Gastric Sleeve - Your thoughts and opinions or your very own experience?

No_turning_back · February 2020

reddwarf63 wrote: »

Having a gastric sleeve done is just a lazy way of saying that you cant do it by proper exercise and portion control. Losing weight is easy, just comes down to free will

I'm sorry I have to disagree. Not one ounce of me believes WLS is they easy/lazy way out. There are so many things you have to stay consistent on post op.

I wanted a safe place to ask this question without harsh judgement and I thank you all for being open and non-judgmental.

I was previous taking phentermine and was successful at losing 30lbs but I started to have tons of hair fall out and still today my hair is not long and thick. Its been the same length and is very very thin. I feel if I already had that issue with just taking the phentermine it may be worse after WLS.

My problem isn't emotional eating its that I'm hungry allllll the time even right after eating a meal packed with protein.

I'll definitely research further and again, I truly appreciate all of your comments.

Allgaun · February 2020

My brother has one.

He needed a kick start to losing he was well over 300 lbs, he had tried WW and personal trainer but he just wasn't sticking to a plan. Before getting the band he had to go to a nutritionist and follow a very strict diet.

It's been about 8 years and he has managed to keep the weight off, but it takes a lot of effort. He still follows a strict meal plan, doesn't drink and he exercises regularly. It's not an easy solution, it takes work

psychod787 · February 2020

reddwarf63 wrote: »

Having a gastric sleeve done is just a lazy way of saying that you cant do it by proper exercise and portion control. Losing weight is easy, just comes down to free will

If you think it is the "easy" way, you are just plain nuts. Having your digestive system completely changed is not lazy or easy.....

gothchiq · February 2020

I had a friend who did this. She was fat again 18 months later. If you do it, you must be as committed to eating right and working out as if you did not have the surgery and were doing it without the intervention. If you are unsure about being able to do this, try seeing a nutritionist or a therapist to prevent you from backsliding.

missysippy930 · February 2020

The statistics are that over 80% of people that lose weight, gain it back within 5 years, no matter how the weight is lost. Whether through WLS, or conventional weight loss methods, not involving surgery. Some gain even more. There is no easy way. In order to be successful, there needs to be long term commitment to maintain the loss. Something a very high percentage of us clearly struggle with. Whatever tools you choose to lose weight, it’s only part of the battle. Good on all who reach maintenance, no matter how, and best wishes for long term maintaining the loss.

cheryldumais · February 2020

Weight Loss Surgery is a very big step so I applaud you for taking time to research it thoroughly. I had a lapband installed when that was the most popular method outside of gastric bypass. I had heaps of problems lost less than 20 lbs. I finally had it removed when I could no longer eat any food that had substance. I was living on candy and things that were easy to chew up. In a few years after removal I went on to lose naturally by counting calories and walking.

I don't throw stones at anyone who has Bariatric surgery as I know it's not easy. Someone who has 15 or 20 pounds to lose has a struggle just like anyone else but they are not in the same boat as those of us who had 100 lbs or more to take off. The surgery I believe can give someone the start to getting their lifestyle changed but it is not a magic fix. Everyone told me that before my surgery and I said I knew that but truthfully, I didn't. I was sure it would somehow change me. It didn't.

This is a very personal decision and you need to talk to others who have had surgery perhaps a few years ago to see what the long term success rate is. Anyone right after the surgery will tell you how wonderful it is and how they aren't hungry anymore but that is usually temporary. Had I not managed to lose on my own and if I were trying to decide now I would talk to folks a few years in. You've heard from someone here at MFP who was successful and is maintaining. I would search out others and see if you can do what they are doing. I believe we have a few groups here at MFP for people who have had or are preparing for bariatric surgery.

Good luck.

runnermom419 · February 2020

You couldn't pay me to have WLS.

I know it's extremely anecdotal, but the people in my life that have gone through surgery have all suffered major health issues (related to malnutrition despite doing everything they were told). We're talking iron levels so low to require transfusions.

All have regained a good portion of the weight back. Nope, no way.

fitoverfortymom · February 2020

I was convinced at 5'6" and 256lbs that I would need a surgical solution for weight loss. I was so convinced that I begrudgingly joined MFP to "prove" that I couldn't lose weight.

Welp, I was totally wrong.

I lost 100lbs in a little more than a year and have kept it off for almost 2, simply by tracking (with a food scale) my food and logging in MFP according to my calorie goal.

aliciasmoreno · February 2020

I am now going through the process of medical clearances, counseling, test and what have you needed to have Gastric Sleeve Surgery. Ten year ago I had the Lap Band Surgery, it did not work for me, I can't blame the lap Band, I blame me. I did not follow advice and learned to get around it's restrictions.
I find myself at age 72 , 5' 7", and 295 pounds. My weight gain started perimenopause and bloomed post menopausal. I have tried WW with great success with weight losses os 79, 108, 65, 50 pounds at different times. I also lost 65 recently under a nutritionist care to gain it back.
I can follow a portion control plan with proper nutrition for a period of time until a crisis knocks me off the wagon.
From this you may gather the strong emotional factor in my eating habits.
What is different this time? The awareness of needing emotional support, the fact that I have started to eat very similar to post surgery diet, everything is measured, logged in MFP, very small spoon and fork, small bites, long time chewing, 35 to 40 minutes per meal the most difficult so far is no water during meals. I have read everything that I could get my hand on. I AM AWARE OF THE POSSIBLE FAILURE if I don't keep up with the advise of the professionals. One thing I can't any longer do is to continue to carry this weight on a frame riddle with arthritis, on a body worn down by age and weight. I need to lighten the load on my body. Th surgery will be the cane I use to walk, I know that the walking depends on my two legs, the cane alone does not walk.

