I am curious to know if we are supposed to be doing an Atkin's type diet restricting all carbs after being sleeved? I have read sooooo many posts on here that are following strict low carb diets. I once did the Atkin's diet successfully for about 9 months and lost 50lbs. However I was just plum sick of not ever having any bread or pasta or potatoes and as soon as I tried to gradually introduce any carbs..... I began to stop losing weight and gain rapidly!!!! Needless to say, I am extremely afraid of this happening to me again. Plus one of the main reasons that I had this surgery was because I didn't ever want to have to go through that kind of struggle again of eating carb free for life! I love meats and veggies, but not all day everyday and all the time. I know that we are supposed to eat protein first to help with healing too, but is high protein and low carb supposed to be our way of eating from here on out??? Is everybody eating strict low carb that are having great weight loss results?? I have over 100lbs that I desperately want to lose and I definitely don't want to mess up because this was my last hope! I need some feed back on this please..........

My nutritionist told me absolutely NOT! She said I had to have between 100-130 grams of carbs a day to keep my brain going!

You are going to get all kinds of thoughts and experiences regarding this question.

The only answer is ... you need to do what works for you.

Some people need to restrict carbs during the losing phase or they hit stalls and don't lose as fast. Others don't watch carbs at all.

For me, it was somewhat in-between. I ate my Protein first & then some veggies. If I had room, I allowed bites of mashed potatoes, mac-n-cheese, etc. It wasn't a lot, but I ate them and enjoyed them.

On maintenance, I have allowed more carbs in, but I still focus on protein first and it keeps me on track as far as weight maintenance. (When I just eat mindlessly, I do find I gravitate to carbs & don't get my protein in. )

Some people feel that eating carbs is a slippery slope and leads to more dangerous eating habits. Some feel that carbs make them feel sluggish and uncomfortable. As for me, I intend to follow my doctor's instructions as much as possible without being anal about it. I didn't go through this to have to watch every bite I eat for the rest of my life. I don't count calories, carbs, or protein grams; I don't keep a food diary; I don't use an online food tracker. I eat a high protein, low carb healthy diet in smaller portions. I use as many SF products as I can find that taste reasonably good. (I love SF Jello and pudding!) I don't eat yogurt or skim milk or other rather disgusting (to me) foods. I had surgery for portion control because I was an overeater. Whenever I start to think that I will never have pizza or pasta again, I become depressed--so it is counter-productive to think that way. When the doctor says I can expand my dietary choices, I will have a small slice of pizza, without the thickest part of the crust. I will have a few bites of fettucine Alfredo or lasagna--just not a whole plateful. Personally I like eating protein first. But that doesn't mean I can honestly live that way forever. For now I try to be good for my doctor. Later on I will try to live well for myself. I know this will not be a popular attitude--but what can they do to me, repossess my sleeve? LOL!

The sleeve is just a tool, but not a bludgeon. How you choose to use it is up to you. The first year or so is the restrictive part--after that you must live the life that is healthiest for you.

For me, unless I restrict carbs, I don't lose. I don't restrict veggies or yogurt that have carbs. I have eaten carbs if I have room but I rarely do.

I gained 8 lbs over the holidays because I ate too many carbs and it's been harder than ever to get it back off. That's what I get for eating whatever I wanted. Now, it's much harder than it was when I was first sleeved.

I am eating low carb because it's the quickest way for me to lose my weight. I would lose, but slower, if I ate a more varied diet. I like protein and don't eat white carbs because I just want the bad kind--donuts, waffles, cake. I eat green vegetables, tomatoes, mushrooms, etc. in moderation.

I am curious to know if we are supposed to be doing an Atkin's type diet restricting all carbs after being sleeved?

Well the feeling I get from these boards is that most people are not doing Atkins per se, but they definitely count their carbs. I lost quite a bit on Atkins years ago, and really didn't want to go back to that way of living. I have heard Sleevers say that they don't count carbs, but their losses are much smaller.

After following this board for the last few months, I have began to wonder if I should just do Atkins again. Ugh. Either way, I will be counting carbs with or without surgery. I just hope I don't fail like I did the last time I did it. I really hope the Sleeve is that extra push to learn to live without heavy carbs and helps me to help myself.

:eyebrows:

I did low carb because 1) that's what was recommended 2) I knew I would lose fast/hard 3) I didn't have room for carbs such as Pasta, rice, potatoes during my losing stage.

It's really about finding what works for you individually. I have zero metabolic issues (PCOS, thyroid issues) that would impede my losing, others that have these issues might find they lose much faster with low carbs. It also depends on how you want to lose. If you know that you'll be content with eating carbs and maybe losing slower than others, or suffering from being carb sensitive then that's the path you choose.

I'm in maintenance, and I can assure you that I do not deprive myself of any foods. I eat all foods, all carbs, bread, pasta, meat, cheese, potatoes, rice, but it's what works for my body. I wanted to get to goal and worry about maintenance when I got there. I've found a good balance of what foods I eat, when and how much I indulge, and by no means am I dieting.

The brain lives on fat, not carbs, and that's why the push for healthy fats in all diets even in WW has been pushed for several years now after finding that fats are not as evil as everyone would like to believe.

I think of myself as a quick loser. I had surgery about 4 months ago and I have lost 77.5 pounds and have 14 pounds until I get to my goal weight. I have strictly followed my nutritionist’s diet. I have not eaten anything that I was not allowed to. I do not feel like I did before surgery when I would diet. I seldom feel like eating anything. Occasionally, I wish I could eat something that I remember tasting so good. That is just head hunger and the moment passes quickly. I think even the head hunger is better now that I have learned how to eat in the real world. By that, I mean I have learned what I can order when I am out with my family and friends. I have learned what to grab on the go.

