Lapband surgery, if they eat so little why cant everyone?
bnyblonde
Posts: 4 Member
People that get the lap band surgery or gastric bypass--the reason of the surgery is to help the people eat less. They don't take in very many calories at all, so my question is if they are allowed to eat so little and still lose weight and it's consider healthy----then why do so many people frown down on eating less calories or calorie restricting? Because that's what these surgeries are---calorie restriction--I think these people get in less than a 1000 calories a day................
Anyways just a question I have...I'm just watching a show about the lap band procedure and what its about and they don't eat a lot. Don't worry I eat 1200 healthy calories a day and I'm not thinking about doing it...It just struck me & Im really curious why that's considered ok....
I'm not sure if most of you will say if because they are under doctor supervision it is safe or is it safe because of vitamins and medication they take?? Do most people look down on calorie restricting because you believe if you lose the weight so fast, you won't be able to maintain it??
Anyways just a question I have...I'm just watching a show about the lap band procedure and what its about and they don't eat a lot. Don't worry I eat 1200 healthy calories a day and I'm not thinking about doing it...It just struck me & Im really curious why that's considered ok....
I'm not sure if most of you will say if because they are under doctor supervision it is safe or is it safe because of vitamins and medication they take?? Do most people look down on calorie restricting because you believe if you lose the weight so fast, you won't be able to maintain it??
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Supplements and constant medical supervision and it's only performed on the morbidly obese
I look down on VLCD without medical supervision because it is an unhealthy approach, it is difficult to reach nutritional minimums, you rip through LBM at a higher rate than necessary, you can't fuel your body appropriately so your exercise is not as effective, it stifles the learning curve so maintenance becomes harder, there is more chance of crashing and burning, it is highly linked to disordered thinking around food
There's more reasons but that's top of my head0 -
Oh, let me count the reasons people with WLS often eat 800-ish calories a day ...
- Because they are medically supervised with a team of medical professionals to guide them.
- Because they are morbidly obese and have more body fat to sustain them on a VLCD.
- Because their stomachs are so small they can't handle many calories at a time or a day. It is typically weeks after the surgery before they can even have solid food.
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My wife did the Sleeve when she was at 280 pounds. Right after the sugary she was real good about eating small portions and the right diet. She also went to the gym every day and seemed to really enjoy the routine. She got down to 200 pounds at one point but then stopped exercising and started back in with the sweets and she no longer logs what she eats. She's gained about 20 pounds in the last 6 months. They originally had her on vitamin supplements but I don't think she's taking them anymore.
You could get with a nutrionist and set up a similar weight loss plan as someone who has done a weight loss surgery. Your doctor would be able to recommend which supplements to take to ensure a healthy body. You don't need to physically have the surgery you just need to eat like you have.0 -
Because it's not appropriate for everyone. Because sometimes the risk of having a major surgery to induce weight loss far outweighs the risk of staying morbidly obese. Because lots of reasons. All of them health related.
The ONLY people that should be eating that low are people doing so under medical supervision, simply because there are alot of complications and negative side affects that can occur with an extreme deficit.0 -
They eat so "little" because the surgery allows only so much to eat and anymore would cause physical distress to the body.
As mentioned, people who do WLS are medically cleared and monitored after.
They went this route because they couldn't control their eating.
Eating so little is just for nutritional and essentials. The rest of the calories they need are being used from the enormous amount of stored body fat they have.
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Medically supervised
Supplements
The risks and medical issues of being X00+ lbs outweighing the risks of eating very few calories - and yes there are risks0 -
WLS was designed as a LAST DITCH effort to SAVE YOUR LIFE. Of course, it is now used as a 'tool' for anyone 50lbs overweight. Eating 800 calories/day and losing weight is way better than dying.
But is that what you are going for? JUST 'better than dying'? Or are you trying to improve your health and quality of life? If you are able to improve the quality of your life in a healthy manner, why wouldn't you?
I use to ask the same questions...I have now learned the answers, for myself, personally.
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I am one of "those people". To qualify for surgery I had to demonstrate that I could eat less and lose on my own. Because people with disordered eating patterns can really hurt themselves after surgery.
I consume 1600 calories or more a day. I am coming up on my one year anniversary surgery date. I was only on 1200 calories or less for a few weeks as my surgery healed.
