Gastric Sleeve Patients?????

Mommythekid

Hi everyone! I am thinking very seriously about doing the Gastric Sleeve sometime in mid-late February. I am very nervous, but excited at the same time! I have food allergies that make me absolutely miserable, but I have a very hard time avoiding them because I just want to eat, eat, eat! Additionally, I have Celiac disease, so gluten and wheat are very cruel to my body.

I am looking at this surgical procedure to assist with weight loss and the ability to make smarter food choices. If I'm full from steamed, soft zucchini and a protein shake, I won't have room to be tempted to eat the foods that make me ill. I am a big fan of water, so getting my proper water intake each day won't be an issue.

For the time being, I am just looking to meet new friends for encouragement and advice. I just turned 43. I am 5'10" and the scales hover around 220-235 pounds no matter what I do. It's maddening! lol. (I'm sure a lot of you can relate) So, please....if you have any advice for me, I'd love to hear it! Thank you in advance!

lizzie770

I can totally relate to your struggle, lady! And I took the same route you are exploring. I had my gastric sleeve on the 16th. Exactly 7 days ago. This by no means makes me an expert but I will tell you how my experience has been thus far.

I was nervous as hell to do this. Just like child birth stories, you hear every scenario so my mind was swimming with frightening news I had read in blogs about this procedure. But i forged ahead cause at a little over 300 lbs and only 30 yrs. old...my options were limited.

The first night in the hospital after surgery was miserable. The dry mouth was the absolute worst of it. I was dying for some water or ice or anything. THey finally let me swish and spit with water but you can't drink anything till they do an Xray "leak test". My leak test the next day went great and I was given the green light to begin fluids. I was so excited...till I attempted it. I was scared to death to swallow and my stomach was so traumatized it was hard to get the fluids in. I was super nauseous the first 2 days just from anesthesia and pain meds. I was beginning to hate my decision and regret everything....

Then day 3 came. The clouds parted, the sun was shining and the nausea was gone. I was able to get my protein shakes in, take walks, go get my nails done, etc. By Saturday I was at the Christmas party with all my friends...drinking Gatorade and avoiding all the yummy party foods but I was there!

Today I am back at work and feel great! I have lost 15 lbs in the one week since surgery. Its slowing down now but its still falling off. EVERYONE (even people that don't know bout my surgery) tell me how skinny my face is looking. My one huge struggle this far is the mental part. I am so sick of protein shakes and liquids....I would probably shank someone for a slice of pizza at this point But I know I did not go through such extreme measures to throw this opportunity away. Instead I have been spending tons of time on Pinterest pinning healthy recipes that I look forward to cooking when I am able to eat solid food again and also pinning cute outfits that I will be able to wear when this is done. It is all psychological at this point and I know I am stronger than the food addiction.

So I guess in closing, I don't regret it at all so far. I have so much energy and I don't want to sit around and eat so I am out and active. Best thing I have done and its only the beginning. I can't wait for the rest of the journey though and there was a time years ago that I couldn't say that.

Best of luck to you and please reach out with any questions or whatever!

JenBuck

Hello,
I am scheduled for the sleeve on January 14th. I know I am going to need lots of support after my surgery--so I will be looking to groups like this to lean on--people who will be able to totally relate to what I am going through!! I start my liquid diet on the 6th of January--and as this may sound odd--I am more concerned about the 8 days prior--while I'm on that liquid diet-- than I am about the surgery! Any suggestions on making it through the first couple of weeks pre and post surgery will be greatly appreciated!!

yoopergirl

I had the surgery in August. Have not lost anywhere near the weight I hoped (30#), but am working from home, have a very sedentary life & am having a very hard time planning meals. It is a tool, not a "cure" for anything. I am able to eat less, but still need a kick in the butt to get off the couch & MOVE! Would love it if anyone was willing to be my butt kicker. : )

Mangopickle

After surgery, walk, walk, walk walk...you can't walk enough. Get the intestines going again to pass gas and prevent constipation. Log everything on MFP. Stick to the diet packet they give you. And memorize this!!! No Grazing and No reintroducing your problem foods. Otherwise you will probably end up like those biggest loser contestants that already had wt loss surgery and gained it all back plus some. I know I am in the Honeymoon phase but I have lost 37 # in about 35 days. If I break the rules I immediately stall and start gaining wt. go to your support group meetings. Measure and weigh everything!! I had no concept of real portions. To help me repattern my brain away from carbs I am going on a meat odyssey. I am trying all sorts of new meat dishes. When I feel weak I remind myself that simple carbs were killing me and why do I desire poison. This helps me. Good luck.

jennceparano

Im having mine jan8 im having the sleeve... im doing the two week diet. Ive been good im on day 5 but today ive been weak and nauseous. Has anyone else had this issue and what do u feel like after surgery? I have a 18 month old.

