I had surgery on 4/9/13 and I have lost @ 30 pounds with 53 more to go, but for my own sanity I am taking my weight loss 5 pounds at a time. For me it is much easier to handle this way!

My NUT has been a great source of information and I have only positive things to say about her. However I am noticing more and more that many people who have had the sleeve shy away from carbs. My NUT has told me that she wants me to eat "normal" but in small portions but to alwways eat 4 bites of protein, 2 bites of veggies and add in carbs/starch as I can tolerate. So typically I have a protein and salad for dinner and I may add an 8th of a baked potato or a few pieces of smart taste pasta. With breakfast or lunch I may have a 1/2 of a whole grain wrap or English muffin with eggs, deli meat, cheese or peanutbutter, etc. I have also had special k high protein cereal and raisin bran in moderation. I am reaching my protein and water goals every day

As I stated in the beginning I have lost about 30pounds, however most of that was immediately following surgery and I have been struggling for a coule of weeks too reach another 5 pound mini goal. My body has definitely changed even since the initial weight loss however I don't know if I should go against the NUTS aadvice and completely stop the carbs, I probably have no more then 25 a day.

I was curious to see how others felt about a low carb diet rather then no carbs....

I view carbs as wasted space, so they are never my first choice. I focus on protein first, and then veggies or fruit if I can fit them. I do occasionally eat bread and potatoes - but not very much. I can't eat rice...bad mojo there for me since surgery. I've been nervous about pasta or noodles and have simply skipped them. I think you are doing fine by trying to eat normally, but in much smaller portions. As long as you are hitting your protein & water you shouldn't worry about it. Do you have a calorie and exercise goal? Sometimes you just need to change things up when you hit a stall. Different types of protein, a change in your exercise routine...things like that.

lost about 30pounds, I should go against the NUTS advice and completely stop the carbs, I probably have no more then 25 a day.

dma2013

eeeeeeeeek

"disobey" your NUT???

are you kidding me

people have been shot for less

sounds like you are doing great!!!!

you are only eating about 25 carbs????

OMG thats great!!!

all/most NUTS/surgeon opinions vary from one to another

always, always listen and follow YOUR NUT's instructions

less than 6 weeks PO - 30 lbs, down, down, down - gone!!!!!

you are getting all your H20, protein in!!!! limited carbs!!!

what more could one sleever ask for???

sounds like your NUT knows what she is talking about

keep up the terrific job!!!!

kathy

My NUT said to eat 3 oz of protein first, then 3 oz green/red veggies, then any starches last. If I try it this way I will be less likely to eat the carbs as I should be full on the protein and veggies, however, if I do have room it may be for 1 bite of starches.

A lot of people on here do limit their carbs to maximize weight loss, but they don't completely eliminate them. Chances are high that these people are getting their carbs from milk, veggies, and fruits.

I had surgery a day before you and have lost 25pds so I'd say you doing great!!! I had a stall week 3 but since then been losing steady. My NUT basically just says to listen to our bodies and let that be the guide. She says we need carbs and we can't eat enough to really cause harm (at least not at this point). I obviously unhealthy foods and the thing she really stressed is getting fluids in but she does not give a # of proteins needed per day etc. She says everyone is different so just gotta listen to your body. She says how can I say to have 1/2 cup if something when maybe you would be satisfied with 1/4 cup. I kinda wish she would just tell me what to eat/what not to eat but I guess it makes sense and certainly relieves some of the pressure.

I wouldn't stress about it, I think you doing GREAT!!!!!!

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My NUT and surgeon do not have their patients on low carb. It's healthy, rounded. Protein first, veggies/fruits second and starches and carbs last. I do 2 bites protein, 1 bite fruit/veggies. They also say the goal is it get to 3 meals per day and little snacking.

I like this plan. It works for me. Am I stalling? Yes. We all do. When I do, I lose inches so something good is going on here and I like it. While I wish I was shedding 5 pounds per week I am enjoying a normal life again based on the fact that there is limited real estate in my new tummy and making a choice in what goes in it is important in how I feel. I am probably getting 40-50 carbs per day. I have done low carbs for years and yes it makes me lose weight but I feel sluggish and tired. I feel great now and full of energy.

I have not eaten breads, pasta, rice or refined sugar/ sweets. Have not even tried it. Mostly because the craving is just not there. Secondly, there is just no room. I did have a few french fries when we were out but they were not anything special. Who knew?

Lots of different opinions but in the end we need to listen to our bodies and go about it the way that is right for us.

Supposedly anything less than 1gram of protein per 1 pound of body weight is low carb. My NUT doesn't want me on very low carb diet. She says that your brain needs about 100g of carbs a day to function properly. On very low carb I don't feel normal and I feel very fatigued and slower, some people make up for this lack of energy by drinking caffeine but I can't really tolerate caffeine. IMO it all comes back to the simple rules of calories in calories out, nothing special. I don't count cals because my NUT told me to stop and I focus on eating protein first and then a carb. I weigh my food and eat around 3-3 1/2 oz of food per meal. My NUT focuses on a well balanced diet and I'm happy because my body hates very low carb.

