Question:
Does your body have to be in ketosis to lose weight after surgery?

I checked myself with a ketosis stick last wednesday and was in a moderate level of ketosis, but this morning I'm not. Does your body have to be in ketosis in order to lose weight? I just got done with a 5 wk plateau and have lost 11 lbs. this past week and am wanting to continue that!!!! Any help would be wonderful!!    — Melissa M. (posted on September 28, 2003)

September 28, 2003
No, you don't have to be in ketosis to lose weigt. There is also a lot of controversy over whether or not staying in ketosis is healthy. Personally, I was in ketosis for the first 51/2 months and had great loss and all of my labs looked great at six months. Then, I dropped out for a month, or month and a half, and am back in again for the past month or so. The only thing I can say is that you might want to watch your carbs some...just my opinion. Ketosis is only achieved on a quite low carb diet, so the reason you would be in and out again, may have to do more with your diet than anything else. Good luck with your weight loss!
   — eaamc

September 28, 2003
Ketosis means that your body is burning more fat then your body needs in response to a lack of glucose and the excess is being discarded in your urine. You can lose weight without being in ketosis it just is not as fast.
   — Lisa N M.

September 28, 2003
I'd have to echo the 2 other ladies who have responded- You can lose, but generally not as fast. I'm not an expert in this area and can only relay my experiences with it: Following the same caloric intake & exercise plan for 24 weeks (16 weeks with carbs, 6 without) these were my results: out of Ketosis I lost 30 lbs in 16 weeks. In Ketosis I lost 30 lbs in 6 weeks! I'm a believer!
   — amie

September 28, 2003
You absolutely do not have to be in ketosis to lose weight/fat. In the early stages many plans are allowing carbs (mashed potatoes, grits etc.) and using protein drinks but then the person must get in a minimum amount of calories (600) to stay out of starvation mode. I know of many people on this kind of plan and they have lost just fine. <p>However, for me my PO plan uses ketosis to the max for 6 weeks and then only allows very minimal carbs (including veggies and fruit). For me I chose to stay in max ketosis for 4-1/2 months with no ill side effects. My surgoen was aware of it and approved it as long as I got in the fluid to flush the ketones out. That is very important as you could end up with gout etc. Ketosis for me meant I lost 3 pants sizes in a little over a month. It has also helped me lose 174 lbs in 7-3/4 months. But that's not to say someone cannot lose the same amount on a plan that does not use ketosis and goes about the weight loss another way. For my body it does best with minimal carbs. If it works for your body to stay in ketosis, then just let your surgeon know what you doing so they can watch you closely for any problems. I would still keep the carbs low no matter what but that's me. I know of a woman who eats 100 grams of carbs a day and is losing well also, so literally every body is different. For her she must get in quite a bit of carbs as she keeps having low blood sugar problems. Don't get too focused on being in ketosis and checking your urine. I never did that. I could tell by the taste in my mouth. Just try and focus 90-95% on protein in your meals. I have also found at times that if I eat more carbs I will lose some more, but lately when I was sitting for 2 weeks focusing more on protein and pushing the water got it moving again. So for me I still feel very high protein is what works best for me. Good Luck
   — zoedogcbr

September 29, 2003
Nope, you don't need to be in ketosis. It is a grea kick start though. Don't stay in it too long, It has many negatives along with the positives.
   — mrsmyranow