Pheebs7777

I had my sleeve surgery 6/17/13. I am just over 6 months post surgery and I am currently down 117#. As many others have said the sleeve is a tool. The greatest advice I can give is to follow the tools given by your dr. If you weren't given nutritional information then find a nutritionist that specializes in dealing with WLS patients. Be sure to do some exercise whether going to a gym, walking around the block or using weights and bands at home. Keep your carb level at no more than 30gm (my nutritionist states) unless you are working out heavily. Get in your water, stay away from sugar, in my opinion carbs like potatoes, bread, corn, and especially junk like potato chips, grains and try very hard to meet your protein levels daily. I even have difficulty with the last. A book I found very helpful is by Cynthia Alexander. The Emotional First + Aid Kit. It talks about many things from before surgery to even information like how to decipher when you're having head hunger or real hunger and how to get through it as well as other post op info. Hope this helps!

melanieyeatts

So glad to have read your post! I am day 6 of pre-op diet and scheduled Jan 9th for surgery! I am both nervous and excited at the same time! I would love to follow your journey and interested in how you are doing now since you are a little further down the road?

510breezy

I am set to start the process (seeing all of the specialists; cardioligist, therapist, etc) so I am in the beginning stage. My surgery will most likely be in Summer 2014. I am excited and a little nervous. My family doesn't agree with it, and my fiance is on the fence about it. Nevertheless, I am here to work on me and I am going to continue researching until my operation day is here. Is there any advice anyone could give ?

claudiafuselier

The thing to know is when they tell you the complications that can happen from surgery, can happen. I had sleeve surgery October 14th. I have not been well since then. I have had 2 thoracentesis done. I have had 3 hospitals stays. One for 3 days, one for 7 days, one for 9 days. They have involved having pneumonia and having to do high power antibiotics. The 3rd hospital stay, I had to have a thoracotomy. I spent time in ICU and had a drain tube in back for a week. I got the shingles while in the hospital. I got out of the hospital on December 19th. I am still suffering from the shingles. I was very healthy before this surgery, just overweight. I am definitely not in the phase yet where I am glad I had this surgery. I have just been trying to survive! On another note, I've lost 55 pounds since surgery, but at what a cost. I know I am in the minority that this happens to, but it does happen. Good luck to all that are considering surgery.

NewLife416

Hello all,

I had the sleeve done Dec 10, 2013, and it was the best decision of my life! I am only 22, but I've struggled with my weight since birth. (I was born 11lbs!) My mom fully supported my decision, but even now when I tell people about my surgery I'm met with the same "you didn't need it" "you could have lost the weight without that" or "you're too young for that" and that is so frustrating it drives me insane,

I just wanted to chime in some of my experiences so far, because it is very different than everything that I read on forums and online in terms of recovery.

First off, I hated the protein shake during the 2 week pre-op liquid diet. I found it absolutely nauseating, so it made it twice as hard to stick to it. I will admit that I cheated a few times, but I tried to cheat with protein so that the consequences weren't too horrible. The doctor said my liver looked great after the surgery, which was a fear I had since I cheated on the diet.

The day of surgery I was very nervous, but everything went smoothly. I didn't feel any more pain than a stomach cramp, but that was probably the morphine. The day I was released I felt fine, and the day afterwards I even felt well enough to work from home. I went back to the office the third day after my surgery. I felt no pain except for the occasional shoulder pain from the air they had to put in your stomach for the procedure, but walking helped so much, and Gas-X!

Currently, I've been experimenting with what foods my stomach can hold and what it absolutely cannot. The way I know it's enough is when I get this sharp pain that rises in my chest. I've never felt nauseous after the surgery, and I haven't thrown up yet, but I have gotten that overstuffed feeling (which is the absolute worst). Besides eating smaller, more controlled portions, I sometimes have to remind myself that I did in fact get this surgery. I do sometimes feel winded or light headed when I've been walking for a while, but it goes back to normal after I sit for a few minutes. That's really the only side effect that I've experienced.

What I'm struggling with right now is trying to not obsess over the number on the scale. It feels amazing when I see the numbers go down, but I feel like a failure when it goes up a pound. I've been checking it every day, and I know I should stop, but it is so difficult. I'm also having a hard time thinking of ways to dress up the pureed meats so I'm not eating the same thing every day.

If anyone has any advice on the scale obsession I would greatly appreciate it! I'm really worried about becoming addicted to checking my weight.

