Starving vs. weight loss - ThinnerTimes

LisaBoston · 02-25-2006, 04:52 PM

This may be a funny question....but here goes.

Pre WLS, if you don't eat properly (less than 800 calories) a day and you weigh almost 300 lbs, your body can store fat as it goes into starvation mode. You can loose muscle mass and keep fat.

After WLS, does the same happen. I have heard that you don't loose muscle mass as your body is living off the fat. Is there a difference pre and post surgery?

What I do know.....I am stuggling to get in the calories, I can feel skin loosening up all over my body, my skin is very dry and I am still very weak after the open RNY.

Now saying this, my spirt seems pretty good. I do more every day. I am still blessed that I have had the surgery and I think I am doing fine.

I am concerned about the effects on my body. Can anyone enlighten me on the effects the low calories may have on my body.

Thanks

michelleJC · 02-25-2006, 05:38 PM

You most definetly can loose muscle mass after surgery. If you do not eat enough protein, your body will start burning your muscles and your hair will fall out. Not a pretty sight. Besides drinking water, my doctor said eating protein is the most important part of this WLS.

LisaM · 02-25-2006, 07:05 PM

Not sure where you heard that you only lose fat and not muscle after WLS, but it was dead wrong. Any time you are on a highly restricted diet, your body will start using your muscle mass for protein if you aren't getting enough protein through food. And your heart is a muscle--that's why all the docs and dieticians are so hot on us getting our protein in. My dietician set my minimum at 56 grams of protein a day...that's why any time you see me talk about food, I always give the protein grams. That, liquid, and calcium are what I focus on throughout the day.

bridgetgirl · 02-25-2006, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LisaBoston

Can anyone enlighten me on the effects the low calories may have on my body.

Thanks

Your gonna live happily ever after like the rest of us

LisaBoston · 02-26-2006, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LisaM

Not sure where you heard that you only lose fat and not muscle after WLS, but it was dead wrong. Any time you are on a highly restricted diet, your body will start using your muscle mass for protein if you aren't getting enough protein through food. And your heart is a muscle--that's why all the docs and dieticians are so hot on us getting our protein in. My dietician set my minimum at 56 grams of protein a day...that's why any time you see me talk about food, I always give the protein grams. That, liquid, and calcium are what I focus on throughout the day.

The dietician here said that loosing muscle mass is an effect of rapid weight loos mostly due to poor nutrition and if you are severely overweight, it is not immediate...it does take some time, but fat is the first focus then muscle. She does not recommend rapid weight loss for anyone. This was told to me pre WLS. My own surgeon told me that my body will loose fat first and not to worry too much about protein in the first 2 months or so, as I won't be able to take in that much and he also advises against protein supplements.

I liked my surgeon, but after reading posts here and talking to other Canadian patients, there is a BIG HOLE here when it comes to nutrition. I was given a paper from the surgeon that has 4 lines on what to eat. It basically says 2-3 weeks of puree and then introduce soft foods and all foods by 8 weeks. That is very vague. Thus I am so thankful for this site to learn about what I am supposed to do....there are so many thoughts and ideas, but in the end, I know how important protein is and along with fluids and vitamins, that is my focus every day.

LisaBoston · 02-26-2006, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bridgetgirl

Your gonna live happily ever after like the rest of us

thanks...I needed that. One day....in the distant future....I wll hopefully see it.

bridgetgirl · 02-26-2006, 12:13 PM

I can tell you that I do not have the upper arm strength that I had pre WLS. I dont feel or look as though I have atrophy or anything, but I have noticed a different in strength. Im just a fragile lil flower now

I dont mind! But then again I dont exercise either.

michelleJC · 02-26-2006, 02:38 PM

Lisa,
I don't know who your surgeon was but that is just plain scary. Everything you read about post WLS has to do with consuming high volumes of protein. I have had friends that are a year out and to this day, the only thing they eat or can fit in their pouch during their three meals a day is protein. I am 11 weeks out and I have never been able to fit anything in my pouch besides the 60 grams of protein that I am supposed to eat each day. I have never eaten a fruit or a vegetable a starch or grain or anything else. Muscle loss, hair loss and fatigue are the first things that you will encounter if you don't find a way to eat at least 50-60 grams of protein a day. I am loosing some hair now and I get the right amount of protein. I guess this is somewhat normal but the thought of having heart problems or loosing muscle is really frightening. You can get in your protein if you add dried milk powder or dried egg whites to the food that you are eating. It is just a matter of having the will power and the courage to stick to it, plan meals ahead and "following the program". It is hard I will admit that but I am determined to loose this extra weight and remain healthy at the same time.

goblin · 02-26-2006, 03:43 PM

I posted this elsewhere, but thought I'd post again. My surgeon (who is also LisaBoston's surgeon) told me that hair loss is an inevitable and temporary part of the wl process. Rapid weight loss will cause a spell of alopecia. He said it was NOT about protein....but about the weight loss process itself. He said that it's not well understood in medicine, but that it's always temporary and the hair always comes back.

That's the info I have.

Lisa A.

bamagirl · 02-26-2006, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goblin

I posted this elsewhere, but thought I'd post again. My surgeon (who is also LisaBoston's surgeon) told me that hair loss is an inevitable and temporary part of the wl process. Rapid weight loss will cause a spell of alopecia. He said it was NOT about protein....but about the weight loss process itself. He said that it's not well understood in medicine, but that it's always temporary and the hair always comes back.

That's the info I have.

Lisa A.

I would have to agree, just from personal experience - my hair has really started falling out, even though I get AT LEAST 75 grams of protein a day, and take tons of bariatric supplements. I also have the loose, dry skin. I feel that this is all part of the process, and will take care of itself in the near future. Especially by following all the rules.