Weight loss surgery....'I want a gastric sleeve next'

shandi_b

Not me! But I was out to dinner tonight with some guys I went to high school with 20 years ago. This one guy comes in with his fiancé. She announces to the table that she can't eat rice because she has a gastric band. Fair enough, she needs to follow her diet plan. She then proceeds to say that she has lost 20kg in 12 months of having the band which is "really good" and then followed it up by "I want to have a gastric sleeve done next, as that would be a really good". (Very casually like someone was saying they why going to change their hair colour)

When the comment was made I nearly choked on my food! How can someone have what I consider to be a flippant attitude towards major surgery?!?!? I know it's my opinion but am I missing something? Would anyone else consider having a band and then a sleeve done in quick succession?

Lyerin

It could be that she had the band because it is reversible and not permanent. Because she is pleased with the results, she may be considering a more permanent option.

danarandallreed

Well no. That sounds crazy. But what is a gastric sleeve? I have heard of by-pass and band, but not sleeve.

I am always jealous of people who have weight loss surgery. It seems to me they have it easy.

I am overweight even when I consider myself at a healthy weight, but I am never obese enough to get surgery.

quirkytizzy

I have a friend who is going into the WLS field for work. She wants to be a counselor for those undergoing WLS, which I think is commendable. Unfortunately, it's often a "skipped" step, as people think - like your friend - it's only minor surgery. But WLS affects not only your body, but your whole mind. So taking care of the mental health aspect of WLS is very, very important.

It's saddening that your friend treats it so lightly. It's a very big thing and should be treated with care.

escloflowneCHANGED

I wish I was at the table, I could have said "I lost 41.4kg in 12 months by eating all my favourite foods, good job to you..."

Escape_Artist

I wish I was at the table, I could have said "I lost 41.4kg in 12 months by eating all my favourite foods, good job to you..."

this lol

Minks_esposa

I had sleeve surgery almost a year ago and after hearing about the complications from the band (slippage, eroding, esophagus dilation, constant fills/unfills, etc) I honestly don't blame her for considering something more permanent. Plus once the band is removed weight gain usually follows. The band is temporary and not something that you can have in your body for 20+ years. There are a lot of band to sleeve revisions. The band also makes it hard to eat certain things and experience a "stuck" feeling. Plus the daily vomiting would suck. WLS isn't right for everyone but I can definitely understand why she would want to have a revision surgery. FWIW I can eat whatever I want but I don't feel that overwhelming sense of hunger that I had prior to surgery and this allows me to easily stay within a healthy calorie range (1200-1600), whereas before I would be starving and miserable.

*I'm not trying to convince anyone to have surgery but I can definitely relate to some of the comments because I felt the same way before I had surgery.

JoRocka

the biggest problem I see is I see less about teaching people how to live a healthy life- with balance moderation and a balanced view on food- and more about solving a problem they have.

There is a guy at work who had surgery done- he has lost weight for sure- but I've been here for a year- (he was out for this surgery when I officially came to this office)... and he has yet to lose any weight since then- he drinks a lot of fluids... and he looks EXACTLY the same... but maybe it's because he drinks sweet tea by the bubba mug full.

I don't know- but despite the surgery- he hasn't learned anything- and still doesn't know how to feed himself or realize he is just eating way to much- that's the biggest issue I see with this.

MsPudding

When the comment was made I nearly choked on my food! How can someone have what I consider to be a flippant attitude towards major surgery?!?!? I know it's my opinion but am I missing something? Would anyone else consider having a band and then a sleeve done in quick succession?

Not really any different to one of the plethora of cosmetically enhanced women out there who flippantly talk about getting a boob job and wanting a facelift next. Some people simply have different attitudes towards the risks of surgery.

CollieFit

People have become really flippant about this.
People have also become rather demanding about it and would rather GAIN weight to meet the BMI criteria for an op on the NHS rather than actually make an effort to lose some.

CollieFit

When the comment was made I nearly choked on my food! How can someone have what I consider to be a flippant attitude towards major surgery?!?!? I know it's my opinion but am I missing something? Would anyone else consider having a band and then a sleeve done in quick succession?

Not really any different to one of the plethora of cosmetically enhanced women out there who flippantly talk about getting a boob job and wanting a facelift next. Some people simply have different attitudes towards the risks of surgery.

Plastic surgery doesn't usually come out of the public purse.

lcfairbairn74

I wish I was at the table, I could have said "I lost 41.4kg in 12 months by eating all my favourite foods, good job to you..."

Ha ha! Me too! *high five*

hboensch

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hboensch

Well no. That sounds crazy. But what is a gastric sleeve? I have heard of by-pass and band, but not sleeve.

