how does your body know?

Hi, I posted this a few days ago and I'm pretty sure that the info is correct.  It is another way of seeing the changes that  our bodies go through after WLS has entered later stages / adaptations. Hope that this helps. Ro Post Date: 5/14/08 4:44 am
Hi... Sorry that you are stressed over your weight gain.
  
Here is a reason for the "later gains", which was discussed on the Nutrition MB by one of the RDs.  After the 1st year, 1 1/2 +/-, the intestines grow from a 1' diameter to about a 3' diameter.  Sometime later, about 2 year+, the colon is able to absorb calories also, instead of its basic job of removing liquids to form firm stool.  In both situations, the body does not absorb more minerals and vitamins.
You can check with the RDs to make sure that this info is correct.  I have discussed it with my Drs and their staff already.  Seems the best way to handle the "adapted RnY" system is by eating healthy foods in proper quantities, checking your labs, and taking supplements.

Getting nutritional ranges / goals from your Nutritionist for calories, carbs, fats, saturated fats, and protein amounts, using a food scale, pre-portioning food in snack size baggies / freezing some also, and on-line journaling....all have been good starting techniques to losing weight further-out post-op.

BTW, I drink about 64 oz water each day to stay hydrated and have normal "movements".   Drinking soda / pop robs the body of its ability to absorb calcium.  Any caffeinated products will have a diaretic effect, but then the body will compensate by "storing" as much fluid as it can to stop the water loss.

Ro

   Wow that was YESTERDAY!!!! I have been in a funk lately, but really feel like I'm living through these tough days in "cat years". No wonder it feels like I posted this last week.   nuf already...

yep ,, time sure flys,, thanks for the info though !!!

Somebody already posted something similar above but here it goes - your body adjusts to the surgery over time and learns to live off the calories you are giving it - immediately post-op your body doesnt know whats going on and thats why the first 6 months there is typically a large amount of weight loss (honeymoon period) then as time passes the weight loss slows (for most, there are always exceptions) and the 'typical weight loss window' is approx 18 months long - you can keep losing after that but its typically more work.

Also your metabolism is a mess for a while post-op... as time passes it should level off and be more consisitant (depending on your habits of course!). Since the 5dpt is restrictive and I would assume on liquids you are limiting your calories your body may think its 'starving' and is holding onto everything it has. Many times you may need to be eating *more* to lose weight -or- change where your calories are comming from. If you are lacking in exercise I would honestly focus there instead of messing with the 5dpt and the liquids. I would also suggest getting a metabolism test and finding out what *your* body needs calorie wise and building a nutritional plan from that - also see where you calories are comming from - eating unblanaced can cause scale issues.

Either way a 10lb regain isnt bad - my surgeon said the typical regain is approx 10% of what you lost and it happens between the 2-5 year mark. Most people hit a low point and then 'bounceback' up to a point where their body is comfortable and they can easily maintain the weight. Just something to think about!

I have to agree with so many of the things that have already been said. Our bodies do adjust in time so we will have to fight harder to lose those pounds the farther out that we get. Also, when doing the 5dpt its not made to lose weight~its to help us refocus, maybe tighten up our pouch (although I did not feel this effect either time that I did the 5 days) and just to get back on the right track. Some lose, some don't. If you drop your caloric intake back to far you will eventually go into "starvation mode" which completely defeats the purpose from a weightloss standpoint b/c it drops your metabolism down too far. Also, right after surgery most of us had 100+lbs to lose so our bodies were in a VERY different state than they our now when we might want to lose 10lbs so of course we won't lose as quickly. Even with just 10lbs to lose the "quick fix" doesn't work for the long term~taking those 10lbs off a little slower and over time will help to ensure that you can keep them off for good instead of playing that game that we've all played where we bounce around endlessly with the same 10lbs and hopefully keeping only 10lbs, not 10lbs turning into 20lbs turning into 50lbs, etc. As you said exercise a major compentent in long term success and most of us need to do it~its good for our physical and our mental state!!!!! Good Luck and keep us posted on how things are going!