Pre-Op Calorie Intake

[Kay07 734]

Hi everyone! Looking for some quick thoughts on my concern:

My nutritionist told me to aim for 1600- 1800 calories, which at first I was able to do with a few cheat foods. However I think I mentioned in another post that overeating has never really been my issue, but actually undereating. Eating only 1 meal a day because I tend to ignore my needs and focus on my job responsibilities. I've worked very hard to correct this, and have now been eating 5 meals a day religiously for over a month! (It is MUCH harder than it sounds, I gained 9lbs the first two weeks and promptly wanted to throw an epic tantrum that would rival my 4yo)

So this brings me to a concern of mine: a recurring pattern in my myfitnesspal diaries of getting only 1100-1300 calories in per day. I am eating what feels like a ton of food. I eat so many veggies, I'm surprised I'm not green! I am always hitting my Protein goal of 85g, but sometimes exceeding it because I'm testing out different Protein Shakes, and my nutritionist wanted me to practice eating a bit of protein in every meal. But I try to keep my fat and sugar intake low. I am eating a variety of things in moderation, but I still can't really get above 1300.

My concern is that maybe I am going too low? I don't feel hungry, but I guess I'm afraid I am sabotaging my diet? But if I try to add in heartier things, the fat content pikes. And if I try to eat more healthier things, I end up feeling like a stuffed Turkey on Thanksgiving.

I KNOW the pre-op diet isn't the be all end all, but I want to make sure that I am living the healthy changes now. I don't meet with my nutritionist until April 6th, so I suppose I am hoping someone on here can advise me!

Edited March 29, 2018 by Kay07

[FluffyChix 17,415]

Are you losing or gaining at 1300 cals?

I had the same issue. My RD put me on 1500 cals; 75g protein; fat to fill in the numbers; average 60g carbs per day, eating 3 small meals + 2-3 Snacks daily.

I did lose at around 2-3lbs per month but it was excrutiatingly slow. She wanted to retrain me to eat at regular intervals and to not fear the carbs. LOL. Also, if you eat too low now, then you may not have as much big spring right after surgery. This happened to me too. But meh. Oh well, it is what it is. But it made my withdrawals on the pre-op diet negligible. And made post-op dieting easier so that's a huge consideration.

I ate a ton of veg and volume too!

The ways to harmless up from 1300 to 1500 or 1600 is to add in some healthy fats: add an extra 1/2tsp of evoo per meal, add 1/2-1oz of avocado per meal, add 2tbsp of nut butter into a snack, add a little butter on your veggies (1/2tsp).

OR you can also move to full fat products rather than fat free or reduced fat things like in dairy. Eat full fat Greek yogurt and cottage cheese. Use real eggs rather than egg whites. Eat full fat cheese. Use full fat dressing (vinaigrettes).

But I'd only do that if you are not gaining at 1300cals. I also added the extra cals in 100-200 cals intervals every couple of weeks. That kept me from having a big up-tick weight bounce.

Hope that helps!!

[aNYCdb 310]

My preop liquid diet two shakes and a high Protein meal came in around 1000 calories.

That said this is all totally confusing to me. How can you possibly be gaining weight at 1600-1800 calories a day (much less more than half a pound a day). At the weight you have listed you should be burning at least 2000 calories just being alive.

Can I ask have you ever had a full metabolic workup? Checking for things like hypothyroidism or insulin resistance? Everyone varies with respect to the Basal Metabolic Rate, but 9 lbs on an 1800 calorie diet in two weeks seems to defy the math.

[Kay07 734]

I am a VERY slow loser, so fluffy your situation is probably going to be me. I’ve resigned myself that. I’m losing, but my nutritionist said it’s mostly Water weight. Plus when I started this diet a little over 2 months ago, I gained 9lbs because my body wasn’t used to eating so frequently (which was totally expected)Now I’m down 10lbs from that weight, But I guess my biggest fear is that I’m further slowing my nonexistent metabolism by not eating enough?

