Has anyone followed gastric bypass or gastric sleeve diet without actually doing the surgery?
Elaina291
Posts: 87 Member
If so, was it successful for you? Should I do it?
Okay I have lost 70lbs so far, but for the past eight months, its been hard to get the rest off and I am still in class II obesity. Its starting to really affect my health and it seems like the hunger and the binges are getting harder to combat. I just want my appetite to go away and I was thinking that maybe trying this would tame it.
I can't afford the surgery and I can barely afford buying produce every week...so I thought about doing this as a last resort. Is it possible?
Okay I have lost 70lbs so far, but for the past eight months, its been hard to get the rest off and I am still in class II obesity. Its starting to really affect my health and it seems like the hunger and the binges are getting harder to combat. I just want my appetite to go away and I was thinking that maybe trying this would tame it.
I can't afford the surgery and I can barely afford buying produce every week...so I thought about doing this as a last resort. Is it possible?
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Replies
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I'm not extremely familiar with the protocol, but doesn't that kind of plan require very low calories?? With my limited knowledge, it's not something I'd recommend.1
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VLC and done under a Dr's supervision. Not recommended.2
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I'm not extremely familiar with the protocol, but doesn't that kind of plan require very low calories?? With my limited knowledge, it's not something I'd recommend.
Yeah it is pretty low and I wouldn't even be considering it if it wasn't for the fact that I keep getting really bad acid reflux and its really starting to affect my overall health. I am going to go see a gastroenterologist about it soon and see what he thinks about it, but I just can't take the reflux too much longer.0 -
I had actual Gastric Sleeve. It's very low quantities of food, but mostly protein. It's not really a diet... It's just all you are capable of eating. I eat about 4-5 ounces of food per meal. But I definitely could not follow it without having had the surgery, so props to you! I eat around 1200 calories a day now (7 months out), and more when working out. I will tell you, it's not a cheaper diet. It's similar to Atkins in a way... Where you eat primarily protein and little carb (but with the surgery, it's weird, your body literally doesn't want the carb....it's strange). So I'm not actually sure what you mean by following it?3
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Ok so you can't follow what you're on already and keep binging yet you want to try something even more restrictive?
I don't get it.
Pick a reasonable goal, log your food, eat plenty of protein, fat, and fiber, eat less refined carbs, and you shouldn't be hungry. And buy frozen veggies when they're on sale - I almost never buy fresh produce unless it's in season.23 -
I think (after) gastric bypass diet is 750 calories a day, right? MFP wouldn't allow members to do that on their own under the 1200+ minimum. It would need physician's supervision. I did see a doctor on YouTube promoting intermittent fasting and cutting back severely on calories, but he was carefully supervising people after gastric sleeve.0
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Ok so you can't follow what you're on already and keep binging yet you want to try something even more restrictive?
I don't get it.
Pick a reasonable goal, log your food, eat plenty of protein, fat, and fiber, eat less refined carbs, and you shouldn't be hungry. And buy frozen veggies when they're on sale - I almost never buy fresh produce unless it's in season.
I agree here. It is incredibly tempting to try and take the "easy" way out... but what you are describing really isn't the "easy" way out. If you want your weight loss to be long term... you have to radically adjust your mentality about food! This will not work for you, and is not healthy...7 -
There is a book called A Pound of Cure that was written by a bariatric surgeon. He teaches nutrition on YouTube.1
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I peeked at your diary. You're doing awesome. Just stick to this.
Suggestions: Get a digital food scale at walmart if you don't have one, and throw away the ramen noodles and instant oatmeal.
Get some Fiber One cereal and some almonds. Or even a protein powder shake.
90% of weight loss is eating right. Don't count on exercise to get you out of this. Do not eat back your extra exercise calories. Start cooking healthy dinners.
My protein goal is 70 grams a day. Cutting my added sugars to 20 grams or less a day.
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aquaeyes83 wrote: »I had actual Gastric Sleeve. It's very low quantities of food, but mostly protein. It's not really a diet... It's just all you are capable of eating. I eat about 4-5 ounces of food per meal. But I definitely could not follow it without having had the surgery, so props to you! I eat around 1200 calories a day now (7 months out), and more when working out. I will tell you, it's not a cheaper diet. It's similar to Atkins in a way... Where you eat primarily protein and little carb (but with the surgery, it's weird, your body literally doesn't want the carb....it's strange). So I'm not actually sure what you mean by following it?
I don't mean to call it a diet because I certainly don't see it as a fad diet, but what I was getting at is that it obviously forces you to change how you think and feel about food. My biggest problem is sugar, so I wonder if I eliminated that and had my body get used to it then maybe I could eat as if I were a gastric sleeve patient and eventually go into normal well portion eating. I see my problem as if I were a drug addict because when I consume processed foods especially sugary foods like ice cream and cookies, I over do it. Even with fruit sometimes I over do it. So by eliminating sugar and mostly eating protein (like on the gastric sleeve lifestyle), I just wondered would that help my food addiction. I know its harder without the surgery and I would get the surgery, but I can't afford it and my insurance doesn't cover it.1 -
JanetYellen wrote: »I peeked at your diary. You're doing awesome. Just stick to this.
