Hey there OH Friends,

I am researching all over and finding a wide range of variability for recommended carbohydrate grams per day intake post RNY. Everything from zero carbs to 130g/day. It is kind of making my head hurt.

My doctor and dietitian say specifically not to count or focus on carbs at all.  They instruct patients to stay focused solely on portion control and protein as 50% of the 'plate'. They have a sample 'bariatric plate' that is about the size of a side plate.

(Example: http://www.amazon.com/Portions-for-Health-Bariatric-Portion/ dp/B0096I2SZC )

My surgeon explained to me that his patients have better out comes with this visual management over the long haul.  He said his experience has shown that after a year or two the folks who "have been counting and counting" stop counting and weighting as regularly and then go off the rails. With the visual 'plate' method his feels patients learn to recognize appropriate portion sizes and are better able to maintain. 

Long story short...he doesn't give specific recommendations for carbs, fat, or even calorie intake. Protein is supposed to stay at or above 60g/day.  Otherwise...just don't eat too much volume and bob's your uncle...you will be successful.

What are your personal goals per day for carb intake? Did your surgeon give you a recommendation? 

Thanks!

~Elizabeth

I try to stay under 50 gram of carbs a day.  For me, I have to weigh my food and track every day.  I'm OCD that way, and it works for me.  If I just depended on eyeballing it, I know how I am, and that my eyeballs would slowly creep up in size.  That is just me.  It may be the opposite for other people.  I think the key is to find what works for you, and what works for you over the long haul.  This is for life, and the best method is one that you will stick with.

Amen to that.  That is why I am trying to sort out a good goal to try out.  I have been keeping track with My Fitness Pal for our 'menu gang' and wanted to see what goal folks use.  I may decide it works better for me than the MD recommendation.  

Heck, he also told me to only weigh myself once a week!  HA! He can't stop me!!! I weigh every morning and every night.  It really keeps me focused and I feel so much more in control of my weight and my life. No one can take my scale from me! BWAHAHAH!

So...carb counting or not...I will find the things that work for me with a little help from my friends.

~E

I could gain 10 pounds in a week if I did not weigh more often. I used to weigh every day but now I do it 3-4 times a week.

This is me, word for word.

At almost 4 years, I still weigh what I eat. My eyeballs always tell me to eat more than I should. A lot more. 

I think counting calories works best. It's kept me on track so far, long after many in my cohort -- who eyeball, and refuse to count calories -- have experienced significant regains.

Heck, i think it's going to be different for everyone.  I "try" to stay under 50g of carbs a day, but sometimes (Like yesterday) it will creep into the 60ish range.  For me it's all about stopping the carb cravings, and honestly 50g is just a goal that I shoot for.  It seems to be a good universal goal for those in the losing phase.

I did read an article once, and I don't know where or exactly how long ago, that said that people who had WLS and that kept their carb intake under 100g per day, long term, were more successful at keeping the weight off.  So I believe that will be my top end goal when I get to maintenance.

I saw that article as well.  It looked like a well designed study. Interesting read.

http://bariatrictimes.com/recommended-levels-of-carbohydrate -after-bariatric-surgery/

That was sort of what got me more confused.  MD says one thing, OH Vets often recommend very restricted/low carbs, and this seems to show higher carbs are more associated with better long term maintenance. 

~E

It's complex.  I think that of I was in maintenance and ate 100g of veg carb,  I'd be fine.  Add in any starch and I'd have a hard time sticking to 100g. 

It comes down to what your body can handle and what your head can handle.  Eating higher carbs and maintaining without huge carb cravings = winning.  I just don'tknow if it's realistic for everyone.  

My thought,  for me,  is stay as low as I can without making myself feel completely deprived so I don't freak out and binge.  50g is a good goal for me now.  

100 carbs of carrots, broccoli, asparagus, etc are one thing. 100 grams of carbs from bread, pasta, potatos, bananas, etc are another.

The trouble is, people focus on the number in order to rationalize eating crap. None of us got to morbid obesity eating protein and fat, or veggie carbs. It is always crappy carbs that get us.

I shoot for 23 grams or under on NON-RUNNING days all over which must be low GI.

On a  long distance running day, I will eat a few dates, have my electrolyte drink (maltodextrin= carb... no white cane sugar), ONE grab at the chips/pretzels (for the salt at the mile 7 turn around point...maybe about 6-8 chips/pretzels) and maybe before the run scrambled egg with 1/2 of a tiny apple (complex slow carb).

I dont want to bonk 7 miles away from my house. I dont want to aggrevate my PCOS either.  So i keep carbs on the low side.

Which is also probably ONE of the MANY reasons why I am not a fast runner.