Is there a maz number of carbs I should try and stay under per day?

Donna stop making your protein shakes with milk.  Too many carbs in milk.  Use water or use a heavy cream thinned down with water or use almond milk or something else.

Net carbs are the total carbs minus the fiber and also minus the sugar alcohols because those two things (fiber and sugar alcohol) are not absorbed by your body so ultimately they don't count.  Sugar alcohols are sweeteners used in place of regular sugars.  Sugar alcohols are identified on the nutritional label and end with the letters -"itol" such as malitol, sorbitol, erythritol... Most DSers find that most sugar alcohols can cause major gas issues so they avoid them.

I picked up heavy cream today on the way home.  I figure I am experiment with it and see what I can do to make a tasty protein shake.  I was truly shocked to see that the carbs were zero.  Something so rich I would have bet there was some carbs.  I will give it a try and if I do not like the taste I will try the almond milk also suggested.  As it is I put a large amount of ice and the milk some thing to make me not constipated and then 2 packets of calcium I would think all the ice is like water once blended it taste awesome.  I am hoping it just like any thing else and after a while of getting use to a different taste I will again enjoy my shakes get my proteins in and get the added benefit of losing the last 20 pounds as I am 5"4 and 156.  Thank you for your time as your response truly impacted me and I hope it will make a positive behavioral change. 

Yes heavy cream is just all fat so there are no carbs.  If you start using heavy cream you might find that adding as you said, "some thing to make me not constipated" might not be necessary. The fat alone might be enough to prevent constipation. Adding something more to prevent constipation might be too much and give you lots of loose stools.  You will have to experiment to see what works best for your body. 

My surgeon also recommended staying under 50g of carbs per-day which has been very hard for me. Everyday is a new day though and I try each day to be better. Best of luck, Terri

ok I see sugars and fiber but not alcohol sugars

Not very many products have them as an ingredient, so they won't be listed.  They will be on "sugar-free" or low carb products, generally.  So, sugar free candies, protein bars, etc.

Check a pack of gum if you want to see it listed on a label.

I stay below 50.  There are a couple of days in the week where I will have 2 servings of fruit and I know I go over.  I am 3 months out, 79lbs down.  I keep my protein at 100 whether it be by shake or food.  I think in my head, if I am going to have this fruit or fruit juice, it's taking my carbs for the day. 

ITA, Do not use milk!  I couldn't do heavy cream.  I use Unsweetened Almond Milk in my shakes. 

i stayed below 50g up to 6 months out then i noticed my energy just wasn't there. i was playing co-ed softball every week and i just wasn't feeling really peppy, so some of these lovely ladies suggest upping my carbs. so i upped them to 70 and my energy picked up and so did my weight loss! i did the same thing a couple months ago. i upped my carb allowance to 100 and my weight loss picked up and so did my energy. i am almost to goal:) 10 1/2 months out and only 4lbs from goal:) i have had no stalls longer than a week. everybody handles carbs differently and it depends how active you are too:)

OMG I have stalled many times.  100 carbs  I would think without milk it would be doable!!!  I have heard of people upping their protein and increasing their wt loss but never carbs that is surprising and a new learning point for me.

Thanks

Donna

its because i didn't have enough 'go to' energy to burn. i was very active and upping the carbs helped:)