Gastric Sleeve???

I am looking for folks who have had or will have the gastric sleeve and plan to use this forum to keep your calories in line...I need all the help and support I can get and will love to help and support you too!!!

Replies

  • staceinface
    staceinface Posts: 3 Member
    Hello there

    I had a gastric sleeve on 30 May this year and have lost 54lb so far including the pre-op diet. I find MFP really good for tracking my protein and calories. :smile:
  • MyOwnSunshine
    MyOwnSunshine Posts: 1,312 Member
    There is a group called VSGers that has a lot of support and information.
  • ColemanM
    ColemanM Posts: 16
    where is the vsgers group?
  • dpaq45
    dpaq45 Posts: 4 Member
    Hi - I was wondering if "lap-band" would also be considered in the group? Thank you :smile:
  • I had gastric sleeve on April 28th. So far I'm loving it, but constantly afraid that I'm overeating. I will be glad when I can get to a point that I don't think about food 24/7. What to eat, when to eat, am I eating too much and so on. 31 lbs since April 28th but that doesn't seem like a lot compared to others that are posting here, so still concerned.
  • Hello I had the gastric sleeve on 7/15/14. So far I'm doing just fine. I weighed 282 my highest and thus far I lost 11 lbs. I have so much to learn. Eating healthy and staying on target is my first priority.
  • I (male, 46) had the gastric sleeve on 6/4/14 (7 weeks ago). Started at 291 pounds and according to the bathroom scale I weighed 261 this morning. I plateaued for a bit around week 4 but now seem to be losing 2-3 pounds per week as my body adjusted. It is interesting feeling like I pigged out from just having a few ounces of chicken. I had my first BBQ this weekend and it was awesome feeling content with taking the roll off the sandwich and simply eating the contents and have it satisfy me for the entire party (ok, i had a few potato chips too but nothing like I would have in the past).

    I was worried I was over eating so I started reusing this tool to track what I eat, including snacks. I find that most days I am under 1200 calories. I see my nutritionist this Friday to see if I'm eating correctly.
  • Hello, my name is Susan and I am scheduled for my sleeve on Aug 5th. Am nervous about the operation. Any advice?
  • I am a sleever (27/11/12), i was 154.4kg at my heaviest and am sitting at 126.5kg presently. I should have lost more, but old habits crept back in.
    I have joined this to get my head back in the game, be accountable and get to where i want to be :)
  • I had my sleeve on July 9....started my journey in January at 238 pounds....and today im so happy to repoirt. I have not been i......drum roll please.....198 i couldnt be more pleased, well maybe if i woke up tomorrow and i was at my 128 goal weight but we all know that wont happen :)
  • I was so nervous i almost called it off....but my daughter and surgeon kept me calm...i had some minor complications but all in all it was a great experience and im so glad i did it....its all going to be great
  • Hello, I was just approved for gastric sleeve and will be getting in a a couple of weeks. I am nervous...
  • c1nder
    c1nder Posts: 11 Member
    Hello all, I just had my gastric sleeve done on 7/31/14. My weight before I left the house, on the day of surgery, was 278.5. As of this morning, I am down 11 pounds but I know that most of it is fluid (they pumped a lot of IV fluids into me). A little nervous that I am feeling hungry...could be just habit...seeing foods that my family is eating and having them around the house...hoping this is just psychological and will pass.

    The changes I have to make have the added benefit of my family wanting to change their eating habits. We will see how that goes!

    Glad there are others using these boards, it has given me added information as I continue on this journey that I decided to embark on many months ago.
  • I had my sleeve surgery on 6/13/14. I was 284 pounds and had lost 10 in preparation for the surgery. I'm seven weeks in and have lost 50 pounds. The most astonishing change for me was feeling like I WANTED to move again. Once I crossed a threshold, probably about 275, I just didn't want to move anymore. Any motion simply reminded me of all the excess weight I was carrying. But once it came off, I felt fantastic and couldn't wait to get out and walk, run, swim, and do all the things I'd missed for so long. I'm not super athlete and never want to be one, but the ability to be even somewhat active and feel good doing it has returned.

