I'm Baaaack - Need Bariatric Keto WOE Info

Good morning OHers! It's been a while since I have been here, no excuse except life just got busy! I will bring you folks up to date on my so called life.

I had my RNY on 12/4/2015 (HW 256, SW 217). Then just 2.5 months after my surgery, during my regular yearly GYN checkup, several lumps were discovered in my right breast and lymph nodes. Many extensive tests later it was determined that I had highly aggressive metastatic breast cancer, stage 2 PR-/ER-/HER2+.

Months of heavy duty chemo were started immediately, followed by a a bi-lateral mastectomy on 8/9/16, followed by 30 radiation treatments which ended just days before Thanksgiving 2016. Six months later my breast reconstruction began, the DEIP Flap procedure.

So far I have had 2 of 4 surgeries to complete my reconstruction. I was scheduled to have surgery #3 this Friday (5/4/18), but I cancelled it. Why? Because during a recent CT a suspicious 4mm nodule was discovered in my right lung (same side as my primary BC). My radiation oncologist will be monitoring this and has me scheduled for a followup CT in August. I couldn't see going through more breast reconstruction surgery if this nodule is CA and surgery to remove it is needed.

Meanwhile, during all this BC flurry of chemo, etc, my new pouch has worked great. Even though I didn't get to experience the honeymoon excitement of the 1st year following a RNY, I still lost weight, only it was a "controlled loss". Being on chemo, my oncologist didn't want me losing more than 5 lbs every 3 weeks.

By the time chemo, surgery, and radiation were over I had managed to lose 125lbs. I'm now 30 months out from my RNY surgery. I do hard exercise at least 4 days a week, and stay active the other 3 days. I have stayed completely on program, never once cheating. However, I have still managed to somehow gain 20 lbs. My bariatric doc believes that my cancer treatments have totally messed up my metabolism. So, today I am having a Resting Energy Expenditure test to see what can be determined my calorie intake should be.

By tomorrow I should have a new plan of attack to successfully get off this 20 lb gain and continue on to my original weight loss goal. I am looking closely at the Bariatric Keto WOE. Has anyone here been on it?

welcome back! so sorry to hear about everything you have been through but glad you are ok- we are surgery buddies mine was 12/15/15. I also have gained 20-25 from my low of 118 last July (when i had my hernia/twisted bowel and couldn't eat solid foods). I'm ok with this (for the most part but have struggles) as I have kicked up my working out from mid- sept- current and added a lot of HIIT/weight training.

having another dexa scan on sunday to see where my body fat is sitting and come up with a plan after that.

I pretty much follow keto with exceptions- I try for a 40 prot/40 fat/20 carb ratio on MFP. Adding the fat has helped a ton with cravings.

Since missing out on my honeymoon stage I have found the weight thing, and what food to eat, is always front and center in my brain. It's an exhausting full time job.

its very true. and hard

You are incredible! You have been through so much and still sound positive.

It is not free, but a great plan of attack is an application called NOOM. It combines logging food and exercise with help on changing habits and with coaching.

I think it will be the right way to attack those 20 pounds.

Wow, you been through a lot and you are still standing.

Keto diet can be really great. Good fats really can help healing. When I follow that type of eating, I have to make sure I add more salt and minerals - like magnesium, potasium, etc. Because if I don't - I may end up with muscle cramps and... constipation.

Good luck getting rid of 20 lbs and however more you feel you want to lose.

Thank you for the advice on the nutrients! I already take added magnesium for severe leg spasms. I may need to step up my 400mg/day to 800mg!

Congratulations on how well you have done despite all you have been through. Good wishes and prayers the nodule is nothing to be concerned with. About 12 years ago I had a couple small marks showing on my lung from a catscan. I had pneumonia 3 times, along with multiple bouts of bronchitis (all due to a damp moldy house we USED to have near a lake) and it was deemed a scar after 2.5 years of catscans every 6 months. I hope the same for you. Stay strong and positive you are amazing in what you have accomplished! Good luck in getting your 20 off. Stick around for support it helps.

(Edited to correct spelling error)

Thank you!