Question:
Is what the surgeon said true?

I was reading someones profile where their surgeon told them they could cheat their way out of RNY but not with the DS.Is this true and can someone explain how that would happen? Thank you.    — [Anonymous] (posted on June 24, 2001)

June 24, 2001
Yes it is true. You can cheat around the RNY by eating constantly throughout the day. You can't get around the DS because it is so malabsorptive. You only get such a small amount of calories, etc., from DS so it doesn't really matter what you eat (except for your own comfort, some foods make people uncomfortable with diareah or whatever) or how often you eat. My doc said that if I went with the RNY, I still had to watch what I ate and how often. You eat much smaller amounts, but if you eat 3 x's as often as you did before you can still get in the same amount of food. Most people don't encounter this esp because once you see the weight coming off, it's easier to stick to eating what you are supposed to. Good luck to you.
   — [Deactivated Member]

June 24, 2001
My surgeon, who does both RNY and DS, did say you could cheat your way out of the DS as well, although it is much harder than with an RNY. Basically by eating alot of high-sugar foods, as the sugar is absorbed.
   — Karen F.

June 24, 2001
Yes, you can outeat ANY surgery. My distal is as malabsorptive as the DS, probably more since I have no digestion, either. I have the tiny pouch. However, if I let the protein supps go, the food cravings would drive me nuts. I have seen others with my surgery who are lax about their supps, lax about the drinking with meals, lax about grazing (vs the many small meals), and the worst, lax about sugar regain ALL their wt and more. None of these procedures can survive sugar, none can survive grazing--in the long run. Now, our people can get too thin (for awhile), can hold goal (for awhile), but the bad habits we are warned against WILL defeat us in the end. I know we do not want to hear that, but there it is. I've run into too many of my 1993-1994 peers who are back up to full size, yet their surgery is still intact. It REALLY scares me to see how fragile our remission from our disease really is. I don't mean to assign "blame" for this stuff, BTW. When we're told that we cannot gain it back, it kind of tends to make us feel bullet proof. I messed with just a little sugar and promptly gained after years of staying stable. Scary, huh?
   — vitalady

June 24, 2001
Surgery will NOt cure eating disorders or emotional eating. However, one's tastes and preferences CAN change as a post-op. I had a Laparoscopic BPD/DS on January 25, 2001 (recent post-op) but I don't have cravings for chocolate or sweets to the same degree. That isn't to say that I don't EVER want something 'tasty', but I do not and cannot eat it in the quantity or frequency that I used to. I think that people can 'cheat around' the DS but it is MUCH more DIFFICULT. Sugar is absorbed regardless of the malapsorption so this is the main way someone can gain weight with the DS. However, I would think that one would have to consume pretty huge amounts of sugar on a very frequent basis (and then this would most likely be to the exclusion of protein and other foods that are needed to maintain health as a post-op). Over time, I think it would eventually'catch up' with you if you maintained a heavy sugar habit. This not only applies to weight regain but also general health. Post-op DSers can pretty much eat anything we want but we have to focus on a balanced diet (rich in protein) in order to maintain optium health. Vitamin supplements just aren't enough in the long run, I think. One has to make wise nutritional choices and there just isn't enough space or time in the day to waste on 'empty calories'. :):) I think research is now being done in Canada regarding the DS and metabolism since many patients have noted that their metabolism seems to have been 'jump started' or 'increased' with the DS (yes, part of this is due to losing weight alone, but some think that the malapsorptive properties of the surgery may also be a factor. If you're interested, try a search for 'obesity chair' and I think you'll find the webpage that describes the studies being done). Generally speaking, DS post-ops are able to get sufficient protein from their daily diet (thus there is not a requirement for protein supplements if the daily protein goal is reached through food alone). We can and do drink with meals (there is not the concern that the liquid will 'wash' the chyme out of the stomach too quickly since the pyloric valve shuts off the stomach to digest). We do eat pretty 'normal size' portions and are full and satisfied with that. I am four months post-op and eat about 8-10 oz at a meal (three meals a day, sometimes with a protein-rich snack once or twice if I can fit it in). Sometimes I don't have any appetite wheras other times I can eat as much as any 'normal' person in one sitting! I do eat much less carbs because I focus on protein first and there just isn't enough room. But, I can truely say that I have never been hungry or had to take frequent, small meals. I've heard some DS post-ops do because they experience nausea or inflamation but I do not think this is a rule for longer post-ops. I do NOT have the capacity to eat as much as I did pre-operatively (thank GOD for that!) and I am totally satisifed when I eat nowadays. My life does NOT revolve around food or getting nutrients in by any means --- I have three main meals, enjoy them and have a snack or two if I get hungry. Some days I just don't feel like eating and I'll have a protein shake to supplement. I feel like I am eating to live not living to eat!!!! As a DS post-op, I do not count calories or have any kind of 'diet mentality'. Granted, I am a relatively new post-op but I think this holds true for long term post-ops as well from what I've read (anyone who is interested in finding out more about DS post-op life is welcome to join [email protected] IT is also a forum for pre-ops to gain information, share experiences, etc.). I have lost 67 lbs to date and am extremely happy with this rate because my skin is adjusting nicely. The DS has an 18 month weight loss window, so the rate can be slower and one will lose the needed weight. If you have any further questions, please feel free to e-mail me. All the best ([email protected], lap DS with gallbladder removal January 25, 2001)
   — Teresa N.