Question:
I am at 14 months and I have the Ultimate Plateau Busting Guide
— Toni K. (posted on February 22, 2001)
February 22, 2001
This sounds like some good advice, but I must respond to a couple of
things. First of all, not all carbohydrates are bad. If the Atkins diet
was the miracle he thinks it is, we wouldn't need the surgery at all.
Balance is the key. Many vegetables like brocoli and carrots contain
carbs. You can't tell me those are bad for you, I don't care how many
carbs they have.
Also, regarding St. John's wort. Please research this carefully. It is a
natural substance, but it can be very dangerous. Most STW in this country
is such a small dose that I'm inclined to think the results are from
placebo effect. True doses of STW are MAO inhibitors. These can be very
touchy with certain foods and other meds. I personally have problems with
weight gain from antidepressants but the "natural" answer isn't
always the best. Remember, Ephedra is natural too but can be very
harmful.
Ok, that's my rant
— [Anonymous]
February 22, 2001
While I can appreciate your "opinion" on this subject matter, I
can not honestly agree everything you stated. I myself do not believe in
the low carb lifestyle nor does my surgeon. This is a dangerous way to eat
yourself fat again. Everyone knows that anytime you go on a restrictive
eating plan such as low carb/high protein you will loose weight initially -
water weight mostly. Then, what happens when you back slide and begin
eating normally again? Yes, you gain weight. Hence the yo-yo diet
syndrome. Why did you have this surgery in the first place is Dr Atkins
'way of life' eating is so great? Why didn't you just go on the Atkins
diet and save yourself and your insurance company thousands of dollars?
— [Anonymous]
February 22, 2001
Well, that all sounds too complicated for my brain. Here's my answer: To
lose weight, take in less calories than you burn. Wow, wasn't that
brilliant? No, seriously, plateaus are a normal part of my weight loss.
My body uses them to shrink and regain elasticity. I've had so many 2 to
3+ week plateaus that I cannot count them -- but, after 10 and 1/2 months,
I'm near goal weight and will not need a tummy tuck! Woo hoo! I eat a
balanced diet. I eat carbs (by the way, anything that isn't a fat or a
protein IS A CARB). I try to avoid many starches (what some people may
call 'bad carbs'). I do eat some starches -- but just not much, if any
bread. I avoid really sugary foods, but I do eat some sugars. I avoid
most fats, but I do eat some fats. I like to see people relax and enjoy
the new tool we have. Where before, we had (and I speak for myself here)
no willpower, we now have lots of it. Does that mean I always eat exactly
what I think I should? no, but do I overeat? no. I do exercise everyday,
the same amount (except Sundays). I feel good, I'm healthy, I look great
and I am more amazed than anyone else and I thank the good Lord above for
letting me have this surgery and these results. Thanks for your input
though.
— Cindy H.
February 22, 2001
The USDA Food Pyramid has WAY too many carbs ... 6-11 servings daily of
rice, bread, etc. Naaah, I don't think
that helps weight loss.
— [Anonymous]
February 22, 2001
I admire the time and effort that went into researching all this
information. However, for me it's simply unrealistic.
As another response stated - if it's not fat or protein, it's carb. At 4
months post op I am down 55 pounds. I feel like a million. I need to lose
45 more pounds. I stay below 1200 calories a day and make every effort to
eat healthy and exercise regularly. I've hit a couple of plateaus but
that's to be expected. I just can't invest that much time into thinking
about every single bite that goes into my mouth. It was spending too much
time consumed with food that got me into this "weight mess" to
begin with. That doesn't mean I'm not dedicated and completely commited. I
AM!!! I just think sometimes it's easy to get obsessed. We trade the
addiction of "eating" too much food for the addiction of
"analyzing" food too much. I guess it's whatever works for the
individual. Hope I didn't offend anyone.
