Question:
Carb Intake...

Does anyone know the amount of carbs one should be taking in after surgery? I am 3 months post op and i attended a group meeting tonight, I was told to watch my carbs, but I dont know how many carbs are the right amount... Help please?    — LauraMarie (posted on January 20, 2009)

January 20, 2009
Your nutrition counselor would probably have a specific answer for you but I try to keep mine at 50 grams or less a day preferably 30 grams or less a day. The less carbs you eat the quicker your weight loss.
   — sandrainpodunk

January 20, 2009
I do not know the answer to this question, but at the same time you are watching your carbs, remember, there are bad carbs and good carbs. The good carbs I believe you can consume a little more of than the bad ones. I may be wrong, but I would assume so. I will be watching this post to see if anyone may have the answer as I have been somewhat struggling with this as well. Best of luck to you on your continued weightloss! :)
   — bicngillette

January 20, 2009
The exact amount of carbs varies from surgeon to surgeon. I know some who go by calories and not carbs. I would recommend you call your surgeon and/or nutritionist at the office- they should be able to give you very specific information. To be completely honest, this information should have been given to you at the time of surgery. We got a packet of information at our last pre-op visit before surgery so we could purchase and try things before hand. We were given the list again at time of discharge from surgery. My surgeon has us stay under 30 carbs per day not counting green veggie carbs. Pretty strict, but sure does work. Also varies on type of surgery you had. Some surgeries have malabsorption, some don't. Best to be sure for your particular type of surgeon and surgery. Welcome to the loser's bench and best of luck, Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC, CLC
   — DawnVic

January 20, 2009
My surgeon doesn't give a specific number of carbs, because it depends what they come from! I have difficulty with meat and fish going down, so a lot of my protein comes from different types of beans which have higher carbs. Instead, he tells us to avoid white rice, white bread, white pasta, potatoes - they are all starchy and bad carbs and should always be avoided. He has us concentrate on getting our protein in as the number one goal, then we can add a few veggies and an occasional bit of fruit. But as the others have said, it depends on your surgeon and nut - check with them. Wendy
   — Wendy M.

January 21, 2009
At this point, you don't need to track exactly what you are eating. Your daily intake is going to change right up until your body slows down losing and then finally stops...It is at that point in your journey where maintaining your weight, you might need to adjust your diet if you are beginning to regain. Sports and fitness ratios are 4:1 (4 carbs to 1 Protein)We are supposed to be exercising!!! Normally , I eat 2:2 average... I know this because I posted my daily intake and diet for all to see for nearly 6 months on the grad boards...I maintained within 3 pounds on 80-100 g protein....100-130 g carbs (mostly complex)...30-40 fats...14-30 g fiber and 1200-1400 calories with little exercise as I was anemic and malnourished at the time and was on bed rest for two months! Since then I have upped my calories and exercise and now eat 1800 calories and more carbs...same protein...BUT..I am 5 years out...You still have a LONG LONG way to go just eating protein first, veggies and fruits next and complex carbs last...Eat til you are satisfied and let it happen naturally...This is not a diet that needs a whole lot of attention in numbers and math right now...You just need to focus on an eating style and eating healthy and healthy portions! Seriously...It's that easy right now...Later it gets a little more about numbers and weights and grams! Right now...your caloric intake is changing...and no one can give you a better idea than what your own body tells you with your weight loss. If you think/know you are eating too many carbs and not seeing a loss...cut back and replace with protein or leaner choices of meats or cheeses. Up your exercise....Remember the bottom line too...Carbs do not make you gain weight...calories do...Carbs are not the only food with calories...If you are not eating sugar and white breads, cakes cookies and pasta daily, you are doing JUST FINE! Try some of these different calculators http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/harris-benedict-equation/ (These help you personally because they are based on your age, height, weight, sex, activity level, body shape...etc!Rather than our famous WLS diet of One diet fits all...(64 oz water, no more than one cup of food, 60 protein and no more than 1200 calories ever) Bull doodies diet!
   — .Anita R.