To the veterans of the group - diet suggestions

 So, I had GB in October of 2009.  High weight was about 270, sugery weight about 221 - lowest weight 135.  Right now I've hanging out around 150.  I tried to put on a pair of jeans the other day, and well I couldn't do it.  I realized I need to get a handle on this before it gets truly out of hand.

Question is - If you need to lose a few pounds, what type of program do you follow?  Do you go back to the same diet you had right after surgery?  What are protein suggestions/requirements, etc.?  What do you cut out or make sure you include.  Do you count calories?

My personal guidelines, not for weight loss but for the foreseeable future are:
100 grams or more of protein a day, 100 oz or more of fluids a day, no sugar or gluten, no grazing or unstructured eating, generally 3 meals a day and snacks as needed, meals and snacks to be protein forward.  While losing I kept carbs around 50 or less.  I don't really watch the calories, just protein and carbs.  I avoid processed and refined carbs.  This is what works for me but everyone has to find what works best for them.

We have a large group these days who are trying to figure out maintainance.  Welcome to the herd. 
My low was 111, too low, but I have inched to see the scales once at 120, too high.  I am headed back down now, 118 this morning.  I'll be happy when I get back to the 115-116 range.

I am doing carbs under 40, protein over 100, usually about 150, around 100oz fluid, calories around 1200.  Exercise 4-6 days a week from Zumba, swimming laps, walking, horseback riding, weights and machines. I track my intake daily on the tracker on this site and log on Miles and Menus everyday.  Check that out and gets more ideas.  Join in and get some help if needed or support at least. It isn't easy but well worth doing it now instead of when the 10 lbs has become 20.

Of course, I am still taking all my vits/minerals and getting labs done. 

Your surgery was a couple of months after mine.  Congratulations!!

If I cut out the bad carbs and increase my fluids and exercise I can see a difference.  I have stayed pretty close to my range once I got to where I wanted to be.  Support that I get from here and staying connected has probably helped me more than anything else.  I try to post daily on Roz's menus and miles to be accountable for my food.  If I have to write it down I tend to think more about putting something I should not in my mouth.  Southernlady(Liz) does a weekly weigh in post on Sunday's that is another accountability post that really helps keep it in check.

I do not count calories or anything.  I do 3-4 protein drinks a day.  Eat protein first and do not drink with meals.  I really try not to eat out over 1-2 times a week some weeks it is none - that was a big problem for me prior to WLS so I need to stay away from fast food and not get hooked back on it.  I cook on the weekends and eat pretty much the same thing all week.  Planning out your meals is so much easier than trying to figure out what to grab and take at the last minute.

Good luck and you can do this!!

Linda

 Hey Tish!!  Great minds think alike, huh!!  I'm back doing a little soul searching, looking for support and ant tips I can find also.  I've talked to a few of the gals here and on our FB lightweight page and I'm really leaning towards trying a Paleo diet (diet being a noun and not a verb).  The further out I get I'm having more issues with carbs and bloat/gastro stuff.  I really would like to start eating more clean and natural.  I've been doing a lot of reading and I like what I've read so far.  I'm planning on doing the WHOLE30.  You can google it to read more.  I figure if nothing else it will be a good way to detox.  I know the amount of fat scares a lot of folks, but I'm willing to give it a try.  I'm trying to look at the big picture of my over all health and not just weight loss.  I think it's time to start making the best choices I can, not just better choices.

Hang tough girl!!!