When I went and talked to Dr. Hamn about the surgery, I asked him if it would be ok to follow the Atkins diet. He told me flat out NO. When I asked why he said that ketosis was too dangerous. I personally disagree with that. I think Ketosis is a perfectly natural state and when i am in it, I am not hungry in the least. I once lost 50 lbs on it in 5 months with out cheating once. Then the stress of everything got to me and I started eating again. Eating all the wrong kinds of food anyways and lots and lots of it. I seem to be rambling now. Anyway, my point is that he told me no right? well when I asked him what I should eat he said Protein first then veggies and by then i should be too full for anything else. Ok meat and salads are what he wants....yet he doesn't want me on Atkins????? That's exactly what I did eat on Atkins and lost plenty of weight....what gives???

Oh one other thing, I know a woman (well not really, she's a friend of my mom's) but she went to him after her band and was bragging that she was able to eat mashed potatoes and he told her that if he ever hears of her eating potatoes again he'll rip that band out of her so fast her head will spin....

Anyway, my point is that he told me no right? well when I asked him what I should eat he said Protein first then veggies and by then i should be too full for anything else. Ok meat and salads are what he wants....yet he doesn't want me on Atkins????? That's exactly what I did eat on Atkins and lost plenty of weight....what gives???

Hi Coal!

I really think some doctors are just anti-any "fad" diet. It's just because you said the word "Atkins" that you got the reaction you did; if you'd described the same eating plan without using that word you'd probably have gotten a different response. I think there's a perception that Atkins is extremely high-fat and that's what they're reacting to. If you said a high-protein, low-fat diet with limited carbs they'd have no problem.

Oh one other thing, I know a woman (well not really, she's a friend of my mom's) but she went to him after her band and was bragging that she was able to eat mashed potatoes and he told her that if he ever hears of her eating potatoes again he'll rip that band out of her so fast her head will spin....

Charming.

Hi Alexandra, so you're telling me you bandsters DO follow a Atkins type plan. hmph...ok well I just wasn't sure where he was coming from and didn't want to push the subject with him. Maybe you're right, he probably thought I was talking about eating buckets of lard at every sitting. I can see where that might be considered a soft food. :sick

Hey ALexandra/Coal,

You beat me to the punch on the same response!!!! Many doctors perceive Atkins to be an unhealthy diet. I have been on a high protein/low carb intake for the last 10 weeks. (Atkins!!!!!) Even at my gym (Curves) they endorse an Atkins like diet plan with about 50 carbs permitted per day and about 1200-1400 calories. Now I rarely get to 1100 in a day, and I always make sure I keep my carbs under 20. I am very metabolically resistant and my endocrinologist reccomended an Atkins like diet as a lifestyle. The key is to integrate some carbs in your diet, so you do not become so metabolically resistant that you no longer lose weight, so every few weeks it is good to go off a ketogenic diet and eat some carbs as long as they are the healthy kind. Ketones are great, except for your breath!!!!

Babs in TX

334/296/180

6/23/03

Hi Babs! whoa....*passes you a sugar-free mint* Thank you for your response, I am wondering though is it difficult for you to get the protein down with the band now? I think i'll do Atkins again, I'd rather take advice from someone who has actually been there, ya know. The best part of Atkins for me really is that I don' t seem to crave sugar once it is out of my system. Hopefully, the band will help me just not eat so much of the right kinds of foods. Nice to meet you girl.

Hi Coal,

No, it is not difficult for me to get the Protein down. My fill level is at 1.75 now. I had no restriction until last week when I had my fill. I now have restriction, but as long as I chew, chew chew, I am able to get down the meat. Hamburger seems to be a problem and probably steak will be too, but I have eaten soft pork, fish, chicken and low carb tortilla with no problem. I have not barfed even on the hamburger, but any lean dry meat is uncomfortable, so I try to have a sauce handy to help get it down.

I eat verrrrry slowly, usually 25 minutes to eat 3 oz of meat and some veggies. I love cheese, but really try to moderate that, not exceeding 2 oz per day because of the high caloric intake.

Just so you know, I am a slow loser. If I did not do Atkins, I would be lucky to lose a few pounds a month. I am now averaging about 2.5 pounds a week, but I am presently plateauing for the last two weeks and I think I will go on liquids for a few days. Good luck with your surgery!!!

Babs in TX

334/296/180

6/23/03