Dr. Simpson Says....

Dr. Simpson is the surgeon who conducts chat on the OH main board and writes an article for OH magazine. He has recently written a book and was at our support group meeting last night. I thought I'd share some of the things he said. Some of these things are in direct contradiction to what my surgeon says so I've decided to just use my own common sense - whatever that means. Soda will not stretch your pouch. The only way you can stretch your pouch is by overeating. You CAN stretch your pouch so go easy with stuffing yourself. Because so many of us have a broken full meter, he recommends measuring food and not waiting to feel full. He recommends the cottage cheese test or if you can't tolerate cottage cheese, he says to use tuna. All carbs are not created equal. White flour and sugar will spike your blood sugar levels and create havoc with hunger and satiety. Fruits and vegetables will not do that because they contain fiber and maintain a pretty even keel in the blood. Don't avoid carbs, avoid refined sugar and all the white stuff like bread and pasta. The three most common reasons that wls patients regain their weight is: 1. Stretched pouch 2. Drinking alcohol 3. An enlarged stoma (not very common) He said so much more, but I'm old and can't remember squat. Connie

Darn, Darn, Darn... I knew I would forget stuff. He also says that it is a myth that you shouldn't drink with your food. He says not to gulp, but sipping won't hurt. My surgeon's nurse has told me the same thing. I asked him why surgeons can't seem to agree on what we should be doing, eating, following. His first reply was that they haven't read his book yet. The second answer was that they tend to over-react based on one patient's experience and make a blanket decision for all of their patients. Connie

Hi Connie! I am new here. Do you know the name of his book and who is the author again? Your post was very enlightening. Thanks so much! Christie Inman 280/239/170

Christie, His name is Dr. Simpson. The book is called "A Lighter Look at a Heavy Subject" and you can get the book here: http://www.obesityhelpstore.com/books.html or his website: http://www.doctorsimpson.com Connie

Thanks for the info Connie! I sometimes sip with my meal - it seems almost unnatural not to! However, I have gulped (accidentally) after eating a snack of pistachios, and let's just say - not a good idea. I saw those pistachios again. UGH!! Isn't it funny how every doctor has different advice? I do believe what Dr. Simpson said - they make a blanket decision based off of one or two people's experiences. Thanks for the post!! -Wendy 314/290/150

Whoo hoo! That drinking thing was KILLING me! I HAVE to sip while I'm eating. This is the best news ever. I guess it's not hurting me, because I am 6 weeks out and down 45 lbs! Thanks for posting this!

Thanks Connie... I agree also they do make assumptions based on a few experiences. My surgeons are pretty open though, they really take everything into consideration. They seem to know nothing is really set in stone and each person is unique. I thought our pouches only strech a little bit??? I mean they couldnt stretch too much could they?? Anyways...Yeah I am a 'secret sipper' I did gulp once during lunch and OOOWW! it hurt! felt like the movie alien except it wanted to pop out of my chest anyways...Thanks for the tips Elizabeth M -48lbs

Good info here Connie - thanks for posting it. I have to disagree with him on one count though and that is on the veggies. I have found that low-carb veggies do indeed leave me ravenous after less than an hour. I adore cucumbers, but for some reason they just make me feel like I'm starving. I suspect it is the water content in the low-carb veggies that makes it go right through and never really helps me much. Fruits I don't eat too much of so I can't comment there really. Dina

Thanks for posting this it was very informative and supportive. I do eat carbs - but avoid sugars just as he suggested. I just thought that is was the most practical and healthiest choice I could make. I also like variety in my meals and all that protein is just too much for me. The drinking with meals is interesting. I usually avoid doing so but we socialize frequently and it would have looked too odd not to do so. So I did sip when dining with friends, and had no problem with it. Thanks again. Louise -31