What makes it different? Gastric sleeve versus extreme dieting?

[heynowkc 329]

Hey guys!

I had gastric sleeve on Dec 17th and am very happy with my decision and my progress so far.

But I did get to thinking...

I have been tracking everything I eat in order to keep tabs on my Protein intake. An easy way to do this is by using myfitnesspal (although I do have a book I carry in my purse that I write everything down in too - when I remember!) And even though my nutritionist doesn't want me to track calories until 6 months or more out, myfitnesspal does this automatically when I'm logging my food, so it's hard to ignore!

My intake can vary anywhere from at or around 500 calories per day, to at or around 700 calories per day depending on what I'm eating. The weight/measurement of the foods is basically the same, but sometimes the calories are higher depending on ingredients. My nutritionist recently encouraged eating full fat foods, yogurts, cheeses etc. because she says I need the fat to help me absorb as many vitamins/nutrients as possible, so for the past week my intake has been closer to the high end for that reason. (I was using all the low fat stuff before she told me this.)

But EVEN on the high end of things, if I walked into a nutritionist's office and showed them my food log, especially given my weight, they would probably not be pleased with me, would tell me I have an eating disorder, and try and convince me that eating this amount of food at my (or any) weight is completely unhealthy.

I was just wondering if I was the only one who ever had this thought? The phrase "surgically assisted anorexia" crossed my mind but is not something I agree with. I feel like it's a wonderful procedure that is going to (and has already) changed my life for the better. What I'm wondering, however, is why extreme Portion Control is demonized UNLESS It's done in conjunction with and after surgery? And if it's considered unhealthy by most, if not all, healthcare professionals, then why is it okay post-surgery? I presume the answer is because it's under the supervision of a physician, nutritionist, and in my case, an exercise specialist too. And if you're a compliant patient you're taking an armful of Vitamins every day on top of it.

I wonder why is it ok for me but not for someone who hasn't had surgery? This is more of a philosophical question than a scientific one. I think I know the answer logically, but I do feel like there's a bit of a paradox in the fact that the same diet is either embraced or vilified by the medical community depending on the circumstances.

[Elode 8,093]

@@heynowkc The difference for me is I have zero Hungary where as with extreme dieting which I did some stupid stuff like hcg...I was starving and could feel it!

[Elode 8,093]

Ps I just read your main question I don't have answers for the rest.

[joatsaint 2,814]

To give my answer... first you must know that I am a very cynical person when it comes to the diet industry. But my answer to your question is, "because if you do it on your own, no one makes any money off you."

Or the doctors and dieticians have seen too many people take dieting to an extreme case, resulting in death or health problems and feel that a medically supervised diet is the only way to properly monitor such a low calorie diet.

My 3rd answer is, eating 500 - 700 calories a day is only going to last a few months at most. As your sleeve heals, it's capacity will increase. At 6 months, I was probably back up to 1200+ calories a day. At 1 year, I was up to around 1500+ calories a day. At 2 years, I hover around 2000 calories a day.

why extreme Portion Control is demonized UNLESS It's done in conjunction with and after surgery? And if it's considered unhealthy by most, if not all, healthcare professionals, then why is it okay post-surgery?

[alittlejoy 26]

I've been wondering how I'll function on so few calories and it seems like a big part of it lies in that part of the stomach that's removed, the part that makes hunger hormones. If I tried to live off 700 calories right now, my stomach would NEVER SHUT UP. I'd be hungry and pissed off all day. I'm hopeful that the surgery will help that!

I think doctors have to take the bad with the good. It is a bit like a medically supervised crash diet but they're able to monitor it and keep tabs on your health. So the good parts outweigh the bad there.

I try not to think too much about the reality of what I'm getting myself into - removing a large portion of my stomach and all that. I'm just staying present in the process and looking toward an end goal of health and a better body weight. I feel like it can be done in a healthy way, even if it seems extreme.

[Thinkingthinner1109 485]

Here is my take on things. I started the extreme dieting 3 months before my surgery, I drank the Protein shakes and exercised I only ate about 700 calories and took Vitamins, exactly what I do post op (6 months now). I lost weight about 60 pounds before surgery and have lost 70 plus pounds after surgery and met my goal last week. I did nothing different pre surgery as I am doing post surgery. So it can be done without surgery they call the sleeve a tool. I intend on using it in the long run to help me to eat in small portions for the rest of my life to maintain.

I too have thought of those same questions. And we can do it without it, it's just an aid.

[heynowkc 329]

Thabk you for all of your insights.

@@joatsaint thanks for breaking down what you were able to eat as you went along. While I know it will vary from person to person, that is good info to know.

@@Thinkingthinner1109 I too lost a lot of weight prior to surgery. I lost 70 lbs in 2.5 months. I was cutting way back but was probably eating 1200 calories a day. Only occasionally dipping below that. But I was exercising like mad. 6-7 days per week with 5-6 of those days being at the gym swimming or strength training. Almost 2 months post surgery I haven't worked back up to that vigorous of a workout routine.

[jenbaby75 283]

For me, the decision to be sleeved is a no brainer. I can lose weight with extreme dieting, what I can't seem to do, is keep it off. Genetics are against me. The sleeve will be my support buddy, it is going to help keep my binge eating in check. I haven't named my sleeve yet, as I will be having the surgery Feb 18, I am waiting to see it's personality. My surgeon explained to my husband, who is a naturally thin man, that basically, my body's biology is set to store as much fat as it can, that I will likely have to work hard the rest of my life to be fit, but with the sleeve, it will be quite a bit easier, still hard work, but managable.