Question:
Where does the weight go?

Please forgive me for my ignorance.....but since I'm severely overweight obviously I haven't had experience with this....okay, probably the dumbest question of all times: After this surgery when you're losing the weight so rapidly in spurts and what not, how or where does all the weight go? Can I expect to be in the restroom alot? Is this part of the purpose of all the water? To flush out the fat? I apologize if this comes across as a little vulgar.    — kathleen-Joan piper (posted on February 20, 2003)

February 19, 2003
You drink the water to keep hydrated. You never lose fat cells, they only shrink. When you lose weight, the fat cells shrink way down. The only way to have fat cells removed is through liposuction, which you can't obviously do on someone overweight. They only do lipo on people that have trouble spots, after exercise and diet cannot help a trouble spot. You might want to look on web md for full explanations on how weight loss occurs. Good luck! Sarah, RNY 2/3/03..-30lbs
   — SarahC

February 19, 2003
We pee it out. I don't know that we can notice any excessive urination because we drink so much water anyway.
   — Stacy L.

February 19, 2003
I concur with the previous postings that you do not lose fat cells, you only shrink them. However, you will be amazed at how much you'll have to use the bathroom...IF you drink a lot of fluid that is. Also, another side effect you may notice is you will poop A LOT! Sorry to be gross, but for me that was the wierdest thing I noticed post-op once everything started working normally again. Now I go every morning, and I cannot believe how much I expel from my body considering how little I put into my body. Gross, huh? ;)
   — Mrs. Rich

February 19, 2003
Hi Kathleen :). Here is a lengthy explanation that I have kept in my computer files in my own research. <P> Fats, to use the term in its broadest chemical sense, are composed of long chains of carbon and hydrogen atoms, with just an occasional oxygen atom here or there. In this fashion they resemble both carbohydrates (which contain more oxygen) and proteins (which contain, in addition, atoms of nitrogen). In contrast, coal and fuel oils which also give energy when burning are simple hydrocarbons, containing only hydrogen and carbon but no oxygen. And oxygen is needed for the "burning process," both in and out of the body. When it occurs the process is known as "oxidation", and the chemical reaction provides the heat and energy we need for all body functions. During this process the fats are broken down, their hydrogen and carbon atoms combining with the oxygen to form (in the very last stage) water (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2). Thus you breathe in oxygen but exhale carbon dioxide, and a great deal of water vapor too. In many ways the process is identical to burning coal, which produces flame in addition to the heat and energy. In the body the reaction is not quite as dramatic, and is handled by a wide assortment of enzymes and other chemicals. When the body requires more energy, to provide for muscle contractions during exercise for example, the oxidation process must be turned up. Although the body generally uses its carbohydrates (sugars) first for this reaction, it must soon use the reserve energy resources contained in the fat tissue when those carbohydrates are used up. And when fat supplies are gone, the body starts to burn its proteins (contained in muscles) as the fuel for the needed energy. That explains the often written statement about balanced nutrition and regular exercise as the proper prescription for weight loss. If you keep the fire going, but limit the amount of coal you shovel on, your "coal pile" will soon disappear!
   — SuzAnne S.

February 19, 2003
you burn the fat for energy, just as a car uses gas to go. also malabsorption = poop a lot. the fat you see in your stool is from not absorbing the fat you ate. oh, by the way if any one is offended, well, EVERYBODY POOPS.
   — **willow**

February 20, 2003
It is ture fat cells do srink!! They also will stay that way if you don't eat to much fat I think. Well it's very weird that they stay in your body though after they srink!! All I know is I know is I will be very, very happy when almost all of mine srinks down!!hehe Because I've been overwheight all my life and I'm sick and tried of it!! Well good luck on your journey through life and may God bless you good health, happiness, and long life always!!
   — Diana W.

February 20, 2003
Hi Kathleen! Your question is a very good one (remember, there is NO such thing as a dumb question!!) and here is a pretty good explanation: Your fat cells are made when you are going through puberty, after that you don't make any more or lose any. They either grow or shrink after that. Liposuction DOES remove them, though. The fat IN the fat cells is used for energy in your body. THIS is where the protein comes in! Your body cannot make glucose from fat (plants CAN...ever seen a MO plant?? LOL) but it can make glucose from protein subunits. By eating a lot of protein, your liver converts the protein into glucose for your brain and it converts the fat into ketone bodies for muscle fuel. Fat is incredibly good energy...it's very energy-dense. Like one of the previous posters said, it's kind of like gasoline. Water is important for catalyzing (speeding up) the reaction and keeping the ammonia (from protein digestion) concentration low so you don't get a kidney infection. If you had an RNY, the intestine also doesn't even absorb some of the fat, so it just comes out in the toilet. AND...eating less cholesterol (which is pretty inevitable after surgery) causes your liver to dump extra cholesterol into your intestines to get rid of it. So that is where the majority of the fat goes. Hope this helps...happy losing!
   — Brittany C.