What made surgery different?

For those of you that have had surgery and are maintaining your weightloss, I have a question. 

Most of us are diet experts. I can talk to you about Weigh****chers, Atkins, Paleo, and tell you how I lost and regained weight with every diet I've ever tried. I folowed a Paleo diet for 2 years and managed to lose 60 lbs but I've since gained it back with 10 additional... And I was committed, told myself it was a lifestyle, and really tried to make it true.  

I get that the surgery is only a tool, but I also know there are people that do gain the weight back... I also know that more people keep excess weight off post-surgery then other ways of losing weight.  So what's the difference?  I kind of see surgery as the lat chance to be slim and healthy. 

I know the surgery is just a tool and to be honest, what triggered this post was a request from my never overweight husband to give another method one more shot.  I still have 3-6 months before I have my surgery, so I will - for him, but even if I'm successful, I still want to go ahead- because I want the weightloss to stick.

I could have written this myself. I am due for surgery in December. I've lost 50lbs in the last 5 months because I'm a pro dieter. When I am dieting, I rock it. 

When I'm not? I'm really not. 

My biggest fear is this not working. But I know that while I'm a great dieter, this isn't a diet plan. This is a life plan. I simply can't eat the things I want, when I want and so I know I will be successful and I'm sure you will be too - because in the back of your mind (And probably in the back of everyone's mind who has this surgery) is that you might not be successful. 

Hoping the best for you! 

Portion size and our restriction while eating dense protein definitely plays a part in long term maintenance of weight loss, and making good choices in good is paramount. 

If someone sticks with making those good choices, eats the proper portions ( by weighing proteins and measuring veggies ) and stays on top of their weight by weighing regularly, I think they stand a very good chance of being successful. 

I get full on 3-4 oz of dense protein, I usually forego a side, but if I do have one, it's an ounce of cheese, or 1/4 cup veggies. That combo of food keeps me satisfied for 3 or 4 hours. 

Hi Daisy.  I am only 7 weeks out so still in the initial losing phase. I have probably done every diet there is several times.  What makes this time different is:  (1) I am not hungry.  I used to dream about food all day and look forward to - and plan - meals several meals out.  I was ALWAYS wanting to eat.  That might not have been hunger, but it felt like it.  (2) I can only eat a very small amount before feeling very full, which is a real deterrent as long as I follow the plan and eat dense protein. (3) Watching the weight fall off fairly quickly is a real boost.  I wanted to buy a whipped cream maker this weekend with a gift card I had received... but then decided I wanted a new (smaller) tunic that was on sale.  That is a real change for me - focus moving from food towards more exciting options, that being smaller size clothes for me.

I read something about the hunger hormone Ghrelin causing people to feel hungry, and one study said that when they do RNY the hormone goes away.  I do not know if that is true, but I do know that my constant hunger is completely gone.  Will it come back?  Maybe.  I hope to be thin enough with good habits if that happens.

It's not true as Ghrelin is produced elsewhere in the body as well.  

Yeah, I was hoping I would be one of the magically not hungry people, but that is not the case. I do find that hunger is no longer the OMG emergency it used to be, though. 

Jen

During a VSG, the portion of the stomach which generates ghrelin is removed, and it often creates the sensation of not being hungry.  It did for me, at least for awhile.

I don't think the same metabolic change occurs with the RNY since the stomach is still intact.

I'm looking forward to reading more from the Vets around here. I'm 5.5 months out, and recently have noticed a lot of head hunger/cravings coming around that I hadn't experienced since before surgery. I know it's common. And I know people either cave or persevere through... but reading successful people's stories always help me!

It made me grow up. I know that may sound silly but it's not. I really had to take a good look at myself. In the beginning I really thought it was really easy right after surgery. Now it can be easy as long as I stay focused.

Some days are easier than others. The food demons are still there. I am being dramatic saying that. It is true. 

Some people can say they are never hungry. I am envious of that. I hate head hunger. 

Do this for you. Not anyone else. It has to be for you. I have a husband who has never been over weight. He has been in the same size jeans since high school. A 32/32. He gets it now.

One thing I did show my husband was the before and after pictures. Not because they looked thin. But they looked healthy. It did help with the convincing. I really had made my mind up that I was going to have the surgery. I just wanted to show him people can be healthy and happy. 

I would now start not drinking with meals to make it easier when it comes down to having surgery. I would see what else there can be to make things easier also. 

We all are different and lose in different ways. Some lose faster some slower. Just remember it's not a race. I know that is cliche but it is true.

Best wishes to you. 

Thank you! This is definitely for me.  My DH is a size 33 or 34 waist and has been his whole adult life.  I went ahead with the WLS process in spite of his objections.  He's really and truly concerned about losing me... so I try to remember that, and I'm thankful that he loves me the way that I am, and will love me no matter how much weight I lose. :)

I really appreciate your insight.