24 Year-Old SAHM Gettin' Sleeved!

Hi, there! My name is Desiree and I'm a stay-at-home momma to a sweet little 3-year old girl, and I'm here to track my calories as I prepare for a Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy! I've got about 160 lbs to lose, and this is my year to do it! (Well, START it!)

I'd love to connect with some other people that are also getting sleeved or have had the surgery, or anyone else that has a lot to lose or has lost it already!

Anyone have any success stories to keep help keep my nerves at bay?

Replies

  • bikrchk
    bikrchk Posts: 516 Member
    Well, a year ago I was on 10 different prescriptions for blood pressure, cholesterol, anxiety and asthma. I was pre-diabetic and had zero social life as I didn't have the confidence to even consider dating since my divorce 4 years ago. Today, I am in my goal range, (I may let a few more vanity pounds go while it's still relatively easy), I'm off all the meds with normal stats, exercise daily and have a very active social life. I've literally transformed from introvert to extrovert. I'm sure she was always in there, just smothered by the fat girl, lol. I SO wish that this procedure was around when I was 24! You'll have your health the rest of your life and be able to keep up with those little ones!

    Procedure wise, mine was better than textbook. My surgeon is a rockstar! In the hospital 24 hours back to work the next week, never took narcotics, (they tend to make things worse for some and I'm one of them). Zero complications other than having to re-learn how to balance my motorcycle with 90 pounds less of me!
  • Mom2Cubs
    Mom2Cubs Posts: 60 Member
    I was sleeved on 8/18/14 and have lost 26 lbs so far. Zero complications from surgery. Still trying to relearn eating. (Hint, you will soon be eating smaller portions than your 3 year old!) I have recommended the surgery to others. It is truely a life style change, but well worth it.
  • ew_david
    ew_david Posts: 3,473 Member
    I thought this was about tattoos
  • Chain_Ring
    Chain_Ring Posts: 753 Member
    Also thought this was about tattoos.
  • I thought this was about tattoos

    Me too lol
  • auddii
    auddii Posts: 15,357 Member
    No direct experience, but my mom had a different weight loss surgery. Be sure you use it as a tool and change your life style including adding in exercise once your doctor says it's okay for you to start and make sure you stick with the suggested diet plans. My mom lost a ton of weight, but she still hated how she looked afterwards. However, she was low on a lot of vitamins because she didn't focus on nutrient dense food, and she lost a lot of muscle mass because she refuses to do weight bearing exercises (water aerobics only, and then only occasionally). She'd eat too much and too fast and just never got used to what she was supposed to eat.

    You need to pick up the good habits along the journey and keep at them once you're at goal. My mom just had a revision to her surgery and has again stalled because she's not following the plan. Learn from her mistakes; it's not a fix, it's a little help for you to develop your own habits to create a healthier you.

    Good luck!
  • Calliope610
    Calliope610 Posts: 3,783 Member
    I guess I'm of a completely different mind set. This is the second post in 2 weeks about getting sleeved and I still think tattoos.
  • emily889
    emily889 Posts: 296 Member
    I thought this was about tattoos

    Ditto
  • gypsy_spirit
    gypsy_spirit Posts: 2,107 Member
    I guess I'm of a completely different mind set. This is the second post in 2 weeks about getting sleeved and I still think tattoos.

    You are not alone, my friend.
  • I thought this was about tattoos

    likewise
  • odusgolp
    odusgolp Posts: 10,477 Member
    Totally thought this was tattoo related as well.


    As far as the real topic, I have no input OP. Best of luck.
  • Mangopickle
    Mangopickle Posts: 1,509 Member
    Hi, there! My name is Desiree and I'm a stay-at-home momma to a sweet little 3-year old girl, and I'm here to track my calories as I prepare for a Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy! I've got about 160 lbs to lose, and this is my year to do it! (Well, START it!)

    I'd love to connect with some other people that are also getting sleeved or have had the surgery, or anyone else that has a lot to lose or has lost it already!

    Anyone have any success stories to keep help keep my nerves at bay?
    Join the VSG'ers and sleevers group on MFP. you will get helpful info. Success, like all wt loss, is entirely up to you. VSG has a 50% long term success rate. 50% of pts change their relationship with food, 50% do not. The surgery will only give you 20-30lbs of automatic wt loss, after that you will work for every lb and you will manage your intake forever or you will regain. Good Luck
  • Cliffslosinit
    Cliffslosinit Posts: 5,044 Member
    <----disappointed
  • dMonster01
    dMonster01 Posts: 214 Member
    I thought this was about tattoos
  • Hi, there! My name is Desiree and I'm a stay-at-home momma to a sweet little 3-year old girl, and I'm here to track my calories as I prepare for a Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy! I've got about 160 lbs to lose, and this is my year to do it! (Well, START it!)