MyOwnSunshine

The thing to know is when they tell you the complications that can happen from surgery, can happen. I had sleeve surgery October 14th. I have not been well since then. I have had 2 thoracentesis done. I have had 3 hospitals stays. One for 3 days, one for 7 days, one for 9 days. They have involved having pneumonia and having to do high power antibiotics. The 3rd hospital stay, I had to have a thoracotomy. I spent time in ICU and had a drain tube in back for a week. I got the shingles while in the hospital. I got out of the hospital on December 19th. I am still suffering from the shingles. I was very healthy before this surgery, just overweight. I am definitely not in the phase yet where I am glad I had this surgery. I have just been trying to survive! On another note, I've lost 55 pounds since surgery, but at what a cost. I know I am in the minority that this happens to, but it does happen. Good luck to all that are considering surgery.

I'm so sorry that you've suffered from complications from your sleeve surgery. I think that it is very important that you share your story with others. I know several other people who have also had complications of varying severity.

I have no regrets and was very lucky to recover quickly and completely. My results have been great and life-changing, but every surgery has the possibility of complications and people who are considering any WLS should hear all perspectives and outcomes, not just the best possible outcomes.

Best4tess

Hi...I'm new to all this. I'm discussing the benefits of VSG with my health care provider. I've reached a point where something has to change. I am seeing a therapist to discuss my ideas surrounding food and taking comfort in eating. I am 37 and I weigh 261 pounds at 5'3". I have hypertension, diabetes, low iron, low vitamin D, and severe obstructive sleep apnea. That's a lot. I yo yo diet every year and nothing changes. I always revert back and take comfort in food. This is the year I claim my life back. I enjoy reading your stories and updates. I pray for success on this journey. I know I can do this. My husband is my rock. My surgical consult is next Tuesday. Not sure what to expect but I'm looking forward to it. I do have one question: post op how long were you off work?? Thanks!

julmikek

your post has really helped me... i am scheduled for surgery on Feb 5th.. I am excited and nervous... the unknown... afraid I will miss the food.. how am I going to handle situations? Scared...

joellevh

I had the sleeve 9/12/12. Friend request me. I lost 159 pounds

shoppinglady1972

Hey All!! Had my sleeve done this past Monday, feeling pretty good, just sore. Friend me!!!! Just like everyone else, I'm looking to offer as well as receive support. It's a big decision, not one to take lightly. I had 6 months to think about it before I actually did it, it was the best gift I could have been given. Enough time to wrap your head around what you are doing and adjust to a new lifestyle (use this time to prepare, prepare, prepare!!)

paulinecardinalmitchell

Hi Yooper Girl,

I am also a Yooper Girl. I had my Gastric Sleeve done over a year ago (August 2012). Over all I have lost 140 pounds ran 2-5k road races, 2 -5 mile road races, 1- 8 mile road race, 1-5K Mud Run, 2- 10k road races, and a half marathon. Getting the Gastric Sleeve done has been the best descision I have ever made! I will not lie and tell you some days are harder then others mostly in the beginning since I had alot of issues with food! I was and still am at times an emotional eater! Things will trigger it and at first I didn't know what was going on. But with time and working on the triggers I have spotted my weaknesses and have learn to make better choices with my foods and with my emotions. Running helps me with my issues it gives me an avenue to go to when things get to out of control! Not everyone likes or can run but I tell people who ask me how I did it to find some kind of activity they like to do and get put your mind and body into it! You will find what works for you but you need to listen to your body and mind! This is only a tool and if you use it right its going to be the best tool you have but if you don't use it right it will not change a thing. Good Luck and if you need anything or just want to vent use this place to do it. There is great advise here! Take care

JeannieJet

Hello Everyone,
I had my sleeve done December 16, 2013. It.has been much rougher then I anticipated. I cannot seem to eat enough protein. I do not drink enough and am losing potassium. But, I had that before surgery-poor assimilation of vitamin D, Bs, iron and potassium. A vitamin fills me up and extremely nauseates me. I still believe this was the best approach though. Lost 30 pounds so far. The exhaustion is the hardest obstacle. I could sleep non-stop. My pain does that shuts me down. I have had several traumatic accidents-burn, motor vehicle accident, falls and so many surgeries with lymph congestion. I was on lyrica that was addressing trigemina Nerve pain. So, my body just hibernates with pain. I cannot tolerate pain medication so that is the reaction my mind put in play.
I know this will be a good forum and as much as I am looking for support, I truly want to cheer on you who share your quests. Have a Happy New Year.

cabenth

There's an awful lot of chatter on here. I have been researching the sleeve as everything else has failed. My issue is Insulin Resistance, among other things. We've tried a lot to defeat the insulin resistance, but it doesn't respond well enough.

