I have considered it, I had my sleeve surgery almost 2 years ago and am thinking it needs to be smaller, or something. I have lost 70 pounds with 55 more to go and haven't lost a thing in over 6 months which is why I started mfp. I also need to go back to eating low carb.

I have heard of a few people being re-sleeved or having it trimmed. The rose procedure is supposed to be for gastric bypass patients and it's NOT very good. Most of them experience a small weight loss and it usually comes back on pretty fast. The people I've heard of being re-sleeved typically had gotten super huge sleeves back when sleeves first started. A few other ones got botched sleeves, like their surgeons didn't do it properly and they got really big sleeves or had an hourglass shaped sleeve instead of a banana sleeve. So they got re-sleeved. Re-sleeving if you already have a small sleeve is pretty dangerous because the risk of leaks is higher the second time around. However, if you can find an experienced surgeon, you can get a re-sleeve. I know several of them went to Mexico to get re-sleeved. Some of the surgeons down there are really experienced, depends on who you get.

What a wonderful post! Thank you.

Good discussion! I too find that I can eat more and more and wish I still had the restricition I did at 3 months out. I had stopped losing but had also stopped tracking and exercising. Now that I am tracking it is coming off again.

Hi, I am new to MFP and strongly considering VSG. I have a few questions for anyone who is willing to answer:
What is DS?
How did you choose sleeve over lap band?
When your weight loss slowed down post-sleeve, was it like trying to lose weight before your surgery? Or more difficult than that?
Is "6 months of extremely fast weight loss" typical? For some reason I thought it was a year.
Any advice is welcome!

My key notes.. just as an FYI to better understand my POV and questions/concerns:
- I never lost my hunger sensation>>> LOL!! I wish! I really do wish. Granted, I was in so much pain that I didn't want to eat, but never lost it. My tummy growled and gurgled a lot!
- Capacity? Stretching? Each Dr uses a sizing tool to make your Sleeve, and these tools vary in size. Some DR's use smaller sizing tools around 30 gauge while other uses up to a 40 gauge. This is why some people have a much smaller capacity - even a year or two later. I can most definitely eat more than I could at 6 months out. It has nothing to do with grazing or munching. A single sitting and I can eat a foot long Subway sandwich. This is where knowing how to control yourself comes into play. (Or when people say "the sleeve is a tool", this is when you really need to focus on that.)
- Discipline: I was a Soldier. I know what I should be doing. Doesn't make me a bad person for falling back into old habits. And I definitely do not see myself any less successful. I am pretty darn proud of myself. Here I am 2 years later, still actively researching my VSG, documenting my experience and talking to others (which helps me, as well). I am fully aware that I will always have to monitor myself, my actions and eating habits.
- Acceptance: I accept that some of you are better, more determined, stricter, etc but I mean no harm by posting my qualms, downfalls, worries/concerns etc. I use MFP as my sounding board to learn, to document and keep pushing forward. So if you are a newbie, please do not be discouraged when you read about certain post op topics. And if you are a Sleeve Veteran that looks down on those falling behind, just remember that some of us are just a little slow on the uptake. LOL.

Everyone has a very different journey... some of us just take longer to perfect it!

:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:

This was a great subject to post! Everyone's journey is going to be unique to them, but your point of continuing to ask questions and explore different ways of doing things 2 years out is excellent! I too am 2 years out, still have about 80 pounds to go, have had sporadic results for the last 9-10 months and am, like you, looking at all the options, all the different ways to do this, etc. If we don't keep asking questions, talking about works or doesn't, we are going to stagnate, probably regain and most definately miss out on some great advice and knowledge.

But most importantly, I want to thank you for your service to our country! God bless you soldier!

I've wondered if they used a 1200 cal lo-carb diet for pre-op deliberately. Because it's healthy? To kick addictive carbs? Both/More?

My NUT said no more bread 4me cuz it's a trigger for me (v.true). Lo-carb is "on the wagon" and slip ups are hard to recover from. Easier to go cold turkey (my inner self is saying, "ohhh, none at all?) Need to say "No" sometime and it's easier now than later.

Are the WLS programs helping to both 1) get the initial weight off and 2) teach how to keep it off?
By making us feel good when we start losing?
By losing enough so we can exercise?
By avoiding carbs for those addicted to them?
By eating a lot of protein to satiate us and give us energy?
By valuing our investment: "not wanting to lose what we worked so hard to earn"?
By introducing u to food tracking & community support and advice like on MFP?

I haven't lost hunger either (VSG 06/13) and have even found myself tempted already (bread of course). Am very afraid of gaining it back*. Am trying so hard to learn how to most easily avoid that. Know there will be ups & downs and appreciate all the shared experiences from you who have blazed this trail. Thank you so much.

(*Am also afraid of not losing in the first place / slow loss & stalls despite staying on track & exercising.)

