Ketosis - good or bad?

**I'm sure it's been discussed before, but just wondered what the current concensus might be.

In your opinion(s), should a post WLS patient attempt to reduce carbs to the point of inducing Ketosis, or is it better to keep a moderate level of carbs daily to avoid a full fat-burning metabolism seeing as how we might have trouble getting enough water in to avoid kidney stones?

Thanks,
Chad

I'm not sure about the rule sof VSG, but for RNY my Dr. sadi they would be suprised if I wasn't in ketosis for the first few months.

Basically my eating plan results in high protein low carb. The Ketosis provides the indication that I am actually burning fat for fuel. I've turned that into a huge positive.

I use keto sticks regularly to chek my levels. So on all those days when my weight is bouncing around, I can take confidence in the fact that I am actually burning fat, because I can see it on the stick.

It probably sounds funny but I know that eating 800-1000 calories a day results in weight loss, but dang do I feel screwed up sometimes. Always strugling with my "head". This helps me keep it straight.

 What are keto sticks, and where do you get them?

They are test strips which you dip into your urine stream. Typically available at any pharmacy. The other guys posted a lot of good information. Like I said when I illogically question if I am losing weight I test myself. Its a great indicator.

Ketosis is a natural result of the diet we must follow.  With a low carb diet your body will begin burning the fat stores which will result in ketosis.  As nasty as it may sound it is one reason that getting your fluids in is so critical.  64oz does not just keep you hydrated but also keeps your kidneys flushed.

This link should explain it a bit more for you, but as I said it is a natural result of the diet we must follow immediately post-op.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wi****tosis


Remember protein is essential post-op it does a number of things such as aiding the body of healing and minimize your body using your muscle mass as an energy source.  The reason for the low carbs is to minimize your body utilizing carbs for energy and forcing your body to feed on its fat stores.  So if you are in Ketosis which is different than Ketoacidosis (the link explains this part) then your body is doing what it is supposed to do as a result of the surgery.

As you progress through your surgeons protocol you will slowly get some carbs back which will inturn reduce the ketosis.

It is what it is...the first few months.  You need to eat a high protein diet in order not to lose muscle mass.  By eating a high protein-low carb diet, your body has no choice but to go into ketosis.  It is good and necessary for WLS.  Carbs (esp simple carbs) are the death of rapid weightloss.  If you are having WLS there is a need for the weight to come off and come off quickly (heart, kidneys, diabetes, sleep, HDL and LDL, RA...)  Your breath will smell like lighter fluid...which it is...acetone.

Excess ketone bodies will slowly decarboxylate into acetone. Acetone is excreted in the breath and urine. 
Is it the ideal way to lose weight??  No...But for many it is the way it is done.  I started to add a small amount of cooked spinach to my diet...about a month out.  Just to get some iron, potassium, and good carbs in my diet.  Brian

You are going to go into it whether you like it or not.  I take it that you had a RNY but I couldnt handle carbs at all post op... maybe a few crackers... Its just the dietary volume at the moment that will put you in Ketosis... Its not bad ,, the benefit is that you will burn a tremendous amount of fat in a short time.. Steve

Thanks, all.  Good information. 

As a conclusion: although inevitable to a certain extent, should I be aiming for it?  i.e., not consuming sugars and starches during the day to make sure the ketosis stays strong?

 In the sense that as you burn fat, you will be in ketosis, so YES, you should be aiming for it.  Some High Protein/Low Carb diets (Adkins) want you to limit your carb intake to less than 15 grams per day, which will put you in ketosis.  If you come out of Ketosis, lower your carbs.

I believe and some of the others jump in here, with the small pouch and malabsorbtion with RNY, if you focus on getting your carbs in, you usually don't have room for carbs.  IF you are eating carbs, go for the complex from fruits, veggies, grains, & nuts...much healthier.  Those complex carbs also give you some other nutrients.

A good rule of thumb, stay away from WHITE food i.e. processed sugar, white flour, potatoes, white rice.  So yes, don't consume sugars and starches.

With many of us with RNY, if we eat processed sugar, we get Dumping syndrome.  I don't recommend trying it - not a "Fun" experience.  Because I was diabetic and one of the main reasons I had RNY was to "cure" my diabetes (which I did), I've chosen to stay away from processed sugar completely.  Now, as my body has healed, if I eat something with a little sugar in it, I can tell.  I don't like how I feel after I eat it, and that is not even a full "Dump".  I get a headache and feel queezy.  Enough of a psych warning that if I continue to eat the sugar, my body will take it's revenge.

There are enough No Sugar Added or natural sugar substitutes that if I have a "sweet tooth" craving, I can satisfy it with a small no sugar "treat".

You can use the Keto Sticks and monitor your Ketosis, but I wouldn't obsess about it, like you may if you were on Adkins.

Good questions and discussion...Good Luck and continued success!

Remember the VSG has no malabsorbtion so what you eat you will absorb.  You also don't have to worry about dumping from sugars and such, but even so your focus should be Protein.