how many calories/day at 6 months post op?

I averaged at approximately 800 calories at 6 months Post-op and generally need to drop back down to that level to lose weight now (I maintain at an average of 1350).

If I were you I would stay keto but just cut out a few of the higher calorie foods. I would start drinking my coffee black and cut out nuts and yogurt. Cut out any fat bombs or keto treats. I'm sure your loss rate will pick up!

Please tell me you didn't say bbbblack coffee?! ?ð??"

I like your advice. Fortunately I never got into fat bombs. I knew that would be a slippery slope for me.

Do you use protein shakes at all? I drink premier protein shakes, and use about a third of one in a cup of coffee as creamer. It's delicious.

There are lots of things you can put in your coffee! Some people use protein shakes. Others do various SF syrups and flavored creamer. Skim milk and splenda are options too!

I'm not a fan of intuitive eating for everyone post-op, because many of us have disordered eating. When I do intuitive eating I just want to eat everything. I think it can really work for some people, but for many of us it also doesn't. So, if it doesn't work don't feel bad.

People who are slim need bulletproof coffee for energy - we don't, because we already have a lot of energy to lose. They do not always have extra fat to convert to ketone bodies. We do. I'm still working on burning off those Krispy Kreme donuts from 2002 >.>

There's some controversy in the keto community about fat and bariatric patients, actually. Several of the experts say to not add fat to the diet when losing weight, and others say it doesn't matter necessarily. I think it is often a combination approach that works.

I follow a ketogenic diet and have for over a decade, however since WLS it's more like I hit ~90g of protein a day and the rest of my calories are fat. Unfortunately, what works for most people on ketogenic diets with like 20-30 pounds to lose doesn't always for us who were SMO. If you want to hit your target protein and do fat only after to the calorie limit that is better than typical keto, because they tend to not count calories either. Most also do not necessarily want to lose weight faster; several communities are more working on reversing metabolic issues rather than pure 100% weight loss, whereas bariatric programs are more focused on weight loss. But, if your main focus is T2D reversal, you may not care if it takes 2-3 years to lose 100 pounds. The philosophy isn't necessarily aligned with the goals bariatric programs have.

FWIW, caloric restriction also causes you to be in ketosis - it's just that it's less efficient typically for non-WLS peeps than us, because they feel so much more hunger. We have altered metabolisms for quite some time which mesh well with it.

As for what research to believe, WLS research and ketogenic diet research doesn't really conflict. Most of the ketosis research doesn't say anything about adding a crapload of fat. Most ketogenic diets which are medical add fat because it is designed for epileptics or neurological disorders, both of which need the fast energy medium chain triglycerides provide.

Increasing carbohydrate is tricky, though, as carbs stimulate hunger substantially. It might also be worth evaluating why you are hungry. There is chemical, physical, and behavioral hunger. So, there are many peeps in the keto community not losing weight because they are eating when they are "hungry," however they find they are hungry because of stress or habit, and not necessarily actual physical hunger.

I wouldn't necessarily avoid fatty food, but I also wouldn't add fat if that makes sense? I basically don't add fat to my diet, but I also don't eat fat-free foods.

Wow, Donna. Thank you for taking the time to insightfully answer my question. Your response is helpful. It may take me some time to absorb it all, but I appreciate it. May I message you if I have questions?

Sure. You're always welcome to message me.

I stick to 550~ kcal right now a day, usually lower when possible, and don't go over. I'll probably hover around 500-700 (at most****il I need maintenance.

People will say that you will not lose weight unless you eat more, however it's very unlikely this would occur. People who fast for days, weeks, even months, consistently lose weight. People with anorexia consistently lose weight, for instance. They don't perpetually stall because they aren't eating. They will catabolize their tissues first.

Holy cow...that is so few calories! Do you mind posting what a typical day would be like for you?

I also find advice for intuitive eating or eating until full or satisfied to be insane advice. Those things got me to 475 pounds.