My key notes.. just as an FYI to better understand my POV and questions/concerns:
- I never lost my hunger sensation>>> LOL!! I wish! I really do wish. Granted, I was in so much pain that I didn't want to eat, but never lost it. My tummy growled and gurgled a lot!
- Capacity? Stretching? Each Dr uses a sizing tool to make your Sleeve, and these tools vary in size. Some DR's use smaller sizing tools around 30 gauge while other uses up to a 40 gauge. This is why some people have a much smaller capacity - even a year or two later. I can most definitely eat more than I could at 6 months out. It has nothing to do with grazing or munching. A single sitting and I can eat a foot long Subway sandwich. This is where knowing how to control yourself comes into play. (Or when people say "the sleeve is a tool", this is when you really need to focus on that.)
- Discipline: I was a Soldier. I know what I should be doing. Doesn't make me a bad person for falling back into old habits. And I definitely do not see myself any less successful. I am pretty darn proud of myself. Here I am 2 years later, still actively researching my VSG, documenting my experience and talking to others (which helps me, as well). I am fully aware that I will always have to monitor myself, my actions and eating habits.
- Acceptance: I accept that some of you are better, more determined, stricter, etc but I mean no harm by posting my qualms, downfalls, worries/concerns etc. I use MFP as my sounding board to learn, to document and keep pushing forward. So if you are a newbie, please do not be discouraged when you read about certain post op topics. And if you are a Sleeve Veteran that looks down on those falling behind, just remember that some of us are just a little slow on the uptake. LOL.

Everyone has a very different journey... some of us just take longer to perfect it!

:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:

I have to say, I would probably be in big trouble if I could sit and eat an entire footlong subway sub in ONE sitting. I would be having a hard time. I'm not going to lie at all. I am 18 months post op and I can only eat ONE HALF OF A SIX INCH SUBWAY sandwich when I'm having a "hungry day" and on less hungry days I can only eat 1/3 of a 6 inch subway sub and this is with taking the top part of the bread off. I never eat both the top and bottom bread at the same time because for me it's just too much bread/carbs. I eat Subway once a month because my family likes to go there about that often. That is the capacity I can eat at 18 months post op. This is the same capacity I've had since somewhere around the 6-7 months post op. I am not sure how well I'd be doing with a much larger capacity. I follow all the rules still and I guess that would help if I had a big sleeve capacity. I eat protein first, followed by veggies or complex carbs. I rarely eat simple carbs. I think that would help me out if I had a big sleeve. So I can understand why you are worried about your sleeve size. But you've done VERY well. I mean, you look great in your photo. Obviously you have changed to a healthy lifestyle.

Want to add that even with my small sleeve I CAN eat a lot of crackers or chips. I've eaten some Wheat Thins a few times and I could eat a LOT of them. I had to throw them out. I can also eat a lot of chips and salsa at a restaurant. I learned that one night out and quickly figured out I'd better just order a salad with some protein or an all protein appetizer ahead of any meal I get because I am tempted by chips and salsa! So even with a small sleeve I could be gaining weight back if I were eating a lot of sliders. Those sliders can be the weight gain of any sleever no matter how big or small. I did have a small size sleeve. My surgeon used a 32F sleeve and goes tightly against the bougie. I honestly DID want a small sleeve. I figured if I were going for it I might as well get the smallest I could safely get. Not complaining one bit. No complications so I'm happy with it.

EDITED TO ADD I NEVER LOST MY HUNGER COMPLETELY EVEN WITH MY SMALL SLEEVE! I just wanted you to know you are NOT alone in that. My hunger is MUCH LESS than pre-op, but I definitely still have physical hunger. Some people lose it and they are lucky. However, even those who lose their physical hunger struggle with "head hunger" or wanting to snack out of depression or boredom or what have you. I know a lady who swears at 4 years post op she has ZERO physical hunger but she still snacks and has head hunger issues where she sees something and just wants some for the hell of it.

Hi, I am new to MFP and strongly considering VSG. I have a few questions for anyone who is willing to answer:
What is DS?
How did you choose sleeve over lap band?
When your weight loss slowed down post-sleeve, was it like trying to lose weight before your surgery? Or more difficult than that?
Is "6 months of extremely fast weight loss" typical? For some reason I thought it was a year.
Any advice is welcome!

1. I believe DS is short for duodenal switch, another type of weight loss surgery.
2. I chose the sleeve over the band based on surgeon recommendation (for the amount I needed to lose = 170 pounds), because I did not want to deal with the port and infection risk, and because I know people who had it and went to the sleeve or bypass for lack of success.
3. Everyone is looses differently, I have lost more than some and less then others. My doc told me 6 months is the magic number because the hunger returns at that point. Post op attitude and diet are MAJOR factors in loss too. We need to remember the sleeve is not a magic answer. We need to change what, how and why we eat to achieve long term success. Eating the way we did before surgery only in smaller portions will not likely return big results or sustained loss.

Good luck!