Question:
Is is silly to want to go into ketosis...
to achieve a "jump start" on weight loss? I'm post op almost 3 years (September 3, 2002). I know it's a condition we need to be very careful about, but at this point, I'm just inquiring right now..Proximal LAP RNY 9/3/02 5'2" 265/181/115-126, Hadiyah, a.k.a~~ — yourdivaness (posted on May 19, 2005)
May 19, 2005
This answer is for those of us that faithfully read all of the posts daily.
I do not understand why the same person whould want to post several
different questions on a daily basis. I have also found that many people
are posting about regaining weight after a long period of time. I want to
help, but in the majority of cases, when I go to there profiles, I find
that they have had difficulty following the rules. I see my friends that
do so religiously, worry about what is to come. Please, all, remember that
this is a tool to lose weigtht. It is not a cure for depression,
relationships, family problems, etc. Yes, some will actually have physical
problems, and perhaps need revisions, but in the majority of cases this is
not the case. If for nothing else, we do not want to discourage the few
insurance companies that cover this wonderful surgery. For those of you
that are religious in following what you have been taught, and still have
problems, I apoligize.
— lindarodham6
May 19, 2005
I couldn't agree more with the last poster. This surgery is a weight loss
tool. I see on this site, and numerous other sites I belong to, that there
seems to be a need for soooo many revisions. I TOTALLY understand if there
is a need due to a mechanical failure, but, if it is due to non-compliance
of following the rules, there are just way to many people wanting a
revision. I had my RNY surgery in June 2003. I have lost AND maintained a
-133 pound weight loss(below goal). I do follow the rules of the pouch.
That is what this surgery is all about, following the rules, not testing
the waters. I also don't want to offend those that "go by the
book"' as I do. I agree with the other poster, that insurance might
just take a look at this surgery, and say it is not working, because it is
requesting soooo many revisions. That would be very, very sad. I am just
seeing the need for entirely too many revisions. Surely to goodness, there
just can't be that many mechanical failures. Kathy....5'8"...Proximal
RNY, June 23, 2003.....T/T, June 21, 2004....295/maintaining 161-165
— Kathy R.
May 19, 2005
Diva, don't let the previous answers get you down. It is very hard for
someone who hasn't been there to realize what you go through and what's
even worse is that they presume to know more than you. It is especially
nausating to have a new post-op tell you that you screwed up and its all
your fault.
What they don't realize is you do reach a point about 3 years out that you
can eat more. This surgery was on our stomach not our brains and obviously
we had a problem with eating too much or we would have never needed the
surgery in the first place. We'll see how they are doing when it hits
them. It is hard not to let the old demons have their way.
All I can say is cut back on your food intake, exercise more and drink more
water, the same advice that normal people get when they want to lose
weight. Have your doctor check to out to make everything is working
properly. At this far out post-ops are more like normal people than we were
right after surgery.
S*&% happens to you in life, after surgery just like before, and we
reach for food to sooth the aches. Granted we can't eat as much as before
but after this long our bodies have compensated for the early malabsorption
and can now absorb more. Sooooo we have to cut back.
Keep your chin up girl, you have come this far and you will win the war you
just have to get that determination back.
love ya, Patty
— Patty.W
May 20, 2005
THANK YOU Patty! I totally agree! I would definitely like to see these
folks issues once they hit around that 3 year mark. I will be 3 years
postop August 1st, below goal, and wrestle on a daily basis to maintain.
AND I exercise, drink a minimum of 4 protein drinks a day and take all my
supplements. The body will start to compensate for the surgery around a
year out. The intestines start to produce more silia therefore that is
more absorption. It also depends on the amount bypassed and how the pouch
created. I truly believe at times it CAN be the technique of a surgeon.
EVERYONE is different compliant or not. For people to say they stick to
rules religously is crazy because more than likely they aren't as compliant
as they claim to be. No I am not bashing the previous posters but walk in
a person's shoes that may have had to have a revison and not all because of
their non-compliance. I do agree with the fact that maybe all of the
revisions happening will deter insurance companies from paying for surgery.
Ketosis is OK for a very short period of time with us as long as you
drinking water hand over fist. Ketosis is extremely hard on the kidneys,
from what I have heard as I am not medically trained. I hope this helps
some darlin. Hugs...Erika
— Egyptianeyesdiva
May 20, 2005
We had surgery really close together,I was 9/25/2002. It is not easy and
no one is perfect, especially me. I struggle day by day myself with
maintaining my eating habits. I have gotten addicted to exercising, and am
missing it terribly as I recover from another surgery. I really don't feel
that ketosis is a healthy way to go. I truely beleive it will be harmful in
the long run. The diet I try to follow is really close to south beach,
phase 2. I try each day to eat 6 oz meat, fish or chicken, 3 servings
dairy, which would be each 1 C milk or 1 oz cheese, a small 6 oz yogurt
etc, I eat 2 small peices of fruits a day, and 2-3 veggies a day which
would be 1/2 C cooked or 1 C raw. I eat 1-2 pieces of bread or small
6" tortillas etc. In fruits and that sort of thing I buy the smallest
ones, If I buy bagels I buy the mini one that are 2-3 :" in diameter.
