Have decided to get the gastric sleeve

stealthq

I know 4 people who have had bariatric surgery, 3 got the sleeve.

One had it done recently. Within the last 6 mos. and had horrible complications - liver failure, some kind of metabolic dysfunction, decreased kidney function, and sky-high blood pressure that landed him the hospital for a couple of months. He's recovered from that now, and has been losing weight.

Another had it done many years ago. He's an ex-athlete that just kept eating like he was still active after he retired. He had no real problems to speak of, dropped weight to the point he looked skeletal and had to be put on a weight gain plan to get him back up to a healthy weight. Apparently that triggered overeating and now he's overweight again. Not all the way back to where he was when he started, but close.

The third had no problems with the surgery, but never really dropped the weight he needed to, either. He was easily 200 lbs overweight, and he dropped somewhere around 40lbs. Good, but not nearly enough. He's going to have to diet if he wants to get any lower.

Basically, the take home is that the surgery is essentially pointless if you don't adopt the proper eating habits after it's done, and comes with its own inherent risks. There have been successful results for many (I just don't know any of them). Personally, I question whether those people could have been successful without the surgery if they were given a proper moderate diet to follow (I suspect they could have and that's why they were a success with the surgery), but that's not a question anyone can answer.

morehealthymatt

Insurance at work would help pay for it and I went to a seminar where the doctor talked about the 3 options; pouch, sleeve, bypass. I scheduled an appointment with the doctor and met with him. The insurance has a condition that you have to lose a certain amount of weight before you can get the surgery...I guess it's to show you're serious about losing weight. Well, I lost that initial weight and at that point decided I'd do it the old fashioned way. As of now, I've lost over 100 pounds and have no dietary restrictions...except eating like a pig...

Calliope610

If you already lost 160, why not just keep going?

^^Yes, this^^

ktsmom430

The statistics are against us all no matter how the weight is lost and a huge percentage of us will gain back the weight. Does anyone seriously believe that most of us who have been, or are morbidly obese, want this for our selves or our loved ones?
None of us can say what is right or wrong for anyone else. People come here for support to help themselves become healthier.
This is a very personal decision for each of us. I too did this strictly counting calories, no gimmicks, pills, surgery or whatever, but this is not necessarily right for everyone. She need to do what is right for her and get advice from her health care professionals, not an internet forum.

AmykinsCatfood

While I personally don't have any experience with it, I do know someone who had the procedure done, and she actually ended up almost dying because it somehow twisted and cut off access to the sphincter that allows food to pass from your stomach into your intestines. She started throwing up constantly and was having a lot of pain in her stomach. If she didn't go to the ER when she did she would have died.

These things can help to an extent, but they can also malfunction very very seriously. You've been doing well on your own so far, why take the risk?

overit75

Congratulations on your weight loss so far! Gastric surgery has crossed my mind quite a few times and I am fearful to do it because I am an emotional eater and I don't want to do the surgery only to have it fail for me. But that is just me. I wish you the best of luck in your decision and if you have the surgery good luck on that journey as well.

ThriceBlessed

I've known 6 people who had different forms of weight loss surgery. Gastric bypass, lap band, gastric sleeve, etc.... of the 6 people I've personally known, 2 have died from from complications, and two often say they wish they'd never had the surgery, one lost all the weight and then regained more, and one is quite happy with the results and seems healthier than ever before.

Its not for me to tell you what to do, but you should really try talking to some people who have had the surgery, and not just the ones the doctors might "hook you up" with. I am sure that the doctors would probably use those who are happy with the results as spokespersons, but you want to hear both sides, so try to also hear from some who are not happy with the results.

You have shown that you can lose weight without the surgery, no doubt you could lose faster with it, but would you be healthier as a result? All things to think about.

As I said, its not for me to tell you what to do, I can tell you that if I were in your place I would keep trying to lose through changing my habits, without surgery.

