Gastric sleeve surgery for weight loss will result in drastic changes to your body, lifestyle, and diet. In order to sustain a healthy, balanced lifestyle after surgery, you will need to consider the food consumed and avg. calorie intake day-to-day.
Your nutritionist will recommend different calorie intakes at each stage of the recovery and weight loss process. Your recommended calorie intake after gastric sleeve surgery will depend on the progress of weight loss, lifestyle, level of activity, and the body's nutritional needs.
Post-Gastric Sleeve Surgery Calorie Levels
First Month
In the first month after surgery, the recommended calorie intake will range from 400-600 calories. Your diet in the week following surgery will consist purely of clear liquids, followed by a progression to thicker liquids like soup, and pureed foods. This provides the body with enough sustenance while the stomach heals from the surgery.
Month 2 to Month 6
Following the first month of liquids, you will start to introduce more solid foods, depending on your surgeon and dietitian's advice. Proteins, healthy fats, and carbohydrates will be introduced to provide essential nutrients while you continue to lose weight. The calorie intake will gradually increase from 600 to 1,000 calories per day by the sixth month, depending on how much weight loss you’ve experienced and your nutritionist’s advice.
6 Months to 1 Year
Between six months and one year, you will continue to lose weight, albeit at a slower rate. Most patients who undergo gastric sleeve surgery typically achieve a stable weight within one year post-operation. The recommended calorie intake at this stage ranges from 1,000 to 1,500, and will be informed by your level of physical activity, resting metabolic rate, and lifestyle. A more active lifestyle generally requires a higher calorie intake to support the body’s nutritional needs.
Beyond The First Year
Nutritionists recommend keeping within the 1,000-1,500 calorie intake range after the first year of weight loss, especially if you’ve reached your weight loss goals. This calorie intake level provides sufficient energy for most patients with an active lifestyle.
If you have an especially energy-demanding lifestyle or work, your nutritionist may increase your recommended calorie intake accordingly to support a healthy body weight and overall well-being. Gastric sleeve surgery patients who engage in intense physical activity, whether for work or exercise, may be prescribed a calorie intake of up to 2,000 calories a day to meet the increased nutritional requirements.
Unless you have direct instructions from your nutritionist, you should not increase your daily calorie intake past 1,500. Consuming more than this level may result in regaining the weight you’ve worked so hard to lose.
How To Balance Your Calorie Intake
Balancing your calorie intake goes beyond understanding how much you should eat. The foods you choose to meet your calorie needs are crucial for preventing weight gain and maintaining proper nutrition.
To make the most of the limited calorie intake, focus on including lean sources of protein, fibre, and healthy fats in your diet. Rich protein foods, such as chicken and nuts, provide essential nutrients for building and repairing tissues, including muscles. Vegetables are rich in fibre for supporting digestion, as well as minerals and vitamins that support the body’s various functions. Healthy fats and carbohydrates from yoghurt and whole grains provide energy for the body.
Avoid sugary foods and snacks - these foods are high in calories but low in essential nutrients. Low-nutrient foods contribute very little to the body’s nutritional needs, meaning that you may end up having to consume more than the recommended calorie intake to meet your dietary requirements.
The recommended calorie intake levels above are only a guide - your nutritionist or dietitian will determine the right balance of calorie intake based on your individual needs. If you want to see the best weight loss results from gastric sleeve surgery, it’s essential to follow the prescribed diet from your nutritionist as closely as possible.
At Central Coast Surgery, we partner with nutritionists and dietitians to provide gastric sleeve surgery patients with personalised nutritional advice throughout their recovery period and weight loss journey. After the gastric sleeve surgery procedure, your nutritionist will develop a tailored diet plan based on your body’s unique calorie needs.