Starvation mode ~ bariatric surgery?

[dream]

I've been curious about this for a while.

We're told not to eat too little because our bodies go into starvation mode, hold onto the fat and we don't lose as much weight.

People who have bariatric surgery... I know they have a tiny stomach for a while until it starts stretching, and are putting miniscule amounts of food in it.

So why does the weight drop off of them... why aren't they in starvation mode and holding onto their fat too?


It seems like a great quick fix but I would never consider it. The risks scare me. I know a few people who have done it and they lost a lot of weight fast, but a couple of them look like it's creeping back on them.

[Lyssie]

Re: Starvation mode ~ bariatric surgery?

If you don't eat more than a couple tablespoons of food a day for a long period of time, you'll lose weight. Nobody can dispute that... People who have the surgery, if they start eating more, their stomachs will expand again...

[dream]

Re: Starvation mode ~ bariatric surgery?

Sure seems like a lot of trauma to put your body through when we can do the same thing by eating right.

[Lyssie]

Re: Starvation mode ~ bariatric surgery?

Yup.

[Glinda]

Re: Starvation mode ~ bariatric surgery?

I've never believed the "starvation mode" theory. If it were true, no one would ever starve.

I've always thought that if the folks who have the surgery would just eat the prescribed diet without the surgery, they would also lose weight.. I don't understand why they have to put their bodies through so much stress.

Low carb will work if you give it a chance. It is a healthy and satisfying alternative to the dangerous surgeries that are so popular now.

[Lyssie]

Re: Starvation mode ~ bariatric surgery?

I stop losing weight if I eat 900cal/day and exercise 2-3 hours. I believe in the starvation mode.

[julirama723]

Re: Starvation mode ~ bariatric surgery?

I believe in starvation mode too. Starvation mode is a protective mechanism for your body--it slows down the metabolism to conserve energy, in order to keep the body functioning in lieu of finding a reliable food source.

If we don't eat enough calories, this is what happens to our bodies.

[sallyseachange]

Re: Starvation mode ~ bariatric surgery?

I've been curious about this for a while.

We're told not to eat too little because our bodies go into starvation mode, hold onto the fat and we don't lose as much weight.

People who have bariatric surgery... I know they have a tiny stomach for a while until it starts stretching, and are putting miniscule amounts of food in it.

So why does the weight drop off of them... why aren't they in starvation mode and holding onto their fat too?


It seems like a great quick fix but I would never consider it. The risks scare me. I know a few people who have done it and they lost a lot of weight fast, but a couple of them look like it's creeping back on them.

Perhaps they eat little and often, so avoid starvation mode that way.

[sannew]

Re: Starvation mode ~ bariatric surgery?

I think that when you eat very little, you do slow down weight loss, but if you keep it up, you will loose. However your body also stats to hold on to the fat and digest other body stuff for energy: lean muscle, organs etc.

Otherwise, how would anorectic become so skinny or starvation victims.

I think it was Tom Venuto (muscle building guru) who said that there are two kinds of fat people: the fat fat people and the skinny fat people who had no muscle but jost tiny bits of fat instead

sanne

[not2late]

Re: Starvation mode ~ bariatric surgery?

They also use high calorie drinks like Ensure to supplement their calories.

[Lulubell]

Re: Starvation mode ~ bariatric surgery?

2 friends of mine have had the surgery. they do eat very little at a time (obviously), but they eat like every 3 hours, so very often. this prevents the starvation mode.

[Depmiester]

Re: Starvation mode ~ bariatric surgery?

I too have had friends and family who had the surgery. These people are in starvation mode. They have to be very militant about taking their supplements to stave off malnutrition. If they do eat more than a few tablespoons, or eat something that doesn't chew up well, they tend to throw up. If a piece of food gets stuck in the stomach it has to be removed (not pleasent). They also go into 'dumping' mode where if they eat some carbs their blood sugar goes crazy and they start shaking, and again throw up. Most people who get this surgery are not just eating wrong they eat emotionally which is very hard to control with surgery or not. That is why once they are done losing and the stomach pouch stretchs they gain weight again. I don't have the strength of character to go through that, so I'm doing the Atkins woe.

[Lulubell]

Re: Starvation mode ~ bariatric surgery?

i don't think i agree that they are in starvation mode, exactly, but the sure as heck are not eating what they used to. as i was driving home from work last night, there was a good story on NPR about a teenaged boy who actully got up to 500 lbs (OMG!!!) before getting the surgery.

read and hear here: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...toryId=9499004

i've heard that more and more young people (teens) are going this route. rocky's story is ALL about the emotional attachment to food.

[indymom]

Re: Starvation mode ~ bariatric surgery?

The people with the roux-en-y bypass lose weight primarily from MALABSorbtion. It is very unhealthy..thats what they have to be on supplements for life. Ive seen many disasters.
I tried the LapBand, which just restricts quantity ..so u are basically only supposed to be ingesting protein sources to lose weight...and not enough protein and they dont lose weight. My band eroded into my stomach..as many many do (not listed in their studies) and nearly killed me. Forget bariatric surgery. Changing the way u eat for life is the only safe way.

[Lamby-pie]

Re: Starvation mode ~ bariatric surgery?

I know three people who've had the stomach reduction surgery. Two gained every pound of it back plus more, the other died from it.