Suggestions: Get a digital food scale at walmart if you don't have one, and throw away the ramen noodles and instant oatmeal.
Get some Fiber One cereal and some almonds. Or even a protein powder shake.
90% of weight loss is eating right. Don't count on exercise to get you out of this. Do not eat back your extra exercise calories. Start cooking healthy dinners.
My protein goal is 70 grams a day. Cutting my added sugars to 20 grams or less a day.
I think that's my major problem is that I can't afford keeping up with getting the proper things my body needs such as protein powder or fiber one cereal all the time. I can do it every now and then, but constantly is a bit expensive for me right now. I am working two jobs and still can barely make ends meet. I think that is my major problem with trying to lose the remainder of my weight. I get so stressed out and eat sugary things that keeps the weight on. But I am going to try to do the protein powder at least and eliminate the instant foods like ramen noodles and instant oatmeal as soon as I can afford it.
That's why I thought about just doing the gastric sleeve program because its affordable. I don't have to buy much. Just broth, protein powder, sugar free jello, and water for the first few weeks. And then introducing soft and solid foods the next few weeks. I am also getting my wisdom teeth removed soon, so I would have to do it anyways and I thought hey why not just start now.0 -
Without the approval and guidance of a gp it's potentially dangerous....not recommended to do by yourself plus it goes against mpf guidelines.2
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That's why I thought about just doing the gastric sleeve program because its affordable. I don't have to buy much. Just broth, protein powder, sugar free jello, and water for the first few weeks. And then introducing soft and solid foods the next few weeks. I am also getting my wisdom teeth removed soon, so I would have to do it anyways and I thought hey why not just start now.JanetYellen wrote: »I peeked at your diary. You're doing awesome. Just stick to this.
Suggestions: Get a digital food scale at walmart if you don't have one, and throw away the ramen noodles and instant oatmeal.
Get some Fiber One cereal and some almonds. Or even a protein powder shake.
90% of weight loss is eating right. Don't count on exercise to get you out of this. Do not eat back your extra exercise calories. Start cooking healthy dinners.
My protein goal is 70 grams a day. Cutting my added sugars to 20 grams or less a day.
That's actually more unpleasant than I thought you meant in your initial post. The diet gastric sleeve patients go on initially isn't for weight loss. It's for healing. After that it's a focus on proper nutrition in smaller portions. Also, for wisdom teeth removal, you don't go on a completely restrictive diet like that.
Eat whatever kind of diet you want and can afford. You don't have to model it after anything.5 -
Maybe if you stopped buying the sugary crap (as you say, you over do it when you eat these things), you could then reinvest that money into food choices that would move you closer to your goals. YOU control how you spend your money. YOU control what goes in your mouth. THATS where you can put a little more effort into exercising!! I know its tough, but how badly do you want to be successful? Good luck!!4
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I've had gastric sleeve surgery and it would not have been possible for me to eat like a post-vsg patient without the actual vsg. Not only is your stomach made smaller, but much of the body's production of the hunger hormone ghrelin is stopped for many months after surgery, as the part of the stomach that produces ghrelin is cut out. Perhaps other people are different but for me, I can say there is absolutely no possibility I could have done the post-op eating plan without the operation.3
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I'm not extremely familiar with the protocol, but doesn't that kind of plan require very low calories?? With my limited knowledge, it's not something I'd recommend.
Yeah it is pretty low and I wouldn't even be considering it if it wasn't for the fact that I keep getting really bad acid reflux and its really starting to affect my overall health. I am going to go see a gastroenterologist about it soon and see what he thinks about it, but I just can't take the reflux too much longer.
Eating that low-calorie MUST be done under a doctor's care. Otherwise, you are risking compounding the issues you are already experiencing with new health issues. You must be under a doctor's care so they will catch the health problems that are likely to be caused early enough that you can halt the diet and avoid further issues.0 -
Please explain to me again what you think is so magical about that diet that it will help with your hunger issue while eating LESS filling foods?
Eat less sugar. Eat more protein. Beans are cheap and filling.6 -
We don't live in Harry Potter's world, there is no magic bullet. It's hard work and it's frustrating. But you're doing fine.3
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Buying a big tub of oatmeal (not instant) is pretty cheap. You can cook it in your crock-pot in big batches and eat it every morning for breakfast. Instead of protein powder which is super expensive what about adding a scoop or two of 1% cottage cheese to a smoothie? There are ways to add the protein and not spend an insane amount of money. Hardboil a dozen eggs every week and use them as snacks. Frozen fruits and veggies are great to have on hand as well. You could also grow some in a garden to help save money. If you live in a small apartment or don't have a yard, many plants do fine in pots. Lettuce is easy to grow so are tomatoes. I know this eating healthy thing seems daunting on it's own. I have over 100 pounds to lose myself and a large family to feed so I totally understand not being able to afford luxury items like fresh fruits and veggies and expensive protein powders. I try to buy greek yogurt and cottage cheese at bulk stores like Smart & Final. They are cheaper and come in larger quantities. You can do this! Just don't put so much pressure on yourself and do what you can with what you can afford! You can add me as a friend if you want, we can support each other!10
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Frozen veggies are cheap and you won't waste money if they go bad. Beans, canned tuna, brown rice can all be added in. I love yogurt as a sweet treat. Limit the surgery stuff you by and put it towards healthier stuff. Was Mart has cheap protein powder.
