Question:
What exactly does the surgery do for your eating habits?

i just read a post from a woman asking to hear from people who are 2+ years post surgery, and how to maintain the weight loss. i'm just starting this journey, and i'm wondering, so what is the difference between having the surgery and eating this way, or not having it and eating as if you did... why does the surgery make a difference? i've been asked, anyone would lose that much weight if that's all they ate, regardless of surgery or not, why do it? what is it about the surgery that makes it easier to stick to, and then after a few years, it's back to cravings again? i hope i'm making sense!    — newmoon (posted on March 15, 2005)

March 15, 2005
IMHO the surgery in the beginning won't allow you to eat and in reality probably just gives you the motivation where when you are on a diet by month two most people are dealing with the cravings so bad they break the diet and with surgery at two months it would be hard to break out of the routine. I am 5 months out and I can tell now that I can eat more than I should but nowhere near what I used to and I have lost from 287 down to 195 so the motivation to not want to eat as much is there also. My surgeons office kinda explained that when people become obese there is a part of the body that doesn't tell your head your full so you keep eating where as "normal" folks have a trigger mechanism in them that says hey you don't want anything else and they stop from simply not wanting to eat more. So they can now label obesity a disease because that trigger is gone. Well I can say this I now have that trigger back. Sounds really crazy i know but I am telling you I could set down with a pack of m&m's and after a few bites I simply don't want more. Some people dump unfortunatly I don't but the trigger is there. "Thank God". Food since sergery just isn't that apealing anymore. People say the it is the easy way out well if You don't factor in the decision of the risk You are taking and the being sick and relearning how to eat like an infant again and from just plain not being able to eat then besides all that it is easy (bearing no complications) Imagine You are an adult and want a piece of pizza and You can't nomatter how bad You want it You can't that is the surgery. For awhile anyway. I am not good at explaining so I hope I haven't confused You maybe someone else will come answer better.....Best Wishes
   — Shell G

March 15, 2005
You said: i'm wondering, so what is the difference between having the surgery and eating this way, or not having it and eating as if you did... why does the surgery make a difference? ************* the main difference is now you will eat 4-5 meals of 2 oz each per day. Total of 8-10 oz food, vs 3 meals of at least that much, maybe double that. As far as volume. If you graze, then never mind. You'll still get the volume in and the wt loss will be sabotaged*** i've been asked, anyone would lose that much weight if that's all they ate, regardless of surgery or not, why do it? ************* you cannot eat just 2 oz at a meal. You'd never know you ate! That's volume. The other thing is the malabsorptoin. Nothing else behaviorally can duplicate actually being able to use less of the food you do eat.*** what is it about the surgery that makes it easier to stick to, ************** volume control, in the beginning. Some people are able to feed their self dscipline simply by enjoying their success. *** and then after a few years, it's back to cravings again? ************* but we have a permanent physical disease. We put it into remission with ridiculously small portions, supplementation, avoiding milk and sugar and the malabsorption. The cravings do come bcak, but hopefully, you will have filled up your tool box with things so you are ready. I use protein drinks to ward off the cravings, as much as possible. I still WANT stuff, like fudge or brownies, and I can tolerate them. BUT, I will wear them on my hips if I eat them. Better to make a deal with myself that if I am still in the presence of the fudge, after I have this protein drink and then for 15 min and I sitll want it, I can have it. I move myself and the protein drink will scratch the itch usually. I divert myself rather than feel deprived.
   — vitalady

March 15, 2005

   — ELIZABETH C.

March 15, 2005
I had no feelings of hunger for 4+ months after surgery, and dropped a lot of my weight during that time. Hunger returned around 4-5 months, but of course, I was still unable to eat anywhere close to normal portions. As a pre-op, I never went on a diet that even came close to satisfying my hunger, so I went off of them after a couple of months usually, because I couldn't take it anymore. When you're hungry, you cannot focus on much except that, and your life feels completely out of balance. Now that I'm 18 months out from surgery, yes, I do get hungry and somedays much more than others, but I am still very restricted as to amounts. It's about what you would think a thin person might eat. I have received a chance to live the rest of my life at a normal weight - I would never have had such a chance without surgery. I tried unsuccessfully for 25 years, using every diet plan you can imagine (probably joined WW at least 5 times). I could never have eaten as small amounts before surgery as I do now - I would have gone off such a restricted diet in a couple of days most likely. Hope I helped you with your questions. Lap RNY 9/11/03, 270/165
   — Carlita

March 16, 2005
The simple answer is the it is NOT POSSIBLE to eat this way for any length of time if you have not had surgery. Sorry. The surgery gives you a tool that allows you to feel satisfied on a VERY small amount of food AND provides malabsorption of some of that food you eat. You can't get that without surgery. It also gives you an opportunity to change you eating habits and relationship with food while you're in the time period where food and eating just plain sucks and is nothing but work. I do believe I could go on, but I think that's enough.
   — LMCLILLY

March 16, 2005
I'm getting close to 2 years post-op, and I still really don't get hungry. I sometimes feel like I need to eat, but it's really not a feeling of hunger. I've lost 160 pounds, and I know I wouldn't have had the willpower to stick to eating this little food without the surgery.
   — robynl