I am always jealous of people who have weight loss surgery. It seems to me they have it easy.

I am overweight even when I consider myself at a healthy weight, but I am never obese enough to get surgery.

I take some offense to this comment. I just had the "sleeve" 8 weeks ago. I have been overweight my entire life. I have tried all of the diets and exercise plans out there and will lose some weight and then gain it all back again plus more. The "sleeve" or Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy, is a major surgery and permanent option for weight loss surgery. My surgeon removed about 75-80% of my stomach. He literally took it out of my body. I can never have that back. I don't want it back, but for someone to think that I "took the easy way out", you have no idea what you are talking about. I struggle daily with trying to get in the amount of water that everyone needs in order to stay hydrated. I struggle also to get in the minimum amount of protein that we need to survive also. There is little room for anything else, including healthy options like fruits and vegetables. I will be on vitamin supplements for the rest of my life in order to get these nutrients that I am not able to consume on my own.

And for those of you that think that the lap-band is something you just have removed when you have lost all the weight, that is a common misconception. No surgeon will risk going in to remove it, unless there is a problem which has put the patient in jeopardy.

I know that you didn't mean any offense, but I just think you should really think before you say something like "they took they easy way out". Ask any WLS patient and they will tell you, it is definitely not easy way out. It is very easy to slip into old habits and gain all the weight back, but with this "tool" many people have achieved lifelong weight loss and if they stick to their diet, they keep it off for life.

I have lost 48 lbs so far, but still have a long way to go. VSG 6/25/13

kshell422

Gastric sleeve is a procedure in which a large portion of your stomach is removed. You end up with a stomach about the size of a small banana.

I had the surgery after years of struggling with my weight and loosing the best Dad in the world to diabetes related illnesses. Though I don't have these health issues now, it would only be a matter of time before I did. I don't want to struggle with weight and diabetes for the rest of my life and I certainly don't want to die at 63.

As for "having it easy" I will have to LMAO. Having this surgery has been one of the hardest things I've ever set out to do. And I don't mean pain from surgery, that was a breeze. I mean the drastic eating behavior changes one is forced to make. Being healthy requires lots of physical activity too so that's another hurdle for some to overcome. After talking with many people and my surgeon, I know the difficult time I'm going through now (it's been almost a month since I had my surgery) will not last forever and I haven't heard one person more than a year out from surgery say they regret having it done. I'm trying to be patient and meet all the nutritional requirements, both of which are extremely difficult.

So no, surgery isn't for everyone. It is no walk in the park. But it has afforded thousands of people the tool to improve their health, get off meds, and get out and do anything they've dreamed of doing. I'm already reaping the benefits of my hard work; I've lost 21lbs since the day of my surgery.

kshell422

Congratulations on your new lease on life!!

kshell422

Hats off to all the sleevers out there!!

CRBalck

I had the sleeve 3 months ago and have lost 53 pounds since January 2013. It is serious surgery and is not right for everyone. People don't understand the struggle that leads people to WLS. It wasn't that I was uninformed about the correct things to eat and how to exercise, I know all the relevant information. I was constantly hungry before surgery, my weight had ballooned up to over 300 pounds and I had a series of foot / ankle issues that make it very difficult to exercise. Having surgery was one of the biggest decisions I have ever made in my life. The surgery is a tool, to assist in losing weight. It isn't a magic bullet or a jump to the end of the journey. If I could have lost weight without surgery I would have, I certainly tried many many times over the past 20 years.

honkytonks85

Well no. That sounds crazy. But what is a gastric sleeve? I have heard of by-pass and band, but not sleeve.

I am always jealous of people who have weight loss surgery. It seems to me they have it easy.

I am overweight even when I consider myself at a healthy weight, but I am never obese enough to get surgery.

Weight loss surgery is not easy - it is a tool to assist people in managing appetite. It is not easy. I know I said it twice but I wanted to make this clear to people.

Weight loss surgery can be cheated. All it takes is to easy lots of high calorie junk foods, or drink caloric dense drinks like softdrink and juice and you will not lose weight or even gain. I know people who have succeeded with it and some who have failed.

People who have had weight loss surgery still need to eat right and exercise.

Brige2269

The sleeve is actually the orginal surgery from over 20 years ago. The ol staple the stomache in half. But now they cut and staple it in half and remove the half they cut. My aunt did it in 82 and my friend did it in 2011.

candylilacs

As for "having it easy" I will have to LMAO. Having this surgery has been one of the hardest things I've ever set out to do. And I don't mean pain from surgery, that was a breeze. I mean the drastic eating behavior changes one is forced to make. Being healthy requires lots of physical activity too so that's another hurdle for some to overcome. After talking with many people and my surgeon, I know the difficult time I'm going through now (it's been almost a month since I had my surgery) will not last forever and I haven't heard one person more than a year out from surgery say they regret having it done. I'm trying to be patient and meet all the nutritional requirements, both of which are extremely difficult.

