Calorie Intake After Gastric Bypass Surgery

Gastric bypass procedures help patients who are at least 100 lbs. overweight to lose weight and keep it off. A type of weight-loss surgery or bariatric surgery, gastric bypass removes part of the stomach, reducing it to an egg-size pouch. While patients can no longer eat large amounts of food after the procedure, they must make long-term changes to their diet and exercise habits if they hope to be successful. Limiting calories is one method of losing and keeping off the weight.

Gastric Bypass Procedure

Gastric bypass procedures help patients lose weight by reducing the size of the stomach to a tiny pouch and rerouting the digestive system to block some calorie absorption. Patients who follow their surgeons' instructions about diet and exercise generally lose 50 percent to 60 percent of their excess weight within the first year after surgery, according to MayoClinic.com. Although specific guidelines vary, in general patients must exercise and eat a low-fat, low-sugar, high-protein diet for the rest of their lives.

Calorie Recommendations

Some surgeons instruct female patients to eat between 1,200 and 1,400 calories per day and male patients to eat 1,300 to 1,500 calories per day, according to Karen Meyers, M.S., R.D., co-author of "Weight Loss Surgery Cookbook for Dummies. Others set individual calorie goals by measuring their patients' resting metabolic rates with a breathing machine. Many surgeons, however, avoid setting calorie goals in favor of advocating portion control.

Foods to Avoid

Avoiding high-calorie foods and beverages can help you lose weight and keep it off. Limit or avoid alcoholic beverages, fruit juices, desserts, chips, fried foods, full-fat dairy products and other foods that provide little nutrition. Certain healthy foods, including grains, cereals, fruit and starchy vegetables, can provide too many calories if not eaten in moderation. Whether you count calories or use another tracking method, recording your intake after each meal can help you to manage your diet wisely.

Weight Regain

Patients mig htregain weight after an initial loss because they begin eating more and exercising less, according to MayoClinic.com. To avoid regaining weight, eat three sensible meals a day and one or two snacks instead of grazing all day. To control calorie intake, choose healthy foods and avoid sugary and fatty foods that offer only empty calories. Read food labels carefully and look for hidden sugar to control your calorie intake.