ETA: I also find myself craving protein now. It feels like my sweet tooth is gone, except for the week before my period lol. I don't like pasta, rice, candy, soda, cake, etc. (unless it's that time of the month) I can take a bite of those and have zero desire for anymore. Nothing hits the spot like some protein lol. I get my carbs from fruit and yogurt.

Supposedly anything less than 1gram of protein per 1 pound of body weight is low carb. My NUT doesn't want me on very low carb diet. She says that your brain needs about 100g of carbs a day to function properly. On very low carb I don't feel normal and I feel very fatigued and slower' date=' some people make up for this lack of energy by drinking caffeine but I can't really tolerate caffeine. IMO it all comes back to the simple rules of calories in calories out, nothing special. I don't count cals because my NUT told me to stop and I focus on eating protein first and then a carb. I weigh my food and eat around 3-3 1/2 oz of food per meal. My NUT focuses on a well balanced diet and I'm happy because my body hates low carb.[/quote']

Are you going to a Base Nut? My Nut is and is of this opinion so I was wondering if it was just common with them because mine is all about a well balanced diet for health with weightloss vs extreme low cal low carb to lose faster .

Wow thanks everyone! It seems like based on most of this feedback I am doing okay

Are you going to a Base Nut? My Nut is and is of this opinion so I was wondering if it was just common with them because mine is all about a well balanced diet for health with weightloss vs extreme low cal low carb to lose faster .

Yup. I see the NUT on Fort Carson (Army base).

I'm following my own 2 to 1 plan that my nutritionist has no problem with. I eat 2 grams of protein for every gram of carbs consumed. I don't eat processed carbs ie no white foods or breads, so no pasta, rice or white breads, even whole grain, unless I make it myself, because most food manufacturers lie about what they put into food. Early on, it probably makes sense to eat as slow of carb diet as possible to get the body to burn off some of the stored fat, but ultimately that isn't a good plan long term. But at 6 months out I can pretty much eat what I need as long as it is balanced and of the right proportional size. i am not losing 5 lbs a week and at times will go a week or so with out losing, but that is fine. If the weight comes of slower, the chances for regain are dramatically lower as the body has time to adjust and settle to the new weights. This isn't something that everybody does, and there are hundreds of schools of thought on this. I think what works best for your own situation is what plan you should follow. It is good to get the feedback for comparison though.

Yup. I see the NUT on Fort Carson (Army base).

I think bc most of the base ones give sound nutritional advice bc they also function outside of bariatrics and are not worried about the surgeon's results as much as the patients health.This is not to say that other Nuts aren't good but SOME Nuts do cater to the wishes of the surgeons they work with when advising as far as wanting extreme low carbs etc. for example some of the Nuts in a Bariatric Center or Weightloss Clinic .My actual surgeon seems to agree with the Nutritionists at Lackland and they all work together but I know that the Nut would have no problem voicing her opinion if it differed from the surgeon bc Bariatrics isn't her sole job so she wouldn't be afraid of losing work if the surgeon was upset.

OP Sorry if it seems like hijacking but I think some of the folks who are doing extreme low carb low cal have Nuts that are part of their Bariatric Program which isn't IMO the best bc it seems like there could be a conflict of interest between surgeon and nut. It sounds like your Nut is good and I would follow her advice and your results may not be supersonic but you may be healthier overall of course this is my opinion .

I am limiting carbs, but not to any certain number. A lot of my carbs come from fruit and vegetables. Basically, how I do it is I eat what I want (healthy choices), but for instance, if I have a burger, no bun. Stir-fry, no rice. No sides of noodles or pasta. Very few white potatoes. That is about the extent of my carb-limiting. It's possible I may lose slower at this point, but I will enjoy food and life a little more. I also think it might help me in the long run when I am in maintenance. It's something I can definitely live with. As far as whether it works for weight loss- take people who are on weight watchers for instance: they are not low carbing- they are counting points, not carbs. A lot of them are very successful.

I am limiting carbs' date=' but not to any certain number. A lot of my carbs come from fruit and vegetables. Basically, how I do it is I eat what I want (healthy choices), but for instance, if I have a burger, no bun. Stir-fry, no rice. No sides of noodles or Pasta. Very few white potatoes. That is about the extent of my carb-limiting. It's possible I may lose slower at this point, but I will enjoy food and life a little more. I also think it might help me in the long run when I am in maintenance. It's something I can definitely live with. As far as whether it works for weight loss- take people who are on weight watchers for instance: they are not low carbing- they are counting points, not carbs. A lot of them are very successful.[/quote']

Yes this is what I do my carbs come from fruit and veg primarily. I tend to avoid bread,rice,pasta. I eat potatoes 1-2x a week so bc it was recommended for potassium .