This is not a simple surgery and a lot more is going on than just making the stomach smaller. Ghrelin, the hunger hormone, is much reduced. My glucose intolerance is reversed. I will have malabsorption issues for life, so I supplement with Folic Acid, vitamin D, Calcium, and Iron.
I was very careful to follow my dietitian's instructions to get enough protein daily to prevent unintended side effects like hair loss or brittle nails.
I qualified for surgery due to several "co-morbidities" including diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, and being in the "morbidly obese" range. All of these are resolved.
Why do the surgery if the candidate proves they can lose on their own? Because I wanted this to be a one-way trip to better health. Like many of you, I had lost and gained before.
By the way, an online mortality calculator has added ten years to my lifespan due to this weight loss. That, and my regained mobility, is well worth it.1 -
I am one of "those people". To qualify for surgery I had to demonstrate that I could eat less and lose on my own. Because people with disordered eating patterns can really hurt themselves after surgery.
I consume 1600 calories or more a day. I am coming up on my one year anniversary surgery date. I was only on 1200 calories or less for a few weeks as my surgery healed.
This is not a simple surgery and a lot more is going on than just making the stomach smaller. Ghrelin, the hunger hormone, is much reduced. My glucose intolerance is reversed. I will have malabsorption issues for life, so I supplement with Folic Acid, vitamin D, Calcium, and Iron.
I was very careful to follow my dietitian's instructions to get enough protein daily to prevent unintended side effects like hair loss or brittle nails.
I qualified for surgery due to several "co-morbidities" including diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, and being in the "morbidly obese" range. All of these are resolved.
Why do the surgery if the candidate proves they can lose on their own? Because I wanted this to be a one-way trip to better health. Like many of you, I had lost and gained before.
By the way, an online mortality calculator has added ten years to my lifespan due to this weight loss. That, and my regained mobility, is well worth it.
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sorry! O I am happy for you! How much protein do you eat?angelexperiment wrote: »I am one of "those people". To qualify for surgery I had to demonstrate that I could eat less and lose on my own. Because people with disordered eating patterns can really hurt themselves after surgery.
I consume 1600 calories or more a day. I am coming up on my one year anniversary surgery date. I was only on 1200 calories or less for a few weeks as my surgery healed.
This is not a simple surgery and a lot more is going on than just making the stomach smaller. Ghrelin, the hunger hormone, is much reduced. My glucose intolerance is reversed. I will have malabsorption issues for life, so I supplement with Folic Acid, vitamin D, Calcium, and Iron.
I was very careful to follow my dietitian's instructions to get enough protein daily to prevent unintended side effects like hair loss or brittle nails.
I qualified for surgery due to several "co-morbidities" including diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, and being in the "morbidly obese" range. All of these are resolved.
Why do the surgery if the candidate proves they can lose on their own? Because I wanted this to be a one-way trip to better health. Like many of you, I had lost and gained before.
By the way, an online mortality calculator has added ten years to my lifespan due to this weight loss. That, and my regained mobility, is well worth it.
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I am one of "those people". To qualify for surgery I had to demonstrate that I could eat less and lose on my own. Because people with disordered eating patterns can really hurt themselves after surgery.
I consume 1600 calories or more a day. I am coming up on my one year anniversary surgery date. I was only on 1200 calories or less for a few weeks as my surgery healed.
This is not a simple surgery and a lot more is going on than just making the stomach smaller. Ghrelin, the hunger hormone, is much reduced. My glucose intolerance is reversed. I will have malabsorption issues for life, so I supplement with Folic Acid, vitamin D, Calcium, and Iron.
I was very careful to follow my dietitian's instructions to get enough protein daily to prevent unintended side effects like hair loss or brittle nails.
I qualified for surgery due to several "co-morbidities" including diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, and being in the "morbidly obese" range. All of these are resolved.
Why do the surgery if the candidate proves they can lose on their own? Because I wanted this to be a one-way trip to better health. Like many of you, I had lost and gained before.
By the way, an online mortality calculator has added ten years to my lifespan due to this weight loss. That, and my regained mobility, is well worth it.
