Unexpected surgery?!? Now what??

You don't need to exercise to lose weight. Eat at least your BMR and you will still lose weight. You can calculater your TDEE to accomodate for your lack of activity then eat 15-20% below that number.

There is NO need to gain weight and go crazy over food just cause you are healing. Especially this early into your weight loss journey falling back into old habits could set you off track for a long time. Don't starve your self. Eat over your BMR and close to your TDEE but don't go insane (which will give you enough calories to heal). Maintain if you want to but don't gain.

Set your goals here (it does the TDEE math pretty well, at least for me) at about 1lb a week, and just eat under your cals for now...and focus on healing. I've had a similar surgery, and it can be a real pain....but you'll recover. I promise. Just don't recover 20 lbs heavier...you'll hate that.

The body needs a certain amount of nutrients to maintain a constant, healthy state. This need is determined by the basal metabolic rate. Any external or internal trauma raises the metabolic rate, and greater amounts of oxygen and nutrients are required to supply enough fuel and amino acids for repair and recovery.

Energy expenditure may rise by 10 to 50% to support the intense metabolic workload (Omerbegovic 2003). Protein and amino acid requirements increase to support formation of new tissues and proliferation of immune cells, maintain lean body mass (or muscle protein), and replace protein lost to perspiration, bleeding, and excretion.

A positive nutritional balance is reflected in rapid healing of wounds, an efficient immune response, the absence of infections or sepsis (shock), and maintenance of a lean body mass.

Population studies indicate that 9 to 44% of people with wound and surgical trauma are malnourished (Reid 2004). The condition often goes unrecognized and untreated in hospitals, and some studies have explored the increased risk of malnutrition during hospital stays, based on the common occurrence of clinically significant weight loss observed in hospitalized surgical patients (Fettes 2002).

http://www.lef.org/protocols/health_concerns/trauma_04.htm#malnutrition

You just had surgery. Right now, your body needs rest more than anything. Weight-loss should be the last thing on your mind. Just take it easy. Eat enough, rest enough, and just take care of yourself.

I am so sorry that you had to have surgery. I wish you a speedy recovery. Now is not the time to think about losing weight. Focus on not gaining weight!

You have to heal; that takes time. Only eat the amount of calories according to your profile. Continue MFP. Try to maintain low carbs, salt and sugars. When your Doctor gives you the okay to workout began with only walking. Regarding lifting weights, I would consult the Dr. first. then consult a physical therapist. Your not really starting over. You are just making adjustments to your new life of taking better care of yourself.

Stay well. :flowerforyou:

While recoviering from surgery I would recommend changing your goals to maintenence or to lose only 1/2lb/week. That way you will have the fuel your body needs to heal, but you wont gain back any of the weight you worked so hard to lose. Also, don't weigh yourself for a few days after surgery - people tend to retain fluid for a short period of time after surgery (from swelling and healing process) so don't get discouraged! Depending on your surgery give yourself a week-2weeks of eating a bit more (within the maintanence or 1/2lb/week goals) then go back to your pre-surgery goals! I'm a nurse and I'd be happy to answer any recovery questions you might have!

Happy healing!