    I'd love to connect with some other people that are also getting sleeved or have had the surgery, or anyone else that has a lot to lose or has lost it already!

    Anyone have any success stories to keep help keep my nerves at bay?
    Join the VSG'ers and sleevers group on MFP. you will get helpful info. Success, like all wt loss, is entirely up to you. VSG has a 50% long term success rate. 50% of pts change their relationship with food, 50% do not. The surgery will only give you 20-30lbs of automatic wt loss, after that you will work for every lb and you will manage your intake forever or you will regain. Good Luck

    ^^ this. I had Gastro Bypass full open at age 36 had spent over 15 years battling my weight. You MUST change your lifestyle and your way of thinking. I lost all my weight in 8 months 130lbs, Dr. said text book! I am almost 4 years post op, if i do not stick to exercise and using the skills I learned, I gain. When I gain, I get back to the basics I learned with my Gastro. There is no magic in operations no matter which version; there is only you and a new tool to help you get started. This is also drastic. When I stumble off my path, I gain, and I have number of issues (tired, hair loss, weak, upset gastro track), the list goes on. DO WHAT you are supposed to do, or this will NOT be better for you, in long run you could be worse health wise, just a skinny chic with lots of medical issues. Take advice from your "elders" on this one, we are post op out further than you will be and have learned our lessons.

    TATTOO wise, it always about the tattoos.....
  • Lol; When you said "Sleeved " I thought you were getting tattoos on your arms. Now it all makes sense.
    John:laugh:
  • KEVERDVM
    KEVERDVM Posts: 24 Member
    I have went to see about getting the sleeve, but not sure that my insurance will cover it and I am going to have to try to come up with $27,00 anybody have any ideas?
  • markja
    markja Posts: 270 Member
    I'm a middle-aged, white man and I know that this post, this opinion, will sound harsh. It may well be that you have a medical condition whereby you cannot lose weight unless drastic surgical means are taken. However, from what I read of your profile, that does not apply therefore, I cannot support your choice.

    According to medical evidence, you'll drop about 30 lbs after your $30K operation. Yup, that's $1000 per lb. After that you'll fight for every ounce, just like everyone else on this site. Now, what about the remaining 130 lbs? Do you seriously believe this is the ONLY WAY that you can drop you weight. I, for one am calling BS.

    According to your profile, you've already dropped 20 lbs and, you're a young woman. Should you really make a permanent, life-altering decision right now? After all, you've proven that you can lose weight.

    There are thousands of people on MFP, men and women, who have lost well over 100 lbs without surgery. Three of them are in my little circle. I've dropped 40 and you've already dropped 20. You've already proven that you can lose weight. It is just going to take a couple of years and you're going to need some friends along the way. Think of it this way, your daughter's a preschooler now. By the time she starts First Grade, you can be a size 5 (or so), without surgery, if you want to. You can look hot in a bathing suit by the time your daughter starts school, if you want to.

    You're an adult and you can make your own decisions but, since you've thrown it out there and asked for opinions, I must ask, "Is this really your only option?"

    I went down the same road and decided that I would try once again before opting for surgery. I firmly believe that this time next year, I'll be down to about 200 lbs from my current 295. Now, I may only make it 70% of the way there in a year, nonetheless, the weight loss and life will be the result of effort on my part,

    If you have no other choice and if your doctor says you have no other choice and, if another doctor says that you have no other choice, proceed. However, if that does not apply, see where you are in 6 months before you make the decision.
  • deluxmary2000
    deluxmary2000 Posts: 981 Member
    Good luck!! Maybe after your surgery, you could also go and get a sleeve tattoo... just to make those of us who were expecting something else happy. lol.
  • seltzermint555
    seltzermint555 Posts: 10,740 Member
    I thought this was about tattoos

    Me too lol

    +1 more...every single time I check, because no matter how many times I see these threads pop up, I never think it's going to be about surgery, I think tattoos EVERY time...lol
  • SonicDeathMonkey80
    SonicDeathMonkey80 Posts: 4,489 Member
    I'd save the money and just get tatted up instead
  • harmar21
    harmar21 Posts: 215 Member
    I'm a middle-aged, white man and I know that this post, this opinion, will sound harsh. It may well be that you have a medical condition whereby you cannot lose weight unless drastic surgical means are taken. However, from what I read of your profile, that does not apply therefore, I cannot support your choice.

