Question:
Why will RNY be successful if following the post-op diet as pre-op is not?
My head is questioning that if I presently have been following the post surgery bariatric diet, and I am not seeing any significant weight loss, why would the RNY give me a drastically different result? What is it about the surgery that would make a difference if before surgery I follow the same diet as post surgery? I'm sure others contemplating this surgery asked themselves this question while deciding if this is the right decision to make and questioning if they will then be successful. I have been following the WLS diet of 80 to 100g of protein a day, less than 38 total carbs/day, low fat and generally 850 to just under 1000 calories a day. I'm many weeks into this trying to lose my pre-surgical mandatory weight and have only lost a few pounds. So, hope you all understand why I am trying to understand why I'm not successful using the diet but with the same restrictions after RNY that I would then lose 100+ pounds and quickly. I'd appreciate your responses. — Annette M. (posted on July 16, 2009)
July 16, 2009
what i have heard and read is that your body does not hold onto the
calories after the surgery because it passes through so quickly...is this
only liquids and yogurts and sugar free puddings you are doing...i am a
newbie...my surgery was june 8...i lost 10 on my own and the pre-op liquids
and lost another 9 before surgery and now i am down a total of 41....so its
about 22 since june 8...you would not believe how little you eat after the
surgery...and then all the water...it comes off...and don't forget you no
longer have any appetite after...its definately a change for me..i did not
realize how addicted to food i was...but now i know how much it meant...and
that was not good at all.
— jeanopat
July 16, 2009
In the RNY gastric bypass surgery, the upper portion of the small colon
(the part that connects directly to the stomache), where the majority of
absorption of nutrients takes place after food leaves the stomach, is
surgically removed. With the removal of this section, you do not absorb
the nutrients, calories, fats, etc. So, between restriction of how much
can go into the system, and then restriction of how much will actually be
absorbed of the little you are now taking in, you cannot help but lose
weight post RNY gastric bypass, and lose it fast. I've also heard is
explained that the obese person's system has become supper efficient at
extracting all these elements of our food, which compounds our weight
problems. I don't know if that has been scientifically proven, but
sometimes before surgery, I would eat very little and still gain weight.
— rebalspirit
July 16, 2009
I mis-stated my explanation - the upper portion of the colon is not removed
surgically, it is BYPASSED, hence the reason it is called a gastric bypass
surgery. :)
— rebalspirit
July 17, 2009
First is the lack of hunger. This makes it much easier to eat just a
little. next things pass through quickly and you do not absorb all the fat
and calories you eat.
It is hard to imagine until you get there. I have even forgot to eat.
— trible
July 17, 2009
Your stomach or new pouch as you will, be only be the size of a golf ball 2
oz for some doctors, 4 oz for other doctors. So with a stomach that small,
it doesn't require much food to fill you up. Plus post op, the nerves to
the pouch are cut, therefore you feel no hunger until the grow back
together. There really is a huge different pre op vs post op. To answer
more of your questions and pictures to show you how it is done go to
www.lapsf.com and click on all the links, you will greatly benefit from
this site.
— Kristy
July 17, 2009
You may not be getting enough calories, as oddly as it sounds. Your body
goes into "starvation mode" when it's not getting enough to
sustain itself. I haven't been scheduled for surgery yet, because my
pre-surgery weight loss is still being monitored but my nut has me on a
2000 calorie diet right now and I'm losing weight (1-2 lbs/week). Are you
seeing a nutritionist, did they recommend such a low calorie diet? If not,
I would consult with one. Good luck with your journey.
— hollysmiles2001
July 17, 2009
Annette...Don't lose hope. My insurance changed their requirements from 5%
to 10% weight loss before approval. Talk about stress! This was after I
got all my clearances done, so approval was hinging on me losing 24 pounds!
That is quite a lot to do in 8 weeks. I was really determined and followed
my nutritionist's guidelines, but it was coming off too slow. I, too
consumed between 850-1000 calories per day thinking the less the better.
Actually my caloric intake was too low. When I bumped it up to around 1,200
I actually lost much quicker. I had one protein shake for breakfast, a half
turkey sandwich (or equivilant protein) for lunch, then a fish fillet (or
chicken breast) with sauteed veggies and maybe a bit of brown rice for
dinner. It wasn't too bad.
I also felt the same way....that I have tried so many times (Nutrisystem
for one month and lost only 5 lbs!), that this surgery would NOT work for
me. I still am in awe that it actually happened, I survived the whole
thing, and I am losing weight. I almost cry when I see the scale go down,
like it's not real.
But...after surgery, you can only consume such a tiny amount, you can't
help but lose. My fiancee laughed when he saw my 3 ounce shake for
breakfast and said WOW, is that gonna fill you up? Well, not only does it
fill me up, it's hard to get that last sip down.
I had my surgery 10 days ago and I've already lost 14 lbs. It will work
for you. It can't not.
Think positive and keep your eye on the prize!
Jeanne
— Jeanne C.
July 17, 2009
I had RNY 11 months ago. I had tried everything on the planet to loose...
nothing worked. I am down 123lbs and have gone from a size 26 to a size
10. The easies way to explain why ti works differently is that you do not
absorb the fat and other this the same way, another thing is that in the
first few months there is no cheating becuase you won't be able to. I
asked myself the same question before the surgery now after the fact I
understand that I really don't care how it works I just know from
experience that it does.... I have never been happier.
— phyllismmay
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