how do you maintain weight after RNY?

I was just thinking about those pesky recommended daily allowances and nutrition labels that say an average adult should consume about 2000-2500 calories and 60 grams of fat maximum daily to maintain a healthy weight.   How does that compare to WLS/ RNY grads?  What does a post-op weight maintenance plan look like? Thanks, Heather

I shoot for 1500 to keep my loss, but if I want to lose more, I am going to have to make it around a 1000 or less. Hard to do consistently. I can have some 2500 days, like 2 a week and not gain, but I'm afraid to relax my guard. So I try for 1500 or less all the time. If I go over, I'm ok with it but I try not to. As for fat, I only count it if I'm eating carbs, so I keep a good calorie count. If I'm doing good on the high protein and low carbs, I don't count calories or fat at all. Stll works, but high carbs along with high fat grams = fat butt!

Heather, SOME very active wls grads (devoted to aerobic & weight training for an hr. or so nearly every day) can consume 2000-2500 cals and maintain nicely, but I think most maintain in the 1500-2000 range, assuming they are getting an average amount of exercise (30-60 min. of some form of purposeful exercise on most days).  Obviously, this varies, and maybe you will get lots of contrasting answers! Personally?--if I am exercising most days of the week, I maintain at 1600-1800 cals.  Some days, yes, I can go above that, but not often, or I know I will gain.  During periods of time I haven't been exercising as faithfully, I have gained in that range.   Keep in mind that most (not all) grads can easily consume a couple 1000 cals/day by grazing, particularly if they are unfortunate enough (like me) to not be bothered whatsoever by bad carbs or fats--other than putting on weight, of course!  So after the so-called honeymoon period of the first year or so, most of us must be very diligent about portion control and "junk control"!  Although I could not stuff myself in one sitting like I could pre-op, I can eat a horrifying amount throughout the day if I let myself.

Hi Heather, Not much different than the losing plan...just a few more cals.   Staying with the basics and exercising. Once I increase my muscle mass I can eat 2500-3000 cals a day.  Yep, I did say that....that is after a 6 month weight lifting routine.  If I am not working out hard then 1500-2000 is where I need to be to maintain.  If I need to lose a few pounds, I increase the protein, water and exercise.  Cals are around 800-1000. Good luck to you!!! Take care, Kathy

I kniow  what you mean by doing the same routine and it does become boring.I have found that mixing up your workout you will not only do more more.I change it almost everyday.I have found that BODYBUI;DERS.COM  has been very usefull...bob

Thank you all, it's helpful to know what to expect long-term.  I just couldn't imagine being able to consume 2500 calories a day after WLS... it seems impossible given the size of the pouch.  But wt gain from grazing and no exercise makes sense.  My weight has bounced all over for most of my life, so learning to maintain is going to be a new lesson and challenge. Thanks! You are all so inspiring to those of us who are still in the pre-op corral! Heather

Hi Heather!!! I do have to say that being in "maintenance mode" has been one of the most challenging things for me since having wls. Obviously I've never been good at it, so it scares the heck out of me! I'm pretty much like everyone else has already posted~I do 1600-1800 to maintain and drop it down if I'm trying to lose a few. I know the days when I've eaten way too many calories (yes it is possible even with my  new tummy) and it almost always reflects on the scale~so, then its back to work! I try to keep up a pretty good work out routine so that helps to burn some off. I have figured out that everyone is SO different when it comes to this~there are some that can never consume more than 1200 a day to maintain and others that can pretty much eat whatever they want (healthy foods, not junk) and maintain nicely. Its all trial and error to see what will work best for you and your body. Good Luck to You!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Those are recommendations for the "average" person of the "average" weight.   Each person depending on weight and metabolic will require different amounts of calories.  I believe the number I've seen is from 10 to 14 calories per pound of weight per day for maintenance depending on activity level.  That is for all - not necessarily post-ops.  Once you are far enough past surgery... you are like everyone else and your caloric needs are probably close to the same as a non-op. Kathy

I'm 16 months post op and eat 2700-3000 calories a day.  I've been weight training over a year now and have a TON of lean body mass (muscle).  I have to eat that much or I continue to lose.  Every person is different.  Caloric needs are based on so many things.  I can tell you the more you exercise, the more you'll need to eat.