X-post Malabsorption two years post op
Hi everyone,
I haven't been around for a while, but found I need to come back to the forum for some support and information. There are no support groups in my area and I know I can't do this alone. I'm a little over two years postop and have been reasonably successful maintaining a 90+ pound weight loss. I exercise daily and have been compliant with proper vitamin intake.
However, as expected, my meal protion sizes have increased and I find myself craving food in the evenings. I can eat small amounts of food frequently. I graph my weight weekly and have noticed a small upward creep that I'm not comfortable with.
Two questions I would be grateful for some help with. First, how much of our caloric intake is absorbed two years post RNY e.g. protein, fats, carbs? Second, any suggestions on how to deal with the cravings when they creep up on you at night. I was in OA for many years and it just didn't work in my case. Many thanks for your suggestions!
Ron
I haven't been around for a while, but found I need to come back to the forum for some support and information. There are no support groups in my area and I know I can't do this alone. I'm a little over two years postop and have been reasonably successful maintaining a 90+ pound weight loss. I exercise daily and have been compliant with proper vitamin intake.
However, as expected, my meal protion sizes have increased and I find myself craving food in the evenings. I can eat small amounts of food frequently. I graph my weight weekly and have noticed a small upward creep that I'm not comfortable with.
Two questions I would be grateful for some help with. First, how much of our caloric intake is absorbed two years post RNY e.g. protein, fats, carbs? Second, any suggestions on how to deal with the cravings when they creep up on you at night. I was in OA for many years and it just didn't work in my case. Many thanks for your suggestions!
Ron
Hey Ron,
Well, I can't give you exact numbers on absorption but I can tell you what someone else told me...
When we were heavy our intestines did not absorb things well...slow metabolism...basically we were ingesting soooo many calories etc that the body wasn't concerned about needing to absorb things...because it knew at some point it would get more calories etc.
When we had surgery, our bodies realized "holy crap - we're not getting the calories and stuff we're used to" so it kicked our intestines into over drive...absorbing what it could when it could where it could (because they are now shortened) Early out it doesn't matter - we're still taking in such a minimal amount of calories etc that we're losing weight
But as time goes by - our portions do get a bit larger (supposed to be...but not by much....just because you "can" doesn't mean you "should") and our intestines are still absorbing as much as possible...they have turned into sponges if you will...so now we're eating more, and getting more....and it all goes back to the calories in vs calories out game that we all played.
So....really 2+ years out the REAL work begins in my opinion. Year one to beginning of year two was great for me...now I'm in to year two to year 3 (which will be in October) and I like you and so many others have noticed an upward trend if I'm not insanely careful.
Kudos to you for exercising daily. Do you need to kick it up a notch though? We must always push ourselves a bit further, a bit harder...the same routine will not work all the time...we need to change it up.
Cravings/head hunger...it sucks. I do try to plan things that I know I may want. For instance...I'll keep carbs low on a day so that I can have a serving of popcorn at night to snack on.
Other things...I will still occassionally keep sf ice pops in the freezer and sf jello in the fridge...so that there's stuff that I can have that is minimal in calories....
Try to keep your hands and mind occupied...just sitting watching tv or what not in the evening isn't all that fabulous...food commercials...idle hands...wandering thoughts...it all adds up to eating when you don't really need to. It's definately not easy...and I certainly don't have all the answers or necessarily follow the answers I give all the time...but know you aren't alone!
Pam
Well, I can't give you exact numbers on absorption but I can tell you what someone else told me...
When we were heavy our intestines did not absorb things well...slow metabolism...basically we were ingesting soooo many calories etc that the body wasn't concerned about needing to absorb things...because it knew at some point it would get more calories etc.
When we had surgery, our bodies realized "holy crap - we're not getting the calories and stuff we're used to" so it kicked our intestines into over drive...absorbing what it could when it could where it could (because they are now shortened) Early out it doesn't matter - we're still taking in such a minimal amount of calories etc that we're losing weight
But as time goes by - our portions do get a bit larger (supposed to be...but not by much....just because you "can" doesn't mean you "should") and our intestines are still absorbing as much as possible...they have turned into sponges if you will...so now we're eating more, and getting more....and it all goes back to the calories in vs calories out game that we all played.
So....really 2+ years out the REAL work begins in my opinion. Year one to beginning of year two was great for me...now I'm in to year two to year 3 (which will be in October) and I like you and so many others have noticed an upward trend if I'm not insanely careful.
Kudos to you for exercising daily. Do you need to kick it up a notch though? We must always push ourselves a bit further, a bit harder...the same routine will not work all the time...we need to change it up.
Cravings/head hunger...it sucks. I do try to plan things that I know I may want. For instance...I'll keep carbs low on a day so that I can have a serving of popcorn at night to snack on.
Other things...I will still occassionally keep sf ice pops in the freezer and sf jello in the fridge...so that there's stuff that I can have that is minimal in calories....
Try to keep your hands and mind occupied...just sitting watching tv or what not in the evening isn't all that fabulous...food commercials...idle hands...wandering thoughts...it all adds up to eating when you don't really need to. It's definately not easy...and I certainly don't have all the answers or necessarily follow the answers I give all the time...but know you aren't alone!
Pam
Instead of complaining that the rosebush has thorns, be happy that the thorn bush has roses. 
Pam is right.
At this point is whn you have to WORK at maintaining. It becomes a concious effort to keep portion sizes right, exercising, and still sticking to the correct meal plans.
It's not easy and automatic anymore. And this is the time when people suddenly get smacked in the face with "wow, this REALLY isn't the easy wayout"
The surgery is a life changing expereince. Once the body adjusts to the new "you", you have to work at keeping it that way.
There is no fast cure or easy suggestion. You have to just concentrate on vitamins, fluid intake, protein and low carbs.
At this point is whn you have to WORK at maintaining. It becomes a concious effort to keep portion sizes right, exercising, and still sticking to the correct meal plans.
It's not easy and automatic anymore. And this is the time when people suddenly get smacked in the face with "wow, this REALLY isn't the easy wayout"
The surgery is a life changing expereince. Once the body adjusts to the new "you", you have to work at keeping it that way.
There is no fast cure or easy suggestion. You have to just concentrate on vitamins, fluid intake, protein and low carbs.
When life hands you lemons, ask for tequila & salt and give me a call!
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