    For those that are worried about their surgeries, you will probably be fine. Problems can always arise. I had a massive kidney stone because I wasn't drinking enough. But the benefits are many and, as far as I'm concerned, worth the risks. The first couple of weeks were pretty terrible, to be honest. I couldn't eat meals with my family for a month. But once your diet can open back up to include solids, you will begin to feel much better again. I know I did.
  • I had my surgery done on July 29, 2013. It was the best decision I've made. I've lost about 100 lbs total but only 14 lbs during the last 6 months. I'm getting frustrated and not really sure what to do I've lost my motivation because the weight isn't coming off fast enough anymore. My doctor says it's not uncommon for the weight lose to slow down after the first 6 months and that I should keep a dairy of everything I eat during the day. How do I get my motivation back?
  • Hello, in new here. I had my gastric sleeve on 7/16/14. My pre- op weight was 291. On the day of surgery I weighted 277. At my 4 week mark I was down to 252 BUT yesterday I jumped up to 255 and today to 256. I don't understand how I could be gaining. I'm eating 3 meals a day and still can't eat more than about a half a cup without being over full. In more active than I've ever been. Had anyone else had this problem? In getting married in 6 weeks and am terrified I won't be able to buy a dress. This is so depressive!
  • jabx1962
    jabx1962 Posts: 31 Member
    How did everyone that had this procedure determine it was safe for them to do? Just askin..
  • Hi, I had the gastric sleeve done Nov 20, 2013. At my highest (about 6 months prior to surgery) I weighed 367lbs. I lost 24 lbs prior to surgery, and have lost an additional 121 lbs in the nine months since my surgery. I am still losing.

    My surgery was done at a Bariatric Center of Excellence (St. Vincent's Carmel, IN) that has excellent support and follow up care. My program doesn't require patients to count calories - only grams of protein and ounces of fluid post-surgery. However, by the third month out I determined that I needed to set a daily calorie goal so that I could make better choices and have more flexibility. My current daily goals are 900 calories per day, a minimum of 75 grams of protein, and a maximum of 90 grams carbs. I have been using My Fitness Pal since March as an easy way to track these things and I love it.

    As to the safety issue, I did a fair amount of research prior to my surgery on the different surgeries and their complication rates. To be clear - weighing 367 lbs was not safe - I was at risk of serious health complications every day. The sleeve had the lowest complication rate of the three most common surgeries (bypass, sleeve, or lapband). The re-operation rate for the sleeve is 1.5%, compared to about 3% for the bypass and as much as 15% for the lapband. The death rate for all gastric surgeries is comparable to gallbladder removal. My center did a lot of pre-op testing to check for any health problems that might lead to complications during surgery - and they had a whole series of proven techniques to minimize the risk of post-op blood clots which is one of the most common complications for any surgery on an obese person. I have not had any complications from my surgery.

    For the person who was concerned about daily weight fluxuations - please stop weighing yourself every day. You will make yourself crazy. Your weight will fluxuate based on fluid retention and all sorts of other factors. Don't weigh yourself more than once per week.

    Gastric Sleeve surgery was the best decision I ever made. My life is so much different than it was a year ago. I can finally keep up with my six year old (we ride bikes together, swim together, and play soccer together now), and am confident that I will be around to be a grandma to his kids.
  • Hi, my name is Vanessa, I had the gastric sleeve on Aug 18, 2014. My start weight was 209 and I am down to 194.. So far everything is going great, however having a hard time getting all my fluids.. any advice is appreciated.. I am also new to my fitness pal.
  • hotann
    hotann Posts: 2
    HI Vanessa, I was sleeved on Aug 8th; congrats on the weight loss. When I talked with my dr. about the fluids he said he would be happy with 40 oz right now becuase it is so soon after surgery. I do get 40 and sometimes I can get the recommended 60 oz is but I have to start at 7am and I'm usually drinking up to the time I lay down for the night.

    Take it slow, you'll figure it out.

