Ok all you successful post surgical sleevers. I am interested in hearing about what seems to be most successful: Low carb higher fat diet with exercise or low fat diets which seems to have higher carbs. I also wonder if the higher fat, high protein, low carb helps with hair loss.

Let the comments and education begin

I'm not post-sleeve yet, but high carbs is part of what got all of us into this mess in the first place. From what I understand, high Protein low fat AND low carb is the way to go. I've also heard (read) good things about Biotin helping, and it's not expensive.

Exercise in ALL instances.

#longhairforaguyandproudofit

The idea is to find a way to eat like a normal person does. A balanced diet - nothing too high in any one thing.

That said, in the very beginning, lower carb and higher Protein is easier, simply because you do not have room for most of the carbs we normally eat.

This is not a diet. If it was, sticking to a crazy restrictive diet might make more sense because it wouldn't be long term. This is FOREVER. This is the rest of your life, and you have to be able to happily live with your choice.

Every person is different, so what your body can handle won't be the same as everyone else's. I started out super low carb and was still a slower loser. I started adding in more and more carbs and surprise, surprise - I didn't gain weight. I did gain energy and my mood was improved, however. Everyone is different.

Once you're totally healed, I think that 40% protein, 30% fat and 30% carbs is a nice balance. It works for me. I'm happy, I'm maintaining and I'm satisfied. I do not feel deprived or resent the fact that I had surgery. I'm happy, I'm NORMAL. And my carbs come from a variety of sources - a mix of "good carbs" and "junk carbs" because for me, moderation is key. I eat what I want, in moderation. I'm sure it's part of why I'm happily well adjusted.

In the beginning, though, it's easier to focus on protein first. Don't seriously limit your carbs but don't fret about getting in a ton of them, either. It's hard to eat anything for the first few months.

As for hair loss, I didn't really notice much of a difference either way. Most of us experience it to some extent, regardless of our diets.

~Cheri

I think the sleeve helps me the most in these decisions. I have limited space, so I have to make every bite count, it's quality...not quantity. whatever I eat, I make it a nutritious as possible. Lean protein, whole grain carbs, no junk. It's easy now (8 weeks out) because there is no extra room and I don't feel hunger.

Thank yOu everyone for all of your comments. I'm roughly 5 weeks out and have been eating higher protein low carb such as meat cheese and some veggies. No more than 1/2 cup, usually about a 1/4 cup. I like the idea of 40 30 30 and will stick to that.

I am confused on this too. I have been doing ultra low carbs - 20 and I upped it a bit to 35-40 and I started losing again and I just dropped it again.

All body types are different too. I am losing slower than others that had surgery the same day and I am also working out...a lot. I am also regaining my muscle, so I think that is one of the reasons I am losing slower.

I know I will need to up my calories and carbs a little bit soon, but need to wait to up my Protein a little bit. At 7 weeks I am still at 400-475 calorie range - 55-65 protein range and 20-35 carbs range. I actually am taking in a lot less carbs now than when I was on full liquid because I quit the sugar-free puddings and Soups.

Edited July 22, 201214 yr by MinaT