Malabsorbtion

Does anyone know about malabsorbtion? I am wondering how long after your surgery you start to completely absorb what you take in, if ever!  I know there are certain vitamins and minerals we will never completely absorb and that's why we have to take the vitamins. I am wondering amount fat intake and things to that nature. Will we ever absorb all of what we take in except for the vitamins and minerals??????????????????

I have read that the malabsorption slows/stops in the 6-10 month mark. Those further out than myself can probably speak more about how it has effected their losses.

What Stephanie has said is very right on. The only thing I can add is there is a picture in my profile that shows malabsorption with an RNY person. Shows what is absorbed where and what is bypassed, this was done by a very good friend on OH here, Dx.

I love the diagram you have on your profile...Do you have it in a larger format to read it a little better?

send me your email address and I will send it to you.

I can only speak for myself and pertaining to RNY and I'm sure there are those out there much more knowledgable then me, however, it is my understanding that the malabsorbtion of vitamins, minerals, nutrients, etc are continual.  Hence the need for a strict vitamin regime.  In my case, and others, iron malabsorbtion is an ongoing problem. All that being said, however, the weight loss effects of the malabsorbtion do diminish and almost completely disappear after several years.  The malabsorbtion in the first 12 - 18 months is what increases the weight loss along with the restriction of food intake and an exercise program.  After that time period, however, we can eat more and tolerate a much greater variety of foods.  Hence why so many of us deal with weight gain after the "honeymoon" period.  Granted, we cannot eat the quantities we ate prior to surgery, but can consume a greater number of calories than during that first 2 years.  Dilligence and moderation become the key after that time.  You cannot rely on malabsorbtion to keep the weight off.  It just won't work At nearly 4 years out, where I used to dump on sugar and especially fats, now I can tolerate sugar with no problem and unless something has a very high fat content I experience no problems with that either.  Where in the beginning a couple of bites of a chicken breast would fill me up, now I can eat almost an entire chicken breast and side dishes along with it.  Further I now find that while I may fill up at a meal fairly quickly, within a half hour to an hour, I'm hungry again. But worst of all, the cravings that I had prior to WLS are all back.  I'm craving the foods that made me fat to begin with, which for two years I didn't even think about. So as so many of us have said and are experiencing, WLS is not a cure.  WLS will not keep you thin. I have to go on a diet now, just like before surgery if I'm going to take off the weight I've now put back on and reach my goal.  It's frustrating to say the least.  So don't rely on malabsorbtion for weight loss.  But do understand that our digestive system is different and we will not absorb the vitamins needed to maintain our health. Stephanie

Thank you. I have the answer I need. Stephaine. I am only a year and 5 months out and I experience the same thing you are. I now have it under control. I know this will always be a battle. As long I keep it in my head that it is very easy to gain gain the weight back I think I will do ok. I hope you get back on track. I know it is not easy. I now go to the gym 6 days a week after work and on the weekends. I love it now. I guess I better if I want to keep this weight off. Thank you................. thank you............... thank you.............ALL

So true, so true xo xo xo Hugs and Love