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Why on earth would you do the Keto diet after surgery? It’s terribly restrictive and you’ll struggle with dehydration and risk dumping because of the high fat.

The way I feel must be like the keto flu, then. I never tried the keto diet so I didn't experience it. My nutritionist did not mention I'd feel so yucky. It is good to hear that I may be going through a normal process, then. I DO have Netflix and am binging at night after work when the kids and hubby are eating dinner. Cooking would be too difficult right now!

So pre surgery Ive always had success with low carb. My surgeon promotes Keto. Ive done both or I guess Ive done lazy keto post op. Im right at 6 months out. Im wanting to swap it up and try something new to help my body stay on the losing side of things. Ive recently started working out more and the weight isn't coming off as quickly, actually gained a pound this week. Ive recently read Chris Powell's Choose More Lose More for Life and found that Im pretty close to following his Turbo carb cycling already. I just need to get a little more specific with meal plans. Just looking to see if others have tried carb cycling? opinion? results? any extra info?

Hello, so I know that this is bad but I'm wondering if post-op after a few months if I wanted to try the keto diet, can we have meats such as sausage, pastrami, steak? Obvioulsy that won't be my entire diet it'll be mixed in with lots of non starchy vegetables but wanted to know if those meats were allowed.

Update. Have now finished 3 weeks on sax and have lost 8.4kg since 1st jan (two weeks on keto pre sax). I have just gone up to 2.4mg and hope to stay at this dose potentially but we will see. Sticking to about 800 cal, low carb high protein. Appetite is greatly reduced. I definitely fell tired and lacking energy but hope that will reduce once I am on my ongoing dose. Very happy overall and hoping that this keeps working. I have lost as much in a month on this that I did initially over 2 months with my esg. Mel x

You know there is a difference between "ideal" and goal weight right? Just to nerd out on you, "ideal" weight is a very specific metric based on pretty archaic insurance charts. And for women (don't know for men), you use this formula to calculate it: 100lbs for the first 5 feet. 5lbs for every inch over 5 feet. So for me, a 5'4" woman of average build, I have a theoretical "ideal" weight of ABOUT 120lbs give or take. I asked my cardiologist if 120lbs was a reasonable goal. He said, he doubted very seriously if I could get there and that he didn't really think it is do-able for most people, not just me. But the wls peeps use ideal weight to calculate your theoretical expected weight loss for your type of surgery and they also compute a theoretical "goal range" for most of us--whether or not they are willing to disclose that information, they still calculate and track it for each of us. My theoretical goal based on my ideal weight and based on my surgery was 156lbs. My 1st goal for myself was 150lbs. Now I'm going for goal #2 140lbs which puts me slightly under the mark on a weight chart where I'm in "normal weight range". My goal #3 is to get to 130lbs. My doctors think I should be able to do that if I really apply myself. So even at 130lbs as a goal, and even though I'm a "normal weight" for a woman my size, and even though I will have met and exceeded the expected/targeted % of expected weight loss...I will still be 10lbs heavier than my "ideal weight." This morning I am 32% fat (different than BMI) by Tanita and that fluctuates wildly with hydration. I go from 26% fat in the afternoons to 32% fat in the mornings. So by that metric, I have about 47lbs of fat sitting on my frame. Of that 47lbs of fat, I have what "they" figure is 13-14lbs of ESSENTIAL fat. That's the fat I must have on my body to continue to live. We all have something like that amount of essential fat. So accordingly, I have about 47-14=33lbs of excess fat left to lose. I think I can lose about 20lbs, but the rest of that seems impossible. And losing 20lbs still doesn't get me down to my ideal weight. Can I maintain it? I believe I can as long as I take each day as a new chance to live healthy and eat my best and exercise. I too am low carb/defacto keto, and get only "adequate protein". I also eat very low glycemic foods and try to get my daily 20g of fiber into the mix. Sorry for the book. (Oh I'm nearly 12months out and have lost 140lbs from my recent high weight.)

