Smaller Stomachs

Folks,

I'm a big eater in more ways than one. I mean like 3k-5k in calories on most days. I eat high fat, high protein, low carb foods. I am not a scientist or a NUT or anything like that. But, it seems to me that moving to 600-800 calories a day from the aforementioned calorie intake cannot help but see a net result of pounds lost. Is this not true?

Jeff

You betcha!  The post-op diet is low carb and low calorie combined.  The best of both worlds.

Jane

Thanks. But, what about the fat?

My Nutri and Dr advises low fat, low carb, low calorie. I do pretty good with low carb/low calorie, but the fat is somewhat of a challenge. However many of the VETs on here advise worrying about fat the least and instead focus on more "whole" non-processed foods, which usually takes care of a lot of the fat. In the beginning,  you may not be able to eat alot of the high fat foods you are consuming now, just because your new tummy may not like them.

I do think with such a high calorie consumption and amount of weight to lose that you may want to consider a surgery option with a malabsorption component. Just a thought.

Thanks. I will look at that route again. However, my Dr. steered me away from that idea because he thought the sleeve would meet my needs in the long run.

3500 calories = 1 lb

So, you are currently eating 21,000-35,000 calories a week.

At 800-1000 calories/day you are eating 5600-7000 calories a week.

Loss in calories only (doesn't take into account metabolism and other factors) is 15,400-28,000 calories a week - or 4.4-8 lbs average loss a week.

There are other factors like fluid/water intake and fluid/water retention that affect the amount of loss. Also how your body burns calories (metabolism).

Is this what you are wanting to know?

Yes it is. But, does the make-up of those calories make any difference? Does it matter if the calories are protein, fat, or carb? I am speaking purely weight loss numbers here. Not healthy numbers. I know that balance is the key, but I would think that 700 calories of what I am currently eating verses 3500 calories couldn't help but see a resulting loss of weight.

There are different schools of thought on this topic, of course. I am a nurse and have done a TON of research and have successfully lost 85% excess weight in a little over 6 months. My advice: the 800cal/40 carb approach works like gangbusters. Low fat is BS and has made Americans sicker than ever before over the past 2-3 decades, yet practitioners cling to this antiquated and INCORRECT theory. When the body is in nutritional ketosis (brought about by eating less than 50carbs daily for most people) the body feeds on fat instead of carbohydrate. Low carbers lose more weight, burn more fat, and have LOWER serum triglycerides and small cholesterol particles (the ones that screw you) than other dieters. Contrary to popular belief, the body was NOT evolved to use carbohydrate for energy. It is equally happy to use fat when in mild ketosis and IMO, most people who end up fat enough to need WLS are insulin resistant and "carb intolerant". Google "low carb high fat diet" and check it out. The caveat is that since we are bariatric, our bodies have plenty of lard to feed on, so the HIGH fat part is not necessary in the losing phase and would probably jack up your calories too much but low fat isn't needed and fat and protein help with satiety.

You're my sole sister!

So here's the thing, I do low carb because even though I love carbs, they don't love me. I can't control how many carbs I eat. Once I start, I don't stop. The only caveat to this is veggies. I can eat most veggies (not carrots or celery because they trigger carb eating for me) in moderation.

Even though I tend to lean toward the 800/cal 80/protein/ under 30 carbs folks, I truly believe that you have to find the thing that works for you. Personally, I don't even bother to track fat so long as my carbs stay low. But, that's what works for me. It will take you awhile to get all of the weight gone, so you have to find something that works for you long term.

I'm not a scientist, but this is what I've learned. Protein is harder for your body to break down and requires more calories to turn it into something your body can use. Most carbs are easily turned into fat. Fat is also turned into fat UNLESS carbs are not present - then it is turned into energy to help break down the protein.

The exact ratio of protein, carbs and fat is different for everyone, but many people do well on the above equation that I use. Let me also say, that being a slow loser, I have tried a number of different ratios trying to find my "sweet spot"

Honestly, you can be a success or a failure at any of the surgeries, diets, etc.

Pick the surgery and the/or the diet that you feel you will be most successful at long term . Don't just look at 1-2 years from now. Look at what happens 5 years from now with each of the surgeries and diet plans that go along with them.