Hi, this is Reside. I am from Turkey and I had my RNY over two years ago. Before the surgery I weighed around 270 lbs and by the end of the first year I was down to my target. It was not easy (but hey no one told me it would be) but most importantly it felt great to rearrange my relationship with food. However in the past six months I feel a bit troubled with the level of carbs that I take. Foods containing while flour, such as bagels or simple bread have become difficult for me to stay away. Quitting sugar and fat was not an issue, but this relapse in consuming grains is worrying me a lot. Has anyone experienced a similar situation? I was wondering if anyone could give me some advise on this. Thank you very much.

Hi Reside!. After your first year, were you able to maintain your weight loss? I had a RNY about 16 months ago. I understand there are three phases to bariatric surgery weight loss. In the first stage, one losses a lot of weight relatively quickly. I was surviving on around 700 calories per day. For me I lost almost all my weight in the first 7 months. In the second stage, one maintains the weight loss. Its like a honeymoon stage because I could consume significant calories (around 1500 and not gain any weight back. But I am told there is a third stage when the stomach heals itself and becomes more efficient. So whereas the stomach in the honeymoon stage can only process about 70% of the calories, in the third stage, it will absorb 100%. I am told this stage begins at around a year and a half. That means that I will need to cut back on my calories if I want to maintain my weight loss.

I try to eat a mixture of carbs, fats and Protein each day. Each has its place. I have read that there are different types of carbs. Simple carbs (such as vegetables) and complex carbs (such as bread and pasta) and that one should try and restrict oneself to only one meal a day with complex carbs. At least that is what I have read on this board. I am a firm believer in the importance of fats, because they can keep the edge off of hunger.

Hello Reside! Congratulations on your success. My post op diet is 60 to 80 grams of protein a day, no more than 30 grams of fat, and no more than 100 grams of carbs. I have found that keeping track of what I eat really helps me to know what I can or cannot have. If I want half of a bagel, I have it, but make sure I put it on my tracker (MyFitness Pal) my NUT, said it is better to indulge in small amounts of what you crave and to savor every small bite than to overindulge, just make sure to get your protein in first. I can look back at my tracker, and see that I have consumed 100 grams of carbs on only 4 days out of the last 90 days. I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's ok to treat yourself occasionally, and not feel guilty.