Calories and shamoz...

[Stacey03]

HALLO!
I know some of you don't count calories or track and just do protein and liquid which sounds alright. I have been tracking on MFP though just out of interest and just because it has been pretty simple so far (I don't know if this may get more tiresome later).
I seem to have gone from 300 ish calories in the early days to around 698 now at 4 weeks out. a large portion of those calories are my 2 protein shakes a day, other than that it's been lentils, refried beans, eggs, tuna. Last night I did make an amazing dhal though which was exciting! I'm still only getting in a tablespoon or 2 of food though which sounds fairly normal at this stage. How great is the feeling of fullness... omg... liberation.

I guess my question is, what kind of calorie count (if you were taking notice of that) would you be aiming for at different stages? I feel like it's a good idea to get it up to a reasonable level by a certain stage. Like I guess I don't think it's a great idea to be down on 800 or something for ages. Just metabolically and stuff, it seems a good idea to get it up. I'm kinda rambling but do you get what i mean?
I think Ann2 has talked about this before so i'm hoping she will chip in here.

i think the protein is super important so I've been getting 70 to 90 grams a day and that seems achievable. I don't really like relying on the shakes but I think it's hard to do much else at the moment when you can't fit much else in.
I might be overthinking this, but this journey is totally about health for me, and i want to do the right thing! My dietitian doesn't seem concerned with calories at all but I don't know if long term it's an idea to think about that.

Interestingly too I'm not super keen on a diet mentality, I lost 40 kilos NOT on a diet, it was more just don't eat anything with a barcode on it. This works pretty well for me. I suppose being in a position now where I am at the very low calorie level has just made me consider it, maybe just for a while, and maybe it's something I never have to consider because I'm not eating the bar codes!!! Musings!
Anyway your thoughts would be handy and helpful to me and maybe others.
In other news... 4 weeks out tommorrow and each week gets better, still tired but I'm going with the flow.
Hoping everyone is doing good too :-)

[AnnieG]

Edie (@Stacey03), I just asked the NUT because I started on regular food Friday. She said my 500-600 calories, plus 50-60 protein was okay and not to stress about it. My "ologists" (there are 7 of them) all say until I hit 800 calories daily, not to go back to the gymn, just household stuff, walking.

I was very relieved not to have to achieve a big number! I have found anything with too much olive oil (sauteed) is a bad choice right now. And no interest in sugar. But everything else has been easy to eat, if i eat S-L-O-W-L-Y. Otherwise, I froth.

I think Ann2 is 3 years out, and I don't know if she still logs in calories; I do, but I was also diabetic so just a habit.

You sound like you're doing well! Have you tried the bariatric recipe for refried bean soup? It's tasty.

[Ann2]

Stacey, read my first surgiversary post ... link is in sig block below.

And Annie, yes, I still track on MFP. It’s my way of controlling things. I use MFP to plan as well as track, as in “Fail to plan = plan to fail.”

[Stacey03]

Edie (@Stacey03), I just asked the NUT because I started on regular food Friday. She said my 500-600 calories, plus 50-60 protein was okay and not to stress about it. My "ologists" (there are 7 of them) all say until I hit 800 calories daily, not to go back to the gymn, just household stuff, walking.

I was very relieved not to have to achieve a big number! I have found anything with too much olive oil (sauteed) is a bad choice right now. And no interest in sugar. But everything else has been easy to eat, if i eat S-L-O-W-L-Y. Otherwise, I froth.

I think Ann2 is 3 years out, and I don't know if she still logs in calories; I do, but I was also diabetic so just a habit.

You sound like you're doing well! Have you tried the bariatric recipe for refried bean soup? It's tasty.

Oh thanks Annie, that's really useful info. I don't know the refried bean soup but sounds tasty!
PS.... YOU ARE JUST LOOKING STUNNING!!!! CHECK OUT YOUR NEW PHOTO!!!!

[Stacey03]

Stacey, read my first surgiversary post ... link is in sig block below.

And Annie, yes, I still track on MFP. It’s my way of controlling things. I use MFP to plan as well as track, as in “Fail to plan = plan to fail.”

Thanks ANN, Will do :-)

[Luv49ers19]

I'm 6.5 months out and I also track with mfp. Have been ever since my first meeting with my nut. Like Ann2 I feel that I need to for my own accountability.

I stopped the protien shakes 2 weeks after surgery. My system did not like them. But I did really well with just getting in my protien through chicken. I did talk to my nut about it because of my allergy to dairy and animal protien absorbs better than plant anyway so she said it was fine.

Now I get at least 100 grams of protien in a day. 80+ of that is from meat (mostly chicken) the rest is from soy milk I have with my chia tea 3x a day. I use teabags as to not add ingredients I don't want. I love my tea! As an added plus it is extra fluid.

As for my caloric intake is pretty steady at 1100 a day but can range from 950 to 1450. All depends on the type of protien I eat that day. I literally live on chicken and tuna. Hope this helps.

[Shannon'sVSG]

i think the protein is super important so I've been getting 70 to 90 grams a day and that seems achievable. I don't really like relying on the shakes but I think it's hard to do much else at the moment when you can't fit much else in. I might be overthinking this, but this journey is totally about health for me, and i want to do the right thing! My dietitian doesn't seem concerned with calories at all but I don't know if long term it's an idea to think about that.

Hello Edie (Stacey03).

