Is there a myth that you can eat anything after the DS and lose weight?

I have to agree with NYB-I am 10.5 yrs out and have maintained 135 for 9 years-give or take 5 lbs depending on what is going on in my life and where I am traveling to.  I don’t count carbs, never drank a protein shake in my life and eat whatever I want. Having said that, I also know the consequences that some foods cause me. I just decide if the reaction is worth the action! I also don’t post much, because I know that I am not the norm and don’t want to steer someone off course. As had been said repeatedly, DS is a wonderful tool. It is not an end all cure for obesity. Take this tool and run with it, keep your labs up, get your protein by food or shakes and enjoy your new life.

Hi!!

We each have to make our own way with our DS journey.  There IS no right way or wrong way as long as folks are HEALTHY.  I think you need to find people who have the results that YOU want and then do what THEY do.  That's what I did.

I realized that I am supposed to be this size.  I finally look like the rest of my family haha.  I am determined that I didn't go through this to regain to a size where I am not happy.  That is my choice and my path.

Tessy has very different goals.  I don't disagree with her at all, as those are hers goals.  They are just VERY different from my goals.

I just started this thread because I wanted people to see that not everyone can eat whatever they want and still lose all their excess weight and keep it off.  As I have said, what I "heard" as a pre-op was that I could eat whatever I wanted as long as I got my protein in first and that I would lose and be able to maintain that loss.  That has NOT been my experience so I wanted to share that.  

That's all. 

~Becky

that was great getting the input of 2 long term vets on this discussion. I guess when I read & heard after the DS I would be able to eat like a thin person with a good metabolism I didn't mean I could eat large amouints but reasonable amounts (as a thin person naturally would- probably smaller portions) and it would just feel like a natural adjustment maintaining if I did that. 

I do see that for me staying away from sweets is needed. I had a terrible sugar habit preop and no taste for them much after the surgery- until recenlty. I have indulged several times in a time of needing comfort food in the last 2 weeks and probably a little low on the protein due to this too and am losing too slow right now because of it. So I know I need to stop and add in more protein too. I know we definitely need to be aware of what we are doing and have a basic plan different that the normies tho.

I eat large amounts.  But not large amounts of simple carbs.

If you don't lay off the sweets you will surely gain weight.

I have to say that the people on this site are your very best source of information. I was one of those that Becky mentioned in another post, I knew NO ONE who had the DS and learned on my own, with the help of Dr. K's office. My path has been trial and error with lots of errors I would not have made, had I known about this resource. All you guys that are newbies, pay attention and use everyone's knowledge. Yes, everyone's mileage will vary, our bodies are all different. But, generally speaking, I would have loved to have had the vets here give me their input. Everyone, stay healthy, pay attention to your body and be your own advocate.

I think the problem is more of a misconception about what constitutes "normal eating" than a myth that you can eat anything and not gain weight.

Most likely, "normal eating" is NOT what you were doing in the years prior to your surgery.

Normal weight people have to watch what they eat to not gain weight. They can't eat fistfuls of cookies throughout the day and not gain weight. They can't overload on carbs with impunity.

I'm not talking about those freaks of nature with the super high metabolisms who can eat everything in sight and not gain an ounce. They aren't the norm and they should not be used to set your DS expectations.

The DS provides you with a normal metabolism and the malabsorption of proteins and fats to allow you to eat as much of these as you require to satisfy your appetite.

Expecting more than that is unrealistic.

***LIKE***

This was a very great topic.  Thank you.   It's an important reminder that this is a tool and not a miracle surgery.  I think that it is definitely worth becoming healthier and knowing of these 'gotchas' as an awareness.  As you said, it depends on the individual.  Expect the worst and maybe you'll be pleasantly surprised.

How do you figure out your food intolerances? Like really narrow them down? I know SOME things just by significant reactions, but I'd like to know for sure...

As for me I am not yet 6 months out, I eat low carb (under 40 a day) and high protein 80-120 (usually in the 80's, 100 on a good day, 120 on a GREAT day) and I STRUGGLE to get it off..... my average loss is GREAT< but its frustrating to lose like a freight train for a week or MAYBE 2 and stall for 3-4 weeks...I know my DS isn't broken, but I know that I have to be very careful even early out.

(My overall loss is not all post DS, only 80 lbs are post DS)