Calorie Intake / Defecit Eating

From your description, sounds like you are doing well. Keep up the good work. It didn't take a day or two for the weight to come on, so it will take a day or two for it to come off. There will be nay-sayers wherever you go. Just know that you are doing what you are supposed to in order for the weight to come off.

How long have you been eating just 800-1000 calories per day? I think what most people are saying is that a huge calorie deficit like that is not sustainable for the long haul. It is going to make you lose a lot of weight at first but then you have to have a lifestyle change to keep the weight off and keep your body properly fed.

I think the question is will you be able to keep up a 800-1000 calorie intake long term? I know that they require you to lose a certain amount of weight before the surgery. but if you decide not to go with the surgery can you see your self eating 1000 calories everyday forever?

People slam it for 2 reasons...

1) it goes against generally accepted principles (you're eating too little in general, too few fats, and carbs are restricted so much one might question the sustainability). They ignore the fact that you're following a professional's advice, either because they didn't read that close, think they know more, or assume the nutritionist is a moron.

2) they slam everything. it's the internet, it happens.

I think this response covers it!

For what it's worth, my nutritionist recommended a plan that comes out at roughly 2000-2200 per day, but I am by no means overweight. However, i once was and my experience has taught me that serious restriction of calories especially when combined with exercise always led to my gaining the weight back. This time it's been slow, but I am eating in a way that will be sustainable for life so I have no fear that I will gain it back - literally the day I got to goal was the only day I was at goal! This time, I've plateaued a lot - the last 7kg has taken 18 months (but again I am no longer considered overweight). Having said all this, the most important thing for anyone on here is to find what works for you and you're the only one can do that, so ignore any haters.

Best wishes

Fantastic! If you feel great then keep it going! People knock it because in general, it is too little. But what works for some does NOT work for all! When I started I was eating less than 1,200 cals and I felt great. I'm 5ft 10 though so when I started feeling tired I thought hmm, time to up my calories, carry on eating well, and just fuel my body more.
So what I would say to you is fantastic, keep up the phenomenal work, and stay tuned to your body. If your body feels like it needs more good food, you'll know. Well done on your success so far

I had Gastric By-Pass in 2004. I found that the nutritionists at the surgeon’s office take a VERY hard line on the prescribed diets that they have - because once you have the surgery there is nothing else beyond that. They want to have your commitment to them, so that they know you are committed to the process and to yourself.

Did I listen to them - NO. Did I gain weight after the 'honeymoon' was over - YES. Am I still struggling with losing my last 35 lbs. - YES. So, maybe they knew what they were talking about. I lost 20 lbs. before surgery, 148 lbs. from surgery in 11/2004 to 9/2005. I gained 67 lbs. over the following 5 years (the 'honeymoon' was over) and have worked very hard to get back to the weight I am now, still 10 lbs. away from my lowest weight after surgery. In hind sight, sticking with the doctors/nutritionists diet would have helped, but since I never really listened to them, I'm not surprised at the route I took. I am just glad that I am doing better.

I am once again going to Bariatric Support Group Meetings, I still cringe at some of the things I hear the staff tell the pre-op patients that I still do not follow - but I'm listening and incorporating these rules into my daily habits. I will be meeting with the nutritionist again next week, and hopefully I will find help there.

Good Luck with your journey.

Agree with Jacksonpt, and pretty much everyone else. People experiment with diets or healthy ways of eating for awhile, then slam them thinking they're experts now. Do what you're comfortable doing, and listen to the Doc. Congrats on making a decision one way or the other. You're on your way down.

Happy Losing!

Listen to your docs, and the way you are feeling . Never mind what other people are saying. You will end up eating that low if you get the surgery anyway. I have a friend who did it, and he was barely able to eat much of anything after the surgery because he got full so fast. The main reason the surgery works is because it forces you to restrict calories. Something he could have done on his own, but didn't feel he had the discipline to do.

800 - 1000 calories is not something you have to maintain forever. It's not supposed to be "long term sustainable". It's meant to help you lose the weight you want to lose.

There's the way people eat to have gotten to where they are, there's the way they eat to lose weight, and then there's the way they eat to maintain the weight loss.

As you are losing weight, you will be able to gradually increase your caloric intake up to whatever maintenance would be for you.

Hi all, I wanted to throw a question out there. I am here obviously to lose weight and am a candidate for bariatric surgery. I haven't committed yet as I'm waiting to see how I progress but I have been following the recommended diet as explained to me by the nutritionist in the office I am being seen at. So why, if I'm following medical advice, do so many people go out of their way to slam my caloric intake? I try to stay between 800-1000 calories a day, 20 g carbs, 40 g fat and 80-100 g protein as directed. I don't "eat back" exercise calories and I don't feel hungry and the weight is coming off. You would think from some peoples reactions that I am initiating the apocalypse. So, constructive, intelligent responses only please, am I wrong? :noway:

Very Low Calorie Diets (VLCD) are not recommended for most people ***Unless Recommended By a Doctor***

For most people, it is not healthy, that is why you hear a lot of people commenting on it, however it is commonly recommended for those prior to bariatric surgery.