Question:
Has anyone joined weight watchers to meet their goal?

I joined weight watchers last week and will weigh in tomorrow. My scale at home has not moved. I did not tell them about my surgery. Would the surgery make a difference in the points you get? Should you be getting more points since less is absorbed?    — twin94 (posted on May 2, 2004)

May 2, 2004
I would not tell them about your surgery. Weight watchers might want you to get a doctors okay to join. I am not sure about the points system and if you should get more or less of them. I think joining may help you keep motivated. Best of luck to you.
   — [Deactivated Member]

May 2, 2004
The WW program has no doubt changed since the last time I did it as a pre-op, but I remember even then asking about how to do a high-protein, low-carb diet on the program, and WW was neutral on that topic. From what I've read, WW still thinks high-protein, low-carb eating is a "fad". And if I also recall correctly, WW treated many veggies as "free," meaning you could eat all you wanted of those in order to fill up. I recall eating huge plates of veggies, covered with a WW entree, to fill up my big pre-op stomach. But post-WLS, the strategies for filling up with food are quite a bit different.<P>Remember that if you've had the RNY, you malabsorb protein and fats, and others with regular stomach plumbing in the WW program don't. So, if you fill up on veggies as they recommend, you might not get enough protein. Because we malabsorb protein, we need MORE of it than normal people, something the WW program won't cover. Generally, we get our protein in eating it first, and by cutting back on carbs, especially junky carbs. I know WW encourages healthful eating, but it probably leaves more room for eating junky carbs than we should (because it makes having a pouch kinda useless; junky carbs don't fill the pouch very well). Plus, if you dump, sugar's a problem. If you don't, sugar's STILL a problem, because it doesn't fill up the pouch and we don't malabsorb it at all. These types of considerations make you different than the average WW patron.<P>So long as you figure out how to adjust WW's program to suit your needs, I think their support meetings can be useful. (Bearing in mind they're going to be sharing eating tips that aren't necessarily right for you -- it's the moral support that's probably most useful, though some food tips might help too).<P>I wouldn't assume you get more WW points. We malabsorb nutrients, but I don't think it's exactly right to say we get x amount of free "calories." It depends on what they are. I'd take the carb points they give you, and transfer some of them over to the protein column. I'd also stick to the Pouch Rules, including: (1) Protein first; (2) No drinking within 30-45 minutes of eating; and (3) Eat small, frequent meals (but at the same time, no grazing).
   — Suzy C.

May 2, 2004
Ah, the famous weight watchers question that comes up periodically. I myself asked it shortly after my surgery, when the lbs. weren't dropping as quickly as I thought they "should". Here's my take on incorporating the WW program with the post-op life style...don't. Mind you, I was a big fan of WW pre-op, because I felt it really could help you live in the real world, and somehow manage your eating. BUT, with the exception of a 30lb or so loss 15 years ago (which was my goal at the time) it never has worked for me since - and believe me, I joined so many times they shoulda given me a lifetime membership for that, ha ha! Anyway, while I think it's good for those who have gotten off track and only have a little to lose, it was disheartening to both the morbidly obese and the post-op me...especially post-op when I was bypassing all my points on a daily basis, and not loosing. All of this is a long-winded way to say that I am now wearing a size 6-8, which was my goal, and that exercise has really been the key for me to getting - and keeping - that last bit off. I don't like the diet, feeling like a failure mentality that any sort of program can garner. I'm not saying it's easy, but I pretty much eat what I want, and count on my pouch and malabsorption to keep me "in line." And while I might have liked my loss to be quicker, it DID happen, which is the main thing. These are just my thoughts on this issue, what ever you decide I wish you the best...
   — rebeccamayhew

May 2, 2004
WW now has a program with suggestions for low carb high protein eating, I attend at work, although I am not joining again i think it was helpful. I too depend on my pouch and malabsorbtion (sp)to help me lose. Good luck MaryLyn
   — Kriola

May 2, 2004
I joined WW and did their 20 points (quick start - high protein one) (I also didnt say I had surgery - having surgery wouldnt 'lessen' your point amounts) anyways... I lost 1 1/2 pounds the first week which I thought was just fine considering my weight at the time I started (less than 17 to loose).. If you 'enjoy' it why not... My main problem was just sticking 'to it' that that has nothing to do with WW or surgery....
   — star .

May 3, 2004
Personally, WW never worked for me. I have so much insulin resistance, that I need to severely restrict refined carbs in order to lose (pretty much remove them all together for the losing phase, and greatly restrict even "healthy" grain carbs). WW does not restrict you in this way. It works great for some people, but maybe you're not one of them. Have you ever read the pouch rules? I would follow those or use South Beach. This is what works for me.
   — mom2jtx3