Healthy_Life2 is giving some really solid advice and feedback. I appreciate her comments. I am only 2 months out so can't comment on weight regain. I can say that I have made a complete 180 in my lifestyle choices. I am extremely diligent in following my post-op dietary plan. I track daily caloric intake using the MyFitnessPal App and then go over my macros in the evening to make sure I am on target. I wouldn't even call it a diet--because that's such a temporary thing. I am looking at this as a new lifestyle. I have deviated from the standard plan provided by my doctor (I did discuss it with him and my nutritionist) and I am following a very low carb keto style plan (although too high in protein intake to be a true keto diet). This type of lifestyle provides me with very clear guidelines of what I can and cannot eat--which makes choosing foods easy, I do track calories too and set a limit to how many calories I can consume in a day, but this isn't hard since I am usually very satisfied sticking to my plan. Even if my ability to eat more increases, I feel like I can make good choices that may increase the volume of food that I eat without causing me to over-consume. When they say the sleeve is only a tool, they do mean it. Losing weight post-op is still a lot of work and requires a lot of discipline. The big difference is you are no longer fighting against your high set point, so instead of heating a plateau and suffering terrible hunger and cravings, you don't have that set point fight against you. The volume restriction is also helpful, but as Healthy_Life2 said, you can eat more frequently and undermine this process. I also now get up early in the morning to hit the gym before work and I love that "me" time. Even though this new and still "exciting" for me, it's a lifestyle that I can be happy with for the long term. I do not miss sleeping in late or eating carb heavy foods. I hope I still feel this way 2 or 5 or 10 years from now, but I am definitely happy right now. I can say that you need to be mentally prepared to make major lifestyle changes after you have the surgery (before as well!!). You need to have a healthy lifestyle plan in place and be 100% committed to following it through after surgery. I think the people that commit to following a healthy lifestyle plan will be successful long term. The people that only follow the post-op plan "most of the time" and "only cheat a little" are probably not following the plan very much at all and are cheating a lot!! I have gone to a few support group meetings and there are so many people that show up that can't understand why the weight isn't coming off them, while their friends lost so much. After talking more, it turns out that, as a result of surgery, they cut down their portions of crappy processed fast foods and other junk foods, but they continue to eat the same crap they ate before surgery (just less of it). That's not how you get down to a 25 BMI!!! You have to use this opportunity not only to cut down on your portions, but change your food and lifestyle choices. The people that make these changes and stick to it don't seem to have issues with regain (other than the normal 5-10 pound fluctuations that should be expected).

Good morning. I live in Oregon and I am on Oregon health plan coverage through health share of Oregon with Providence as my coordinated care plan. It’s a Medicaid. I am wondering if anybody has any success with this combination of being approved. My concern is that I am only 227 and 5 foot four but I do have diabetes type two. I worry that they will say that I don’t have enough weight to lose or something silly. I have an appointment with my primary on February 14th to discuss it. Personally I have tried and stuck with a keto diet as well as a low-fat diet. With keto I have managed to get my diabetes more under control but weight loss will not seem to happen. I don’t have any proof so I’m sure that I will have to do their diet requirement and follow their diet. If anybody has any ideas or has had success with this combination of plan please let me know.

Mikeyy. They put me on a similar diet to atkins or keto. Eat as much meat and non starch veggies as I want. I cannot have any sugar fruit and any carbs outside the veggies. I cannot have dairy either

To answer your question, I don't think I became "obese" until about 2007. I was married and we ate SOOOO bad. That's when I ballooned up quite near, if not 300lbs. I've always been a muscular, strong person. People used to equate me to one of those Clydesdale horses As a kid I was slightly overweight, maybe just about 10lbs over. As a teenager I was active in marching band, had leg muscles solid as telephone poles and clocked in at about 170lbs my senior year. When I was 20, I got pregnant and skyrocketed WELL over 220lbs and never really lost it. Then once I got married, I ballooned up to 300lbs...got on Adderall in 2009 and lost 100lbs, got pregnant AGAIN in 2009-2010 and shot back up to 270 something. That's kinda where I stagnated until keto in 2017 and finally dropped to 240 something. Now I float between 245-250.

Going back to basics, keto and weight watchers did not work for you. It may be time to seek counseling.

In the past year, I have been on weight watchers, keto and lose it. Lost maybe 5 pounds then promptly gained it back.

Hey Lolo, just checking in to see how things are going? Did you have a good trip? I am still plugging away with my sleeve version of Keto and working out like a crazy man. I am getting close to wonderland, so now I expect a long stall. No way I can just drop straight under 200....