    According to medical evidence, you'll drop about 30 lbs after your $30K operation. Yup, that's $1000 per lb. After that you'll fight for every ounce, just like everyone else on this site. Now, what about the remaining 130 lbs? Do you seriously believe this is the ONLY WAY that you can drop you weight. I, for one am calling BS.

    According to your profile, you've already dropped 20 lbs and, you're a young woman. Should you really make a permanent, life-altering decision right now? After all, you've proven that you can lose weight.

    There are thousands of people on MFP, men and women, who have lost well over 100 lbs without surgery. Three of them are in my little circle. I've dropped 40 and you've already dropped 20. You've already proven that you can lose weight. It is just going to take a couple of years and you're going to need some friends along the way. Think of it this way, your daughter's a preschooler now. By the time she starts First Grade, you can be a size 5 (or so), without surgery, if you want to. You can look hot in a bathing suit by the time your daughter starts school, if you want to.

    You're an adult and you can make your own decisions but, since you've thrown it out there and asked for opinions, I must ask, "Is this really your only option?"

    I went down the same road and decided that I would try once again before opting for surgery. I firmly believe that this time next year, I'll be down to about 200 lbs from my current 295. Now, I may only make it 70% of the way there in a year, nonetheless, the weight loss and life will be the result of effort on my part,

    If you have no other choice and if your doctor says you have no other choice and, if another doctor says that you have no other choice, proceed. However, if that does not apply, see where you are in 6 months before you make the decision.

    This is some good advie. Trust me I was at 350, i tried exercising before and never losing weight, thinking surgery would probably be my only option because for some reason I can't lose weight.
    However when I started dieting again 2 weeks ago, this time I did A LOT of research. At the start eating habits is 90%+ of the problem/solution. Even though I was exercising I was eating like a pig. So this time I am eating properly and the weight is coming off at a fairly quick pace at the start. I just started so I know it will slow down and hit plateaus, but I am fine with that. I am proud that I am doing it on my own.
    Also consider to start eating properly now, soi that if you do go to surgery, you will already know how to eat properly, not struggling afterwards... and if you start eating properly now well maybe that is all it will take. Unless like the guy I am quoting is true, where it really is a medical condition that you can't lose weight.
  • meltedsno
    meltedsno Posts: 208 Member
    it's great to want to hear the success stories, but I suggest you also look at the "unsuccessful" stories as well. I personally know of 3 people who have had weight loss surgeries... all of whom have suffered irreparable consequences that are not necessarily something out of the ordinary or a fluke.

    Please make sure you are doing all the research... do not focus on the so-called success stories, although they are nice to hear. Make sure to put some of that focus on the not-so-successful stories as well. You need to hear some of the horror stories also before you make a life changing decision that will undoubtedly affect you and your children for the rest of your lives.
  • JustinAnimal
    JustinAnimal Posts: 1,335 Member
    Get the dragon wrapped around the dagger piercing the heart that says "MOM" on it!

    Oh, wait... not about tattoos?

    Well, after you get sleeved, you should consider getting "sleeved." The kiddos might like it.
  • Welcome and good luck on your journey.:smile:
  • MscGray
    MscGray Posts: 304 Member
    I'm a middle-aged, white man and I know that this post, this opinion, will sound harsh. It may well be that you have a medical condition whereby you cannot lose weight unless drastic surgical means are taken. However, from what I read of your profile, that does not apply therefore, I cannot support your choice.

    According to medical evidence, you'll drop about 30 lbs after your $30K operation. Yup, that's $1000 per lb. After that you'll fight for every ounce, just like everyone else on this site. Now, what about the remaining 130 lbs? Do you seriously believe this is the ONLY WAY that you can drop you weight. I, for one am calling BS.

    According to your profile, you've already dropped 20 lbs and, you're a young woman. Should you really make a permanent, life-altering decision right now? After all, you've proven that you can lose weight.

    There are thousands of people on MFP, men and women, who have lost well over 100 lbs without surgery. Three of them are in my little circle. I've dropped 40 and you've already dropped 20. You've already proven that you can lose weight. It is just going to take a couple of years and you're going to need some friends along the way. Think of it this way, your daughter's a preschooler now. By the time she starts First Grade, you can be a size 5 (or so), without surgery, if you want to. You can look hot in a bathing suit by the time your daughter starts school, if you want to.

    You're an adult and you can make your own decisions but, since you've thrown it out there and asked for opinions, I must ask, "Is this really your only option?"

