5 years post-op.. question regarding caloric intake

Hi I posted awhile back and a great lady told me when I asked about getting back on track how many calories I should be aiming at inorder to get back on the loosing side of things.   She mentioned as per my hight and age weight I should be eating between 1200-1400 but try to stay kind of in the middle. My question is this... where should these calories be coming from?  Are we to still this far out be concerned with counting carbs and all?  Do we still need to be eating kind of like Atkins and or like the Southbeach diet of mostly protien and veggies???   I guess I am wondering if for the rest of our lives we really need to focus on the protien and veggie aspect of it all.  I was never really told how I should be eating after surgery I was just given a sheet on how to eat for the first 2 months and then told to eat anything I wanted.  Well she was wrong cuz if we do then we just gain it right back! Learned from experience.  I have gained 10lbs since april I know that isn't alot but when your 5'3 it shows!! I really want to get back on track and get my mind set in the right direction regarding this.. Any help would truly and grately be appriciated. Tammy Post op open RNY Jan.8/ 2002 257-164

Focus on total calories. Keep a food journal and keep a record of all of your intake and activity.  Use one of the on-line programs to track your progress.  Take a hard look at your habits.  Are you snacking? Drinking your calories? Frying instead of baking? Getting 5+ fruits and vegetable servings per day? Generally a "healthy" diet doesn't have a name like Southbeach.   It is a diet of fruits and vegetables, lean meats cooked adding minimal fat, non-fat dairy products, whole grains.  Carbs around 45-55%, Fats less than 30%, Protein makes up the rest. If you need help - call a Registered Dietitian.