Caloric Intake

[kwilli8 8]

My roux en y was 9/17/14 so almost 4 weeks post op. I advanced to the "Healthy Weight for Life Diet Plan" this past Saturday (after full liquids, purée and mechanical soft) per my surgeon. I am able to get at least 6 glasses of Water in a day and am averaging 70 to 80 grams of Protein a day. I add unflavored Protein Powder to my water and drink one Protein Shake a day. My question is what about calories? I calculated my calories for the last 3 days: 335 to 542 a day. Is this enough? This diet stage doesn't state how much per serving ie 2 oz, 1/4 to 1/2 cup etc like the other 3 stages did. I am eating 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup fives times a day of protein and trying to get one fruit in a day. First week I lost 13 lbs, week 2 was 7 lbs and week 3 was 3 lbs. I am concerned I am not eating enough and it will hinder my weight loss. Any opinions? Recommendations?

[AuriP 420]

I'm far behind you, still in the full liquid phase but 1/4 cup is usually considered 2 oz, 1/2C is 4 oz, 3/4C is 6 oz and obviously 1 is 8 oz. What I plan on doing is buying a food scale, that might help you to get the required amount of food accurately. Hope I helped some.

[kwilli8 8]

My concern is am I getting enough calories in each day?

[tamg26k 479]

I had my RNY 3 months ago today and I felt the same exact way when I transitioned to solid foods. I added up my calories and I was only getting about 500-600 a day. I'll be honest, I don't worry about calories. I don't measure my meals either. I first make sure I am getting my Protein in every day and I really watch all of my carbs pretty closely. By the time I finish my Protein at meals my stomach is completely full. As far as fruits go, I try to stick to a few berries- blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, or strawberries as the carb count is lower. I also try to have a few bites of veggies at lunch and dinner. The protein and the carbs are the only things I watch really closely. As of today, 3 months to the day of my surgery, I have lost 75 lbs. I hope this helps. My best advice is the same thing that you have probably heard over and over - eat small bites and chew chew chew!

Edited October 14, 2014 by tamg26k

[kwilli8 8]

Wow! That is great. I hope I can have a great weight loss like you 2 months post op! I am also focused on Protein. After eating 1/4 or 1/2 cup of protein, I am too full for anything else....and do this five times a day. I try to add 1/4 cup fruit at some point during the day. Thank you!

[tamg26k 479]

I meant I am 3 months post op not 2 months. Sorry for the typo.

[kwilli8 8]

You are still doing great! Congrats!

[esskay77 785]

Yeah, don't worry about calories at this point or you will drive yourself crazy. I know that this is what we are used to but for now, count grams of Protein. Get the Protein in first. That is the most important thing at this phase!

You're doing awesome--keep it up.

[Amyllf2 206]

I'm 6 months out and I am still told not to worry or focus on calories. I have been using my fitness pal to track my food for the past 2 months, but really only to see my Protein.

[kwilli8 8]

Thanks everybody! 4 weeks post op and down 26 lbs (lost 20 before surgery). Bit disappointed in the weight loss; thought it would be more! Wondered if not eating enough? Definitely need to start exercising now as I got the all clear from my surgeon yesterday.

[Larly109 19]

I'm almost 4 weeks out from surgery and my doctor has me on 750-1000 calories a day in order to maintain my energy level. Too few calories and you may run low on energy too quickly. Of course choosing healthy calories is also very important - high Protein, unprocessed foods are best the during the first 3 months after surgery. Regular exercise will also make a big difference - start with walking a few minutes everyday and gradually extend the duration.

[kwilli8 8]

Wow! I get all my Protein in (75 - 80 grams) every day but find it hard to get in anything else for the most part....one fruit a day, last night got in 2 tbsp vege....that's about it. My caloric intake is about 350 to 550 calories a day. I can't imagine up to 1000. I guess I will get there. My mood and energy are great. I go to bed earlier and sleep good compared to my old, unhealthy diet.

[mamie60 104]

I am eating from 325-470 calories a day. 12 weeks out and have lost 70 pounds. I eat 1/4-1/3 of a cup of food at each meal

[UrCaliGirl 28]

I had my RNY 3 months ago today and I felt the same exact way when I transitioned to solid foods. I added up my calories and I was only getting about 500-600 a day. I'll be honest, I don't worry about calories. I don't measure my meals either. I first make sure I am getting my Protein in every day and I really watch all of my carbs pretty closely. By the time I finish my protein at meals my stomach is completely full. As far as fruits go, I try to stick to a few berries- blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, or strawberries as the carb count is lower. I also try to have a few bites of veggies at lunch and dinner. The protein and the carbs are the only things I watch really closely. As of today, 3 months to the day of my surgery, I have lost 75 lbs. I hope this helps. My best advice is the same thing that you have probably heard over and over - eat small bites and chew chew chew!

That's great advice. Thanks for sharing.

[Jonathan Blue 311]

I use MyFitnessPal to track my calories as well. I am one year post op and I still religiously track the number of calories I am taking in verses the number I am burining through exercise. With the surgery you are basically allowing your body to starve itself and there is a delicate balance between calories in verses calories out. If you take in too few you may feel dizzy or light headed, if you take in too many you won't lose weight like you thought.

As for my journey, three months post surgery i was taking in between 600 and 700 calories a day. As my activity increased and my working out increased I began taking in closer to 1000. Right now I work out two hours a day five times a week and on those days I take in close to 1400. I also agree before concerning yourself with calories you definitely need to make sure you are hitting your Protein goals.

As far as not loosing too much weight goes, I wouldn't worry too much about it. You are still not very far out from surgery and your body is still trying to recover and cope with all the changes it has undergone. In the six weeks right after surgery I only lost 40 lbs and was also very discouraged. Then I went back to work and was able to start working out more heavily. The weight just poured off to the tune of about 14 lbs a week for a few months after that. It was crazy! So don't loose heart. It will all kick in soon. You just need to give it time. This is an amazing journey, take some time to enjoy the ride.

If you have any additional questions or if there is anything I can do to help, please let me know. You can contact me at any of the links below.

Best of Luck,