7 years post-op... KETO ?s

Well, I've come back here after not being here for over 4 years. I wish I had never left the group. I am still 78 pounds lower than my highest weight, but I am also 64 pounds higher than my lowest. Three weeks ago I began the KETO diet (although I am not purest in the KETO-ist sense). It's what has put me back to better than the 50/50 gain loss scale. I am down just a bit over 11 pounds.

So, my question are: - Have any of you at least 5 years out done KETO? What have your docs or nutritionists told you? Did you make any modifications given the RNY history? Anything else you want to share?

Thank you. I'm going to try to hang out here again. I have no RNY regrets and give thans I am still 78 pounds below my highest.

Hi,

I'm 8 years out and have been doing Keto for about 8 months. I've lost most of the 34 lb regain I had put on. I call my way of eating modified Keto because I don't count Macros and I eat more protein than "pure" Keto would allow, because of our higher need of it after RNY. Works for me, I feel great, have no problem sticking to it, and has helped get the weight off painlessly!

Rhonda

The difference between Keto and the low carb most people do for weight loss is it is higher fat and moderate protein.

When I tried to do real keto 70-80% fat just didn't agree with me. I could do 50% no problem, maybe 60% some days. I also always liked my protein to be at least at 100g.

I think a lot of keto recipes work for us.

There is a daily menu thread you can join and also see what other people are eating.

I can't eat that much fat.

The good thing about Keto is there is no donuts,cake,toast,chips,candy.

One fat gram =9 calories

One protein gram= 4 calories

I'm glad you are back. However it works for you. Still keeping up on your vitamins? Still not drinking with meals? Have some kind of movement in your life? This surgery is for the rest of our life. It's easier with support.

I take vitamins and supplements but not everything we were told post op nor anywhere near the amount we were told to take. From the one year mark on my body showed no, and I mean no signs of malabsorption. (blood work, etc.) Doc says most likely why I also started to put weight on again. Yes, I made BAD food choices, so I want to be clear on that. I'd love to see if there are any studies about folks who have no issues with malabsorption and regain.

I do not drink with meals.

My movement is very limited because of auto-immune issues which I hope keto will help.

What works best for me is Keto- Paleo. I lost my GB app 6 months post op RNY and too much fat does not agree with me. But that applies only to some type of fats.

I can eat 1/2 cup of black olives with 1 avocado- and I am good. But some fat gives me nausea. Not sure why. Mayo - most of it I can't do it. But I have no problem with butter.

I eat keto/low carb. I aim for less than 50g carbs per day, average over a week about 30g. I eat clean for the most part, no pre prepared processed food.

I track everything I eat/drink in MyFitnessPal.

I've lost 20lbs over 11 weeks.

I was on keto for years, and after I had the sleeve a few years ago kept it. After the sleeve I'd hit protein at 60-90g and then everything else would tend to be fat up to my calorie limit. It worked out to like 55-65% protein, 2-5% carbs, and the rest fat, macro wise. Many of us bariatric peeps are active in the keto communities, though there is some anti-WLS sentiment from time to time. Most of us also have altered macros skewed towards protein and away from fat.

As for the RNY, too soon to tell personally, though I'm effectively keto currently by carbs, if not by fat macro.

To be honest, after reading a ton of research, I am not really sure you need to add much fat if you are actively losing weight or have higher bodyfat. Skinny keto people need to add fat so they have raw material for ketones. With us, I don't feel it's as necessary, since we have altered satiety from surgery anyway - one of the main reasons they add craploads of fat is to not be hungry. That causes them to naturally eat less.

FWIW, it's a misconception you must eat low carb only to be in ketosis. Ketosis gets kicked on during periods of caloric restriction, as well...usually 600 calories or less. You also use ketosis whenever you can't eat, like when you sleep. Babies are also in ketosis when breastfeeding too (which is pretty neat:)

So, I'd argue most WLS patients are in ketosis during the weight loss phase. Part of what contributes to the End of the Honeymoon is likely as capacity goes up, so does carb consumption.

Hi Tessie,

We are glad you came back for support and help! While eating is key to weight loss I find it's letting old habits creep in and getting away from the basics that helped us lose weight in the first place. Here is a list I put together that helped me get back on track. I hope it helps you too

Planning/Preparing

Remember when we were preparing for surgery? How many meetings, classes and such did we attend? We were told the more prepared we were the better our chances were for success. And they were right. Go through the house, car and work place and get rid of trigger foods. Stock up on foods that will keep you on track. I removed every bad carb/sugar temptation and replaced it with lots of protein, veggies, grains and fruits.

Journaling

Get back to journaling. This will help you identify when you feel like eating, stress factors and any triggers in your life. Once you identify these factors, this will help you put tools in place to keep you from eating. It became clear I was not taking time for me anymore. I worked my day job and then spent the rest of my time caring for my husband. It was easy to reach for fast, prepackaged food. Since I purged my home I have to eat clean as there are no other options LOL

Use a tool to track you're eating and exercise like Getting Started with Health Tracker. Once I started to track ever bite and drink it became clear why I had gained.

Goals/Rewards

Make a list of goals for yourself. Make them realistic and small. Some of mine were move more, purge all junk from my home, eat more protein. If you didn't make a Weight Loss Surgery bucket list when you first had surgery do it now. GREAT reminder of all the things you can enjoy in life after losing weight.

Food

In general, a long term post-weight loss surgery eating plan includes foods that are high in protein, and low in fat?, calories, and sugar. Important, vitamins and minerals are provided as supplements. (if you had a different surgery adjust this to your food plan).

Water

Water is our Best Friend. I have to say I never went back to pop or any bad drinks, however I was drinking tea like crazy. What is wrong with drinking tea? I was either using sugar or 3 equals and 3 sweet n lows per 32 ounce glass. I found once I started carrying one of the metal bottles of water to keep it cold I drank water all day.

MOVE!

I can't say enough about how key this was for me. The reason I kept my weight off for almost 10 years was no matter what, I kept moving. If I could not go to the gym I would walk. Grab a cart and walk all the isles at your local box store. I loved Zumba, bootcamp workouts, lifting weights. When I stopped, the weight started coming back. So for me I am starting slow to avoid injury by walking and using some of the workouts on my Demand TV. Find something you love to do and it won't feel like a pain in the *** to do daily.

Support

If it's an option "run" don't walk to a support group. Come here on OH daily for support and participate in one of the food threads. It helps you be accountable and also great ideas for food prep.

Keep us posted on how you are doing.