Question:
I understand we now malabsorb our calories. Approx. what percentage would that be?

   — Betty M. (posted on November 7, 2001)

November 6, 2001
Barb is absolutely right. But, my surgeon gave me a "ball park" figure of 30%. Seems right because even when I'm "very bad" when I'm on vacation and eat anything I want and really go "haywire" for two weeks.....I don't gain a pound. I lapsed back into old eating patterns for over a year and gained only 5 pounds. Which says to be if I eat 3500 calories a day and acutally metabolize 1200, I'm in no danger of regaining my weight.
   — [Anonymous]

November 7, 2001
RNY proximal patients on the average absorb 80% - 85% of calories ingested. DS patients and RNY distal patients absorb much, much less. On the average they absorb 30% fat, 50% protein, 75-80% complex carbs, and 100% simple carbs (sugar).
   — blank first name B.

November 7, 2001
I was given the 30% for calories also. However, that can be misleading. The important issue is what foods the calories are coming from. Think protein!
   — [Anonymous]

November 7, 2001
What Barb said, PLUS the fact that the TYPE of calorie makes a difference. If it is sugar, you get 100%. Or more. If possible. I think I can gain if I sniff sugar fumes. The degree of absorption is dictated by your surgery type, and your length of bypass. Different parts of the intestine are in charge of absorbing different nutrients. So, the elements that will always be malabsorbed are protein, iron, calcium, A, D, E, zinc & B12. While your surgery may mean you are a 30%-girl, after time, your body will dictate exactly what that % is for YOU in each elemeent. So, you supplement around those, get ferquent labs, and track your developing trends. Then, there is no guessing.
   — vitalady