TeriJ
My presurgery journey, food logging, metformin, and weight loss
Feb 09, 2009
I started keeping a food log at www.nutrimirror.com for my nutrition class. It let me analyse the nutrition and carb/fat/protein content of what I was eating. I decided that since post surgery I would have to really up my protein intake, I might as well start. I did some research, and eventually decided on a target of 40% carb, 30% fat, and 30% protein. The nutritionist said I should aim for 1400 calories.That equated to 87.5 grams of carbs, 46 grams of fat, and 105 grams of protein.
Now, here's my disclaimer. I have PCOS and am highly insulin resistant. I had PCOS with a BMI of 21, so it's in my genes. I did not get a period without provera or birth control pills. Now, in order to get a period every 6 weeks, I take 3000 mg of metformin daily. I believe this made a huge impact in my weight loss.
The first week I struggled with hunger and couldn't keep to 1400 calories. But after a week, my hunger disappeared. I don't think it was ketosis with 87 carbs. I think the 40/30/30 ratio coupled with the metformin made me feel the same way that a normal person feels. I actually started to not even get 1400 calories, and probably averaged 1250. I also started getting my period at 32 days. So I have physical evidence that this was affecting my body in a positive way.
I lost 25 pounds in two months. Now, if I could keep up this way of eating forever, I'd be golden without surgery. But I know I've regained the weight too many times in the past. I think with VSG will prevent me from gaining too much weight on the days that I don't have the strength to eat what I should.
I would advise everyone to food log and analyse, so you can see how you currently eat. Then you can see how changing the percentages affects you. I'd also get fasting insulin tested. Doctors don't pay attention to this, but it could be a major factor in why some people hold onto weight no matter what.
My guess is that almost all diabetics taking metformin aren't taking a high enough dose because they are only dosing based on blood sugar, not insulin. If they took a higher dose, they'd probably wind up losing weight even if their blood sugar stayed the same. One of the reasons I feel so strongly about this is that my mom is diabetic and her doctor will only give her 1500 mg. She struggles to keep her sugar in the 120s. I think she would stop burning out her pancreas so fast with a higher dose, and live longer. Sadly, I can't convince her to change doctors.
I expect to keep taking metformin after surgery in order to get my period, though probably a smaller amount. I hope that I've encouraged people to investigate this and talk to their doctors if they think it's relevant to them.
