Inspired Reminders Bulletin: Your Body is Fighting You!

Greetings Dear Readers!

The May LivingAfterWLS Inspired Reminders newsletter was published and delivered to your Inbox today. Be sure to check it out, it is full of useful information you need to know in your WLS journey. Here is the introduction and if you are not subscribed you can can read it here in our online archive: LivingAfterWLS May Inspired Reminders Bulletin

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It's not your imagination!

Your body is fighting against weight loss.   

 

The chills & thrills of weight loss surgery.

In 2009 I wrote, "Ten years after being gut-whacked and I'm still on a diet." That is what I wanted to title my book which was eventually published as "Day 6: Beyond the 5 Day Pouch Test." In the introduction I explained, "No matter what treatment a person with the disease of morbid obesity seeks there is a tough journey to follow. There is no "easy way out." I am still on a diet. And it doesn't look to change anytime soon."

Jump forward to spring 2017: I'm 18-years removed from surgery and I'm still on a diet! I guess I'm in it for life. At one time this realization would have scared the jelly out of my doughnut. But these days it's my security blanket. I know I have a disease: obesity. I have been surgically treated for the disease. By following the prescribed lifestyle plan including diet and exercise I can work with my surgery to keep the disease in remission. That is the cold hard reality for all of us living after WLS. (See the article below Obesity Reclassified from 2013 when the AMA official categorized obesity a disease.)

Mind you, this acceptance was not easily achieved. I rebelled with vigor against the rules abandoning diet and physical activity in favor of hoping for the best. Leaving things to chance, however, did not help me control my obesity before surgery or after surgery. In our WLS community the path commonly trends to complete compliance following surgery followed by a detour along the road to chance and then, hopefully, a calm resolve of acceptance and renewed commitment to the lifestyle that supports our health and weight management goals. I've observed this trend for a decade and the anecdotal evidence predicts most patients will experience this learning curve.

Today's Bulletin features a look at why our body resists weight loss in the feature article It's not your imagination! Your body is fighting everything you do to lose weight. I found this subject revealing. I hope you enjoy it. As mentioned above you will find information about the 2013 obesity classification and also a primer Obesity Defined. Be sure to check out our Recipe: Tuna Pasta Primavera and then link through to some of the reader favorite Hot Blog Topics of the last few weeks.

I appreciate your time today, I know your Inbox is loaded with messages needing your attention. May I also take this opportunity to thank those who support our LivingAfterWLS Bookstore and other publication outlets. The LivingAfterWLS research work is self-funded and it is through your support that we are able to conduct clean research without becoming prejudiced by sponsors expecting a quid pro quo return of favorable findings in exchange for funding. Have a fabulous week and may good health be yours to enjoy!

Link to Bulletin

Kaye Bailey

5 Day Pouch Test Quick Review: Liquids

Hello Dear Readers! I know many of you are working your way through the 5 Day Pouch Test this week or this month. In the Official 5 Day Pouch Test Group on Facebook there is active discussion as our members proceed through the back-to-basics programs.  In reading through the posts today I see questions and concerns about the definition of Days 1 & 2 Liquids. I've pulled some information from the 5DPT Owner's Manual that defines each of the options and gives a little bit more information on why each Day 1&2 "Liquid" selection is effective with this plan.
The 5 Day Pouch Test Owner's Manual

Protein Fortified Beverages: Protein shakes, protein drinks, protein breakfast drinks are all protein fortified beverages. Look for ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages that have at least 15 grams of protein and fewer than 5 grams of carbohydrate per serving. Protein powder drinks are acceptable as well, providing they meet the same criterion of 15 grams protein and fewer than 5 grams carbohydrate. Homemade protein smoothies are a favorable addition to the 5DPT menu.

Clear broth or creamy soups: Clear broth and creamy soups are a favorite comfort food for many of us. Canned commercial chicken broth, beef broth, and vegetable broth are enjoyable meals on Days 1 and 2.

Creamy soups are a comfort food favorite for Days 1 and 2. Many creamy soups include dairy products such as milk, cream, sour cream, or half-and-half. For purposes of the 5DPT full-fat dairy should be used as called for in the Day 1 and 2 recipes because it improves satiation longer than no-fat or reduced fat food.

