How long on VERY few calories?

[IWannaBeSkinny 0]

I was wondering how long you can go with just having a few calories per day. I know some people stay on liquids for up to 5 weeks and that is so few calories. I am on mushies now and am getting less than 500 cals per day. I got scared yesterday because I was up one lb...then today I was back to where I was before.

So, my question is...How long until "starvation mode" and you quit losing?

Also, if I'm not hungry...I shouldnt be eating right? 'cuz that is the point of the band....

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Honestly you can go a LONG time and lose weight. As long as you're hydrated, and especially if you're taking Vitamins, your body will burn your fat for a long time. It is a myth that you won't lose if you go low low cal. At least that's what my PCP told me, and I belive him.

That one pound you were up is Water retention either from having salty Soups or whatever and/or some hormonal issues.

It is not HEALTHY to eat such a low amount unless you are on a very balanced replacement plan and under a doc's supervision, because our bodies need Protein, fat, carbs (and Fiber, Vitamins, minerals) to function. We can get energy from the fat stores we burn, but it isn't providing us complete nutrition.

Think of bypass patients. They don't eat a lot and their bodies don't absorb all they do eat, and yet they lose just fine.

[Jachut 487]

firstly, dont worry about it, you're only on this post op schedule for a short while and it wont hurt you in the short term.

In general terms, iIf you eat such a low amount, you may or may not encounter "starvation mode", whatever it really is. But people obviously DO starve to death at extremely low weights so obviously, it doesnt last forever.

However, if you stay on a very low calorie diet, you can guarantee you'll burn most of your lean body tissue off as well and end up a saggy bag of skin and bone and little shape or curve.

Its not a healthy or attractive way to lose weight. But dont fret about a few weeks of it.