feel like I'm starving!!!! It's awful I'm definitely not getting what my body needs.

[cinward2001 141]

Oh, and please don't take my above rant as a personal criticism! It's not meant to be...I have a headache today, which tends to make it more difficult for me to phrase things nicely. Ok, I'll admit it...having a nagging headache just turns me into a grumpy, bitchy person. sigh

[cinward2001 141]

Also sleeved the 21st and feel like I'm starving!!!! It's awful I'm definitely not getting what my body needs.

Nope, you're not starving! You have calories in STORAGE. This early post-op, you're probably experiencing head hunger and the desire/habit to eat.

[Lorraine_2013 11]

Never been a big eater. Once a day. Which is where my weight gain comes into play. I haven't eaten a thing and I know if I was told I could I wouldn't be able to. I DO however have hunger pains and its annoying me. I know my body has calories stored and I'm not dying.

[SerendipityHappens 1,594]

Starvation mode is real.... kinda sorta.. We don't need to really concern ourselves with that until we are close to goal weight.. As you lose all your fat, and then you don't increase your calories, that's where starvation mode, or more accurately "efficiency mode" can kick in.. but right now... you're not going to be in efficiency mode because you body will get the energy it needs by burning up your fuel stores. Most people who give diet advice and try to scare people about "starvation mode" are talking to people 10-20 pounds overweight, not those of us who are 100-200 pounds overweight!

[LipstickLady 25,682]

I am ten days out and it's a fight to get in 400. I'd say you are doing great!

[thebabycakes 23]

It's just hard to believe I could live healthily off of 500-700 calories a day.

[thebabycakes 23]

I am ten days out and it's a fight to get in 400. I'd say you are doing great!

Thanks, I think I am too but that also kinda scares me.

[thebabycakes 23]

Also sleeved the 21st and feel like I'm starving!!!! It's awful I'm definitely not getting what my body needs.

I'm sorry, I guess just drink ad much Water as you can and Protein drinks.

Also, everyday you should feel better and stronger, hang in there.

[LipstickLady 25,682]

Thanks, I think I am too but that also kinda scares me.

What scares you?

[thebabycakes 23]

Oh' date=' and please don't take my above rant as a personal criticism! It's not meant to be...I have a headache today, which tends to make it more difficult for me to phrase things nicely. Ok, I'll admit it...having a nagging headache just turns me into a grumpy, bitchy person. sigh[/quote']

Lol is okay I understood..

Hope your headache subsides.

[thebabycakes 23]

What scares you?

That I'm already able to eat so much.

[LipstickLady 25,682]

What are you eating? Are you tracking on myfitnesspal? I am abrowndog there if you want to be friends!