I don't think you are overthinking things. This journey is all about good health. Becoming thin is a byproduct of this process. But obtaining and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is paramount.

Protein is (for me) the most important thing. The first instructions I received post-op were stay hydrated and then get your protein in. A tall order considering how little one is able to consume within the first two months after having undergone surgery. Much like yourself, I don't like to rely on shakes either, however, taking into account the small quantity of food I am able to consume at 10 weeks, it would seem that my options are somewhat limited. That is not to say that this is the case for everyone, however, this where I currently reside in post-op life.

(This is not advice, rather what currently works for me) I do not count calories as of yet, primarily because of the small amount I am able to consume. I know, I probably should. And in the beginning, I did. But I quickly realized that the calorie count was so small that it seemed impossible to come close to what I should have been consuming. My thoughts are to revisit calorie counting at twelve weeks to see where I stand, and then continue on from there.

Hang in there. You will be just fine.

[Dutchie]

Have you tried the bariatric recipe for refried bean soup? It's tasty.

Where can I find this recipe?
Sounds jummy...

I also use mfp.
The first six months just to track my protein intake, but the calories were a useful benefit.
After 11 months and in maintenance it's the other way around.
I focus on my calories, my protein intake is always sufficient now.

[DHB]

Thanks, Stacey/Edie, for the questions. I'm just behind you and I'm eating about 500-600 calories/day and 60-80g of protein. I'm able to eat about 4oz at a meal (which worries me a bit since that seems like more than you and others at this point). I'm tracking on MFP bc it helps me keep an eye on sodium, carbs, etc. I've been making lentil dishes and adding in chicken (all pureed at this point) or eating salmon, scallops & tuna (mashed). I also made turkey chili for the family and pureed a little dish for me. I'm feeling confused about calories, too. I'm not losing very rapidly but I'm hesitant to try to eat more at this point.

[Christie13]

I learned to listen to my body. It was all about being intuitive for me. I never counted anything. Still don't. Whenever my weight loss stalled, it was always a sign I needed to take in more calories. So I would eat more and it always worked for me. I looked at the list of foods from my NUT and focused on her traffic light system. Ate that way and let the whole process be simplistic. It worked for me because I hate to track my foods. But that is me and I am lazy with those things. I love to exercise, though.

[Stacey03]

Thanks guys, Lots of useful info. it's all a learning process isn't it?! xx

[Stacey03]

Thanks, Stacey/Edie, for the questions. I'm just behind you and I'm eating about 500-600 calories/day and 60-80g of protein. I'm able to eat about 4oz at a meal (which worries me a bit since that seems like more than you and others at this point). I'm tracking on MFP bc it helps me keep an eye on sodium, carbs, etc. I've been making lentil dishes and adding in chicken (all pureed at this point) or eating salmon, scallops & tuna (mashed). I also made turkey chili for the family and pureed a little dish for me. I'm feeling confused about calories, too. I'm not losing very rapidly but I'm hesitant to try to eat more at this point.

I'm not losing much at the moment either Dale, it's the stall time! We just have to keep going and you know what Christie says about needing to eat more if stalling. You need enough calories to lose but it does seem confusing sometimes. once we are out of this stall I am sure we will feel differently xx

[Stacey03]

Hello Edie (Stacey03).

I don't think you are overthinking things. This journey is all about good health. Becoming thin is a byproduct of this process. But obtaining and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is paramount.

Protein is (for me) the most important thing. The first instructions I received post-op were stay hydrated and then get your protein in. A tall order considering how little one is able to consume within the first two months after having undergone surgery. Much like yourself, I don't like to rely on shakes either, however, taking into account the small quantity of food I am able to consume at 10 weeks, it would seem that my options are somewhat limited. That is not to say that this is the case for everyone, however, this where I currently reside in post-op life.

(This is not advice, rather what currently works for me) I do not count calories as of yet, primarily because of the small amount I am able to consume. I know, I probably should. And in the beginning, I did. But I quickly realized that the calorie count was so small that it seemed impossible to come close to what I should have been consuming. My thoughts are to revisit calorie counting at twelve weeks to see where I stand, and then continue on from there.

Hang in there. You will be just fine.

That does make sense shannon to wait till 12 weeks.. I mean gosh we arn't eating much at the moment eh! Hope you are feeling better now :-)

[Stacey03]

I'm 6.5 months out and I also track with mfp. Have been ever since my first meeting with my nut. Like Ann2 I feel that I need to for my own accountability.

I stopped the protien shakes 2 weeks after surgery. My system did not like them. But I did really well with just getting in my protien through chicken. I did talk to my nut about it because of my allergy to dairy and animal protien absorbs better than plant anyway so she said it was fine.

Now I get at least 100 grams of protien in a day. 80+ of that is from meat (mostly chicken) the rest is from soy milk I have with my chia tea 3x a day. I use teabags as to not add ingredients I don't want. I love my tea! As an added plus it is extra fluid.

As for my caloric intake is pretty steady at 1100 a day but can range from 950 to 1450. All depends on the type of protien I eat that day. I literally live on chicken and tuna. Hope this helps.

I seem to be living on chicken and tuna too lol!! Thanks Cody x

[Stacey03]

Where can I find this recipe?
Sounds jummy...

I also use mfp.
The first six months just to track my protein intake, but the calories were a useful benefit.
After 11 months and in maintenance it's the other way around.
I focus on my calories, my protein intake is always sufficient now.

Yes I quite like MFP :-)