— [Anonymous]
February 22, 2001
In response to some who responded against the low-carb lifestyle, I am not
an advocate of Dr. Atkins alone, but also of Protein Power, The
Carbohydrate Addicts and Sugar Busters. Anything that states eating less
carbs to help us maintain our weight in the long run. Don't kid yourself,
if you think that the Gastric Bypass is all you need forever then you are
SORELY mistaken and will gain back weight if you do not use it for the tool
that it is. Many of the surgeons who perform this surgery advocate eating
protein and no or low carbs during the weight loss phase. I have seen too
many people forget that and wonder why weight loss has stopped or they have
slowed in weight loss. The answer sometimes is to take a long hard look at
what you are doing: Are you drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day?
Are you eating enough protein and staying away from refined foods like
breads, white rice, potatoes, or in other words are you limiting your
intake of CARBS? Also are you exercising? If you are doing that then be
patient. If you are honest with yourself and you are not you need to make
some adjustments to continue losing weight. The surgery is designed to
work for about 18 months. What will happen if you have not learned how to
eat correctly during that time? Don't think that the surgery can protect
you forever from poor food choices. It won't, trust me. It is a wonderful
tool to get us started. Then we need to be responsible to keep doing the
right things nutrition wise so that we can truly enjoy our weight loss
success for the long term and not someone trying to get insurance to pay
for a revision due to their own failure to change.
— Toni K.
February 22, 2001
Well Toni, I read everything you wrote and didn't want to vent on you
but.............you seem to have developed a plan that's good for you.
Congratulations without a doubt. However, it may not be the proper program
for everyone. You're just a tad to "preachy" for me and remind
me of those folks who feel like they're the biggest expert in the world
when it comes to things they know a little bit about. If your program
works for you then continue it but don't suggest that anyone who doesn't
follow your program is SORELY mistaken. There are folks who are many YEARS
post op who have maintained successful weight loss who DON'T follow or
agree with your plan. I'm genuinely happy for you but stop being a
"know it all". I, like alot of other obese people, am sick of
people preaching at me!!
— [Anonymous]
February 22, 2001
You know, this whole post was about avoiding even things with a single gram
of carbs. Now the follow up post was about drinking water and exercising
and avoiding the "bad carbs" but that is a different message from
the original post. I have to agree with the people who say nix to the food
pyramid though. I hear it was influenced by the dairy industry. It seems
to me that if we fill ourselves with good stuff and we all know what that
is by now! :) then we won't eat a bunch of bad stuff. Oh sure, we may need
reminding, but as stated, not preaching. Nobody thinks the surgery is a
magic bullet, they beat that into our heads. However, the path to a
perfect body is hard to see and highly personal. Let's support everyone on
their path.
— [Anonymous]
February 22, 2001
One unkempt, overweight individual can stereotype all of us as "fat
slobs". One judgemental WLS patient can stereotype the surgery as
"ridiculous or completely unrealistic". To even suggest that a
tablespoon of lemon juice, teryaki sauce or even a pickle is unhealthy is
absurd. I wonder how many people considering weight loss surgery might
think "If I can't even have lemon juice or a pickle, why would I want
to have that type of surgery?" I'm not attempting to be
argumentative. I agree that we should simply support one another in
whatever road we choose to take to health and well being. I am in no way
sorely mistaken when it comes to losing weight and maintaining that loss in
spite of the fact that I disagree with you. I simply feel that a balance
in all things is the key to success with WLS and success in life. Let's
support one another and dispense with being so judgemental. As southerners
like to say "There's more than one way to skin a cat!!" Best of
luck to all of us!!
— ronascott
February 22, 2001
I am sorry but I know someone who gained back most of his weight after the
Gastric Bypass surgery. I guess he did not take it seriously and continued
to eat fried foods, lots of carbs like breads, rice, Chinese foods. He
stretched his pouch and insurance would not pay for a revision. No the
surgery is not a miracle. And since my doctor told me to stay away from
more than 20-30 gms. of carbs a day I am doing just that. The one time I
deviated I didn't lose a pound for an entire month. I learned my lesson
and I was back to eliminating the carbs and starches. Lesson learned but,
hey, to each their own. Some people have to learn the hard way I guess.
