Lovex5 I can't give you specifics but i am also interested in how others who do a modified low carb high protein small meal diet can log it effectivly in MFP.
I am doing a 5 day pouch test but want to be able to do long term planning for day 6 and beyond.

I have been active in the bariatric community for around 8 years now. From my observations, most successful sleevers keep their calories around 800 and carbs under 50 during their losing phase.

I agree with Laura for the first 6 months of the weight loss phase. After that, it really depends.

By 6 months out, I was super-active and my surgeon wanted me getting 120 g of protein a day. I couldn't do that and keep my calories at 800. I gradually went up to 1200 over the next couple of months -- still losing at the same rate because my activity was also going up -- until I hit goal.

Once at goal, I gradually increased my calories until I stopped losing. At that time, that was around 2000 calories because I was so active! When I am less active (like when I get injured), my maintenance calories are more like 1600 a day. I try to get 120 g of protein a day, still, but it's probably more like 100g when I'm not tracking. And I try to keep carbs and sugars low. I don't worry about fats now (but I did while losing).

My program starts everyone out at <800 calories, 70-90g of protein, <40 g of carbs and <30 g of fat. Then we all get adjusted individually based on circumstances and our goals for ourselves.

These days I tend to get about my calories equally among the macronutrients -- so about 33% protein, 33% carbs and 33% fat.

As for how much to lose, my surgeon likes us to lose 50% by 3 months, 80% by 6 months and 100% by 12 months. Again, that gets adjusted someone per individual. For one thing, if you have more than 200 pounds to lose, it can be pretty hard to lose it all by 12 months. His rational for that schedule is that in his experience, people who lose most/all of their weight in the first year do the best. And since most people slow down in the weight loss after 6 months, that means you have to lose more than 50% by then or risk not losing it all.

I would say, based on my observations, that these goals are on the aggressive side. There are plenty of his patients who only had lost 40% by 3 months and did fine, for example. BUT a lot of other programs only expect 50% weigh loss by 6 months and many people in those programs don't end up making their goal weight. So, if it was me, I'd aim for losing as much weight as you can in the first 6 months even if it's not 50% of excess weight.

Btw, I am only 5 ft tall and middle-aged. Yet I can eat more than a lot of women as short or old as me. I believe it's because I work out and have more muscle than average.

Well, if someone hasn't been losing for two months or more, they are eating just enough to maintain their weight. If they want to lose, they need to eat fewer calories. Everyone has their own number -- mine won't be the same as yours.

Cutting back 500 calories per day will be one pound per week.

MRS1TAS, I want to commend you with the weight that you have lost. My surgeon would tell you you are doing good and to keep up the good work. Do not give up in your journey, we have made the biggest step by having surgery. I had surgery April 14th and i have only lost about 10lbs since and still working on it. I was feeling down but while my surgeon says it is best to lose the most in the first 9 months after surgery it is still good to lose 1 to 2 lbs a week. it will stay off longer that way. good luck in the future