Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Worried about Calorie intake



Recommended Posts

Right now I am on liquid Proteins only. The shake I am drinking is 100 calories per serving, 20 grams of Protein, 5 carbs. I drink it 3x a day. I was told not to take in any other drinks with calories.

This is only 300 calories a DAY!!! Starting next week I need the energy to teach first grade (lots of activity!!!) This last week (surgery was on Monday) I was very lethargic and slept a lot. I have not lost any weight.

I am really worried that on 300 calories I will not have the energy to last the day at work. I feel ok generally, but think I should be getting at least 800 calories a day. The doctor said I should be getting 800-1000 calories a day on the band, but right now with only the shakes, I am not getting anywhere near that.

I have lactose intolerance and dairy allergies so it was hard to find a shake I could drink. This has been the only one that makes me feel ok.

I want to add Odwalla Superfood, Soy Protein or their other drinks to my diet. They have about 150 calories. I think if I drank 3 of these a day instead of (or with) Water or crystal light I would feel a lot better.

Any thoughts????

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You are right.. youre not getting enough ccalories. If you're still on the liquid stage I would add more of the shakes or something like odwalla. Be surethey have Protein in them though.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I ran into the same thing the first week after being banded. My dr requires 3 weeks of "modified" full liquids, which is basically Clear Liquids plus Protein drinks. 2 ounces of a high-protein liquid every hour while awake and two ounces of any non-carbonated, non-caffeinated liquid every 15 minutes after the hour (not high-calorie and with or without protein). The goal is 48-64 oz of Fluid a day and 40-60 g of Protein.< /p>

I was doing fine till one week after surgery - staying towards the top end of the ranges for Fluid and protein, but I had not counted calories at all. But by that 7th day I found I was really weak and shakey and even a little dizzy. And my stomach was growling so much it felt like it was trying to eat itself. So I sat down and figured out how many calories I had been getting each day; I was shocked to see it was only about 300. I called my doctor to see if this was normal and he said yes. So, I decided to find a Protein Drink with a few more calories and add that to my daily rations. Muscle Milk RTDs fit the bill...I got my calorie count up to 500, which is still low, but better than 300.

My daily intake is something like this: 12 ounces of Labrada Lean Body shake, 12 ounces Muscle Milk shake, 8 ounces of Protein Blitz fruit drink, 8 ounces of beef or chicken broth for "supper" and at least 28 ounces of straight Water. Yes, I'm a bit hungry most of the time but it is bearable. As for having the strength to teach 1st grade..nope, wouldn't want to try it on so few calories (I used to teach elementary music - 35-55 children at a time...by myself).

Have you asked your doctor for any recommendations on getting your calorie count up? How much longer do you have to be on this stage of the diet? I move to soft foods this week, thank goodness!

I hope you can figure something out for this. I can sympathize with you.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

That is about how many calories I was getting when I was on the "clear liquid" diet. It sounds like you are getting plenty of Protein and as long as you are getting the Protein you need and enough liquids your body won't be compromised. Remember that you are still healing from the surgery and that may be what is making you feel weak. Did your doctor tell you to take B-1 and extra B-12. My Clear Liquids was only about 10 days and then I could add Soups and puddings. Try adding Isopure Clear to your Crystal Light to bump up the protein a little more. I found that walking helped me build up my strength too.

Good luck with your first graders, I taught second grade for 12 years so I know how exhausting that first week of school is both for the kids and teachers.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My Protein shakes are about 240 calories each with 52 grams of Protein. My daughter is lactose intolerant and vegan. She drinks shakes made with 2 scoops of soy protein and uses brewer's yeast as an additive to soft foods to add protein. I have heard others complain of the weakness from lack of calories at this stage. I think you should listen to your body and do what seems right to you.

Good luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • rinabobina

      I would like to know what questions you wish you had asked prior to your duodenal switch surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • cryoder22

      Day 1 of pre-op liquid diet (3 weeks) and I'm having a hard time already. I feel hungry and just want to eat. I got the protein and supplements recommend by my program and having a hard time getting 1 down. My doctor / nutritionist has me on the following:
      1 protein shake (bariatric advantage chocolate) with 8 oz of fat free milk 1 snack = 1 unjury protein shake (root beer) 1 protein shake (bariatric advantage orange cream) 1 snack = 1 unjury protein bar 1 protein shake (bariatric advantace orange cream or chocolate) 1 snack = 1 unjury protein soup (chicken) 3 servings of sugar free jello and popsicles throughout the day. 64 oz of water (I have flavor packets). Hot tea and coffee with splenda has been approved as well. Does anyone recommend anything for the next 3 weeks?
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        All I can tell you is that for me, it got easier after the first week. The hunger pains got less intense and I kind of got used to it and gave up torturing myself by thinking about food. But if you can, get anything tempting out of the house and avoid being around people who are eating. I sent my kids to my parents' house for two weeks so I wouldn't have to prepare meals I couldn't eat. After surgery, the hunger was totally gone.

    • buildabetteranna

      I have my final approval from my insurance, only thing holding up things is one last x-ray needed, which I have scheduled for the fourth of next month, which is my birthday.

      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BetterLeah

      Woohoo! I have 7 more days till surgery, So far I am already down a total of 20lbs since I started this journey. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NeonRaven8919

        Well done! I'm 9 days away from surgery! Keep us updated!

    • Ladiva04

      Hello,
      I had my surgery on the 25th of June of this year. Starting off at 117 kilos.😒
      · 1 reply
      1. NeonRaven8919

        Congrats on the surgery!

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×