I have PCOS and I know that my body does not do well with Carbs. I loved carbs pre surgery but I am doing just fine with just a few crackers a week now (before it would have been more like a box in one sitting). I work at keeping my carbs under 30 a day. It works great for me.

Hi! I eat low carbs too because 1) I have A LOT to lose and I don't want to take forever getting there; 2) I have PCOS; 3) I can't control myself around carbs (takes over my brain). But there are many who eat carbs and lose. I think you have to figure it out for yourself -- I KNEW I had issues with food and all of the food I had issues with were carbs -- soooo, because I wanted a life that was not ruled by food and my weight, I knew that it was something I had to give up -- it's kind of a small thing in the grand scheme of things -- much rather give up carbs than be obese . . . .

Anyhoo, that's why I do low carbs -- but everyone's journey is their own -- you should do what works for you!

I highly suggest you do the diet your doctor has asked you to follow. After all he or she is the one that blessed you with this tool in the first place.

Like Tiff and a few others have said, follow what works best for you. And this may be something that takes you a little while to figure out. Of course, follow surgeon instructions. But tailor your plan to meet your specific needs. I lose best low carb, but I will go Nucking Futs if I constantly deny myself. So....every once in awhile I will take a bite of that muffin, or have a small square of that chocolate. This is what keeps us sane. Besides, we can eat so very little, one bite will not kill us. Of course, this can be a slippery slope as well. Just listen to your body... Best of luck to ya!

Like Tiff and a few others have said, follow what works best for you. And this may be something that takes you a little while to figure out. Of course, follow surgeon instructions. But tailor your plan to meet your specific needs. I lose best low carb, but I will go Nucking Futs if I constantly deny myself. So....every once in awhile I will take a bite of that muffin, or have a small square of that chocolate. This is what keeps us sane. Besides, we can eat so very little, one bite will not kill us. Of course, this can be a slippery slope as well. Just listen to your body... Best of luck to ya!

:bounce: too funny but true!!

I'm just starting the journey of finding the right surgeon. I'm really trying to get a good understanding of what my hunger strengths, weaknesses, and just how my stomach will function once I'm sleeved. Do you still crave everything you use to? If you wanted to, could you overeat at one sitting or does your sleeve prevent that? I suppose what I'm asking is how exactly does the sleeve change your dynamics? Does it do more than just limit your intake? Or are you tortured because you still crave all the bad things and still have to fight them away just like you did before you were sleeved?

I understand that this is only a tool...that I still have to work hard and make good food choices but I don't want to feel like I do now. Before I do something so drastic, I want to make sure that the sleeve will not be another failure.

I don't know what will work for me yet, but I have taken the guidelines set forth by my surgeon as my first rule and then what I have learned on here how to supplement it. I recommend keep reading, keep asking questions, and figure out what will work for you. I know that if I just eat regularly my body is normally happy, but this is still pre-sleeve thinking for me.

Hi Penpen I'm only 2 weeks & 2 days post-op, but I've learned that the sleeve is not a magic tool... Is it wonderful?? YES.. Am I glad I did it??? YES, EVERY DAY!!! ... Would I do it again??? IN A HEARTBEAT!!

You may read on here and hear on youtube about people losing their desire for food... Well, I don't know if it is really the desire for food that is lost or more like a certain motivation not to eat that is gained... For me I love food... mainly, I love cooking new and exciting foods for friends and family... even now I will find a recipe and be like, wow, that sounds great... And then I save it for when I'm able to actually eat again.. So yes, I still have the desire to eat..... BUT..... i also know how much my sleeve can handle right now... about 1/4 cup of mushy Soup or 1/8 of mushy food like chicken salad.... if i go over this, or don't focus on when I feel full, or if i drink too fast, i vomit.... In the last 2 days I've puked 3 TIMES.....that is a lot of motivation not to overeat... From what I've heard, that doesn't really go away....

So, I look at the sleeve as a learning device.... it teaches us to eat in moderation, and that if we don't there will be consequences..... Where before I would over eat or go back for seconds, now I know what my limits are and what will work for me.... I'm doing low carb... I aim for 20 or less grams of carbs per day, but sometimes it's under 30.... that is fine.... I was a carb loving girl... still am I'm afraid... and i have a huge butt to show for it .... now that i'm trying to lose my butt, I'm low-carbing it... But i'm not going to forever.. Like Tiffykins, I plan on eating a couple of bites of carbs once I've lost the majority of my weight... But seriously, you can't really eat badly, so YES, you will have to watch what you eat... Because you will have to focus on Protein FIRST and after getting in your protein, honestly there wont be much room for anything else!!!

What you ask about being tortured.... It might seem like torture, but if you use your post-op time to learn about healthier eating and then you do it and you see how your body and mind improve, you are more likely to adopt that lifestyle for the rest of your life.... If you don't, then you will probably be one of the people we hear about who has regained their weight...... But if you use it correctly, you will still be able to enjoy some of your favorite foods, but maybe only a bite or two and then you will be satisfied.....

I'm just starting the journey of finding the right surgeon. I'm really trying to get a good understanding of what my hunger strengths, weaknesses, and just how my stomach will function once I'm sleeved. Do you still crave everything you use to? If you wanted to, could you overeat at one sitting or does your sleeve prevent that? I suppose what I'm asking is how exactly does the sleeve change your dynamics? Does it do more than just limit your intake? Or are you tortured because you still crave all the bad things and still have to fight them away just like you did before you were sleeved?

I understand that this is only a tool...that I still have to work hard and make good food choices but I don't want to feel like I do now. Before I do something so drastic, I want to make sure that the sleeve will not be another failure.