Ketosis Question

 I was at a support group last night for a different surgeon and I leanred that everyone there is in ketosis for an entire year. I had no idea what ketosis was so I looked it up and it looks like it means you are consuming extremely low amounts of carbs. (50 grams or so). I've recently started eating more carbs. Whole wheat crackers here and there as well as some whole wheat toast and some fruit. I try to eat very little but I am pretty sure I am getting more than what would put me in ketosis.

My question is...do I want to be in ketosis? Do I want to make sure I am getting a lot less carbs than I am so I can be in ketosis mode? Why would this be beneficial? Why do some surgeons plans include this and others do not. Anything you could tell me about this would be much appreciated.

From Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wi****tosis

Some clinicians regard ketosis as a dangerous and potentially life-threatening state that stresses the liver.^{[15][dubious – discuss]} Ketogenesis can occur solely from the byproduct of fat degradation: acetyl-CoA. Ketosis, which is accompanied by gluconeogenesis (the creation of glucose de novo from pyruvate), is the specific state with which clinicians are concerned.

The anti-ketosis conclusions have been challenged by a number of doctors and advocates of low-carbohydrate diets, who dispute assertions that the body has a preference for glucose and that there are dangers associated with ketosis.^[16][17][18] It has been argued that the Inuit lived for thousands of years on a diet that would have been ketogenic, and there are many documented cases of modern humans living in these societies for extended periods of time. On the other hand, it is speculated that the Inuit may have a genetic predisposition allowing them to healthfully eat a ketogenic diet. On this view, such an evolutionary adaptation would have been caused by environmental stresses.^[19] While it is believed by some^[who?] that exercise requires carbohydrate intake in order to replace depleted glycogen stores, studies have shown that, after a period of 2–4 weeks of adaptation, physical endurance (as opposed to physical intensity) is unaffected by ketosis, as long as the diet contains high amounts of fat. [1

At the rate you lose the first year, as long as you are getting your recommended protein amount you'll likely be in ketosis at some point.  You'll know because your breath will taste bad....you'll need lots of mints.

I don't think you should stress about trying to get into ketosis.  The process of ketosis is your body simply burning stored fat and will occur by the very nature of how you are forced to eat right now.  Also, don't overly stress about the number of carbs.  Follow your plan and you'll be fine.  If you are truly doing protein first, you don't have enough room left for enough carbs to do any damage.  Log your food daily so you can keep an eye on what you are consuming.

A definition from the WWW:
Ketosis is a condition in which levels of ketones (ketone bodies) in the blood are elevated. Ketones are formed when glycogen stores in the liver have run out. The ketones are used for energy. Ketones are small carbon fragments that are the fuel created by the breakdown of fat stores. Ketosis is potentially a serious condition if ketone levels go too high.

However, when the body is in ketosis the individual tends to feel less hungry, and will probably eat less than he/she might otherwise do. The body switches from being a carbohydrate-burning organism into a fat-burning one. The fat stores become a primary energy source, and the person loses weight. That is why low-carb diets have become popular, and effective, especially among obese people.

Focus on following your plan, eating your protein first, and limiting any other eating to veggies, then complex carbs (whi*****ludes dairy and fruit).  You do not want to "graze" on crackers and other non-protein stuff.  This first year is the critical time when you must re-train yourself on good behaviors while you are not experiencing hunger.  Also, critical to your long term success is exercise.  Focus on that--it must become a regular part of your life if you want a good shot at keeping the weight off for good.

After the first year, hunger will return (for some even sooner) and you'll experiment with the stuff you didn't eat the first year.  That is okay, but you have to be equipped with good habits so the old ones don't take over.  During the second year you really want to concentrate on balance.  You will NOT be able to ignore the "bad food" forever.  Human nature will make you want to try a bite of cake or a cookie every now and then.  AND THAT IS OKAY.  Year 2 and beyond is when you learn to balance a "not so good" food choice with a little more exercise to keep yourself in check.

I think there are alot of opinions on this subject.

I think that Ketosis is just another tool that helps expedite the weightloss. My doctor requires 1 month of liquids to keep me in Ketosis as well as his other patients. This gives the pouch plenty of time to heal and speeds up the loss. The most important time for ketosis is the first 4-6 months immediately following surgery.

If you are consuming no to low carbs your body begins burning fat. This happens on top of the other benefits that you're receiving from the weight loss surgery.

You can also purchase Ketostix at the pharmacy to check for Ketosis. You can actually see that your body is burning fat! 

Years ago, I went on the Atkins diet.  This diet is based alot of being in ketosis.  I believe it's not only because of the low amount of carbs but because of the very high amount of protein you are putting in your system.  That in essence is what we are doing.  However, in reading the Atkins book, ketosis is bad for your system if you stay in it long periods of time without a break.  Mainly because your kidneys have to work extra hard to cleanse the large amounts of protein out of your system.  It actually recommends buying the ketosis sticks at the pharmacy so you can monitor it.  When I was on the Atkins and was in ketosis, I lost the most weight.  Even that diet suggests that you should only be in ketosis for a limited time and then take a break.

Wouldnt the Urisol pills the doctor perscribes the first six months prevent all of this?