Question for WLS veterans

[psyance 32]

It’s only been a week for me, but from what I can see, our post surgery diet is mostly Protein with some vegetables at the end (if possible). This sounds very much like the low carb diets (eg Atkins). Right now, I know I’m squarely (and deeply) in ketosis. I peed on a Ketostick and it nearly turned black. Just wondering if we will always need to follow a low carb lifestyle? I’m totally cool with low/no refined sugars, but I really enjoy fruit, and I feel like it’s a healthy food in moderation.

[Amburmist 55]

Yes, u will eventually be adding back most things, including carbs. Just at the beginning and then for the first 6 months to a year postop, u wanna lose as much weight as possible during this "honeymoon phase" while ur body figures out its new inner workings and becomes efficient again. My doc said that right now (the first 6 months to a year post op), our bodies arent really efficient with our new inner workings, so weight is more likely to come off faster. So take advantage of that and stay on diets that allow faster weight loss, like a low carb type diet.

[DownsizingDonna 39]

Totally agree with Amburmist. Speaking for myself, I have fruit, but try to stick with a low carb diet most of the time. I had WLS in 2011. I make bread/pasta substitutions whenever possible. Going out can be a challenge, but I don't beat myself up over eating carbs because I know that the portion size is not going to cause much damage.

[Healthy_life2 8,319]

3 hours ago, psyance said:

It’s only been a week for me, but from what I can see, our post surgery diet is mostly Protein with some vegetables at the end (if possible). This sounds very much like the low carb diets (eg Atkins). Right now, I know I’m squarely (and deeply) in ketosis. I peed on a Ketostick and it nearly turned black. Just wondering if we will always need to follow a low carb lifestyle? I’m totally cool with low/no refined sugars, but I really enjoy fruit, and I feel like it’s a healthy food in moderation.

Your diet will transition as you approach maintenance phase. You will be adding healthy carbs to slow/stop your weight loss.

Maintaining is a balance. (I'm three years out) If I choose to indulge in dessert carbs sugar etc. I will see a gain on the scale. I put more time in at the gym. If I have a larger gain I go back to the bariatric basics to get the scale to move.

Side note: I also distance run. Training and running I can't eat like a bariatric patient. I eat like an athlete. My calories and carbs are increased with healthy foods. A smaller stomach means eating several small meals to reach my new calories Protein and carb goals.. Once running season is over...Back to lower maintenance calories.

[James Marusek 5,244]

There are two phases to weight loss surgery. These are the weight loss phase and the maintenance phase. I had RNY gastric bypass surgery and I slid into the maintenance phase at around 7 months. My weight dropped like a lead brick. Those who have sleeve surgery tend to lose weight at a slower pace and encounter many stalls along the way. They can achieve almost the same level of weight loss because the transition to the maintenance phase may take a couple years.

The three most important elements after RNY gastric bypass surgery are to meet your daily Protein, Fluid and Vitamin requirements. food is secondary because your body is converting your stored fat into the energy that drives your body. Thus you lose weight.

Weight loss is achieved after surgery through meal volume control. You begin at 2 ounces (1/4 cup) per meal and gradually over the next year and a half increase the volume to 1 cup per meal. With this minuscule amount of food, it is next to impossible to meet your protein daily requirements by food alone, so therefore you need to rely on supplements such as Protein Shakes.

Without sufficient protein, your body will scavenge protein from other areas of your body, such as your muscles. Protein is extremely important after surgery as its job in the body is to build and maintain tissues including your body's major organs and skeletal muscles. Protein deficiency, when continued over a long period of time can cause a disease known as protein caloric malnutrition. Common symptoms are poor healing, fatigue, Hair loss and muscle wasting. Immediate post op, protein promotes healing of the staple line and incisions.

I am not an expert on sleeve surgery, so I am not a good source on their diet approach.

In the weight loss phase, I was restricted from consuming fats and sugars because the part of my stomach that normally process this type of food was cut away. But when I reached maintenance, my intestines evolved to be able to accept this type of food again. After I reached maintenance I had a discussion with my nutritionist about meal composition. Her advise was meals should consist of equal parts of protein, fats and carbs but always put protein first. Snacks should be limited to primarily whole food options: nuts, natural nut butters, fruits, veggies, boiled eggs, string cheese, yogurt with berries and almonds, tuna pouches. Avoid processed packaged foods as much as possible.

I knew that fats are important because they help to control hunger. Also because I was diabetic prior to surgery, I restrict myself from sugars. So primarily, I followed my nutritionist guidelines but also incorporate the use of fats into my diet. I am 4 1/2 years post-op.

[dreamingsmall 1,125]

I'm not a vet. My plan isn't Low carb but don't seem to crave fruit. I'm allowed it though.

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[JohnnyCakes 593]

low carb, yes - good and sustainable.

Keto? NO. do not start with that. unsustainable, unnecessary, and damaging in the long run.

i know you are in ketosis now, largely bc of the sharp calorie decline and your body utilizing so much stored fat for energy. but seriously do not start with the eating 80% fat thing. not because fat is bad for you, it’s not, but because you should not begin ANY eating plan that you can’t sustain for the rest of your life. because guess what happens when you get off of it. yep, weight gain regain.

i follow a generally low-carb (under 50g carbs per day), whole foods diet. kinda paleo, kinda Mediterranean, but always REAL food. makes it all quite simple.