Pre-Sleeve Calorie Intake

[DanaInNewOrleans 513]

I have a question. Initially my husband had concerns about me having this surgery but since I am determined to go through with it he is supportive. Of course he is still concerned about the just the general risk of elective surgery.

His next primary concern is "will this work" and what if it doesn't work? He's seen me struggle with my self esteem and scale obsession. He has watched me sink further and further into depression and isolation. We've been together for 9 years...we met after I had lost 160lbs (low carb). I managed to keep it off for 6 years but in the last 5 years I have gained roughly 60lbs back. Nothing I tried worked -- although I have never reversed back to my old eating habits before my 160lb loss. I have mostly stuck to a low carb diet. Rice, Pasta, bread, potatoes are not a part of my everyday life. I just was not quite as strict-- sometimes I would cheat a little but never full blown. In the last year I have gone back to strict low carb. I could not lose a pound. If I did lose 2 pounds it came right back. It was just crazy. Ok, so I thought maybe my body has become immune to low carb after 12 years. Maybe I need to mix it up a bit -- I joined Weight Watchers. I DID NOT LOSE 1 POUND. I actually GAINED a few pounds. This is where his concern comes in. He is worried that since I already watch carbs closely and limit calories (although of course not near as low the 600 calories after the sleeve. More like 1200) that the surgery will not have much of an impact or shock to my system to be more than minimally successful. He's concerned that I will have put myself at risk by having surgery,put myself at risk of serious complications and changed my entire life for minimal gain ( or loss in this case )

I'm 49 so I know my metabolism has changed. I also take a ton of medications ( who knows what the hell they do to body chemistry) and do have health issues that limits exercise but I feel like I have no other options. I feel like this surgery is m only hope to be able to live a fulfilling life.

Now, finally to my question. Are there Sleevers out there who have a similar story? I'd love to hear your opinion and your experience with this surgery. I'd love to be able to show my husband real life proof that it can be successful. I don't have grand illusions. I don't need to be thin. I'd be happy just to be labeled "overweight" instead of obese or morbidly obese. I'm 5'3" and I would be ecstatic if I could get to 160 - I'd probably be on cloud nine. But now his concerns are starting to worry me and making me wonder too.

I told my surgeon these concerns -- he told me this surgery actually causes the body to reset its "set points". He did not go into much detail. I searched the internet and I really cannot find any information about that theory other than just the statement that it seems to reset the body's set points. Anybody else know anything about that theory?

Sorry such a long post. Any insight would be very appreciated.

~Dana

[IsaacsGram 58]

Hi, I don't have the answer you are looking for, as I am still pre-surgery, but we have such a similar story it is scary! I'm 48 and have also lost weight in the past with low carb, but now I can't lose a pound to save my soul! I also did jenny craig and lost 60lbs, then started gaining it back and it never worked again-no matter how much money I threw at it!

My surgeon says he "guarantees" I will get down to 160#'s, but I told him I will just be happy to be under 200 (I'm 5'9"). When I advised him that I have been on every diet on the planet and that nothing works anymore as my metabolism is shot-he just smiled and said, "this will work, don't worry". So, I am going on faith, and, like you, I don't have any grand illusions-but if it even gets me to 200#'s I will consider it a success.

good luck on your journey!

Brigitte

[FishingNurse 1,211]

Well all I know is that this surgery was the best thing I have ever done for myself. I ate 1200 cals a day post op sleeve during my weight loss phase and now maintain at 1800-2000. Pre op I was eating 3000-4500 a day I think. I'm not sure what it means for your journey, but I think you will be successful.

[COsleeveDude 273]

I am sure the surgery can help reset your average bodyweight, but only IF you also reset your average caloric intake and your average activity level. Since your hunger hormone levels drop I am sure that contributes to your surgeon's theory.

There are a lot of variables as far as bodyweight is concerned, but it boils down to calories in and calories out. Otherwise the surgery wouldn't work. It's a drastic cut in calories in, less than your body needs.

I tried to stay under 1,200 calories per day in the 4 months pre-surgery. That was tough, but I managed to do it fairly consistently and dropped almost 40 pounds before surgery.

Staying in the 600-1,200 calorie per day range is obviously much easier after the surgery, at least for now.

Good luck.