I saw a few comments in here about what the "real" problem was for some who were unsuccessful with various surgeries and I needed to chime in.

I am 44 years old.
I had 'grown' to 300ish pounds around 10 years ago, it started rather suddenly, i was always overweight to some degree, but it was stable and then it wasn't.
I easily lost 20 pounds with a little exercise and caution on food, but it settled there. So… I started walking to work, 2.5 miles each way, some elevation on the way in and a lot on the way home. i also started the type of diet most people do, I call it what it is, a starvation diet.
Didn't loose one pound.
About 18 months later I bought a house about 13 miles from work, started riding in, still starving myself and suddenly, I dropped 40 pounds or so.
At this point I was getting happy, but it again stopped dropping despite massive calorie deficits. So, I stopped that dieting and started something that I should have done when I was 18… training for triathlons, the ultimate goal of course was Iron distance.

I have since participated in 4 half marathons, 20 or so triathlons of sprint distance, 2 of olympic distance, 1 a little longer than that, 1 Half Ironman, and 2 Ironmans.

For the purposes of this discussion, the races are irrelevant. The training is not. During my Full Iron distance trailing, my heavy weeks were 20 hours of specific exercise or more. The long run or bike days I couldn't eat enough to be anywhere near close to the 5-6000 calories I would burn on a 7 hour training day. During that entire time, my weight went up and down, never back even to the 240s. 5 years of extreme training, with a coach and a Metabolic specialist doctor. When I completed the 2nd Ironman, I put up my gear to see if we could get somewhere by taking the enormous strain off. We haven't. My second Iron was done in the mid 270s, 2 years ago. I'm now in the mid 290s.

I have eaten perfect food, nothing processed, 100% natural, no bread unless I made it, etc. I have eaten absolute crap. I have gained and lost weight during both methods of eating.

I have had uncontrollable hunger, I've had the boredom eating thing. Basically, I've had most of what all of you have had.

In my particular case, this is 100% metabolic. My metabolism is extremely far out of whack and I don't respond properly to medication either so all we've been able to do is hold things at bay. Grehlin seems to be another major factor in my issue and this is what the gastric sleeve addresses because it removes most of the part of the stomach that produces grehlin. Your body produces it in other places, but the vast majority is in that part of the stomach that is removed and that is what I need to control.

We all have our own situations, but if you have a good doctor who understands metabolism and obesity, you should have an understanding of your problem. If you don't have a good understanding, get a book called, "The Metabolic Storm" by Dr. Emily Cooper. (She's my doc) - In this, she gives extreme detail on how the metabolic system works, but she does it in a way that a layman can easily understand. I've been working with her for a long time, and I'm a technical guy so I was already familiar with it, but her 'style' of writing will work for anyone I think. I strongly suggest reading this and it should become fairly obvious, fairly quickly, if your problems are metabolic, or triggered by some other function. Fixing either may be harder for some than others.

I am hesitant on the gastric sleeve simply because I should be, surgery should always be approached cautiously, but its looking like

shadylady_57

Hi ! Everyone
I was sleeved on July 29,13, I have always been over weight my
whole life, If I had a dollar for every diet that is out there I tnink I've
tried most of them I would be rich. Lol I wish I'd dine this years ago
but it probably wouldn't have worked as well because my mind wasn't
in the right place. It took my surgeon telling me that if I didn't have it
done I probably would be dead in 7 yrs. with all the health problems
that at 57 I am a diabetic which was way out of control, My
Liver enzyems were over 1000 and going higher,my Ac1 was over 7,
I have sleep apnea. I felt awful all the time. I weighed 266 at my first
appointment with my surgeon in May. I started my pre op diet the
last week of May thru July 29,13. On the day of surgery I weighed
242. I had no problems with my surgery was never hungey ,I could
drink with no problem but had to force my self to eat. Still 6 mos I still
Ahave to remind myself to eat I don't really get hungery any more. There
are some foids I can't eat they make me sick and come back up they g
are high fat ground meat, pork chops, steak, scrammbled eggs, I
can eat boild eggs, fried eggs in pam butter flavor. Bacon, ham

shadylady_57

Hi! Kelly
I had my sleeve done 7/29/13 incuding pre op weight until now I have lost a total of
95 lbs. 88lbs until goal weight. I don.'t regret having my surgery whish I hadn't waited so
long. It's not a sure thing because we have to work at eating the right things, it's mmore of a tool
that keeps us from over eating, we can't graze , we need 3 meals with snaks in between meals, and drinking plenty
of liquids. Between meals and get plenty of protein in. Good Luck

jules6157

scheduled January 20th, nervous had probllems with insurance, so been working on since oct down 26 pounds since actual dr visit.
heaviest I was 350 last summer 5'6" , I work on my feet 12 hours rotating shift in a factory, in my mind thought I had to eat to have energy. Finding out feel better on protein shakes have tried doing different things to the shakes so they make me want to drink them.
I been wondering do you have a lot of pain after surgery if everything goes good?
How long did most of you stay in hospital?