— [Anonymous]
February 22, 2001
Toni - if you are as brilliant as you think you are (although your support
of the Atkins Diet makes this assumption questionable) how did you allow
yourself to become pregnant 3 1/2 months after surgery? You are SORELY
mistaken (recognize those words?) if you think pregnancy can't be
prevented. How can a WLS patient place faith and trust in your dietary
advice when you act so foolishly with respect to your health and the health
of your baby. Before you judge me, look in the mirror. Fortunately for
you, you had a healthy baby. Fortunately for me I had and maintained goal
weight loss while eating pickles and drinking lemonade. I guess that just
goes to show that neither of us knows everything. But I'm happy and well
balanced and don't spend all my time reading labels in the grocery store.
— [Anonymous]
February 22, 2001
Wow, I don't know who "Toni" is but she sure ran into some angry
people on this Board! What's up with that, especially all you Anonymous
ones who didn't leave a name?
— Tina C.
February 22, 2001
To the person who wanted to get personal and sling mud: I never claimed to
be brilliant. I leave those things related to perfection to God alone.
But one thing I can claim to be is not a coward. I agree, why make such
disgusting remarks while posting anonymously?
— Toni K.
February 22, 2001
WOW!! First of all, I agree with Tina...what's up with the anomosity!! I
believe this post was just someone providing their insight...what worked
for them!! I for one, would NEVER place my opinion on someone else's
advice unless it was my Doctor's....I do however, read/listen/research
everyone's advise....then take a little here, a little there to see what
works for me!! I for one am pre-op...I do know however, for ME - as soon
as I put starches into my mouth the weight goes up...I have to eliminate
the carbs such as potatoes, rice, bread, pasta....etc!! If I load up on
proteins & veggies/fruit (also carbs) I do GREAT!! Yes, you do lose a
lot of water weight with this at first, then the fat starts to
drop...unfortunately, I can NOT maintain it, therefore, I am having
surgery!! We have all been in the same boat!! Lets not throw someone
overboard just because we do not agree with their theory!! Love to all!!
— chance2lv
February 22, 2001
Ok, I'm not posting anonymously, but then, I don't want to be mean either.
I think the Atkins diet has really been shoved down the throats of a lot of
us. I attempted the no carb approach a couple years ago after it workes so
well for someone trying to lose 40 lbs. I felt like I was eating nothing
but crap, fat and meat, blech. When I was told to avoid fruits and
vegetables I knew there was something wrong. I did not lose weight and I
did not feel better, in fact I felt worse. There seems to be so much
emphasis on no carbs, but other posts have pointed out that it's starches
and sugars that are really the problem. Yes, carbs and sugars, even
natural sugars are everywhere. However, so are preservatives, hormones,
steriods and antibiotics. Everything we put in our mouths is suspect. I
shudder sometimes at all the post-op chicken eating. I don't judge anyone
but personally, unless it's organic chicken, I worry if that's truly
healthy. I was raised to look for hiddens sugar (fructose or corn syrup).
I obsessed over healthy food for 30 years. Didn't make me skinny. I also
have to say that I don't trust my doctors, not after having to explain to
TWO MDs that wheat bread is NOT the same as whole wheat bread. The actual
foods that cause or inhibit weight loss are not at all obvious. It doesn't
seem to me that that changes after surgery. I want to have the surgery so
that I can follow the healthy diets I've always wanted. Those will include
carbs, but I try to stay with whole grains, that means no white bread and
no white rice. That sounds like plenty of restrictions to me. Regarding
the person who gained weight post-op, that's unfortunate. However, we
don't know what happened with that individual. Maybe he had issues that
went beyond the surgery. That just shows as many others pointed out, that
we're all on our own path. There are a small percentage of people for whom
the surgery is unsuccessful, however it's about the same number who are
successful longterm on the Atkins diet. hmmmm.
