WLS not "working" as expected?

Oct 30, 2010

I am 4 months out of Roux-En-Y surgery.
First of all, I have been blessed with nearly NO complications and a fairly easy time.

Now, for the "bad news". I am one of those who can eat ANYTHING, who never feel full and who don't dump. Ever.

I think that for many of us, when we decide on RNY surgery, there is a part of us that "hopes and even counts" on Dumping Syndrome to help keep us in line! We are told we only have a "small" pouch and will feel full after only a few bites. We hear stotries of people who are nauseous and can barely eat for months following their surgery.

I am here to tell you the truth. Only around 30-35% of RNY patients "dump" on sugar, fats or carbohydrates. That means 70% of us DON'T. That we could eat candy bars, crackers, ice cream, cake, fried foods, basically ALL the "bad stuff" that got us Obese in the first place.

There are also around 30-40% of us RNY patients who don't feel ANY satedness or "fullness". Granted, I do NOT feel ravenous hunger or hyper-acidity, but I do not ever feel "full". No pouch signals like hiccups, runny nose or even burping.

What that means is this. Because I don't "dump", because I don't ever feel full or sated I have to follow the rules even HARDER than the average bear. I must measure everything carefully and I must make sure manually that my carbs are under 10 grams per meal and my sugars are under 9 grams a meal. I must carefully measure out my 1/2 cup of food and make sure I stop after my measured amount.

As I said...I DO think my pouch is working to some extent because one, I am losing weight and two, I do NOT feel "extreme hunger" all the time like I did pre-op.

I make sure I get all my required daily vitamins in, my water (50-64 oz) and my exercise 3-4 times a week.

While the pouch does NOT work to just make me dump or feel full, it DOES give me the strength to say "No!" to things I shouldn't eat, such as high sugar sweets, or high carb or fried crap.

I use my advantage of being able to eat anything (From raw veggies and fruits and ALL meats) to eat healthy stuff. Steaks, salads, chicken, eggs...Always "Protein first".

I COULD go eat a McDonald's hamburger but I chose NOT to go eat a McDonald's hamburger. It's like an addict. Each day I chose to consciously eat healthy, whole foods that are minimally processed. I stay away from food that has too many chemicals or additives in it.

Perhaps there are more of us out there. People like me who have been blessed with virtually no complications an can eat just about anything. Maybe eating whole foods, and healthy foods gives us the opportunity to eat more. I don't know...I'm not a doctor or an expert.

Perhaps my stoma is stretched or perhaps I just have the constitution of a T-Rex. I know my metabolism is also screwed up due to being obese for so long and for having 2 autoimmune diseases and all the steroids and medicines that it entailed.

I do not regret my WLS at all. I lose a wee bit slower, my metabolism is still slower, and each day I make sure that I eat between 800-1000 calories and protein around 70-100 grams. I keep my carbs really low and avoid sugar like a diabetic! I am "doing" all the right things, so therefore my tool (pouch and surgery) is still working.

I know I just have to work harder to be good and that my surgery will NOT "check" me nor punish me by dumping.
If you are someone who is pre-op and COUNTING on RNY surgery to make you be "good" in your diet....Don't. You may very well end up like me. A Non-Dumper who never feels full and who can eat anything.

You WILL be rewarded with better health and at least will NOT feel "ravenous" or "out of control" physically. But mentally you may. I don't know about that either. Again, I have been blessed to have no depression or any "mental battles" with food after surgery (No cravings, no having to eat something because it "calls" to me or anything like that).

Maybe, the surgery is doing exactly what it is supposed to. I don't know, I'm still learning myself. But...While many of us "hope" we will dump or feel full all the time, many of us WON'T feel either. Just be aware.

At least I learned this very early out so I know I have to watch what I eat. If I go OVER 1000 calories or if I eat too many carbs then I stop losing and begin gaining. That is my metabolism and my "Cross" to bear. But you know what? I am still O.K with that. There are a lot WORSE things out there.

Hang tough my little "losers" and be healthy and happy!
Warmly,
Jackie

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