Poll for the Vets

Post op. how high was your protein intake and how low was your carb intake for maximum weight loss?

What protein powder do you use or stay away from? In terms of quality, taste, and/or price.  In that order please.

My protein minimum was at least 100g, and I never counted carbs as I lost.  

What I did when I ate was tackle the protein in my meal first, then the veggies.  With my last couple of bites, I would indulge in whatever I felt like, be it bread, rice, or even (gasp) chocolate cake.  I was already almost full, so a couple of bites kept me from ever feeling deprived and also kept me from going butt-wild.

What she said ^^^

I am very aware of the carbs I eat, but I don't actually count them. I do make sure I get protein first and foremost...after that, I focus on veggies...then the carbs.

I've all along have made the effort to eat at least 150g of protein a day. I did/do not count carbs, but have kept carbs for after eating the protein and fat.

I was certain to stay over 90 gm of protein and tried to get much more that that. My goal was to stay under 100 gms of carbohydrate and I stayed under 30 of simple carbs such as white flour products and sugar. I started letting that slip when I reached goal and immediately slowed and then stopped losing weight. Then, as they didn't bother me too much, I started indulging --immediately started putting back on the pounds. Stay away from simple carbohydrates if you want to be successful. I keep asking myself why I went through this process if I can't stay on the program of eliminating carbs.

120+ grams of protein from whey protein isolate shakes (protein from food is just extra) and 70 or less grams of carbs. You want maximum weight loss, right? This is a pretty trusted way to approach it.

If you want to be "normal" see the recommendations from the responders above. There are at least a couple of philosophies about having this surgery, I think. Some want to ensure long term success and are quite strict with themselves, and some just want to be normal after years of struggle and bullying, etc. Nothing wrong with either philosophy.

Now, once you reach your goal, or your body decides where it's going to stop, maintenance becomes another discussion.  ; )

--gina

I have never counted carbs.  I'm like Gina, I get in all of the protein I "count" through my protein shakes - I do at least three double-scoop shakes a day, which averages to about 150g of protein just in shakes - and then anything I eat is just 'bonus protein.'  It took me til I got my 3-month lab results back to realize that I needed to add in shakes, but Gina helped me see the light on that one, and I've never looked back.  I reached goal in 9 months, and my labs have been good.  I've maintained and even lost a little lower since then by following that plan, and I'm pushing three years out.