Looking for advice from RNY'r 3 or more years out!

While I am not at goal yet, I am 20-30 pounds away. I can eat what I consider huge (for us) amounts and nothing makes me sick or dump.
I am concerned about my ability to maintain long term. What kind of diet guidelines should I follow long term? Since we malabsorb a lot of nutrients, are the same guidelines for a normie good for us? Should I try to get fruits and veggies and complex carbs? How about dairy? Do those calories do me any good?
Confused and want to hear from someone with RNY that is maintaing over 3 years out.

Advice?

I'm three years out tomorow.

I eat my protein first. I stay away from white carbs because they fill me up too much and the calories are wasted...AND they cause a hypoglycemic reaction in me. I eat fruits and veggies but protein first. Dead last are the carbs from breads, pasta, rice but still whole wheat. I journal my food each and every day and keep track of what I eat each and every day...If I find that my totals cause weight changes, I change the diet plan. I do have cheese. I don't have fluid milk. Soy milk. I do have nsa ice cream occasionally.

Always vitamins...ALWAYS. Always plenty of water, especially if my protein levels exceed 30% which they do, which you would never know unless you journal. Exercise is mandatory too. Park as far away from the store as you can and WALK. Instead of planting yourself in front of the idiot box or computer, do something...

Labs each and every year, more often if your insurance will do that..If you have your labs and the results compared, you can see trends and correct with vitamins and minerals if needed, or at least consult your PCP with the findings for advice.

I am 4 years out and the doctor told me to maintain eat 1500 calories a day.But I keep it under 500.

You only eat 500 calories a day even though you're 4 years out?!?!?!? Are you sick?

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-lowcarblifestyle/

This group is 1+ yrs out. Many are 5-7-20 yrs. They are warm and welcoming, do not judge you.

We will always malabsorb protein, iron, calcium, A, D, E, K, zinc, B12 and other B vites.

We will always absorb 100% sugar and alcohol.

I do 180g in protein supps, but also 4-6 meals per day. I take a ton of vites, but then, I'm a lil OCD about my labs and how I feel. I wouldn't expect anyone to take what I take!

Thanks everyone. The whole protein first, then veggies, etc. is what i expected  My problem is I can eat such a large amount that there is always room for the stuff that comes dead last.  I guess maybe I can work out a plan that I know how many calories is in stfuf and not go over. I am good about the vitamins 90% of the time and I follow your vitamin schedule, Michelle,  havae just had to add extra D, mag and calcium.
Once again, thanks for the advice.

It's which KIND of calories, not the total. You can basically consume as much protein in meats, fish, fowl or drinks as you want. It's the sugars that kill us. Or alcohol.

Um, eat more of the protein-y stuff. Fill up the space. But also, on the low carb list, you'll find ppl with a relaxed stoma who basically don't get full, either, so they work together to combat all that goes with that. Very supportive group.

I don't know how much help I'll be- I got "lucky" with a small tight pouch that dosn't tolerate me eating too much of anything (though dam it's easy to slip on the bad carbs) I'll echo the Idea to fill up on those protiens! I love me some ham and chicken. Find that steak fills me up the fastest (I don't eat much of it for this reason, since I need my protiens I stick with the softer protiens like chicken etc so I can get in more). But maybe for you you should try the more filling ones? When craving a chip etc I go for protien ships, so as to avoid those nasty white carbs that give me ever so much trouble. Up that protien- protien makes us all feel fuller faster. Try some fiber- I like the one that I can mix with my morning coffee. Fiber may help that fullness feeling too. Best of luck!