What do you think about the process now? I know that many doctors require patients to take off some weight before the surgery and start an exercise program -- I guess in hopes those behaviors stick afterwards?

I believe, as you mentioned, unless the person is really ready and committed to making a lifestyle change towards food and exercise, nothing -- even surgery -- is going to work.

EDesq

You must NOT watch "Reality T.V." or Live in the World Culture...the Quick Fix, Especially Cosmetic Surgery. Going under the knife is Nothing. It's the long range effect that many do not think about; have you seen those women as they age, they look really bad. The long range effect of Wt Loss Surgery, we do know...yes, there will be repercussions but just like the person who gets cosmetic surgery, it's about the right now for some.

ashleegil

I too am a sleever! April 25th of this year I had the surgery. I have lost 80 pounds since surgery, but it MOST definitely is not easy. It is hard...like almost more hard than losing weight was before except I am actually getting results now and am no longer yo-yoing. That was my problem, I could commit to any program or diet for a month or so then I would stop and slide back into bad habits, it's almost like it's not even a thought now.

I did have many mental health sessions PRIOR to surgery in regards to my eating issues and using it as a crutch and comfort thing. I do believe it helped a lot!

Surgery is not right for everyone, but it has been absolutely the best choice for me.

lindustum

I take some offense to this comment. I just had the "sleeve" 8 weeks ago. I have been overweight my entire life. I have tried all of the diets and exercise plans out there and will lose some weight and then gain it all back again plus more. The "sleeve" or Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy, is a major surgery and permanent option for weight loss surgery. My surgeon removed about 75-80% of my stomach. He literally took it out of my body. I can never have that back. I don't want it back, but for someone to think that I "took the easy way out", you have no idea what you are talking about. I struggle daily with trying to get in the amount of water that everyone needs in order to stay hydrated. I struggle also to get in the minimum amount of protein that we need to survive also. There is little room for anything else, including healthy options like fruits and vegetables. I will be on vitamin supplements for the rest of my life in order to get these nutrients that I am not able to consume on my own.

And for those of you that think that the lap-band is something you just have removed when you have lost all the weight, that is a common misconception. No surgeon will risk going in to remove it, unless there is a problem which has put the patient in jeopardy.

I know that you didn't mean any offense, but I just think you should really think before you say something like "they took they easy way out". Ask any WLS patient and they will tell you, it is definitely not easy way out. It is very easy to slip into old habits and gain all the weight back, but with this "tool" many people have achieved lifelong weight loss and if they stick to their diet, they keep it off for life.

I have lost 48 lbs so far, but still have a long way to go. VSG 6/25/13

I think people refer to "the easy way out" because the band forces you to change your habits. If you do not have such a physical restriction, it is down to your willpower- thus, a "more difficult" way. Many success stories here state exactly the same you did "overweight all my life, tried everything, lost and gained back" and they have achieved their goals without surgery. In this context, it is perceived to be "an easy way" even though the complications are not easy, as you demonstrate.

*flies away*

CollieFit

I think people refer to "the easy way out" because the band forces you to change your habits. If you do not have such a physical restriction, it is down to your willpower- thus, a "more difficult" way. Many success stories here state exactly the same you did "overweight all my life, tried everything, lost and gained back" and they have achieved their goals without surgery. In this context, it is perceived to be "an easy way" even though the complications are not easy, as you demonstrate.
*flies away*

I entirely agree with you. You hear it all the time, the "I tried every diet and then I put it all back on"... and that's exactly where the point is missed with some folk. The reason you put it all back on isn't black magic, it's because you stopped doing what worked and went back to your old ways. It's not a temporary quick fix, it's a lifestyle change.

I have huge respect for people here posting their success stories of eating healthier choices, starting cooking from scratch, educating themselves, becoming active, showing true grit and will power and being a true positive example to others about overcoming a huge issue with their own efforts. That's what I have respect for.

sassy_sleever

Unfortunately the majority of gastric bands have to be removed by about ten years, due to several reasons, not working any more, too much restriction, port flippage, erosion into the stomach wall, slippage. So people are starting to have them removed and revised to another procedure. The gastric sleeve is a great alternative, its a restrictive process, so people can consume less, but it also reduces ghrelin production, the hunger hormone, so people dont get so hungry. I've lost 103lb with my sleeve and i love it! My surgeon does band to sleeve revisions.