    Best of luck!
  • Hi all! recently had Gastric Sleeve and new here, could sure use friends :flowerforyou: please add me.
  • HI I'M April was sleeved on 8/29/14. Honestly not hungry, but fighting the temptation to eat even though I know there will
    consequences ...lost 7 lbs..but really frustrated! Suggestions?
  • sistersoe
    sistersoe Posts: 13 Member
    :flowerforyou: Hi, I was sleeved on Friday 9/5/14, I'm getting better everyday as far as the pain...I am head hungry and I can't tell if my stomach is growling or gurgling from the new shaped stomach. What are you eating and drinking? It would be great to have someone new on the bench to share this journey. I'm off work for at least two weeks, I check in daily. I also log in my food diary. I bought some protein shots (sort of like those energy things) and when I'm opened and tasted it OMG that was awful, reminded me of some nasty barium drink before a gastric scan. I tossed those right into the garbage can. Today I ordered Syntrax Nector unflavored off Amazon to try. I know my protein intake in this phase is too low. I beef up skim milk by adding non-fat dry milk, then make up a Carnation Essential no sugar breakfast drink. I'm drinking hot bullion, jello, greek yogart, pudding and that's about it besides Crystal light and a cup of coffee in the morning. Any suggestions is welcomed. Add me and we can chug along.:glasses:
  • I had my sleeve done 8/25/14. I'm pretty sick of soup and protein shakes! Oh well, only a few more days until mashed potatoes! I'm having a hard time getting all the water down. Any ideas? I don't like crystal light or mio really just because they are super bad for you. Also tried Kroger flavored water. Yuck!! I love regular water, but can't gulp it fast enough to get down the large quanities.
  • I'm about to get sleeved. Two weeks from today actually. I did so much research, I was dealing with it awesomely but now that I'm at this point, my head is just freaking me out a bit. I'm not scared or nervous about one particular thing, just starting to get overwhelmed I guess. My surgeons office said they would set me up with a "buddy" who has been through it, but that is yet to happen (that was 6 weeks ago) so I would love to connect. Any ideas or advice would be great. I'm really struggling developing a stomach for protein drinks. I know I'll have to...
  • Good luck to all the new surgery people. I am 10 months post op with my sleeve. I have lost 150lbs, and I have 60 - 80 left to go.

    The first couple months after the surgery are the hardest - there are only limited foods you can eat - you are learning new habits as far as eating, drinking, taking vitamins, etc. I found My Fitness Pal difficult to use during those first weeks, because the quantity of food was so small (1/8th of cup), and sometimes I would do things like order a cup of vegetable beef soup and eat all the meat out of it, with a little bit of the other things. (How do you track that, you are getting all the protein, but only 1/4 cup of the soup.) By month three I had kind of hit a sweet spot, I had my food routines down. I started using my fitness pal to keep track of calories, grams of protein, and grams of carbs. (I aim for 900 calories, 75 g protein minimum, and 90 grams carbs max per day - but follow your nutritionists guidelines.)

    My suggestions: after week 4 (on my surgeon's plan) eat lots of fish and shrimp. Fabulous protein, low in calories, easy for your new tender stomach to digest. Also, don't weigh yourself more often than once per week (at most). Daily weight fluctuations due to fluid retention, etc. will make you crazy. Exercise - ideally by finding activities that you enjoy and sticking with them. For me it is Aquaaerobics, swimming and bike riding. You might like Zumba, Yoga or walking. Try out different classes - if you like it you are more likely to do it and keep doing it for the long term.

    Protein Drinks - after surgery I discovered I hated thick protein drinks, and overly sweet ones (I find the artificial sweetener flavor overpowering). After much trial and error I discovered Syntrax Nectar - only 100 calories for 23g of protein if you mix with water. The cappuccino flavor is my go to flavor - I have had it every day for the last 8 months. (Can be heated to 120 degrees in the microwave - very nice in the winter.) I also like the lemonade and fuzzy navel flavors. I also drink decaf soy latte's for a protein treat some days - but My Fitness Pal keeps me honest because those have more calories. (170 for a hot 16oz Soy Latte, 130 for an iced 16oz Soy Latte - sugar free syrups are a nice treat too!). Skim milk lattes (for those who can drink milk) are even higher in protein, and lower in calories.
  • klcovington
    klcovington Posts: 376 Member
    Hi! I was sleeved on 9/18/14 and have just "graduated" to some soft foods --- eggs, soft cheeses, and fish (after three weeks). Each surgeon / program is different as you can tell from what people post, so I would strongly recommend getting a list of what foods you can have at each stage from your particular coordinator. For instance, I cannot yet have milk or milk products or foods like mashed potatoes. I am very happy with my progress so far and feel great --- but honestly, I do miss certain foods and I do feel hungry from time to time. Knowing that eventually, I can have "regular" foods again (especially healthier versions) keeps me sane. I still use Unjury unflavored protein powder and mix it with water and Crystal Light. Certain flavors are too sweet now after surgery which is strange but alot of people post that. Unjury has a sample pack that you can order also. I hope that helps. Good luck!! :)
  • ktpie76
    ktpie76 Posts: 24 Member
    Here is my group! Im a year out, give or take. Best decision ever! http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/100820-gastric-sleeve-before-during-and-after