Printable View
Hi everyone, I am new to the forum and I am currently 8 days post op and on the pureed diet. I am doing pretty good, pain is decreasing, but still have exhaustion (taking a shower is like running a marathon) :confused:
Does anyone know what calorie intake I should be shooting for? I know that I should be having approx 64 ozs of fluid; 70-90 g protein; but not sure about the calories? Must be doing ok because I am 9 pounds since sx on 3/7/11. :D
In a lot of cases, the doctors don't recommend focusing on calories at all, which is why the keep harping about the protein. After a month, my dietician reluctantly told me that I should be between 1000-1200 calories a day, it was only after I told him I thought I was on about 800 a day.
Personally I find it VERY hard to keep track of calories. I did it 100% during the pre-op but that was because I would eat 100% of whatever the dish was so I could track of it. Now I tend to eat 1/3 - 1/2 of whatever I prepare, which means I would have to do a lot of mental gymnastics to track the calories.
I agree with Kitsonk. The focus for the first couple of weeks is getting enough fluids and enough protein. At my five week visit with the dietitian, she advised 60-80 gms of protein, 800-1000 calories, and under 60 grams of carbs. She also recommended keeping fat content to around 40 grams (otherwise your skin won't be soft and your hair won't be shiny). If you log what you eat and drink on FitDay - Free Weight Loss and Diet Journal, it is much easier to keep track.
In the class I took at the hospital prior to surgery, I remember them saying 800 calories during the first 2 weeks. I tried to figure it out one day and realized I was only at about 600. I couldn't figure out what else to force down to add the extra calories!
Thanks for everyones reply and you guys are right. I emailed the nutritionist that is with my surgeons office and she pretty much said that same thing; 800-1000 calories (which I can't imagine getting in right now); 64 fluid ounces of fluid intake; 70 grams of protein. She told me to focus on the protein and fluid intake right now. I am having a lot of trouble getting that amount of protein in. I still drink the protein shakes and melt cheese on my "home made baby food" (pureed food), eat the greek yogurt, etc. The problem is that I can only get such a small portion of each item, so it ends up being small doses of protein. I feel like I am constantly putting something in my mouth whether it is water, protein shakes or pureed food.........I have tried the protein bullets to get the lump sum of protein that I need in, but they were the most nasty thing that I have ever tasted and my new tummy agreed. Any suggestions?
I had surgery the same day as you and am finding it hard as well to get the protein up. I am losing, but not eating much of anything. I added powder to a smoothie today, cut the recipe in half and drank half of that! my favorite is still SF popsicles. I am just trying to add little by little everyday. Good Luck! :)
Thanks Diane for the link to the diary. In Australia we work on the metric system so everything will have to be in grams and litres etc. But my "old" brain still works in calories , so I do get you. I can't even think that I will be eating so few calories forever !!!