Gastric bypass results....WITHOUT surgery?

[Beatnik]

OK I've heard many times about gastric bypass surgery and how the doctors do it and put the person on diets of no more than 500 calories. Now I know it is easy to eat such few calories when your stomach's the size of a golf ball, but my question is: If you have the will power to eat only 500 calories a day, does it have the same effect as getting the surgery? Or does having such a small stomache effect metabolism in some way?

[moimeme]

It's not about only eating 500 calories a day. In fact, that would be dangerous if you did it for long because bodies regularly need more than that to function properly. However, if you count up the calories you use, you may find you're eating over 3000 calories a day. It's not hard; a half-cup of ice cream can be 800 calories and a burger 1000. It's not about never having those things, but about having them rarely and adjusting the rest of your intake that day so as not to go way over what you need.

 

First, sort out how many calories you are supposed to eat based on your size. Then figure out how much you're already eating over that. Cut down by the amount you're eating over and you'll quit gaining weight. Cut down by 500 cals per day and you'll start losing weight - but don't drop much below 100 for very long because that can be hard on the bod. If you eat too little, your survival mode kicks in - brain says 'oh oh - there's a shortage of food - better start storing fat to stay alive' and you end up worse off than you used to be.

[befuddled11]

It wouldn't make sense to me that surgery itself, and the result of having a smaller stomach would in any way affect a person's metabolism. BUT...if a person's stomach is smaller, they're eating less, AND following some sort of exercise program....as they lost weight, I'd assume they'd start to feel more energy..even if it's slowly.....and just the act of losing the weight and being more active might help to slowly improve their metabolism?

 

Frankly, I'm not sure how any person could be healthy and survive on such a small # of calories per day. I would think that people who've had bypass surgery like this, they're under close guidance and supervision of a clinical dietician..at least for the first few months...to ensure they're getting the PROPER nutrition to help them heal and recover from the surgery...and to ensure their body isn't being "starved."

 

I would strongly discourage ANYONE from even CONSIDERING trying to live on 500 cals a day. That would cause the body to think it's being starved, and thereby trigger to body to store fat even more.

 

Your best bet would be to talk with a clinical dietician about your questions........they'd be the proper professional expert to give you the answers you're seeking.

[Sundaymorning]

yeah, but your chances of dying are slightly less. hehehe GP is SO very dangerous.

[Beatnik]

Well I generally eat no more than 1500 calories a day, i only drink diet soda, i drink about 6 glasses of water a day, and I eat very few carbs. I exercise almost every single day, yet I remain the same weight.

[moimeme]

Are you overweight?

[Beatnik]

yes. I weight about 220lbs.

[moimeme]

Well, I know a guy that weighs about that much on a 5/9" frame - but he lifts weights and is all muscle. Are you built like that or is it definitely extra fat?

[SouthernRomeo]

Well, there are several things to consider now Beatnik. First off a bigger person burns more calories per day on average as the next person. According to the American Heart Association to figure how many calories you burn a day is equal to Your Body Weight x 15 (if you are active) or x 13 (if you are not active). Therefore...

 

220 x 15 = 3300 calories

- or -

220 x 13 = 2860 calories

 

It takes 3500 calories burnt to lose 1 lb of fat according to them as well. However there are MANY things to consider. Everyone's metabolism is different and it also doesn't take into account when you eat foods as well. My advice is to see a doctor first, have him work with you and maybe find your ideal weight. Then if you can afford it or if it's covered, go see a nutrionalist. He or she can work with you and maybe evaluate your diet. I am not keen on the low carb no carb craze yet. While scientifically it is proven that carbs are easily turned to fat, I believe that the TRUE ideal diet is one of balance and simply cutting back portions. Many of the overweight people today are so, simply cause they either a.) don't exercise or b.) eat too much too often. While this does not apply to 100% of the population out there, I do feel it is a LARGE contribution. However back to your ordeal, you are doing great in my book so far. One more thing to keep in mind is that weight loss is NOT linear. Say it with me now. Weight...loss...is...not...linear. Due to the nature of the body and the way it retains water and then flushes it out, you may plateau for a long while. I myself weighed (and I'm not ashamed anymore to say it) 400 lbs at 6'1. I was miserable. ** Note: What I'm about to say may not work for you ** However I got up, wrote down EVERYTHING I ate from the time I got up to the time I go to bed. I was shocked. Sometimes we simply forget what all we eat. I did the same thing you did, dropped the sodas for diet soda. Increased my water intake. But the key is, how much exercise are you REALLY doing. As they state in the disclaimer, see a doctor. Maybe your body type is the type that you require MORE exercise than Joe Blow down the street. Again start out slow and work up. At this point if you find yourself NOT losing weight, don't get discouraged. Maybe it's time to find a workout center. Lot of hospitals have gyms and are not full of the jocks or atheletes. Most of the time they are the average person. And these people will work with you and get you an exercise plan catered to your fitness level. Either way it sounds like you are on the right track. Keep it up and try some of the things I have advised. Maybe it will help you as it has helped me. To date I weight 320. While I have a long way to go, I too passed on the gastric bypass surgery. And by doing so I have now developed a better lifestyle and eating habits and am more proud of myself. I think if you do the same you will be too. Good luck and if you ever need someone to talk to let me know.