Comments on: I’ve Become A Picky Eater

By: Lani

Lani — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 19:03:59 +0000

Suzanne — I got a vertical sleeve gastrectomy a month ago; it’s not a bypass (they don’t touch the intestines in a VSG), but I can give you some info on the stomach. For overweight people, think of our stomachs as holding as much as the size of a football. Maybe not quite that bit, but it’s quite a lot.

Once they remove a big portion of your stomach (such as what they did with me and Nicole), for the first year, your meals should not weigh more than 2 ounces. Much more, and you wind up prematurely stretching your stomach pouch. Two ounces isn’t much. I’m having to weigh everything–for example, *I* can tolerate eggs, so my scrambled egg I had yesterday for breakfast was one egg=2 ounces. I add a lot of seasoning to it (currently my favorites are Greek seasoning or Cholula hot sauce).

What I learned when I was doing research for my surgery, is that the diet that accompanies your surgery is designed in general to run about one year… that’s about how long your stomach stays tight, so you’re supposed to be on a very strict diet during those 12 months. I’m on a 600-calorie diet, for example. After I hit goal weight (theoretically after my 1-year anniversary), I’m allowed to go up to a maintenance plan, which will allow me to eat 1200-1500 a day (depending on how much I exercise). If you’re familiar with Weight Watchers and such, you know that 1200-1500 is considered a good amount for people who need to watch their weight.

By: Suzanne

Suzanne — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 16:42:56 +0000

What is the size of a stomach before bypass surgery? You said it will be 6-8 oz. after one year. If I hadn’t told you before – you are amazing and brave. So glad that you are achieving success with this program. Your health and happiness are the most important things to consider. It sounds like you are doing everything right.

By: Nicole

Nicole — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 16:32:04 +0000

Although the bypass is reversible, it’s usually only done for patients with major complications. The pouch is a little more rigid for the first year, but will stretch out to 6-8 ounces after time. Many people who have had gastric bypass have gained the weight they lost back, even with the reduced capacity. I should be able to eat just about anything after I hit the year mark, but I’ll still be having small portions.

And yes…lots of vitamins and supplements. I take two different multi-vitamins (tablet and chewable), calcium, iron, B-12, Vitamin D, and biotin.

By: Suzanne

Suzanne — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 16:22:49 +0000

Nicole,
Dumb question but…once you achieve your goal weight, does the bypass surgery ever get reversed? I can’t imagine eating so few things every meal. Are you required to take certain types of vitamins and supplements to insure your body is getting what it needs.

By: Andrea

Andrea — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 03:19:13 +0000

I’m sorry that you’re struggling w/the adjustment – but you look incredible and you also look really HAPPY. I didn’t know you before, obviously, but you should be so proud of how far you’ve come and think how being picky is just a part of the road to getting you to where you’re going. Or something. Sending you hugs! You do you and you’ll get there! I’m so excited for you!