Question:
At 5 months nutritionist says 500 calories????

I saw my surgeon's nutritionist on Friday and she told me that basically I had been eating too many calories that I should only be eating 500 calories at 5.5 months out. That doesn't sound right to me. Also, I called my PCP and she said it didn't sound quite right to her either. I've been taking in between 600-800 calories per day, and logging everything on Fitday.com. According to their records I've only lost about 30 pounds since my surgery, according to my scale I've lost about 45 pounds (I came home 12 pounds heavier from the hospital). Any comments would be appreciated.    — Ruth C. (posted on July 21, 2002)

July 21, 2002
No way!!!!!! I'm 4 months post-op (-81lbs) my dietician says 600 to 900 calories, 60 grams of protein a day.
   — Angie B.

July 21, 2002
I'm the same way. I'm 6 months post op and down 44 pounds. I count pre-hospital weight though because in the hospital you gain a lot of water weight from surgery. It's pretty depressing. I'm thinking about going back on the liquid diet to jump start the weight loss again. Do you ever dump? I don't.
   — Candace F.

July 21, 2002
Candace, no, I don't dump either. I did once, and that was with alcohol. Other than that i can eat just about anything. It really is awful. I know it sounds weird to say that, but if I dumped, at least I would be "reminded".
   — Ruth C.

July 21, 2002
500 calories sounds alittle low to me. I eat between 600 and 800 calories every day and I have consistantly lost 3 to 4 pounds every week for the first 6 months post-op. Now I eat around 900 calories a day at 8 months post-op and I did hit a plateau for a month, but I am losing again. I think if you only eat 500 calories a day you might feel tired a lot because by 5 months post-op you are beginning to be more active and are geting to feel pretty good and you need those 600 to 800 calories to fuel your new and busy lifestyle. Maybe your nutritionist ment 500 as a guide. Still, only 30 to 45 pounds lost in 5.5 months is not normal either. You could try living on 500 calories a day and see how you feel and how the weight comes off. And another thing to consider is where are you getting those 600 to 800 calories from that you consume each day? Are they from carbohydrates or high fat foods, or are you getting them from high protien foods, fruits and vegitables?
   — Susan M.

July 23, 2002
I see a nutritionist twice a month because I have low potassium. My nutritionist told me that at 6 months I should be taking in a 1000 calories a day and at 1 year I need to be around 1500 a day. I am really struggling to get in 600 because I am still doing the 3oz's a day. I wonder why the advice from nutritionists varies so much on something so important as our calorie intake.
   — Kathy J.

July 21, 2003
Hi there I just wanted to say that I saw my nutritionist today and she said that even though I am only 26 days post op, I should be taking in 800-1000 calories a day minimum. I have only lost 7 pounds in 13 days and she says its because my body was in starvation mode.. I was only getting in about 350 calories. She also said I needed a minimum of 40 grams a day protein.. hope this helps.
   — Cassandra Blake

April 22, 2004
I am 5 and 1/2 months out and my nutritionst says between 1100-1300. However, I was larger than you when I started. I eat 3 small meals and 2 snacks a day.
   — BethC