Nervous of gastric sleeve

crystalroselynn · March 2019

So I’m getting the gastric sleeve surgery on Tuesday and I’m getting nervous. The positives outweigh the negatives by far. But i can’t stop thinking that I’m not gonna be able to eat the food that I use to.
Advice?

RitaRose91 · March 2019

oh my gosh, im currently going through the program with kaiser, and im on the fence for the same reasons!

sorry I can't be of much use in advice though

Ani2bfit · March 2019

Do u absolutely need to do that? If you can’t eat certain food after the surgery can u try not eating those food starting now and see if there will be a difference? I don’t know your situation but I would try any other methods than being under the knife. There was a post about a lady who backed out of surgery and did the weight loss on her own.
I don’t know how to paste link here but u will see her post with the title below-
‘I backed out of surgery, and have lost nearly 140 lbs. so far!’
Good luck for your success either way you choose

neugebauer52 · March 2019

Even with a sleeve you will have to learn portion control, healthy eating and a healthier life style. No operation is 100 % safe and there are financial implications. Stomachs can stretch and people on MFP have reported that after some time they have ended up with the original weight and more. As long as an outside influence is made responsible for one's own weight loss, things can go wrong. We need to be responsible and in charge of our own body and do the best for it. I have started with MFP some 350 days ago - starting weight 170 kg, 375 pounds. So far I have lost slowly and steadily just over 30 kg - 67 pounds. I have got a long way to go but with MFP and the great support of so many members I will continue.

crb426 · March 2019

I'm not sure I understand what you mean by "I can't stop thinking that I'm not going to be able to eat the food that I used to".

Isn't that the point of the sleeve? Losing weight will mean that you must lower your intake of calories, either through lower calorie food choices or smaller portion sizes, or even better: both. You should be getting the sleeve as a way to help you control your cravings and desire for large amounts of food while focusing on your diet. Meaning that your calorie control should be on you, not the sleeve. The sleeve is there to help, but shouldn't be doing all the work.

If you aren't already focused on calorie counting and adjusting your diet for weight loss, then maybe you should hold off on the sleeve until you try a diet adjustment on your own first.

jean133mjg · March 2019

I had it in 2014. The sleeve didn't prevent me from eating what I wanted. It helped me control the amount of food I could eat in order to lose the weight. It's a tool not an answer. It still takes watching what, how much and how often you eat. I'm glad I had it. I dieted forever (at least it seems that way), and always seemed to be hungry. The sleeve gave me the ability to feel full on a lot less in order to lose the weight. I was diabetic, had high blood pressure, high cholestrol and sleep apnea. I just went for my blood test results and everything is still in the normal range. You do what you need to do for you. I wish you all the best.

Fflpnari · March 2019

I had the sleeve in 2013. Its a tool, not a magic fix. I think of it the same way I do of my Fitbit. It only counts the work that I actually do. Feel free to PM me with any questions, Im happy to help

IremiaRe · March 2019

Well, the whole point of having surgery is to make sure that you can't eat the way you did before... If that doesn't work for you - you might want to reconsider. I did the lap band back in 2006 and it was truly one of the best decisions of my life - but, that was me.

I have to eat more slowly - of course - and I eat a lot less - but, I don't feel like I can't eat some of whatever I want. The only thing I had to actually give up was carbonated drinks... I was a diet pepsi fiend... and that is no longer possible... Also, Champagne, beer - anything bubbly causes excruciating pain - but that might not be true for you.

I don't know all the deets on the sleeve - but, I suspect it's somewhat similar.

Think hard - because undoing these things is very difficult. And yes, it is NOT a magic fix... you have to do the work - hence the fact that I am still working these many years later, to lose the last 50 lbs. Of course, I have lost a total of 182 pounds, so far.

Good Luck!

adotbaby · March 2019

Surgery is a big step. In my opinion, unless you have other serious medical conditions, that you are better off trying to lose weight on your own. I know two people who had WLS and have had serious health issues like brittle bones and ulcers. The sleeve is less risky than bypass, though. Whatever you and your doctor decide, I hope you are successful.

quitefranckly · March 2019

I had the surgery 5 months ago and consider it the best thing I have done for myself. It is most certainly not a fix by itself. It is one of numerous strategies (“tools”) you will use for the rest of your life to be healthy. What it has done for me is 1) kick-start a great amount of weight loss (82 lbs so far!), 2) help with portion control which was always the biggest contributor to being unable to maintain past weight loss, and 3) had me make a big enough investment in myself after which I will never revert back to my old behaviors and lifestyle that inevitably contributed to regain... You can still eat most things but your stomach and body prefer higher protein and low carb after the GS. I work out regularly now and continually push myself further to try new things physically that I previously felt uncomfortable doing. As I said the best way to put it is the best “jump start” I could have gotten to change this aspect of my life.. The rewards and what you gain in feeling better about yourself far outweigh the cost of not eating a few foods — which are probably the ones that made you overweight and unhealthy in the first place. Don’t be afraid of this. It is life-changing in very good ways. Feel free to message me if you want more info. Best wishes to you as you begin this very exciting journey!!

christophergrant1 · March 2019

Keep_on_cardio · March 2019

crb426 wrote: »

I'm not sure I understand what you mean by "I can't stop thinking that I'm not going to be able to eat the food that I used to".

Isn't that the point of the sleeve? Losing weight will mean that you must lower your intake of calories, either through lower calorie food choices or smaller portion sizes, or even better: both. You should be getting the sleeve as a way to help you control your cravings and desire for large amounts of food while focusing on your diet. Meaning that your calorie control should be on you, not the sleeve. The sleeve is there to help, but shouldn't be doing all the work.

If you aren't already focused on calorie counting and adjusting your diet for weight loss, then maybe you should hold off on the sleeve until you try a diet adjustment on your own first.

I agree with this. I’d be more concerned of falling back into old habits, with thoughts like this.

kangle97 · March 2019

I had gastric bypass Dec 2014. Definitely a tool, not a cure all. I would say 99.5% of it is mental as once you go through the WLS, there is a chemical change between the stomach and the brain. It definitely works and there were years where I had to remind myself to eat at times! I did it to save my life because of HBP and my diabetes could no longer be controlled, even if I starved myself...it worked. However, I am going on 5 year post-op and the weight is starting to creep up (I have gained about 35 pounds from my lowest). My sugar levels are creeping up as well....as I find it very hard to do the protein thing. Protein shakes practically gag me now and I no longer enjoy eating which I now turn to the unhealthy things...again...a total mental thing! You must be mentally ready before you go into the WLS. If your not, take the time to get ready. It took me 9 months. I made myself lose weight prior and I followed all the right steps. It worked for me, but now I am struggling to get back on track (BOT). I know I can do it, but I will NOT be going about it the surgical way...I'll do it naturally this time.

Nervous of gastric sleeve

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