[BOOTS]

Here's A Question For Doc:

If Our New Digestive System Doesnt Absorb Everything. How Many Calories Do I Absorb If Ate A Total Of 500 For The Day? How Many Did I Really Take In Since I Didnt Absorb All Of It?

Also Heres An Other Question I Take My Thyroid Med With My Antiacid Pill Should I Be Taking Them Together Is My Body Absorbing Both At The Same Time?

[Kenyar]

no idea. lol. i hope doc comes in soon. i gotta hear this one!

[DocSanae]

There isn't really any good data about this, at least, I haven't run across any, truthfully. I think it's due to the fact that we don't absorb the same from the beginning, even with a normal stomach. Also, ven with a normal stomach and small intesitnes, we don't absorb 100% of everything we put in our mouths.
When new medication comes out, we are always provided data by the pharmaceutical companies on what dosage brings up the blood level of the medication up to the required amount in how long a time, with how large a dosage, and of course, the number is the average of several hundred people, and varies with each medication. Honestly, we can't remember all that data, we remember off hand, only the range of reccomended dosage for maximum effect.

There are so many variables that affect absorbtion, that I don't think there's any way to accurately calculate it except by measuring the amount you eat, and checking the blood levels of each whatever you need to know.
The variables are how much enzymes your digestive system secretes, and how much of that will get mixed into the food, the length of your bypass (as the longer the bypass, the less the surface for the food to pass through to be absorbed) etc etc. That's why you need to have regular blood labs done. That's the only way to confirm how much you abosrb.

Also, basically, the malabsorption that applies to gastric bypass in regards to major nutrients--carbs, protein and fat, the nutrient that is most affected is fat. Carbs are absorbed the same as before, and protein is also almost unaffected. You need to keep in mind also that the malabsorption due to bypass do not stay the same thoughout, our body always tries to recover the function it lost due to injury or surgery, so the same goes with malabsorption. After a time, you will start aborbing more than before, and you can expect that carbs and protein will eventually be back up to 100% of pre-op. Fat will still stay somewhat affected.

Where calories are concerned, I think you should consider that you are absorbing 100% because you are still way below full capacity. Losing weight from low food intake means just that. You are getting in less calories than what you need to maintain your present weight, so your body has to release the calories stored in you for you to live.

As it is always repeated, the surgery is a tool and only a tool. While you lose weight during the golden time frame, you MUST set up healthy eating habits because the most extreme effects of this surgery will wear off with time.

My recommendation is, don't bother or worry about how much you absorb of what goes in your mouth, keep up with the blood labs for important nutrients, and concentrate on setting up healthy eatin habits, practicing everything in moderation, and developing a good exercise program, and working on your coping skills.