Hearty Soups:  As I developed this plan I learned that more substantial soups made of animal protein, legumes, beans, and low-glycemic vegetables work well to alleviate the discomfort and stress of a liquid diet.

Soups vs. Sliders: It is easy to confuse soup with slider foods since both are liquids that flow more rapidly through the stoma than solid protein. The thing to remember is the soup recipes provided are nutrient dense. Slider foods such as crackers or pretzels washed down with liquids have no nutritional value nor are they satiating.  In addition, when we enjoy soup and observe the liquid restrictions our body benefits from the vitamins and nutrients in the meal while we enjoy a comforting feeling of satiation."

Shared with permission and in compliance with copyright law.
The 5 Day Pouch Test Owner's Manual 2nd Edition (C) 2012

Protein, Fat, Carbohydrate: What's the recommended intake after WLS?

Greetings Readers!

 After WLS we are prescribed a high protein or "Protein First" diet to follow for the rest of our life to ensure adequate weight loss is achieved and a healthy weight is maintained using the WLS tool. But years of dieting have conditioned us to count calories above all else, not the nutrients. For traditionalists who are looking for a generalized daily calorie intake I share this section from Day 6: Beyond the 5 Day Pouch Test which addresses the question of daily caloric intake. I hope you find this a useful nugget of info in your WLS toolbox. Also check out this earlier post: Dietary Protein: Quick List and Recipe Links

Shared with copyright permission from Day 6: Beyond the 5 Day Pouch Test by Kaye Bailey

"I am not particularly comfortable giving specific one-on-one nutritional advice to my weight loss surgery Neighbors. First of all, I’m not a health care worker so I’m not qualified to render such advice. Secondly, I cannot see you to make a semi-informed analysis of your health. Nutritional advice is serious business and should only be given after verbal consultation and laboratory blood analysis, always with trusted health care providers."

"What I can do here is provide you the current generalized recommendations so you have a point of reference when speaking with your qualified health care provider. We may not always have the luxury of speaking with our bariatric centers so it is wise to educate ourselves on the current bariatric standards and practices of nutrition."

"In general, based on the broad-canvas study, bariatric centers agree patients should follow a 1,200-calorie a day diet. The protein, fat, and carbohydrate recommendations are based on that recommendation."

"Protein: Common recommendation for daily protein intake is 60 to 105g (20-35% of a 1,200-calorie diet). Protein digestibility and quality are important factors that patients must take into account when making food or supplement choices. The digestibility of protein is increased when accompanied by a full array of vitamins and minerals."

Make this delicious burger tonight: Beef, Bacon & Mushroom Cheeseburger

"Fat: Fat is necessary for the growth and development of the basic components for hormones, skin, hair, transportation of fat-soluble vitamins, and insulation and cushion for the body and internal organs. As a rule, the bariatric profession abides the American Heart Association recommendation of 27 to 47g daily fat consumption in a 1,200-calorie diet. It is beneficial to take fat-soluble vitamins with food sources that are rich in mono and polyunsaturated fats such as avocado, tuna, salmon, olive oil, flaxseed, and canola oil."

Our WLS body will tell us when we've consumed too much dietary fat by causing dietary stress that may include upset stomach, diarrhea, cramping, vomiting. Here is a simple home remedy to help relieve this type of digestive discomfort:
Digestive Stress? Try this simple solution

"Carbohydrate: Carbohydrate provides the body with its preferred source of fuel and is the only source of energy for the brain, central nervous system, red blood cells, kidney, and retina. Bariatric patients are counseled to choose complex carbohydrates over simple carbohydrates.  Bariatric centers do not generally recommend a specific daily carbohydrate allowance, according to Swilley. The report referenced the generally accepted recommended intake for all people provided by the National Academies’ Institute of Medicine of 113g carbohydrate consumption daily in a 1,200-calorie diet. It is unlikely a gastric surgical patient of any procedure could meet this recommendation."

Day 6: Beyond the 5 Day Pouch Test by Kaye Bailey (C) Copyright 2009

Struggling with carb consumption? Check out this article: Why can't I just quit carbs cold turkey?

Check out Day 6: Beyond the 5 Day Pouch Test on Amazon in paperback and Kindle.