Question:
How long can you..

and how deeply can you remain in Ketosis before your kidneys can become damaged permanently? I know ketosis is a great thing for us post-ops, but are we sometimes going too far, and in fact, trading our renal health for a lean body? I have read so many stories concerning renal failure on this site lately, that it makes me concerned about my long-term health. Anyone's Nephrologist have any suggestions to a post-op?    — Tina B. (posted on July 27, 2002)

July 27, 2002
I dont have any facts to back me up, just stories I have heard from patients (I am a RN). And I know that many of the doctors are very against the ketosis thing. In fact a doctor that I went to once that stressed the no carb diet along with diet pills has several malpractice cases against him and is no longer practicing. I dont know the details but I cant help but wonder if the two are related. It is my opinion that you can do a low carb diet and lose weight, whereas a no carb diet that causes ketosis can cause many long term problems. I know that doesnt answer your question specifically, but I thought I would give my 2 cents worth. Best of luck to you!
   — Cory F.

July 27, 2002
Well I was STRONGLY in Ketosis for awhile after surgery. I had tried Atkins and that caused abnormal kidney numbers. But Ketosis much stronger with WLS got no abnormal numbers. Kidney functions came back perfect. I think ketosis after WLS is healthier, perhaps its because the volume of food is so small. Atkins dieters tend to eat a lot, that might account for the difference.<P> It appears WLS ketosis is a good thing...
   — bob-haller

July 27, 2002
Hi Tina. I'll share with you what my doctor told me. He is a strong supporter of low carb/high protein diets and encourages anyone with a weight problem to give it a try after they've tried the low calorie/low fat thing. He says that ketosis is ketosis. Being purple on the ketostix is not any better than being pink -- burning fat is burning fat. The sticks can't measure quantity, only that you are burning fat. Here's the fly in the ointment with ketostix though. They simply measure ketones in your urine. If you are eating a larger quantity of fat than your body is burning, it will be eliminated (partly) in your urine. So ketostix can also be measuring the fat you are eliminating, not necessarily what you're burning. Anyway, my doctor strongly encourages ketosis if YOU feel comfortable with it -- no side effects like cramping, abdominal pains, headaches, etc. He does NOT encourage trying to turn the sticks purple when you use them -- to him that's overdoing a good thing. A certain number of carbs are needed to support electrical activity in the brain. Going no carb or very low carb will cause you to become "fuzzy headed" because your brain is not receiving what it needs to support proper function. The number varies with each person but even Dr. Atkins does not support going lower than 20 carbs per day (and he only suggests that for the first 2 weeks while you are doing induction). Your carbs should come from meats, green leafy vegetables, etc. Now that I am post op, my doctor suggests that I maintain 30-45 carbs per day (PLEASE NOTE: This is what he suggested for ME, not every other post op at AMOS). I am still losing steadily at that amount, I feel satisfied with that amount and it's working for me. I'd say you should find the number where you're comfortable and stick with it. Make sure you are seeing your doctor regularly and are getting blood work done to monitor your situation. Best of Luck!
   — Pam S.

July 29, 2002
I am the original poster. I spoke to my doctor after reading Cory's answer, and he said, "Do not allow yourself to go into ketosis!" You should be replacing this fat lost with muscle mass, and ketosis is a sign that it ain't happening! I'm sure all docs are different, and there is probably conflicting data on it, but as for me...I think I'll skip ketosis all together.
   — Tina B.