should i lower my calorie intake after my op??

mrshickey

Im going to have an operation next tuesday and have been told that I can't so much as lift anything, vacuum, make the bed, pretty much move for at least 10 days afterwards, and even after that I can maybe do some light dusting and walk a tiny bit more until I feel better.

Although I've not been an angel when it comes to exercise, Ive been trying to make an effort to move more, as I am usually on my bum at uni, work, etc.

If I am unable to burn even the most minimal of calories that I normally would doing day to day things, should i reduce my calorie intake during this time?

I currently have a 1350 calorie goal which i do struggle to eat sometimes- my activity level is set at sedentary. I was just thinking I should maybe drop to 1200 while I cant exercise?


Any opinions?

ShellBell4281

I wouldn't drop your calorie intake at all while you're recovering. Let your body heal! Honestly, your body will be burning more calories during that time to repair itself. I dropped like 5 pounds after surgery by doing nothing at all!

Pandorian

Your goal of 1350 calories already allows for a deficit to lose weight (assuming you set lose weight in your profile) without lifting a finger in exercise. Here on MFP we're intended to eat back the exercise calories allowing the deficit to stay at our chosen rate of loss.
So I'd think no you shouldn't need to decrease calories, I'd be wanting to eat as much as I can of healthy foods to help recover

vim_n_vigor

After your operation, it might be better for your recovery time to go to maintenance (note: Up your calories) You should not be concerned with losing while your body is recovering. I am assuming this is a pretty major one since I have had some pretty major surgeries and not had that restriction. Let your body heal. It will be better for you in the long run.

it_be_asin

If your activity level is set to sedentary, then I wouldn't drop the cals past 1350. Not being able to do very much cause of operation = being sedentary, yes?

calliope_music

i'd ask your doctor but i'd be more inclined to agree with not dropping them. surgery will take a huge toll on your body, so it's gonna need the fuel from those calories.

choconuts

I would not drop your calories, as your body needs fuel to heal.

I would switch to maintenance.

One interesting thing---when my daughter had surgery, she/we were told to make sure she got 60 grams of protein/daily to help with tissue rebuilding and healing.

1LRoy

What I've always heard is that you should maintain or even increase your calorie intake slightly after a surgery. Your body need extra fuel and nutrients to faciitate the healing process. Yes, it's possible you could gain weight, but it's more important to give your body what it needs to heal and get better and THEN worry about weight loss. This does not mean you should go and have 4,000 calories per day. What it does mean is that you shouldn't be so worries about gaining a little weight or continuing to lose weight that you work against your body.

SueInAz

I have to agree with the previous posters. Switch MFP to maintenance mode or at the very least don't lower your calorie goal. Keep in mind that you don't need to exercise to lose weight. But I honestly wouldn't be worrying about losing weight while recovering from surgery, just about maintaining and making sure you're feeding your body enough to heal itself quickly.

mrshickey

I would not drop your calories, as your body needs fuel to heal.

I would switch to maintenance.

One interesting thing---when my daughter had surgery, she/we were told to make sure she got 60 grams of protein/daily to help with tissue rebuilding and healing.

ooo this will b easy!!! love a bit of protein!!!!

supermom1114

I wouldn't drop your calories, I would actually bring them up to maintenance. No you will not lose any weight during recovery but your body will heal. In the Nutrition Assessment class I took we were told for injured or post-op patients dietitians should ensure they are getting enough calories to maintain their body weight and depending how involved the surgery or the injury is you may need to up their calorie intake because your metabolism will actually speed up as a shock from the injury and recovery. Even if a morbidly obese patient comes in to the ER from a car crash and ends up in ICU where a dietitian is controlling their diet, they will be given high calories to heal their injuries and maintain their weight. Being overweight is a secondary concern where as your surgery and healing from that is a primary concern. Your body needs calories to rebuild and heal!!!! DO NOT CUT CALORIES! Talk to your doctor or better yet a dietitian at the hospital and they will tell you the same thing, to come up to maintenance.

supermom1114

I would not drop your calories, as your body needs fuel to heal.

I would switch to maintenance.

One interesting thing---when my daughter had surgery, she/we were told to make sure she got 60 grams of protein/daily to help with tissue rebuilding and healing.

ooo this will b easy!!! love a bit of protein!!!!

Also take a multivitamin if you aren't already and make sure you're getting enough Vitamin C and Zinc, both are critical in wound healing. I'm pretty sure you can track Vitamin C on MFP, always best to get your nutrients from food but a good supplement never hurts to fill the gaps.