Question about the dreaded Starvation Response

[amaretto 0]

I have a question for those of you that are on the Losing Track…

Approximately how many calories do you feel you are consuming each day? I am a little baffled about restriction vs. starvation mode.

I am only a couple weeks out (090909) and am still feeling restriction, and only taking in about 800 calories a day. I am not losing weight, and I figure it’s because my body must be in starvation mode and conserving fat.

Would you say that eventually, the typical scenario is to be able to take in more calories again, and then with the fill, comes a drop in calories and then a weight loss? Or does just not being hungry somehow impact metabolism, and avoid starvation mode?

I am also worried about muscle loss vs. just fat loss. Do you feeling like you have been able to adequately retain your muscle mass? Or have you been able to increase muscle mass on such a calorie-restricted diet?

Edited September 22, 2009 by amaretto

[ThinknHealthy 0]

Your body is not only in starvation mode, it is in shock. Give your body some time to adjust and the swelling to go down before you make an assessment. The goal in the first few weeks is to heal and follow the post-op rules. This may not result in a loss of weight because of the restricted diet. The restriction you feel now is because of swelling. When the swelling subsides, the hunger will return and you will be in the band hell zone. After your first adjustment, or your second, or your fifth, you'll start to feel the restriction from the band.

As your diet changes and you increase the calories per day, your metabolism will increase and you will burn more fat. In order to maintain your muscle mass, it is important to consume adequate Protein and to exercise.

Generally, you should aim for about 1200 calories and exercising 30 minutes a day 3-4 days a week. However, for me, I generally eat more than that and exercise more than that too so it is kind of an individual thing. That's my opinion anyway.

Most important is to be patient right now and follow your rules. You should do fine.

[Momto3redheads 18]

You know, when the doctor told me that the first 6 weeks post surgery wasn't for losing weight, but was to heal, I didn't believe him...but went ahead and changed my mindset anyway...and I am so glad that I did! I didn't focus on trying to count calories or worry about losing weight and instead tried to eat what was allowed as far as consistency of foods -- and keep my Protein intake high so that I had energy to heal....and truly it went better that way.

I know the tendancy is to want to jump in and get thin fast - like they do with gastric bypass - but our tool works differently and a lot of folks don't understand that but then again who cares? I just focus on meeting my goals and becoming healthier as I lose weight...if you are really really hungry after drinking one Protein Shake, then I would wait 45 min or so and drink another one. Your body needs energy to heal - and it is in shock from this whole change, too.

Good luck!

[Jachut 487]

I've never been a believer in low calorie diets, I do think you need to eat well and lose slowly to lose in a healthy way.

I ate about 1500 calories all the way through and eat about 1800 to maintain. The charts all say that at my height and activity level (5ft 10, 150lb, regular runner) women should be able to eat 2,400 or more, well, its just not the case. There's an obvious calorie discrepancy between what many of us can eat and remain slim and what the charts say we should be able to - probably a major reason why many of us got fat in the first place.

Nonetheless I lost steadily but slowly on 1500 and I believe I did lose mostly fat and retained a good lean body mass. I have more fat that I could lose though.

When you're losing though, I think you cant avoid being on pretty low calories, you just cant fit the food in and I dont think it hurts for a short period of time. Worry about it later when you're healed up.

[greytz 4]

I agree with everyone here. You definitely need to think about healing now but for future reference when you begin solids, I would think you will definitely need more calorie intake than that. You need fuel for your body to work properly and good fuel. Check with your surgeon for your dietary needs. Good Luck.

[crzytchr 3]

I eat 1200-1500 per day and have since about a month after banding. I am still losing slowly, but I can eat almost anything I want. I do NOT exercise, but I know I need to. If I start, the weight loss would probably pick up. I did not get banded to eat below 1000 calories per day, but I know there are some people that can do that, I am not one of them. Once you are off your post-op diet and get restriction, listen to your body. It is also really good to journal your food intake so you can see how much are consuming each day and what kinds of foods you are eating.

[songbrook 0]

I am so NOT an expert on human nutrition, but I can't see how you can get enough Protein on only 800 calories a day. I only got banded two weeks ago, but I have lost 23 lbs just from the presurgery fast to now. I was told to try to get 72 grams of protein daily. I have been able to do that with use of Unjury Protein Powder in milk. It comes to about 200 calories per serving, and 4 a day gives you 80 grams of protein (20g per 8 oz serving). I actually LIKE the stuff, especially the chocolate. Now that I am starting pureed foods, I probably will cut that to 3 a day, and add some pureed meat as suggested by my doctor. I have been getting some of my fluids from V8 juice as well.

I understand not wanting to lose muscle mass. I'm rather proud of my physical strength. Before I blew out my knees, I could out lift many guys. I still have my "guns" (biceps) because I have to use crutches to get around, and I can still curl 20 pounders with my sons rep for rep. Just can't walk. (Sucks, huh?) Don't worry aobut offending me. I am past the whole self pity/depression thing, and accept the fact I'm a cripple. Wasn't an easy road, but I got through it.

So stick with high protein fluids and mushy-fied lean meats for your first line of nutrition, and you should be OK.

[amaretto 0]

Thanks for the responses. It seems a little counter intuitive to me that after the swelling-restriction goes away, then comes the fill-restriction, which somehow allows for greater calorie intake. It must come not from the volume of food eaten but by being able to eat from a higher quality selection.

I am definitely looking forward to getting my Protein from chicken next week instead of just whey!