Tudanyane

I had my sleeve done on December 11, 2012. So it's been over a year now. I started at 260 and now weight 200. I been at this plateau since April 2013 and haven't been able loose. My doctor says I'm not eating enought calories to get my matabolism in the burning mode. I'm eating as much as I can usually 1000 calories to 1200 calories a day. He told me I need to be at 1300 to 1500 calories a day. I'm also walking which takes away from my calories so that's not helping me either. I'm taking in 100-130 grams of protein a day. I wish someone could help me find the right solution to this so I can start loosing again. I'm getting really frustrated.
Tudanyane

LibertyBelle_75

Hi, fellow sleevers! I had my VSG on 8/28/12 and I am thoroughly convinced that it saved my life...physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We are all a work in progress. If you're like me and struggle with emotional eating and other addict-like behaviors, I strongly encourage you to check out "The Beck Diet Solution." It is not a diet at all but instead uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to address sabotaging thoughts/actions and how it is necessary for us to adjust our responses to such negative influences in order to achieve permanent weight loss. Grace and peace to each of you as you continue your life-altering journey.

Charshine

I just found out my insurance will cover gastric sleeve @ 90%. I have been wanting the surgery for a while now, 2 friends have had it, both with success but 1 with more complications. Both say they would do it again completely and say it will help change my life, as a tool.. but not a fix! I still have to continue my journey to healthy eathing and exercise has to be a par of my daily life, even if I have GS. I am 300lbs and I have been overweight my whole life. I know my issue is with food. I have gained and lost almost 100lbs 2x in my life. I'm tired of the roller coaster..

My questions to those who have done it:

Do you regret it?

Would you recommend it?

What is the worst part?

What is the best part?

Charshine

Thank you for being honest. It's very hard to decide to have this surgery, responses like yours are why I may not. I just don't know. I'm going to continue to research more.

claudiafuselier

I had mine done in October 2013. Right now I regret it. I had complications from the surgery. Had 3 hospital stays and resulted in pneumonia, and then had a thoracotomy done before Christmas. Finally feeling better but not 100 % yet. I feel like I obsess more over food now than before. It's what will I eat? Am I getting enough protein? It's constant. I do not recomend it, right now. I hope I will get there before long. Worst part was days after surgery. Very nauseated, vomited a lot. Couldn't sleep, very uncomfortable. The best part is that I've now lost 61 pounds, but it has been at a great cost to my health. I know other people that have had it done and have not had any of these problems. Good luck.

dennisllake

I've been sleeved since 09/04/2013. The only regret I have is that I waited so long to have the procedure done. I'm down nearly 110 pounds. I'm happier, I'm healthier and I feel great. It's not a cure, but it's a tool. It's a very strong tool. The results I've seen have me more motivated than I ever imagined I could be. I don't want to eat the foods that got me here. I don't want to spend my nights on the couch with the TV and carton of ice cream. I want to get out, I want to be active. I want to be with my friends. I want to find new friends. I want to be the person that I know I am supposed to be. I want to be the life of the party!
The changes are not just in my personal life, but also being reflected in my professional life. I'm more confident in myself and my abilities. I'm more comfortable around people.
Good luck to all of you that are planning to get sleeved. If I can do it, and get these results, so can you!!! I'm 100% behind you and will be pulling for you and your success.

laurelcampbell73

PLEASE JOIN MY SUPPORT GROUP ON FACEBOOK

"GASTRIC SLEEVERS-NO JUDGEMENT ZONE"


We are a very active and supportive group for Pre and Post OP patients!

bostonmd

I was sleeved on 5/8/13 and have lost 70 lbs since. I would not have been able to do it by myself. The sleeve has been a good tool, but I realize I can't rely on just that. I have to exercise and I can't eat crap food. I can eat just about anything I want, just in really small quantities. You have to take vitamins for the rest of your life and I now realize how big of a commitment that is since I forget all the time. The worse part so far has been losing hair. I lost a lot of hair in the past couple of months and I didn't realize it was going to be so much. My Dr. assures me it will stop and get better, so I hope he is right. I am definitely happier now about myself than I was before.