You can lose weight eating the surgery stuff--you're just eating too much of it. Going over your calorie goal is what limits your progress, not one food in particular.
Given you're prone to binging now, it doesn't seem like a super restrictive diet is in your best interests. You want to build sustainable habits.
What about seeing a licensed counselor? There must be some mental health coverage on your insurance. Addressing what causes you to binge/eat surgery stuff can really help. Stress causes so many issues for us. If you can find the money for the gastroenterologist, hopefully you can find the money for the copayment for the psychologist. Your mind is just as important to take care of as your body.
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I'm a gastric sleeve patient too. I would not be able to eat like I do/did if I had not had the surgery. I'm physically not able to eat over a certain amount.
I think you're setting yourself up for a binge trying to eat like a gastric sleeve patient.
Eat in a calorie deficit, buy a digital scale and weigh and measure your food.
Good Luck!3 -
I have recently (1 1/2 months ago) switched to a higher protein/lower sugar diet and I am surprised at how I don't even crave the junk food. I used to snack every night on goldfish crackers, pretzels, chips, etc and now I have no desire to do so. I also have three kids so am still feeding them pizza, mac and cheese, etc and am not tempted by any of it! I think if you concentrate on trying to get in more protein (and as people have described above, that does not need to be expensive) you may be surprised on how your cravings change.3
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Congrats on taking off the 70 pounds.1
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Congrats on the 70lbs. Definitely go see someone about your reflux. Get on some meds if necessary. Don't put yourself on a very low calorie diet. You are doing fabulous. It's totally possible your weight and heartburn issues aren't related at all. My sister is 5'10" and like 130lbs soaking wet. She eats really healthy...but she has raging heartburn like all the time. She has like GERD or IBS or something.
Try to avoid trigger foods if you have them. Like I have an iron stomach mostly but freaking bananas just kill me with heartburn.2 -
enterdanger wrote: »Congrats on the 70lbs. Definitely go see someone about your reflux. Get on some meds if necessary. Don't put yourself on a very low calorie diet. You are doing fabulous. It's totally possible your weight and heartburn issues aren't related at all. My sister is 5'10" and like 130lbs soaking wet. She eats really healthy...but she has raging heartburn like all the time. She has like GERD or IBS or something.
Try to avoid trigger foods if you have them. Like I have an iron stomach mostly but freaking bananas just kill me with heartburn.
Yeah you're right, I guess I can't really decide on anything until I see the gastro dr and find out what's going on. Thanks!0 -
I have recently (1 1/2 months ago) switched to a higher protein/lower sugar diet and I am surprised at how I don't even crave the junk food. I used to snack every night on goldfish crackers, pretzels, chips, etc and now I have no desire to do so. I also have three kids so am still feeding them pizza, mac and cheese, etc and am not tempted by any of it! I think if you concentrate on trying to get in more protein (and as people have described above, that does not need to be expensive) you may be surprised on how your cravings change.
Yeah I guess I will focus on getting more protein and less sugar. I think sugar is my main problem. Its really like a drug.0 -
I stopped eating prepared foods and it changed my cravings. Since dumping pepsi, chocolate, pizza, burgers, chips-sour cream and onion soup dip, I've been losing a pound a week. Just today on Facebook I saw how people loose weight eating fewer carbs. I lost 24 pounds in the past year despite the loss of my friend and my dog. As for the gastric bypass stuff, what caliber of surgeon cuts out healthy tissue? Just eat lower carb and especially lower crap. Saturdays I shop and Sundays I cook tub of hard cooked eggs. tub of bitter greens and beans soup, Pan o meatloaf-8 servings. Pan o salmon loaf-8 servings. Cheaper and so much better than instant. Donate the the instant oatmeal which is full of sugar and refined carbs as is the ramen which is fried noodles.1
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cross2bear wrote: »Maybe if you stopped buying the sugary crap (as you say, you over do it when you eat these things), you could then reinvest that money into food choices that would move you closer to your goals. YOU control how you spend your money. YOU control what goes in your mouth. THATS where you can put a little more effort into exercising!! I know its tough, but how badly do you want to be successful? Good luck!!
To a certain extent, but if you know anything about our economy, you know that that's not totally true. A lot of how we eat is based on how much you earn for a living. Now that its summer I can go out and buy more produce, but when it was winter/spring, everything was 4.99 or higher. The cheapest things to get when you're on a budget are the sugary crappy foods. And even though its summer and prices are relatively lower, I still have trouble buying produce because I am on a tight budget.2
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