Guidelines for Newbies

Remember I suggested that we could all contribute to a thread that could be posted on the Main Board to help out newbies from time to time, but it was suggested that many newbies don't want to hear it and not everyone agrees on what's good? Well, I finally read the book "The Success Habits Of Weight-Loss Surgery Patients" by Colleen M. Cook. It was very good and very basic. The Success Habits included: 1) Personal Accountability - Regular weighing, Set attainable weight-loss goals, Be honest with yourself 2) Portion Control - Achieve and maintain satiety (eat enough at each meal to avoid snacking, don't drink while eating and thereby emptying the pouch too soon, protein first always), Avoid grazing 3) Nutrition - Protein first (70% of intake), Value of veggies (30% of intake), Understand carbs (good vs. bad), Fat in the diet 4) Fluid Intake - Do not drink with meals, Avoid caffeine, Avoid alcohol, 64 oz. of water daily, Carbonated beverages WILL expand the pouch and the stoma to allow more food and result in weight gain 5) Regular Exercise - Achieve your target heart rate, Exercise regularly doing both aerobic and strength training (weights) 6) Vitamins and Supplements - Vitamins needed daily to include enough Thiamin, calcium and B12, Liquid vitamins are absorbed easiest, followed by chewable or capsules and finally pill form. The above is very basic as I said. Does anyone on this board take issue with anything Ms. Cook has written? This book can be purchased online at BariatricSupportCenter.com or Amazon.com. Jan

Jan, I still very much like your idea about guidelines for newbies. I just wish there could be a a permanent home for the guide - it needs to be front and center. Or even in a forum by itself - as "required" reading. When I begin researching ANYTHING I always look for a FAQ first. Laura

Hi Jan, I have yet to see a study really done to prove that carbonation will expand your pouch. I know many post-ops who've sucessfully lose all their weight (still maintaining) while drinking diet soda. I've also seen many people who drink with meals and lose all their weight. The biggest problem here is many surgeon's have a difference of opinion on what works and what doesn't. Just my thoughts.... Amy

I wrote a very long reply to this post, but it was removed.

Hey Jan, I see your response, it seems the boards are acting weird. Amy

You replied and I got a copy in my email, but I don't see that on the thread either. Strange!!! Jan

Just to keep this thread complete, following is my response to Amy and then her follow up: JAN WROTE: RE: Guidelines for Newbies According to the book, Ms. Cook writes that per Dr. Charles Edwards, there are 3 reasons to avoid carbonated beverages. "1. Distention of the stomach pouch and anastamosis - when a cold, carbonated beverage is consumed, it warms and releases gases, distending the stomach pouch. This stretching of the stomach then creates undue stress and, subsequently, may cause stretching of the anastamosis. It is important for this "outlet" to stay small and tight in order for the food to empty slowly from the stomach pouch. If it is stretched, the ability to feel full is compromised and overeating is usually the result. 2. Caloric intake - many carbonated beverages are high in calories, low in nutrional value and contain simple sugars. Not only do they add additional calories with low nutritional value, they are absorbed quickly into the blood stream, sometimes causing a rapid rise in blood sugar, elevated insulin levels, and increased hunger. 3. Caffeine - many carbonated beverages contain caffeine, which many believe to be an appetite stimulant, which is detrimental to initial weight loss and long-term weight maintenance." Amy, although some patients may be able to drink carbonated beverages and keep their weight stable, many may also be able to achieve this without doing any regular exercise. I'm sure you would agree that it's better to exercise! There are also reasons why giving up carbonated beverages is better. What if you're wrong? What if soda DOES stretch the pouch? The outcome of the surgery could then potentially be harmed. But on the other hand, what if I'M wrong? Then I've given up soda for no reason, but no harm has come to me. As for eating and drinking at the same time, Ms. Cook writes: "The name of the game is to feel full and satisfied on very little food, then you don't want to eat and drink at the same time or drink right after you eat, as it will flush the food through your system too quickly. The consequence: you feel hungry again sooner than you should. And many eat again too soon, resulting in greater calorie consumption than is actually needed and - you guessed it - weight gain." She goes on to say "Several years ago, a patient out four months from surgery came in to one of our classes and exlaimed, 'I don't think they even did anything in there. I can eat four cheese sandwiches all at once!' .... After some initial discussion we discovered how and why this was happening. She was eating a little and drinking a little, eating then drinking, eating then drinking. She was constantly forcing food through the anastamosis into the intestine, then she felt hungry again right away ... Although this is a simple concept, you can see how easily this tool can be compromised." Again I ask, what if you're wrong and fluid can push food through too quickly? Then the risk is there to overeat. If I am wrong, I get a little thirsty while eating. In the book, Ms. Cook states that in her study of successful weight-loss surgery patients, the successful ones all had these Success Habits in common. Some may be able to achieve success with only 5 out of 6 Success Habits, but if you follow all of the Habits, success is pretty much in the bag. I appreciate your opinion and your post, Amy!!! AMY WROTE BACK: Re: Guidelines for Newbies Thanks Jan, I've actually got a copy of this book. Dr. Edwards is quoted in there, but he doesn't give reference to any scientific study that demonstrates his theory is true. I've yet to see that. I'm not really sure how the basis of his input is actually medically supported. The portion that Colleen is quoted as above same as what I've wrote above, there is nothing study wise to back up her claim that eating and drinking will wash the food out. I see she does talk about a situation with a member in a support group, but that's not really good conclusive evidence that the theory is in fact correct. They really need to do some good case studies to support some of these findings, this is something we all really should know is fact. It's hard to write a handbook on this surgery because each surgeon's opinion is so different, just visit an ASBS conference (American Society of Bariatric Surgeons) Amy

Dr Simpson who is well known around OH says that if you can burp you can do soda. I don't do soda. Why? I've heard that the carbonation leaches some of the good stuff out of the bones....heaven knows I don't need that happening. Calories? diet soda has no calories.... Good luck....I really think this is a waste of your good time. The new people don't want to read this stuff....they get it from their docs. But come here and ask the questions to get an O.K. from others to do what they want.... Doesn't the Pouch Rules for Dummies cover all this? Just my opinion.... Darlene

Hi Jan, I have yet to see a study really done to prove that carbonation will expand your pouch. I know many post-ops who've sucessfully lose all their weight (still maintaining) while drinking diet soda. I've also seen many people who drink with meals and lose all their weight. The biggest problem here is many surgeon's have a difference of opinion on what works and what doesn't. Just my thoughts.... Amy

Hi Jan, I have yet to see a study really done to prove that carbonation will expand your pouch. I know many post-ops who've sucessfully lose all their weight (still maintaining) while drinking diet soda. I've also seen many people who drink with meals and lose all their weight. The biggest problem here is many surgeon's have a difference of opinion on what works and what doesn't. Just my thoughts.... Amy