I'm really struggling with the decision to move ahead with surgery or not. Here's what I don't understand. How are you not destroying your metabolism by only eating 750 calories a day? Will you never be able to eat regularly again for risk of packing on the pounds? I did the HCG diet years ago (it's terrible. Never ever do it) In a nutshell... you gave yourself a shot every day that kept your body from realizing that it was being starved and then ate about 750 calories a day while your body worked hard to function as usual. The weight dropped off. I lost quickly over about 3 months and then stopped the injections and slowly eased back into a regular diet of about 1500-1800 calories a day. AND THE WEIGHT JUMPED BACK ON so fast I was floored. I was eating a healthy, well balanced diet on the low end of daily intake for my height and weight and activity. But I gained a pound a day until I was 20 pounds heavier than I was before the diet. Explain to me how this forced starvation doesn't do the same thing? My stomach will stretch. We know it does because we are told we can slowly eat more over time. Won't my metabolism think I've starving and halt? Am I really expected to only eat 800 calories a day for the rest of my life or expect to gain?? Thank you for sharing facts and experience.

5 hours ago, Sheribear68 said:

Yes, and I forgot to mention that I have intermittent fasting in my toolbox along with my sleeve and I feel like not only does the IF naturally restrict calories,but the other health benefits might greatly contribute to extending life span

Absolutely @Sheribear68! I too use IF as an additional tool for MM (maintenance mode). Works like a charm.

Yes you are right about the starving eventually putting on weight, but you have to take into consideration that any form of "obesity" is obesity, whether it be from eating too much junk food, or from starving too much, they're both the same demons just different outfits, and I personally believe that obesity is caused largely due to hormonal imbalances, all the above reasons mentioned like eating too much, eating too less, psychiatric meds, bariatric surgery is the cure, it cuts off the root of all these problems, you are saying that eating too less will put on weight but when you cut 75% of your stomach, you actually can't eat that much, so no technically, that only happens when your body goes into starvation mode, that's why its essential that you eat 6-8 small meals a day even after surgery. And not to forget, the countless number of problems that obesity brings along, diabetes, depression, back problems just to name a few, but it is a BIG problem. So I think that the benefits outweighs the negatives. Ta.

Omg! HCG diet! I did that and they had us max out at 500 calories a day. And the stupid shots! For me, in a nutshell, I'll never be a lean protein and one bite of broccoli person. BUT I am now a 1 taco (real taco not taco bell) makes me full and happy for hours. No cravings. No denying food groups. Before, I could eat many tacos before being full and happy. Or deny myself any tacos and think about them until I was ravenous and head hungry and stomach hungry. For me, the surgery gave me my brain back. I'm able to make much better choices. I find I automatically skip the carbs most of the time because I am loving the "guts" of the sandwich much more than the filler (bread) . So a tiny portion of what I love once in awhile re-set my mindset of either being super strict/ super glutinous. I had no in-between before and now I do.

I'm a year out and definitely way beyond 700 calories a day. I need to get my head straight as lately Ive been in maintenance mode, eating things I shouldnt and have been at the same weight for many months. I never did lose hunger in any way. I wouldnt worry about the metabolism thing. Your body adjusts.