Long Term Weight Loss

I initially had surgery 12 years ago at the weight of 412lbs.  I was able to get down to 210.  I am 5'8" with a large frame.   In all honesty I was totally happy at this weight.  Fast forward 12 years and I have stopped exercising and while I can't eat a lot at a meal I am a grazer.  My weight is currently 270 and I am so discouraged.  If I went back to the original diet do you think the malabsorbtion still occurs this long after surgery?  I know that even though my stomach stretched it still limits what I am able to eat...but I need to get the grazing under control.  Any replies are greatly appreciated.  

Lorrie

Hello,

I am only 6 months out at this point, so I'm not speaking from experience.  From what I have read though, I would say yes. I've read that with DS, you don't actually stretch your stomach because food is only in there for such a short period of time.  Also, the malabsorption doesn't change.  The weight loss will be slower but it will still happen.

Chin up and good luck! :)

Thanks Lana!  I appreciate your reply. 

Grazing isn't a bad thing as long as what you are eating is protein and fat only.  You can still lose if you cut the carbs and sugar drastically.  Change what you eat, not necessarily the amount.  Read Atkins induction.  That should pretty much be your diet.  Good luck!

Hey Lorrie... please get back into exercising.  Not just for the weight loss but for your overall health.  Your heart, lungs and limbs will thank you for the exercise.  This will give you a kick start if you are able to also get your eating habits back into gear.  Slowly cut out those carbs that have reared their ugly head into your diet.  You have to remember that the DS is just a TOOL...you are in charge of using this tool to your advantage.  THe hard work never stops... you will always have to be conscious of it and you will always have to exercise and take care of your body.  Don't give up

Hi Lorrie,

There will still be mal absorption but it will be less than you had originally. Something about the villi in your 
common channel growing in thicker but it should still do what you need it to do. High protein low carb is the way to go.

If you can't eat much meat then start looking at protein shakes again and writing down protein and liquids. Tracking
is a big help. You might consider adding your previous days meals into the bites and vites post to get some feedback
on choices.

Don't be discouraged you did this once and you have a lot less weight to lose this time. It's good your working to get
back on track.

Pete

If you had a DS, then the malabsorption is for life. What might have happened is that you stretched your sleeve to the point that you're taking in more than the malabsorption was designed to overcome, and frankly, that would have to be a helluva lot of eating!

Since everyone is different, I would make an appointment with the surgeon who did your DS. If you have to travel far to get to there, perhaps a GI specialist can do a radiograph, under your surgeon's instructions, following fluid into your digestive tract to determine the capacity of your sleeve.

I'm not a medical professional, but to me, it seems like that might work.  If in fact your sleeve has expanded, the surgeon can reduce it to it's original size immediately post op.

Sleeves are designed to stretch post op, by the way, during the first year, to a size determined by the surgeon and your small intestine measurements.

The malabsorption is permanent. Oh, your body tries to overcome it, but there's so much of the small intestine bypassed that the body simply canNOT grow enough extra villi to get back to pre-op levels of absorption.

HOWEVER---simple carbs are absorbed completely. You start absorbing them in your mouth! Graze all day if you like, but graze on meat, cheese, nuts, etc. DON'T eat bread, pasta, rice, cereal, sugar. Avoid high-sugar fruits and veggies.