    I went down the same road and decided that I would try once again before opting for surgery. I firmly believe that this time next year, I'll be down to about 200 lbs from my current 295. Now, I may only make it 70% of the way there in a year, nonetheless, the weight loss and life will be the result of effort on my part,

    If you have no other choice and if your doctor says you have no other choice and, if another doctor says that you have no other choice, proceed. However, if that does not apply, see where you are in 6 months before you make the decision.

    This
    I hope that you have explored other options before taking this route. Any surgery comes with risks, and if you don't learn proper eating you will fail. The great thing about MFP is that most of the community will accept you and your flaws, and they will help lift you back up ater a bad day, they will dust off your tail feathers and tell you to get back to work. I have learned healthier eating habits just simply by tinkering around with my diary, and punching in something I was really craving and having number spit back that was about 50 % of my daily allowance (it put the breaks on that craving...at least for that day). I think you owe it to yourself to give MFP 6 months or so, and dedicate some HARD work to it. I think once you start seeing the results, realize that you can do it with out masssively limiting intake w/ some gnarly side effects (from what I understand), that you wont regret your decision! Good Luck in what ever you choose, I hope you see your goals attained!!
  • I lost forty pounds before my gastric sleeve, but it was only the carrot of the surgery that got me to loose so much. I wanted to convince my health coverage that I was a good candidate, and once I did I kept loosing because I wanted the best odds possible for getting through the surgery. I did not like all the education and support groups my healthcare provider made me go through before the surgery but it did mentally prepare me to make a lifestyle change. I lost 140 pounds after surgery, for a total 180 pound loss. It was easy! "It's just a tool" but it is a fantastic tool! Keeping it off? Well, it was super easy at first but I'm four years out and I've started choosing calorie rich foods and snacking frequently on candy. I am back on myfitnesspal because when I force myself to track my calories I automatically pay more attention, eat less calories and loose weight.

    Good luck!
  • Hello. First of all I'd like to ask why you would bother writing all of this when I did not ask for negative responses. I have researched this option and weighed it carefully for two years, now. I have taken classes, met with nearly a dozen doctors, attended many support groups and have concluded (with the validation of ALL of my physicians) that this is the best choice for me. I HAVE read up on the negative stories and the risks, which is why I would like to hear more positive stories, as well.

    I lost the first 20 lbs on my own, yes, but that is mostly water. You reading that I lost 20 lbs, out the the 160-170 I need to lose, does not give you a reason to "not support [my] choice". It is my choice, that does not require the approval of an ignorant stranger.

    You have no idea what my life is like. I am only 24 years old, and I went from being a swimmer and volleyball player that loved to go four-wheeling every day, to a woman that falls out of bed because my joints do not stay connected anymore. I pick up a pillow and dislocate my wrist. I sit on the floor to play with my toddler, and I can't get back up because my hips dislocate. I am in a wheelchair, permanently, and my entire family has had to rearrange their lives to help me. My weigh has no caused this, but it does make my joints deteriorate that much faster. So seeing as I cannot exercise, other than physical therapy, losing over 150 lbs as fast as possible is hard to do without extreme measures.

    With my medical problems my insurance covers this procedure 100%, because it is MEDICALLY NECESSARY. Therefore that 1k per pound nonsense is just that: nonsense.

    I am not doing this to "look hot" or be any particular size. I am doing this because the longer the weight is on my joints, the faster I am going to need MORE surgeries on my joints and the less I can do with my daughter.

    If you are here to stir the pot, congratulations. You've made a young crippled mother upset. I hope that entertains you for the evening.
  • meltedsno
    meltedsno Posts: 208 Member
    In all honesty, you never stated in your opening statement that you have devastating medical issues that have confined you to a wheelchair. Should you have? don't know... but really, what we read is that you are a 24 year old who managed to lose some pre surgery weight ... period. Coming from a 59 year old who has spent that first 58 years of her life twice her normal size and finally finding the determination and will to lose it on my own, I was a little offended by someone who was opting for surgery when I know there are other ways. I also have family members who have suffered devastating results from this sort of surgery so it is not all that difficult to see or understand the adversity you received about your potential surgery.

    Granted, you asked for the success stories only, but you need to understand that there are many of us who have either had WLS or know people who did... and didn't want to see a young mother put herself through a risky surgery if it really wasn't necessary. I would strongly suggest that next time you are looking for some advice on such a controversial subject, that you provide a little bit about your background so we have a better understanding about why you are looking at this. I don't think anyone meant to insult you or make you feel bad by responding in a manner that you did not appreciate... but you have to understand that we were not given any specifics to go on. I hope the best for you... what ever that is... and fwiw... I am still not in favor of WLS, but if this is what you have decided on, I hope all goes well and your child has her mother around for a long long time.