I can only share my experience. This is what works for me. I am just over 8 months out. I CANNOT EAT OVER 1000 calories on the reg and lose weight. I can maintain at 1050-1100. Anything more and I gain. I'm at 126 lbs. My original goal was 150. Crushed it. My surgeon said I was perfect at 135lbs. Good for him. I WANT to continue to weigh 125-127lbs. But, to maintain this weight, it takes constant vigilance and work. It's a drag sometimes. Isn't everything?! For me that means I have to eat high protein and super low carb. I have to be very strict almost all the darn time. Like, under 55 carbs a day. And, those carbs have to come from good foods. I enjoy Friday Funday every week with my husband now that I'm at my happy spot. Here's what that looks like; the toppings from two small slices of supreme pizza. One small bite of thick crust, (my only bread, ever), a 2oz cup of trail mix (the kind with dried fruit AND M&M's) and 1 tiny handful of popcorn. This is over 2-3 hours. I also have a double Tito's screwdriver--light on the OJ/heavy on the ice--long before I eat anything. Add to this a protein shake and a Keto Coffee with Chocolate Greens throughout the rest of the day and you have summed up my wild and crazy eating adventure day! I usually gain 1/2-1 full pound. Then I have to lose it! You can imagine the rest of the week. That's how I maintain my ideal weight. If I feel like losing a pound, I cut a few carbs. If I feel too slim, I add some. I never worry about fat...never buy/eat low fat products because they have added sodium and sugar. Good fats are good fats. I don't cook with salt, eat fast food (except a few bites of Wendy's chili every now and then). I keep my bag primed with protein bars. And I don't put junk in me because I didn't come this far to fail my body after the amazing response it's given me with this fab tool. But, it's not for everyone. I have a butt ton of support from my husband. I am retired and control my environment. I have a "piss off you psychos" attitude that makes me hard to corrupt when I'm out with girlfriends who are trying to get me to drink or eat crap. To most people it sounds like my food situation sucks. To me, I finally feel like food isn't controlling my life. I don't live for it anymore. It's just a survival mechanism. It's not a pleasure or a comfort. It just keeps me alive and healthy. Then on Fridays? I add a little sparkle! (It's always enough.).

I'm at a loss if you have tried both calorie ranges and hit your macros consistently with no different results. I understand the frustration. What has been you average calories for Jan 26th to feb 1st ? Your gaining and losing the same 4 pounds for 6 months, sounds like you are consistently eating your maintaining calories. Goto you average calories tab. Can you post it like your chart above ? Your chart says you average more fats than protein are you doing keto? Either do keto or low carb consistently.

Same. I've been trying to keep my carbs around 30g a day but pureed bean have been a lifesaver! I've always loved beans. I don't know if I can do the whole keto thing and not eat beans. Rice and bread, and pasta sure, but beans?

Electrolytes are critical to get in. Hang-over headaches are caused by low electrolytes and dehydration...this is truly no different. I haven't had surgery yet, but I eat keto (no sugar, very low carb) and have to stave off muscle cramps and headaches with electrolyte supplements. Powerade Zero and Propel are just not enough especially when your intake is limited. I recommend Hi-Lyte liquid and once you can take pills, they also make Hi-Lyte capsules. You can mix the liquid in anything you drink and you'll get in WAY more salts at one time than any off-the-shelf sports drink. Here's a link to the product, good luck! https://amzn.to/2CTOorR In the meantime, if you can stomach it, drink pickle juice

Day 29- website/apps I am an addict of pinterest y'all! I think all my recipes I've used these last few months have come from there. They have tons of "keto" recipes, which I use because of CD. But I also make tons of other options that I can substitute for GF products. Best part is I can build the recipe in Myfitnesspal! So I input the ingredients and servings, and it calculates everything for me. I always get nervous when a serving is close to 400 calories... but then I remember that's for 1 cup of food. I'm lucky if I can ever eat more than 1/4 a cup! And yes... I will serve everyone so I can know the exact portion configuration. Then weigh my food so I know I don't get more than 3 oz on my plate. Then of course fitbit, as I have an ionic and it's amazing. Plus it syncs with myfitnesspal! Those are my 3 recommendations lol Myfitnesspal Pinterest Fitbit Sent from my SM-N950U using BariatricPal mobile app

I love the BP store so far. And FB is stalking me with "keto" alternatives that work. Ah, FB stalky ads. In my mind.

If I could go back and edit my comment to clarify, I would. I was explaining what I currently follow (pre-op) and how I handle calories. I did mention at the end that I don't know how pre-op keto translates to post-op since most people follow low-fat post-op. But I understand...I'll be more careful.

Nope.... weight loss is weight loss. A sleeve is just a great tool to help you along your journey--but it's just a tool. The science behind good nutritional habits applies to everyone regardless of where you are along your journey. As I said, I am not able to do intermittent fasting or even follow a true therapeutic keto diet because I am only 6 weeks post-op, but if I were 5 years post op and experienced modest weight regain like OP, I would be following a true therapeutic keto diet with intermittent fasting. At that point, if you can consume enough calories to experience weight regain, you can consume enough calories to do keto right and incorporate IF. The science behind keto is there--it's just a matter of whether it's something the OP can comfortably follow.

