Carbs---those nasties!!

I am busy trying to re-read a couple of books I have on weight loss surgery, to see what is allowable per day for total carbs. I re-read my surgeon and nutritionists information but nothing concrete. So now I am checking the books I haven't read for awhile and as usual, you see things new each time you read any book! Julia

Hi Julia, I think nothing concrete since our bodies respond so differently and I'm certain that the level of activity we incorporate in to our day will make a difference too. Since I know you have a different surgeon than I did, I'll give you some info contained in my Weight Loss Book from my surgeon regarding Post-Op Nutrition Guidelines: (very brief but in a nutshell here it goes) Carbohydrates: Carbohydrate is the major source of energy for your body BEFORE surgery after surgery, the main sources will shift to protein and you own body fat. Best choices for Carbohydrates is Fruit and Veggies after surgery. Personally, I am a corbo addict and know I need to focus on changing that habit which caused my weight problem in the first place NO QUESTION. I would wager to say that is true for 99.9% of the population in America today. It was my enemy and will continue to be so. I know it's easier said than done but I have to realize and apply the fact that Carbs are out to get me even after surgery so I will stand against them like never before. (Bad carbs anyway) Fruits and veggies, I can control so they will be my friends for the rest of my life.

Hey Julia, I'm out about 4.5 years now and lost 211lbs, gained 2 babies and am now working on the rest!! My nutritionist says 21 to 100 depending on you...I do best at about 40. Lots of luck with that!!

Deanna, Thanks for the infor. I am going to shoot for 30 or less for now then may need to increase it to 40 but WOW 100 seems like a lot. I guess they just scare me!! Julia

Speaking of re-reading nutrition books, are there any books that you veterans can recommend to us pre-op folks? I recently got "Weightloss Surgery for Dummies" and am learning a lot from it. I realize that the most important reading to follow is that given by your own surgeon, but it's always good to have lots of information. Linda

i like "thin for life" written by a woman, can't think of her name, who lost over 100 pds and kept it off for over 10 years luv nancy

Linda, I have that book too. I also have "Weight Loss Surgery" Finding the thin person hiding inside you by Barbara Thompson. It is a fairly good book too. I did find the carb question in this book and she says it should be 20 to 40 grams per day. I am going to try to limit mine to 30 per day and see if that kicks my weight loss into a higher gear. I really have not kept track of carbs by the gram, I just eat my protein first etc. I was looking at the carbs in Cream of wheat the other day and found out it is fairly high. Every book has some different information in it and each surgeons instructions are also different and first we must follow what the surgeon has told us. But like you said it is important to educate ourselves and nutrition is very important. Julia