Doctor's advice, no exercise...

AnahitaCanDoIt

So, let me break it down for you. I had major surgery on Aug 21st and I can't do any exercise for six weeks. My core and pelvic floor need time to heal so I've been told 5min slow! walking from 3rd week (this week) and add five min every week. I also have to have another repair surgery in November. So, my question is, cals wise?

I'm trying to stay about 1000 to 1200 with a lot of protein to keep my muscle from atrophying. Any advice?

GauchoMark

my advice is to eat maybe 100 cal less than maintenance while you are recovering and do what the doctor says. Upping the protein might help a little, but you are going to lose some LBM.

AnahitaCanDoIt

thanks, i'll change the amout of cals but to be honest, i'm more interested in high protein and as little processed food as possible. I can't even do upper body work, bc I am not supposed to lift my arms above my head or strain my core in anyway (bending, lifting anything heavier than 1kg, stretching).....

SUPER frustrated but tahnks for responding!

mhotch

Weight loss is due to intake, and little to do with exercise. Keep your diet healthy and you will, at bare minimum, keep the weight at a maintenance level.

If you push the activity level, you may possible rupture internal sutures and possibly hemorrhage. Follow the MD's instructions.

Also a high protein diet can help with the recovery process, and healing.

asticoral

Im thinking, if you keep processed out of the picture and concentrate on green veggies, lean meats and good fruits the cals can wait... 6 weeks isn't anything to work on after the fact and your health is more important than 12/13 or 1500

just sayin...... best wishes for a speedy recovery :flowerforyou:

AnahitaCanDoIt

Would you mind having a look at a few of my days? Mostly the protein vs carbs (mostly MOSTLY from healthy choices) and see if there's anything there you could tweak.

Also, I'd like to eat more fiberous stuff (like broccoli, etc) but the doctor said stay away from things that make you gassy...so lots of salads, etc...

All constructive advice well received!

AnahitaCanDoIt

Thanks a millon for the well wishes. Yeah, trying to make good choices...I do my own cooking at home obviously (well I mean not takeaways) so I'm doing fairly ok most days. I'm taking an Atkins Bar a day as much for the protein as anything. I'm trying to stay between 60 and 90kg a day of protein.

I've also got another 10kg or minimum 7kg to lose still and I don't mind doing so w/ a combo of exercise/weight/resistence and healthy eating but this sitting around all the time is making me go barmy!

I even asked could I do any water aerobics or aquazumba and they don't want me in the pool until at least after my 6wk check up. I'll have to do this whole malarky over again in November after surgery again!

Grr....I wish I could tell you being on the net so much is making my fingers very toned!!

GauchoMark

well first off, why do you have your net calories set to 1000? That is too low! Your BMR is probably somewhere around 1500 calories/day.

You still have your protein set to 15%. I'd up it to about 25-35%.

I wouldn't wait until surgery to change your diet. Change it at least a week before to give your system time to adjust. Sometimes, upping protein can get you gassy at first.

AnahitaCanDoIt

Sorry you're right. I didn't know how to change my goals for protein percentage etc...off to fix!

prokomds

well first off, why do you have your net calories set to 1000? That is too low! Your BMR is probably somewhere around 1500 calories/day.

You still have your protein set to 15%. I'd up it to about 25-35%.

I wouldn't wait until surgery to change your diet. Change it at least a week before to give your system time to adjust. Sometimes, upping protein can get you gassy at first.

Agreed with everything said here. 1000 is definitely too low. Where did you get this number from?

AnahitaCanDoIt

Good question, I've no idea. I only ever logged foods on the iPad and don't remember how long ago I set to them 1000?

Changed now anyway!

asticoral

I would take that 1200 to 1400 per day and divide it by your preferred eating habits (meals with no to 2 snacks or multiple smaller meals with no snacking) Use the adkins and tetra briks to your advantage, simple dishes like rice with chicken breast and a veggie like peas or small side salad.
every few days go into reports and check the sodium on your dairy and adjust if needed
I personally would cut back on the tuna to a few times a month, there are better fish to eat http://www.nrdc.org/health/effects/mercury/guide.asp

If you like broccoli, eat it... just start small with a florette or 3 per meal/day and see how it goes, same with beans or any other high fiber food... introducing NEW foods may cause problems too... really 6 weeks is nothing you could learn to love twiddling your thumbs :laugh:

Koldnomore

You don't need to exercise to lose weight so just eat what you would normally eat without your workout calories.

BigGuy47

I had major surgery

Surgery is a controlled injury to the body. Your body needs calories to repair the injury. Don't stress too much about fine tweaking your calories. Let your body heal. When you're cleared for excercise, get back to work.

2hobbit1

Go to full maintenance calories - Your body needs then to heal - you may delay/slow how quickly you rebound for your surgeries if you do not provide enough nutrition for recovery. You can worry about losing after you are healthy!

AlisaRN

I agree with this! Your body really needs the nutrition and energy right now to heal itself!!! Eating at too much of a deficit may cause some problems with healing. I would just focus on maintaining rather than loosing right now. Your body will thank you later!

gc_tweety

I had surgery on both feet and was unable to exercise for 6 months, I didn't concentrate on the calories. For me, I ate well with portion control and didn't gain a single pound. I was shocked, don't get me wrong but I thought it was more important to focus on the healing. Take the break but be responsible and treat yourself well. I wish you a speedy and complete recovery. :flowerforyou:

AnahitaCanDoIt

Thanks a ton for your words of encouragement. It's a long road but I'm feeling better and hoping to start feeling well enough to put more push in my walks! Still so funny walking for such a short time and coming home pooped!