Pookie - thanks for the reply! It's the best explanation I've ever gotten on the subject since nobody seems to really know? I mean if a doc doesn't know why it works - then I sure wouldn't be able to figure it out.

But I've always wondered how eating so a low calorie diet after having WLS wouldn't slow somebody's metabolism down to nothing? I'm one of those people that could eat absolutely nothing for a month and still maybe only lose a pound? it's crazy! I've always wondered if I was stranded on a desert island for a month (like on Survivor) if I would lose any weight at all?

But thanks for the reply!

Cathy

no one knows why those of us who can't lose weight no matter how hard we try lose weight with wls. but they DO know that many chemicals that send signals from the gut to the brain and back are short circuited. and they think that this might have something to do with it. no matter what, we are fundamentally changed. we don't eat many carbs, we don't absorb much fat, we don't usually feel hungry [at least for the first 6 months or so!].

On a Related Note - Randy Jackson WLS in PEOPLE
 

Randy Jackson (who Oprah interviewed for this show) is now the Cover story in PEOPLE Magazine -He is discussing his WLS and weight loss etc.

When I signed on the AOL I saw a story saying that starting on Tuesday all BURGER KINGS :burger: will be offering Whoppers without buns for those watching their carbs. The Whopper will come in a Plastic Bowl with a knife and fork. They will soon also be offering Salads with Shrimp or Chicken or Steak in the next couple of months.

I have a copy of this episode of Oprah. If anyone would like me to drop it in the mail for them, please feel free to email me!!!

Cathy and Pookie, we seem to be "three women in a boat". I am sure there are others out there. The only thing that leaves me bewildered is when people like Oprah believe that we simply have not tried hard enough to do it the "right" way, whatever that may be. I can never figure out how they think we have the wherewithal to do it the difficult way but they believe we have not given the easy(ER) way enough of an ole' college try.

The only thing I can think of doing to keep my metabolism as high as possible is to exercise. It is not vigurous exercise but walking. Does not place me in the fast loser category by any means, but it helps.

To Still:

I was more than willing to do the full diet-and-exercise routine when I was diagnosed with diabetes in 12-2002. But then my @)$&@%& knee gave out on me! THAT'S when I made the decision: I'm having lap band surgery!

For those who wanna gripe about it, I just let them yap. This is for ME!


Peace and attitude,
~VOW

Good for you, Vow! Most of us are at a stage in our lives when we know what we have done to achieve a healthy wt. Not everybody is able to see the same results regardless of level of effort. The fact that we do not, should not imply that somehow our effort was lacking and that our motivation was low. It just means that we were different from those who WERE successful. At some point, some of us have to make a decision: do we continue to struggle for the rest of our lives only to gain weight uncontrollably or do we try some alternate, albeit often drastic measure and regain our health? I cannot think of a single person who would rather put her/himself through the torture and the ultimate sacrifice of going through surgery or cutting food intake drastically, if something else had been more effective. I cannot imagine why anyone would think that we would!

So, best wishes to you and we'll be behind you before and after.

A friend of mine was visiting the other day and she jumped on my bathroom scale and said "How nice I lost several pounds and I wasn't even trying--it just came off" She said that it the way it often happens with her.

She looked suprised when I said that has NEVER happened to me in my whole life. Whenever I go awhile without weighing myself -- it is always HIGHER than it was and that is also without even trying!

My sister now has a tentative "date" of June 2 for her WLS. There are looong waiting lists these days. She is going first then after she heals I will hopefully be going too. I am having a hard time getting back on track with trying to lose weight for the operation. I have been looking around on the other forums for some inspiration / motivation.