I tend to be a dedicated rule follower, so I guess I feel like not meeting the target makes me worry that I’m not being as effective as possible.

Edited March 29, 2018 by Kay07

[Kay07 734]

My preop liquid diet two shakes and a high Protein meal came in around 1000 calories.

That said this is all totally confusing to me. How can you possibly be gaining weight at 1600-1800 calories a day (much less more than half a pound a day). At the weight you have listed you should be burning at least 2000 calories just being alive.

Can I ask have you ever had a full metabolic workup? Checking for things like hypothyroidism or insulin resistance? Everyone varies with respect to the Basal Metabolic Rate, but 9 lbs on an 1800 calorie diet in two weeks seems to defy the math.

Yep, had the full work up! All normal. My weight gain was probably 60% medical, annnnd 40% bad habits. I had HG while pregnant, resulting in being on TPN through an PICC line for 6months. I then had to do food therapy to reintroduce solid foods, and put on weight RAPIDLY. The past 30lbs though, that was all me only making time for one large meal a day.

[aNYCdb 310]

1 minute ago, Kay07 said:

Yep, had the full work up! All normal. My weight gain was probably 60% medical, annnnd 40% bad habits. I had HG while pregnant, resulting in being on TPN through an PICC line for 6months. I then had to do food therapy to reintroduce solid foods, and put on weight RAPIDLY. The past 30lbs though, that was all me only making time for one large meal a day.

Wow, I'm sorry to hear that. I can't imagine dealing with morning sickness much less that HG so severe you needed food through a cath. I'm not sure how long ago this was, but do you think your low BMR is a lingering function of that experience?

Anyway the reason I ask is that obviously VSG is a great procedure to help people eat less, but it doesn't sound like you eat all that much now. While of course 3 smaller meals is better than one big one (especially for Protein absorption) it's not like it's going to completely kill your metabolism. I guess my point was in addition to the surgery, you may want to see a specialist to see if there is something that can be done to boost your metabolism. Fight this from a couple different angles.

[Kay07 734]

Hi @aNYCdb My nutritionist and doc think that eating more regularly will help my metabolism bounce back. I think that's why I am so nervous about the calories I am taking in. That by not meeting the target I am somehow sabotaging myself? I know I am capable of losing weight, the past month and a half I've lost the weight I initially gained, and I have successfully lost some weight previously, it just never stays gone.

Although, one thing I have noticed is that the more regularly I eat (I am trying for same time each day), the more energy I have, and the less problems I have digesting. So here's to hoping?

However I am 100% knowledgeable that my initial weight loss has a very high probability of moving at the speed of an old arthritic dog with three legs; capable of short bursts, followed by a long nap! As long as it's trending downward though, I'd be happy.

[Kay07 734]

4 hours ago, FluffyChix said:

I also added the extra cals in 100-200 cals intervals every couple of weeks. That kept me from having a big up-tick weight bounce.

I am going to try this @fluffychix! I've read a few others used this method to break stalls post-op, so maybe it will help me. Thanks!

[Kay07 734]

20 minutes ago, aNYCdb said:

I can't imagine dealing with morning sickness much less that HG so severe you needed food through a cath. I'm not sure how long ago this was, but do you think your low BMR is a lingering function of that experience?

5 years ago, and it was quite terrible. I have many health issues stemming from that pregnancy, and its definitely connected. This surgery is definitely a last hope in my book!

[Sleeved36 356]

Dieting and weight loss slow metabolism, that is why diet and exercise for long term weight loss only works for 5% of people. Your metabolism probably has taken a hit over the years as you have tried dieting. For detailed info Google "Biggest Loser Study". The study was published in 2016 and the results have been repeated in other studies.

Subsequent studies found that while diet and exercise PERMANENTLY lowers your metabolism, gastric bypass does NOT. One year after gastric bypass the body's metabolism is back to normal. Sleeve works too, but the biggest research trials have been with bypass patients.

You may find that surgery will reset your metabolism completely.

[Kay07 734]

You may find that surgery will reset your metabolism completely. [emoji4]

Ohhh I so hope so!