— kcanges
February 22, 2001
Toni, I'm really sorry that you got so many mean responses that I feel are
totally uncalled for and out of line. I think the research you provided
was very helpful - it's up to each individual whether they choose to apply
it to their lifestyle. Everyone going into surgery should realize that
surgery is <b>ONLY A TOOL</b>. To maintain success for a
lifetime, you have to commit to a lifetime of good eating habits. Anyone
who hasn't been told that better find another surgeon. Congratulations on
your weight loss and your empowerment for control over food! You go girl!
— [Deactivated Member]
February 23, 2001
Toni, I did not take you as being "preachy"- maybe I am
wrong but were you NOT relaying information from a article
that you found helpful to you and thought that it may be
helpful to others? I feel sad that people took this so very
personally- I guess that I wanted you to know I didn't.
I don't go onto orbit when posters say "remember no milk"
my Dr. wants me to drink milk and take in dairy products, so
that's what I do. And as for the person that made a comment
about your pregnancy- shame on them for judging- I was much
more offended with the personal RUDE comments then the info
that you were sharing- Please don't let some judgemental
individuals keep uou from sharing what you want to share. We
all were/are judged by our weight now this too-how discouraging
I thank you for the time you took to share and hope to hear other things
that you have felt enlightened about. Take care...
— [Anonymous]
February 24, 2001
I have spoken with three nutritionists and 3 surgeons. All who advocate
that during the weight loss phase you should consume more lean protein and
less refined carbohydrates such as breads, white rice, and potatoes. They
also said to stay away from sugar, fried foods, and junk food.
This is, after all, an effor to lose weight. When you have passed your
plateau and reached your goal then it us up to the individual as to what
works for them to maintain their loss for a lifetime.
Many individuals, such as myself, with over 100 lbs to lose have preferred
to follow what was the most efficient way to lose the most weight with the
surgery.
My surgeon cautioned me that, yes, there are failures to this surgery and
they are people who want to continue to eat as they did before. People who
want to emotionally eat and/or those who think that vanilla shakes and
sugar laden soft drinks would do know harm. Such eating habits will do
harm. They will slow down or stop your weight loss entirely.
I merely posted some advice that I garned based on speaking with a few
nutritionists. One who considered an eating plan that promoted lean protein
over refined carbohydrates for better overall weight loss. That is my goal
and I believe the goal of many others is to have this surgery and weight
loss be a success the first time. Reaching a plateau is disheartening.
However, if you are doing the right thing it will pass. But if you are
not...you really need to be honest with yourself, get past the denial, and
reexamine if you are getting in enough protein, taking in adequate amounts
of water per day, restricting the carbs, etc. in order to be successful to
help lose the weight.
— Toni K.
May 30, 2002
May the dear Lord blessyou Toni. You know there are some very angry people
here. It really makes my heart sad to read how people can be used by Satan
to throw out attacks. We preach about freedom of speech here in America,
however the moment someone has something to say that doesn't agree with
someone our true inner anger comes fourth. These comments really are not
about you, Toni, these are from some angry,sad people who are looking for
ways to vent and attack. Misery loves company. May God be with you and all
of those here who seek to help others on this site.
— La Pamela A.
January 14, 2003
I am 10 months post op and it has been a long time since I have accessed
this website. Too long. I have hit a plateau, having lost somewhere
between 75-80 pounds of the 135 I'd like to lose. I have been reading many
of the questions posted on the subject of plateaus. Toni, thank you, for
your lengthy posting. I have been eating emotionally for the past 2 months
or so with stress at home and at work. I especially have trouble in the
morning at work. By lunch time, I'm usually stuffed and don't snack much
after lunch. I have started bringing snacks from home to avoid the vending
machine. But, I have been eating way too many carbs and definitely not
enough protein. I can digest chicken and pork without much difficulty but
have trouble with beef. I rarely eat eggs anymore, they just don't appeal
to me. My doctor told me to start my day with oatmeal and it should stick
with me better than hash browns. But, I still find myself picking
throughout the morning. I now feel that I have the courage to find ways to
get more protein and cut down the carbs. This website is so fantastic!
The support you get here in priceless.
— Jamy V.
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