YES! Thank you, Janet! Choices are important and now I remember how I framed my choices while I was experiencing my best success! Thank you for reminding me! I love the idea of scooping out the inside of breads! I hadn't thought of that before! Definitely going to do this from now on!

I took nutrition classes in college, so I define carbs as anything plant-based; wheat, potatoes, asparagus, carrots, sugar...they're all carbs and some are better than others. I used to have success counting only quickly digested carbs and processed carbs, but gave myself a free pass with slowly digested carbs. So if it had a high glycemic index (easily digested), like bread (even whole wheat), pasta, rice, potatoes and yes, anything with sugar in it, I counted the grams. If it was raw or had a low glycemic index (slowly digested) I gave myself a free pass. So I would count the baked potato I had with dinner, but not the asparagus. This gave me more to eat, in both quantity and options, while helping me maintain my blood sugar levels. In short, I ate like I was diabetic.

Maintaining blood sugar levels is important because the faster food we eat gets converted to energy, the higher the levels of glucose in our blood. Protein and fats get converted to energy too, but at a much slower rate than carbohydrates.

The more glucose free-floating in our blood and not being used, the faster our pancreas kicks out the "hoarder" hormone, insulin, which converts and hoards excess glucose that isn't being used for energy in the form of body fat. This explains why A) more muscle mass means higher metabolism (more energy is required to maintain, so insulin can't store excess energy) and B) why fats (especially DSers) don't make us fat. Simple carbohydrates do.

The DS works by creating a therapeutic malabsorption, but doesn't work as well with carb absorption, nor does it control our pancreas, which explains why and how we need to continue to control our carb (plant based) intake.

I like to understand why and how things work. I enjoy research. But I also, unfortunately, have a short memory. Your comment about choices reminded me about all of this and will help me formulate my intake to easily get myself back on track! Thank you!

You should be drinking at least 64 ounces of water per day.

Yes, you're right and the dieting working is the whole reason I got the surgery! I feel so much better when I follow a high protein, low carb plan. I don't want a temporary diet and, honestly, I don't care about the numbers. I just want to feel good. That formula for me, that lifestyle, is more than the number on the scale. It's also limiting carbohydrates because too many carbs not only makes me bloated and gassy, it also bogs down my energy. A sedentary lifestyle also bogs me down. If I'm moving my body regularly, I feel better.

Whether it is DS, RNY, VSG, or some other variation, weight loss surgery magic lasts for about 30 months. By 36 months, most people have regained 20 pounds. They keep gaining until they start to diet again.

After the easy after surgery weight loss, you have to follow a diet. It might be Vegan, intermittent fasting, Keto, low carb, counting calories, Atkins, Jenny Craig, Weigh****chers, or something else. I have been on a diet since 30 months after surgery. When I just eat what I want, I gain weight. When I stick to a diet, I lose.

Just like before surgery, except now the dieting does work.

Update, day 1:

So far it's going well! Got a bunch of DS friendly meal planning ingredients and snacks at Costco. Had a hectic morning, so I had to stop and grab Taco Bell. I got two regular beef crunchy tacos, ate one for a late breakfast and the second for lunch. I snacked on 4 oz shrimp and a premier protein shake. So far I'm at 63g protein and 31g total carbs. I'm feeling full, but not overly so and I'm not feeling deprived at all. NO GAS, which is nice. The carbs I've been eating give me the worst bloating and gas!

I'm logging my intake with the Baritastic app, which I like much better than the MyFitnessPal app I've used on and off for years. Baritastic is macronutrient based, which I think makes life easier, as all calories are NOT created equal, especially for us DSers.

As my low carb breakfast plans went out the window with my hectic morning, I'll have to watch my carb intake with dinner, so I don't go over 50g. I think I'll make meatloaf with eggs and almond flour rather than bread crumbs, asparagus and mashed potatoes. I'll leave the mashed potatoes for the husband and kids.

I should end my day at 103g protein and 55g carbs. I'd say that's not so bad!