How to prevent weight gain during recovery

[dark_nite]

Hey guys I have surgery scheduled for the 22nd of this month (13 days from now) and I am worried about the lethargic lifestyle required during recovery. Apparently its 2 weeks no exercise, 2 weeks light exercise, and then freedom. But I know if I don't exercise for a full two weeks I will bloat.

How can I prevent this?

So far I have two plans:
1) Try to exercise and diet as much as possible up to the surgery on the 22nd.
2) during recovery try to eat a limited diet and choose as healthy foods as possible. Maybe walk as much as possible? Can I go for walks?

Any suggestions?

[xelnaga13]

I walked a few days after surgery. If you cut calories to reflect your activity level there should be nothing preventing you from keeping the weight off.

Remember pre/post op nutrition is important for healing... so I would avoid limiting your intake of healthy food.

[rasputin]

I've been calorie counting every day for 5 months. The answer to weight management is simple - eat less calories than you use and you will lose weight.

My plan after surgery is to eat the same amount of calories as I use and to try and be as active as possible, walking to shops etc. Just watch what you eat, simple as that - loads of online calorie counting tools to help.

[Glad2findU]

I agree with trying to figure out your calorie intake for maintenance per day. I would like to suggest that you aim to eat 1 gram of protein per kg of lean body weight(ie. subtract any extra fat you maybe carrying from your body weight)   

[xelnaga13]

I've been calorie counting every day for 5 months. The answer to weight management is simple - eat less calories than you use and you will lose weight.

My plan after surgery is to eat the same amount of calories as I use and to try and be as active as possible, walking to shops etc. Just watch what you eat, simple as that - loads of online calorie counting tools to help.

Yep! Calorie counting seems difficult and time consuming at first, but eventually you get good enough that you can eye ball a portion of food and guess with a good level of accuracy.

[dark_nite]

cool... i'll try to calculate how much im burning and match that up with how much im taking in. And I've heard the protein calculation before too, good idea. Thanks.