I buy many things in single serve packages. If I want a treat I will go to
the bakery and buy 1 cookie. I don't keep trigger food or things I can
crunch in large quantities around if I can avoid it, That means no cookies,
chips, desserts in the house. If anybody else wants it they have to buy
their own and consume it out of my sight. (my house, my rules - right) I am
having a problem with cereal lately. I might have to start keeping it out
too, evev tho I buy an organic high protien low sugar variety,I can eat a
lot of it and want to graze on it. On the other hand there are foods I love
I always have in the house, cottage cheese, SF Jello, w/ cool whip, snow
peas, baby carrots and ranch dressing, sf fudgecicles, chedder cheese or
mexican cheese to melt inside a tortilla and make a quesadilla for an easy
filling lunch, tuna, salad makings, small size protein bars. they are
healthy, low fat foods I can have as a snack with out doing too much
damage. I also plan my meals in advance as much as possible in the morning
I try to work out what I am having all 3 meals and 2 -3 snacks. If I am
working I take all my own food with me. I h ope this helps. I also think
some sort of support group would be really helpful. Feel free to email me
if you want to talk more.
— **willow**
May 20, 2005
I don't understand what everyone is freaking out about ketosis. It's the
state you live in the whole time you are losing. What's the big deal? Cut
the carbs, hit the protein and the water and you should go into ketosis.
What am I missing here?
— Beatrice C.
May 20, 2005
— **willow**
May 21, 2005
I never said the word Atkins. I eat low fat protein and lots of
vegetables. When I increase my intake of other carbs, I find I get hungry
much more often like I did before surgery. I think there are many people
who have this type of problem in that they are very carb sensitive.
Telling them to just eat low calorie diets sets them up for failure because
if they are eating too many carbs they will be hungry all the time and go
back to their pre-weight loss patterns. There is no one right answer for
every one.
— Beatrice C.
May 21, 2005
It is just as easy to follow a low-fat, low calorie diet as it is to follow
a fad. Actually, I find it easier.<br><br>Hadiyah, it is
obvious you are itchin' to get the weight loss a movin', but might I
suggest you relax and go about a helthful diet and not try to 'jump start'
anything with something that might possibly be harmful. You will lose just
as fast and just as much either way, but you might find yourself happier
following an eating plan that allows you to have a piece of toast every
once in a while. <br>You know, when I had surgery (10/01)my
mother-in-law and her sister decided to lose weight too, I was their
motivator. They followed a low fat healthy diet that they started the day
I had surgery. Guess what? They actually lost faster and hit the 100lb
loss before I did! If you can rule out mechanical breakdown, then it is
just up to you now. Do it healthfully, we all spent our whole lives with
the fad/crash diets. They never worked before, they aren't going to now
either. I regained too, and the reason why is because I didn't learn to
eat healthy. Now I am and it's one of the hardest things I've ever
done....but I'm doing it. I really wish you all the strength and support
you need right now. Good luck to you. Rebecca
— RebeccaP
May 21, 2005
I just wanted to add that I was the only one of the three of us that had
ANY regain. Three and a half years later, they have not gained a pound.
They learned to eat properly and stuck with it. I didn't and now I am
having to learn too. I gained nearly 25 lbs from my initial low that I
maintained for over a year. I've lost all but 10 of that and am working on
the rest now, it is possible.
— RebeccaP
May 26, 2005
ORIGINAL POSTER HERE: Thanks to all that responded...even those that have
"perfect lives" right now. Unblemished by anything, not a care in
the world and everything is just "peachy keen and hunky-dorry" in
your lives. I will go on to say that I pray that evrything goes well for
you for the rest of your lives. You see, I am a fighter, and despite the
fact that some of you have it all together, I admit what I do wrong, what
I've DEALT with and what I am NOW dealing with. I'm not going to hide
anything because when you hide things and lie, it comes back to haunt you
eventually. I will also say, be careful of throwing rocks, *flaming* and
bashing people because it will come back to you one day. You reap what you
sow. This website is here to be a supportive and informative resource...not
for some to assume the role of being a therapist...or using as a whipping
board. If I wanted to feel worse, I could have asked you to help me feel
bad already...or be a therapist. I've got one, been there, done
that...That's why I'm back on track and NO one is going to make me feel bad
about having "fallen", because I CAN GET UP and on my way despite
adversity. To all that have emailed me privately, thank you for being
considerate, kind and sensitive. SOme things I wasn't too fond of, but at
least, you were discreet and respectful of my integrity and feelings at
this time...I appreciate it. To all of the REAL people, that are still
working with this fine "tool" , it gets better, but
realistically, there can be a few bumps. The Pouch Rules for Dummies works
for SOME, but each of us are unique and MAY NOT work for all. Depends on
the type of surgery, surgeon and how you follow the rules. But, that's not
all. Support and caring goes a long way, and you don't have to hold any
person's hand, just take your time...I'm learning that
now...{{{{Hugs}}}Hadiyah, a.k.a.~~
— yourdivaness
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