Day 5 - Calling all the Vets - questions for you all

Q1: I think Keto can really work for a lot of people. I think it may be optimal for obese people who choose not to have WLS. I cannot say that I eat keto because I don't eat enough fat and intake more protein to be in the true sense of the definition. However, I don't limit my fats in any way.

Q2: I don't know because I cannot speak for everyone, but only my experience. It also depends on what a person defines as "regain" or "bounce". Once at goal (which is not the same as the lowest weight attained), I consider regain to be 10 pounds or more. I think fluctuations of 5 to 8 pounds are in the realm of normal -- and bounce is less than 10 pounds without going back down.

I have not had regain, but I do fluctuate 5 to 8 pounds.

However, I am only five years out, and I will be the first to admit that it gets harder every year -- not easier. I think that in general, most people find it much much harder to maintain their whole loss of the first 18-24 months without any bounce/regain.

9.5 years post op.

Question #1 (Q1):

So much talk around about doing "Keto." What are your thoughts on Keto and how do you feel about "diets" like that?

I like Keto. Fats keep me satiated longer than just doing a more typical low carb diet. However this is a diet that really really requires you to be 100% compliant because if you eat a of fat it is only fueling you if you keep carbs and sugar out of the picture. Add just one in, and that fat turns to fat not fuel.

Question #2 (Q2):

Is weigh gain inevitable? Does everyone get "regain" and/or "bounce-back." Do you feel this is totally up to the individual and not necessarily a givn?

I mean, everything is within our control, of course. But I think that what most people don't understand about maintenance is that you have to be MORE restrictive on calories than you are in the losing phase because you will not have the malabsorption to aid your loss. I always assumed that once I got to goal I would be adding in more calories, but it was the opposite. Could I have restricted more and stayed at my goal weight--sure! But did I? Nope.