I understand that weight gain and loss (beyond the usual 10-15 pound swings most people experience) is based on insulin resistance rather than total calorie consumption. However, even with diets that are not based entirely on cutting calories--like Keto and Atkins--still place limits on total consumption and advocate weight food so you can track your macros. Ultimately, the idea is that the fat and protein that makes up 90% of your consumption on these diets will be more satiating, so you end up eating less because you have less cravings and hunger. Regardless of how the goal is achieved, one of the goals is a reduction or moderation in total caloric intake for someone that has weight they need to lose. Keto, in particular, focuses on insulin control, but by adding in intermittent fasting (which most strict keto people incorporate at some point), you're definitely cutting calories by limiting the window for eating. You're not strictly counting calories like you would on a diet like weight watchers (probably one of the worst diets out there IMO), but the calories are cut anyway (it's just a less painful process in my experience). Anyway, I am happy with following a keto style diet (constipation notwithstanding). It's something I can do long term, but I can't follow a therapeutic style keto with a 4:1 fat to protein ration or anything close that as a new sleever (6 weeks post-op). Based on my workout regimen, I need to get around 125-150g or protein in a day (even with the protein/muscle sparing qualities of Keto) and there's a limit to how much else I can eat (even with calorie dense fats like avocado). I also don't want to deviate too far from my doctor's prescribed diet at this point, so I doing a 1:1 fat to protein diet (sticking to clean, high quality fats and proteins) and I cut carbs to less than 20g net carbs. I pretty happy with this and it sets enough ground rules that I can easily decide what I can eat and how much of it---even when I am out a restaurant.

The Ketovangelist way of keto doesn't have you mind your calories in that way. Check this link out https://www.ketovangelist.com/the-calorie-hypothesis/ Calories are more of a guide to make sure you don't drop below your TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure). Most folks do well taking an average of their BMR and maintenance calories and using that number as a guide to create their macros. Here's an excellent TDEE calculator https://tdeecalculator.net/ (just don't let it make your macros - it's WAY off) Constantly eating below your BMR causes stalls and gains so that happy medium between your BMR and maintenance seems to prevent that and keep you burning fat and sparing muscle. Have you found an FB group for bariatric folks doing keto? There has to be one. I'm not sure how pre-op keto will translate to post-op since most post-op folks are eating low fat. I'm sure I'll eventually be seeking out a group. Let me know if you find one you like.

KeyLady42, we've all been in your shoes--or we wouldn't have needed bariatric surgery. I don't think there is such a thing as "trying to stick to your diet plan". That's like being a little bit pregnant. You either are or are not sticking to the plan--no in between. Since you're five years post-op, the original post-op plan may not be the right plan for you. Your nutritional needs may be different now. You should probably make an appointment with your surgeon for a follow up and meet with your practice's nutritionist to come up with a plan that may be better for you. Personally, I think a keto style diet would be a really great option for someone that's five years out and has regained a little (15 pounds regain after losing 220 isn't a huge amount, but I understand your concerns about how that can snowball). You need to find a dietary lifestyle that will be sustainable for your now and into the future. Also, regardless of what dietary lifestyle you are following, are you tracking your marcros and calories using an app like MyFitnessPal??? Some dietary lifestyles place less emphasis on calorie consumption (which is ok), but calories always matter in the end. You can't lose weight on even keto or atkins if you're eating 4500 calories a day of healthy fats and proteins. If you are getting out of that habit of tracking your macros and calories, it's time to start it up again. It's hard to know how much you are consuming if you're just eyeballing your food and guessing how many calories your eating. If you do that, chances are that you'll be off by hundreds of calories at the end of the day (usually underestimating your consumption). It's time to get that food scale out so you know what you're putting in your mouth. It's ok to go off diet every once in a while, but you can't let one bad meal turn into one bad day, turn into one bad week etc. You need to get right back on the bandwagon and double down on your discipline. Finally, are you sticking with your exercise program or have you given up on that? Weight is lost in the kitchen, not the gym---but it still helps a little with weight loss and it's very important for overall health. Physical fitness and regular also helps motivate most people to eat better (particularly when they see and feel how hard it is to burn off those calories). I wish you the best of look with the continuation of your WL journey!!

Thanks for the tip on the MCT oil. I am going to look into getting some. It's pretty high in calories though?? Does that concern you at all? Even on keto, you still have to watch your calories.