Question:
I'm 16 months post-op and have stopped losing and was thinking of doing the Atkins

diet to jump start weight loss. I need to lose at least 45 more pounds and was wondering if anyone had long term success doing Atkins post-op.    — Candace F. (posted on May 5, 2003)

May 5, 2003
Focus more on exercise. That's what got me to goal in 18 months regardless of slipping up on the post op diet every once in a while.
   — Kimberly L.

May 5, 2003
Atkins is high protein, high fat, very low carbs (especially in the beginning). It's fine if you can live on it, but if it's just a diet that really won't appeal to you as a permanent lifestyle change, the weight will likely come back when you quit doing it. It seems like lots of folks here try adjusting their diets (small "d") as post-ops, permanently, going with a high-protein, low carb mix (not necessary Atkins, which allows more fat and sugar than many of us find we can handle, and which is lower in carbs that I personally think necessary, though many folks disagree here). Maybe using protein shakes can help you jumpstart weightloss, too (lots of people still do them deep into their post-op periods, or "forever"). Or as the previous poster suggested, adding or upping exercise?<P>I see in your profile that you said you're miffed that you're having to go back to the old ideas of diet and exercise after surgery and that you feel your "tool" may have failed you. I wouldn't know about any surgical failure of your pouch, of course, but -- the fact is, most of us have to do some form of "dieting" and exercise after surgery to try and get to and stay at the goal weight we want. I say that just in case there are pre-ops reading the Q&A board who don't realize that, because too many docs don't emphasize that fact enough, and it's a big disappointment to some to find that they really can't just eat "less of everything they want" and get where they want to be, even after surgery. JMHO.
   — Suzy C.

May 5, 2003
I think it depends on you. I started the Atkins diet again last week (I was feeling so drained and tired lately and the scale hasn't moved in weeks - I'm very close to goal) I didn't start it only to lose these last few pounds, but to see if it would help my energy, and oh-boy did it! For the last two months I have dragged myself out of bed, I was still soooo tired it almost made me cry. But now it is so much better already! I basically plan on doing the induction phase for two weeks, then increasing my carbs my 20 grams per week until I find MY comfort zone. I personally thought I was still doing ok on carbs, but they really snuck back into my diet quietly. The only difference between now and a year ago is that a year ago, I wouldn't have done anything about it until I had started re-gaining weight. I have felt very confident that I have done everything to my best ability thus far, and if Atkins is what will keep me focused on Health, then so be it. Some people can lose weight on a high carb diet, others can't. I certainly can't, my body just doesn't tolerate them. I also am currently trying to get my whole family on a modified version of Atkins, not for wieght loss, but for health benefits. Good luck in your journey!
   — Dana B.