Congratulations. I used to take care of WLS patients and it is wonderful to hear about people doing so well.0 -
My protein target is now 83g.0
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I had lap-band 7 years ago at 287lb. I lost 107lb, and kept it off for 4 years until my pregnancy...but I gained only 16lb during that pregnancy and dropped it quickly after. Only in the last year have I had significant re-gain...and it was because I was drinking calories (DARN STARBUCKS). Rather than getting a bit of a fill, I have opted to work it off, and watch my calories. The band was a tool for me for the initial loss...but I am busting my as$ to lose it this time!0
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Rapid weight loss is only recommended for people who are so overweight that it is dangerous for them to remain at that weight. People who have the surgery fit in that category.0
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Not to mention people that undergo such surgery are *closely* monitored by their surgeons and are only required to follow very restricted requirements for short periods of time.0
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lol at it being considered healthy.
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Gah, nevermind.0
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Actually they don't really eat that little. They only eat small meals but they eat about 5-6 meals a day.0
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thanks everyone for your input.0
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I am also one of "those people." The extreme calorie restriction is monitored by my doctor, but the calories have to be made up of the right kinds of food and at least 120 g of protein per day. There are lots of people with extreme hair loss because of the super low calorie intake. I now eat 1200-1500 calories per day. 800-1000 was a temporary suggestion, but I was still weak and hungry because my daily life is decently active.0
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I had lap and surgery almost 5 years ago...and I can tell you it doesn't prevent you from eating way more calories than you should! Granted, mist days I am able to maintain about 1300 calories...but I have had way more and way less. The band is not a cure all nor does it work for everyone ...it is far too easy to eat around the band - and eat things that are high in calories and low in nutrition. What it has done for me is helped me have better control over portion size, focus on protein, and has given me the motivation to make better choices - I don't want to think I wasted the money I spent or the decision to have a surgery. Anyone who says that lap and patients are starving themselves obviously doesn't have first hand experience...yes, it is possible for some to eat only 800 calories or less...but it doesn't have anything to do with the band...0
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WLS was designed as a LAST DITCH effort to SAVE YOUR LIFE. Of course, it is now used as a 'tool' for anyone 50lbs overweight. Eating 800 calories/day and losing weight is way better than dying.
But is that what you are going for? JUST 'better than dying'? Or are you trying to improve your health and quality of life? If you are able to improve the quality of your life in a healthy manner, why wouldn't you?
I use to ask the same questions...I have now learned the answers, for myself, personally.
That is far from true.0 -
FatFreeFrolicking wrote: »
Maybe some minority of WLS people eat incredibly small meals, but as someone with a band who had fish and chips the other night a few bites wouldn't do it for me.
Like someone said its a portion control thing and it's pretty easy to eat high calorie things around it if your not careful.
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Yes I had the bypass and I can eat about 3/4 a regular plate. Far more than a few bites.0
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Within six weeks I was hitting my target of 1200 and we moved on to 1300. I lose at 1600 a day.
Yes, eating at a restaurant was sad for a while. I would take little bites around my plate until I was full. I can take in more of foods like salad and popcorn.
My point is, people can lose weight eating more. And it's safer. I wouldn't willingly go back to a VLCD diet. I had the "Wobblies" probably a combination of low blood sugar, low blood pressure, and weakness. The very low calories of those early days is neither commendable nor worth emulating.0 -
Actually they don't really eat that little. They only eat small meals but they eat about 5-6 meals a day.
I'm "one of those people" too. I had the sleeve done one year ago. I was 263 pounds. I have PCOS which caused insulin resistance. PCOS also causes you to feel hungry ALL THE TIME even those you need much less calories than "normal" people of similar height. I was working out every day for at least an hour and eating less than 1200 most days...at most I would eat 1400 on a bad day. The surgery removed the part of the stomach that produces the hormone which makes you feel hungry. I now eat, on average, 3 meals and 1 snack a day. I am totally satisfied eating 800 calories but my husband and I are trying for a baby so my doctor wants me to eat 1600 (I'm pushing myself to eat 1200 most days.) I also work out 6 to 7 days a week doing circuit training, tabata, weight training and ballet inspired workouts. I'm down to 128 pounds. BUT most of my weight loss, even after the surgery, did not occur until I was put on the maximum dose of metformin for my PCOS.
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FatFreeFrolicking wrote: »
It took my more than 6 months before I could tolerate most foods. I was drinking ensure a lot. I'm one year out and can typically take 6 or 7 small bites of food before I get full. I can drink about 1/4 of a 16 oz bottle of water at any one time.0
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