I wish you luck whichever decision you make.

knjm4v

I feel the same way as Kim! I also had RNY a little over 2 years ago and have lost about 105 lbs.. I feel awesome, have had no complications and my blood work has been great every time.. As long as you follow the rules, eat healthy and exercise, take your vitamins, drink all your water you will be fine. It is a tool just like all other life changing ways of eating, WW and all other so called "diets". I don't agree in calling anything a diet because I feel like it has to be a life changing way of eating. Do your homework and talk to other bariatric patients.. Also feel free to add me to your mfp friend list... Best of luck to you.

hollycocacola

I have scheduled the surgery for the sleeve for myself in March I am a RN and I KNOW the long term complications of being overweight. I have dieted and yo-yoed and I know that without help I will just get bigger and bigger. I am committed about staying on a strict diet and I exercise. I have never been thin, but I do believe that if surgery is used as a TOOL that it can help many people. It will allow me to lose the weight in a year or two and once in the range of a healthier weight I will do my best to maintain. My twin sister-in-laws and my mother-in-law have all had the sleeve done in the past 2 years all are very happy with the results. But picking the doctor is very important. I have also placed a wound vac on a friend of mine that did have serious complications with her gastric bypass. I have read many studies on the procedures. There is typically only a 3% serious complication rate with the sleeve and this is a great statistic but if you are the 3% then it doesn't matter that 97% of people don't have serious complications.

SunofaBeach14

You have to do what is right for you. The important thing is to get the weight off and keep it off. To that end, do your research, listen to what people (especially your doctors) have to say, and make an informed decision. There are people on here who have lost 150 or more pounds without surgery and kept it off for the long run but a lot of that is fixing emotional issues tied to food. Don't forget that angle.

Best of luck!

Jessr0se

Great post!! I totally agree. I am currently going through the beginning requirements for the gastric sleeve(4 month documented diet, proof of co-morbidities, sleep study, psychological interview) because of the kind of insurance I'm on. All insurance's are different. I've researched the gastric sleeve since September of 2013, so about 5 months, and nothing has turned me off about the surgery yet. It is a major surgery, yes, and you will have to change the way you eat for the rest of your life, but I believe it will be worth it. I'm only 25 but I have been struggling with my weight for over 10 years. There are a lot of negative comments out there, but they don't know your life. Most don't know the daily struggles of walking, bending down, sitting comfortably, even breathing. Most say, why not lose weight with diet and exercise. Well don't you think it's all been tried before?

I have an app on my phone called bariatric pal and it is amazing. Any kind of question you have, it has been asked AND answered there by people who have gotten the surgery. It's a great tool. Do lots of research and think hard about this before you do it. It will change your life. But it may save your life as well.

mamajacqui

Hi there. I did opt to have the sleeve recently after struggling to lose weight my whole life. I watched my mothers success with the sleeve and resisted, wanting to do it myself the healthy, safe way. My turning point came when my GP explained that my oversize stomach will continue to produce the hunger hormone even once I'm thin so it takes an enormous amount of willpower to stay thin. The sleeve gave me a second chance...a fresh start - kind of setting me back to my childhood when things started to go wrong. I believe I MUST use a psych and dietician in my recovery to address the behaviors that made and kept me fat. My surgeon here in Perth insists on it. But I don't regret my sleeve and I'd do it again. There are risks but I was killing myself slowly anyway and overburdening our health system. I know it would've been great if I didn't need to do the procedure, but I did, and for others who are similar to me...I think it's a lifesaver, I really do.

kksoucie

Thanks for posting guys! I am going to a meeting next tuesday to begin the process for sleeve surgery. I will most likely have the actual surgery in September because I have already met some requirements and will be losing my full coverage insurance in December. After that the follow up visits are covered but not the actual surgery. I have been doing a diet of sorts the last 45 days but will bump it up over the next 6 months until surgery. I am very nervous but excited as well. I hope all goes well for everyone!

RazieMc

I am a kidney dialysis patient. I have been making the rounds and being tested at various locations (The Ohio State University; University of Cincinnati; Cleveland Clinic) to qualify for kidney transplant. UC has recommended the sleeve procedure as part of the "Kidney Champion" program. Transplant surgery is easier with less weight and potential donors see the effort that you are making to do everything possible to be as healthy as you can and may feel that you would take good care of their kidney if donated.

I have been to first consultation for sleeve procedure and have received information regarding pre-operative liquid diet and post-operative diet progression. I have never eaten pureed meats or fish or vegetables or fruits...basically have never eaten pureed foods and have doubts about that part of the plan. I am having egd scope in a couple of weeks and sleep testing, etc.

Because I have had so much of the testing done during transplant qualifying, my surgery could happen as soon as next month.

I am scared. I have not had any major surgeries in my life and losing part of my stomach is frightening. I have always eaten a healthy diet (just lots of it) and hope that I can make the adjustment.

As a kidney patient, I am supposed to restrict fluids, yet speaking with nurse practitioner, she indicates that others have been successful and still continued dialysis.

I don't know if anyone else is in my situation or can advise me as to what to expect, but I would love to hear from someone.