DS Math as per Diana C - how we Malabsorb

DS Math

by Diana C.

''To follow is the DS math for those wondering how DSers can eat 3000+ calories per day and not gain weight. Some people also seem to have difficulty understanding why our arteries aren't clogging up, since most of us eat about 50% of our calories as fat. For those of you who are interested, this is how the DS works.

Note that while the 80% fat malabsorption had been documented by a study by Gagner et al., the 40% malabsorption figure I use for both complex carbohydrates and protein malabsorption are only estimates, and are probably quite a bit more variable person-to-person than the fat malabsorption, because there is SOME digestion and absorption of protein and complex carbs in the small intestine as the result of acid digestion by the stomach and enzymes secreted in the mouth and the jejunum and ilium, together with the much more variable length of the alimentary tract between patients, whereas fat digestion and absorption essentially only occurs in the common channel. The 40% figure comes from conservatively averaging a number of figures -- guesstimates, really -- that I have read and heard from surgeons over the years.

I (and many if not most DS post-ops over 2 years out) eat about 3000 cal/day most days. But we don't absorb that much, of course. This is the "magic" and the pleasure of how the DS works, and why it works. The mathematics of malabsorption looks something like this:

I always get about 100 g of protein/day (I have never had protein shake -- since surgery; I have eaten all my protein as food). 100 g of protein x 4 cal/g = 400 cal eaten; x 0.6 (60% of protein absorbed) = 240 cal from protein absorbed.

Since I eat at least 50% of my calories as fat (full fat mayo to my heart's content; butter with my seafood and veggies; full fat salad dressing, and lots of it, with my salads and veggie dips; nice marbled meats including steak, bacon and crispy chicken skin), let's call it 1530 calories which equals 170 g of fat (fat is 9 cal/g) to make the math easier. But I absorb only 20% of the fat I eat, for only 306 cal from fat absorbed.

So, fat + protein eaten = 1930 calories of the 3000 I eat per day. That leaves 1070 cal or 267.5 g of carbs (4 cal/g). But I only absorb about 60% of complex carbs. I have to account for sugar first, because I do absorb 100% of sugars -- I would guesstimate that I eat about 50 g of sugar/day x 4 cal/g for 200 calories from sugar absorbed; of the remaining 870 calories of complex carbs x 0.6 (60% absorbed) = 522 cal from complex carbs absorbed.

So, my ABSORBED calories from 3000 ingested calories (eating 100 g of protein, about 50% fat and the rest carbs) is:

 240 calories from protein
 306 calories from fat
 200 calories from sugars
 522 calories from complex carbs
1268 calories absorbed per day from eating 3000 calories

And that is why I (and other DSers) can eat like that, not exercise, and still be either maintaining or losing weight. It doesn't suck!

To be clear, I am NOT advocating not exercising! Everyone needs exercise for cardiovascular health, bone health, looking toned, etc. My point is, exercise for losing or maintaining weight loss isn't as necessary for most DSers.

As for arteries clogging from all that fat -- what doesn't get absorbed doesn't get to my arteries, of course! My total cholesterol is 167, my HDLs are 53, and my LDLs are 95. My triglycerides are 95. All of which numbers are EXCELLENT -- my doctor wishes her levels were that good. My CRP (an indicator of inflammation and thus cardiovascular risk, especially in women), which was a dangerous 10 times normal pre-op, and which was not helped much by statins, is now completely normal with NO statins. My cardiologist released me -- there is no need to see him anymore!

Note that contrary to unfounded accusations, I don't eat huge amounts of food at a time (nor do most of us) -- I do eat smaller, higher calorie meals (full of yummy fat!), and I eat 4-6 times/day. I didn't binge pre-op, and I don't binge now. I usually get at least a snack if not an entire second meal out of a restaurant meal, which for me is generally sharing a couple of appetizers with my husband, sometimes a piece or two of bread with LOTS of butter, an entree of my own, and sharing a dessert, along with a drink (Mai Tai!). I usually take home some of one of the appetizers, and half of my main course, and fini**** off before bed or for breakfast the next day.

I didn't have a major sweet tooth pre-op, but I eat even fewer sweets now -- the DS changes metabolism to correct insulin resistance, and after 2-4 bites of something sweet, I am generally done. I am satisfied with fewer sweets than I was pre-op -- sweets taste DELICIOUS for a couple of bites, and then taste overly sweet. I get both the pleasure of having sweets with no repercussions, and no fear of overindulgence. Sometimes, when I feel inclined to indulge but find myself physically not wanting more, this is almost amusingly annoying. No willpower needed!

By the way, based on studies on people with short bowel syndrome, intestinal adaptation is generally complete by about 2 years out. The statistics of weight loss maintenance over 10-15 years with the DS supports the theory that the same is true for DSers -- if there was continued adaptation of the intestines after two years, there would likely be significant and ongoing weight gain in long term DSers, which there generally isn't.''

Holy cow, that sound awesome. almost too good to be true. What are te downsides besides malabsorbtion? Something this good there must be a downside. LOL

Michelle,

This is excellent.  Who is Diana C?  Is she from the DS forum? 

Nice Article Michelle...it does help to explain DS heaven.  And yes it does sound too good to be true...but it really is this good.

Now there are some negatives.  I have to take daily vitamins, and be ver diligent about eating.  But all in all, pretty easy peasy.

If you have any DS questions...just ask...I am heading into 3 years come June! 

 Bump

Diana Cox is an amazing DS veteran who had her surgery in 2003 and has many great reports and information.  She is a well educated lawyer who works closely with many doctors and often a champion supporter/defender of the DS procedure which helps many in their appeals to have the surgery covered by their insurance company.

Check out her profile for many other reports.

M