Question:
Two years post-op - do you focus on getting protein, or do you also restrict carbs?

I was wondering if those of you 1 - 2 years post-op focus on getting high protein and still restrict carbs, or do you focus on getting high protein and not really bother with carbs? I was just wondering. I have fallen off the wagon and need help getting back on.    — raye (posted on January 5, 2005)

January 4, 2005
I am almost 2 years post op, and when I feel myself getting off track, I go back to the tried and true, protien first, then veggies if there is room, and I also do the 5 small meals a day and drink protien shakes for snacks or a cheese stix with a piece of deli turkey wrapped around it, so I am getting mostly protien, but still we do need carbs for our brains and body they are important. I just try to limit them and eat a smaller amount. You also might try fitday.com to tack your calorie intake and protien intake to get you back on track. I still weigh one time each morning and write it down on a calander, I know it will flucuate, but it helps me work harder and stay on track. Good luck. Rosemary
   — wizz40

January 4, 2005
I'm only 15 months post op but I've already found that I have to REALLY focus on getting in enough protein or I'll find myself getting less than I need and when I do that, the carb intake goes up correspondingly. If I focus on the protein first, then I don't even have to worry about the carbs because there is stil so little room for anything after I eat the dense protein. I got kind of careless over the holidays with all the extra people in the house but on 01/02/05, went back to the basics and have already gotten over the feelings of hunger that I was experiencing. Seems like just about everybody "falls off the wagon" at some point and the only solution is to realize that you have to go back to basics, at least for a short period of time, and just tough it out 'til you're back on track. I must say though that it is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much easier to do that than it was pre-op. Good luck to you...........but once you make the decision to just do what you need to do, it works like a charm.
   — scbabe

January 5, 2005
I do both, only because they go hand in hand for me. If I don't restrict refined carbs (white sugar, white flour) or even fruit sometimes, I get hungry, eat too much of everything and anything, and gain weight. What helps me avoid the "unhealthy" carbs, is eating protein first. Dense protein sources keep me full for a longer time and help me maintain my weight, so I concentrate on protein, especially early in the day. This helps me keep the carbs binges and hunger away.
   — mom2jtx3

January 5, 2005
Raye, first thanks for keeping up your diary. It gave me a better perspective of what "fell off the wagon" meant. Oooh, can I relate, except that I am about a year ahead of you creeping up on 3 years post-op. I gained 5 over the holidays by slacking off the exercise, and eating all the junk, and yes, drinking that wine. Goodness, it came on sooo fast. So, my advice is to have a plan to get the extra weight off and be disciplined enough to do it. For me it means increasing the exercise from once a week during the holidays to 3 X a week now (or more!). I have emptied the house of all the X-mas cookies, brownies, M&Ms and other high cal types of junk, just leaving behind my 94% fat free and taste free popcorn, some licorice and 100 calorie Kudo bars. When I diet (and I have had to do so a few times since about year 2), I cut out alot of junk but not all of it, hence the kudo's. I ensure that if I eat very well during the day, I allow myself my treats at night like a mini-bag of popcorn and a kudo. Its a psychological thing with me! In return, no mid-am carb snack at work, stick to all protein for breakfast (like scrambled eggs), grilled meats over salad for lunch (the other 1/2 of the salad about 3 hours after the first half), a piece of small fruit for a snack on the ride home from work-clementines are good, protein dinner with no white carb for dinner, grilled steak, fish, something dense with a veggie perhaps. Then I can have the popcorn and kudo's later on..and of course, tons of water-NO other fluids, especially caloried ones. The key here is to not feel deprived so eating something every few hours works for me. Sometimes instead of the fruit I will have 1/2 a protein bar or a small protein shake too. You have to find what works for you-upping protein and reducing carbs always works, but don't eliminate carbs, not the good ones anyways, just the white ones. Good luck!!
   — Cindy R.

January 5, 2005
10 yrs out. I do protein supplements, do eat protein food when it appeals. I am aware of carbs, but what I limit is SUGAR. That is my size 28's just waiting for me again. All I've EVER counted is protein supplement grams IN, sugar grams OUT. Never counted calories, fats or carbs. Or protein in food, for that matter. The ONLY times I've varied in weight was from SUGAR. It is not my friend. It only wants to stick onto my exterior and I am NOT going for it.
   — vitalady

January 5, 2005
I cannot do many carbs, period. Makes me feel bad physically and it is a roller coaster which is hard to get off. <br> When I feel like I am getting off-track, I drink as much water as I can stand, up the protein shakes, and watch for anyone trying to slip me cow milk (SUGAR!) or white flour. It usually shakes off what I need to :)
   — kultgirl

January 5, 2005
4 1/2 years post op here. I absolutely have to do BOTH! I have fallen off the wagon plenty of times and have just come to the realization that it's ALWAYS going to have to be protein first (I supplement every day in addition to eating high protein food), complex carbs next and simple carbs and/or sugar only occasionally. It's a painful realization that this surgery isn't a "Get out of fat free" card. It's a lifelong devotion to maintenance and good health. Find healthy foods you enjoy and just be mindful of what you eat without putting yourself on an unrealistic diet. Best wishes to you.
   — ronascott