FP4HSharon

Statistically only 13% of those who go through weight loss surgery end up getting to & maintaining a healthy weight. On top of that, complications are extremely common. One person I know has been in & out of the hospital since their surgery 2-3 yrs ago, & now weighs MORE than when they had the surgery. One season of Biggest Loser, about half the contestants had had the surgeries & yet were all back to being morbidly obese. If it were any other non-emergency surgery, doctors would postpone it until the person lost weight, due to the risks involved. So to me, it smacks of malpractice for doctors to do this surgery, when BEHAVIOR & PERSONAL CHOICES could fix it. One lady recently featured on CNN was told by her doc that the "ONLY" way she would get to a healthy weight was w/surgery. She disagreed, got on a healthy program & is currently at a healthy weight.

sassy_sleever

Sharon, please supply evidence of that figure, the 13%

FP4HSharon

I'll try to find it, but if I remember right, I saw it on a CNN report about the growing popularity of the surgeries. I remember being really shocked, because I didn't realize it was that low. I used to work for a neurosurgeon who had patients that needed surgery, but were too obese to safely put them under anesthesia.

EDIT: Still looking but here's an example from a practice that PERFORMS these surgeries, about how it is very unlikely that patients will get to a "normal" weight & how they should just learn to be happy with a "better weight." They don't even address the issue of patients who put weight back on after the initial loss after the surgery.

http://www.obesityaction.org/educational-resources/resource-articles-2/weight-loss-surgery/dear-doctor-ive-had-bariatric-surgery-will-i-ever-get-to-normal-weight

Another link to a WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY ADVOCATE, who quotes a physician on the page...
"Regain Is Likely: It is generally believed that 80% of people who undergo weight loss surgery (WLS) will experience weight gain (relapse) of 10-30 pounds depending upon initial weight loss. It is further believed that 20% of those will relapse to their former weight and possibly gain more as the disease of morbid obesity advances. This relapse can be the result of failed gastric surgery (the surgery was improperly performed or medical device failure); a non-compliant patient who does not evolve their eating and exercise habits; the active intestine becoming more efficient at absorbing calories; and potential stomach pouch stretch. Dr. Anita Courcoulas, chief of minimally invasive bariatric and general surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center said, "Regaining weight down the road is a common phenomenon for weight loss patients. These patients need to be educated and prepared for it if it happens.""

http://5daypouchtest.com/articles/art001.html

When it comes down to it, obese patients, whether or not they have weight loss surgery, ultimately are only successful if they develop healthy eating & exercising habits....so why spend the money & take the risk of the surgery?

dma15

I myself have the sleeve now I had the band but had major problems with it so had to have it removed.

for those people who think it is a easy way out you obviously have not known someone who has had weight loss surgery have you?

there is nothing easy about it it is a tool not a easy way out you still need to change your whole life style like anyone who is trying to lose weight or you wont be successful in the long run

imagine throwing up because you ate that 1 spoonful to much or throwing up because you cant tolerate this food or that food imagine that you cant eat your favorite food ever again because it makes you sick, constant reflux, amongst other stuff well that is a week in the life so after reading that now tell me its an easy way out there is nothing easy about it at all.

Most people who have it do because of
A/ medical condition or multiple conditions preventing weight loss or making it harder
B/ For their own health as it is a last resort

I was 219 kg before I had lap band I had sleep apnea, diabetes, extremely high blood pressure as well as other conditions exercising was extremely hard.

Weight loss surgery has given me back my life and my health and believe me I had tried everything it was a last resort.

as I said it is a tool not a cheats way out like so many think maybe people should actually research stuff before they make comments on something they obviously know nothing about (p.s. i am not talking about the original poster here).

so I challenge those that think its cheating or an easy way out find someone who has had surgery and spend a week in their shoes I guarantee you your opinion will change.

kathydabner

I am scheduled to have the gastric sleeve on October 7th. And no this was not a decision I made lightly. I am now on the liquid protein pre op and it is hard. Yesterday I would have killed to have something to chew. But I know that I will be a more healthy, active person than I am now. It is a complete change of my way of life and my family's. I don't want to be skinny...just healthy. Yes there are studies that show you will regain a certain amount of weight several years down the road. But with education, learning to cook healthy, not use processed foods, the weight can stay off. And also getting off the couch and from in front of the television/computer/tablet/smart phone and engaging in some sort of physical activity. I remember when people used to walk after dinner. Wouldn't that be a delightful tradition to restart. We might actually get to know our neighbors.