600 cal??? Really???

Ok. I haven't had surgery yet but am trying to make changes preop. Had healthy, low cal and high protein lunch and breakfast. But I realized it is almost 600 cal by noon!!! Makes me wonder how 600 long term postoperatively is possible???!!!!!

It is. That's my average a day and I'm 4 months out. You have to remember that you'll only be able to eat about 4 ounces at a time. It makes a big difference. I know it seems like too little and is probably overwhelming....but when your tummy is tiny, you won't want any more than that. 

Remember portion sizes post op are obviously DRASTICALLY lower. You'll be shocked at how low your calories will be after surgery. I actually struggled to get 300 calories a day in the first 2-3 weeks. I was super weak! And from what I've always read on here, that isn't uncommon.

it's possible, I'm 9 weeks out and I have trouble getting 400 calories in daily! our tummys are tiny and if you eat anything more than 2 ounces of solid protein , you will feel sick! 

I eat about 400 calories a day and am 3 months out. Totally full. Get all the protein, carbs and fluids in.  

You're having a hard time wrapping your  mind around this because you're not taking into consideration the fact that the hormone ghrelin will be drastically reduced by about 3-4 weeks post op. That's the hormone that says "I'M HONGRAY OM NOM NOM" . It's located in the part of the stomach that will be removed in surgery. 

totally agree.  300 calories a day was a struggle the first couple of weeks.  I generally do 500-600 per day, and if I hit 800 (my doc's target) I feel like I've over-eaten. 

Just remember, your body will be way different.  As some brilliant person recently said- your hunger will be gone.  Your desire won't- that's the fight we'll all fight forever. Your body just won't want more than that.  

Thank you! Do you feel weak and tired all the time long term?

No.  You will feel more like yourself around 6 weeks out.  That's when I felt like I had more energy and wasn't tired all the time.  At 6 weeks I was also moved to solids, so my calorie intake increased and I did have more energy at that time.

Nope. I was fatigued for 4-6 weeks after, but it's major surgery and I am older. No weakness ever.  Most people seem to feel much more energetic as the weight goes down.

Walk up stairs carrying a box weighing 50 or 100 lbs.Next, walk up stairs carrying nothing.  Feel the difference?  That's a preview of what your life will be like post-op when you stop carrying around an extra person or two all the time. 

After surgery, your calorie intake will be very low, but it will increase very slowly over time. You will not be at 600 calories per day for the rest of your life. After your weight loss phase, you will eventually be eating at a reasonable level for your size and activity level in order to maintain your health and desired weight. 

Yes it will be possible to eat less than 600 calories and feel like you have overeaten.  Instead of concentrating on the calories, concentrate on the protein.  If you are getting 600 calories by noon now, how many carbs are you eating?  Are they healthy carbs or are they empty carbs?  Preop, try and eating a high protein and less carb diet.  The  more you can get off the carbs on the front end, the easier it will be on the back end.  Carbs tend to make you want more carbs and also make you more hungry.  Some carbs are good but not in excess.  Make sure even now that you are getting at least 80 grams of protein and drinking plenty of non caloric drinks.