leejoyce31 · February 2020

cwolfman13 wrote: »

I would think this surgery would only be as a last resort and/or if it was necessary to get down to a healthy weight quickly due to other medical issues...but I can't really say I know a lot about it. Just from what I know of surgery in general, it's typically a last resort when other less drastic measures have failed or there is no other option at all.

I agree!

garber6th · February 2020

aliciasmoreno wrote: »

I am now going through the process of medical clearances, counseling, test and what have you needed to have Gastric Sleeve Surgery. Ten year ago I had the Lap Band Surgery, it did not work for me, I can't blame the lap Band, I blame me. I did not follow advice and learned to get around it's restrictions.
I find myself at age 72 , 5' 7", and 295 pounds. My weight gain started perimenopause and bloomed post menopausal. I have tried WW with great success with weight losses os 79, 108, 65, 50 pounds at different times. I also lost 65 recently under a nutritionist care to gain it back.
I can follow a portion control plan with proper nutrition for a period of time until a crisis knocks me off the wagon.
From this you may gather the strong emotional factor in my eating habits.
What is different this time? The awareness of needing emotional support, the fact that I have started to eat very similar to post surgery diet, everything is measured, logged in MFP, very small spoon and fork, small bites, long time chewing, 35 to 40 minutes per meal the most difficult so far is no water during meals. I have read everything that I could get my hand on. I AM AWARE OF THE POSSIBLE FAILURE if I don't keep up with the advise of the professionals. One thing I can't any longer do is to continue to carry this weight on a frame riddle with arthritis, on a body worn down by age and weight. I need to lighten the load on my body. Th surgery will be the cane I use to walk, I know that the walking depends on my two legs, the cane alone does not walk.

I am saying this from experience, if you realize you need to address the emotional issues, start NOW. I had therapy, before surgery, during the process, and I still continue therapy to help me stay on track. Do not underestimate the importance of this.

Psychgrrl · February 2020

JodehFoster wrote: »

Try following the recommended post-surgery diet for a month and see how that goes. Plenty of published info out there if you google it.

I lost more than you have to lose in less than a year w/o a thought of surgery, and I'm also shorter than you. Just have to get your head in the game. I was barely 110# in my mid-twenties & ballooned to 230# by my mid-thirties. Surgery is invasive and not something I'd voluntarily put myself through unless it was life/death.

Good luck.

It's a VLCD usually 500-800 calories a day. I would not try it unless you are under a doctor's supervision. Post-surgery, this smaller amount of calories fills you up, and you likely won't be hungry. On that small number of calories now, you likely would be.

You can, as you food prep (or you could food prep just this) google it, and look at what the amount actually is. You'll need to be really intentional and disciplined about your food choices to make sure you're getting the nutrition you need. And that totally works for some folks! You and your doctor can talk about if it's right for you.

bmeadows380 · February 2020

I"m with the others - talk to those who've had it done several years ago to get a realistic view of what life is like post surgery.

I'm not completely against WLS, but I am against it being pushed as a first line solution. My brother and sister-in-law had it done 2 years ago. They've both kept the weight off mostly so far, but she's starting to gain it back because she can eat what she wants and is returning to her old habits. My brother has stalled out and regained some, so he's now trying a different diet plan. My cousin had the sleeve 2 years ago as well, and she too has stalled out and started regaining as her stomach healed and she could tolerate a wider variety of foods.

Neither my cousin nor my sister-in-law have had complications that I know of, but my brother is dealing with a sharp increase in the frequency of kidney stones. He already had a genetic tendency to getting them, but since he's had the surgery and can't get in the amount of liquid that he used to drink to keep his kidneys flushed, he's getting them a lot more often now and bigger in size.

Everyone is different, and some have different needs. If your weight is causing severe medical problems, I think its an option to be considered, but you've got to understand that you still have to learn to eat differently and break those old habits if you want any long term success.

My sister, at 265 lbs and 5 ft 1 would be a very good candidate for the surgery with all the medical problems she has, but I don't push because she has clearly stated that she has no intention of learning to limit her food intake. I had her here at MFP for about a month, and she lost 10 lbs, but would not stick to her deficit, claiming she was "starving" herself. She refuses to pay attention to portion sizes and wants to eat as much as she wants when she wants, so there is no point in her even considering the expense of the surgery because with that attitude, she's guaranteed to fail.

alyssa0061 · February 2020

My diary is public. Please feel free to look back and see what it's actually like. October 28th is when I started my dietician supervised diet. I started my pre-op liquid diet December 10th. Surgery December 24th. Currently 7 weeks post op.

Edited for incorrect date

nighthawk584 · February 2020

JodehFoster wrote: »

Try following the recommended post-surgery diet for a month and see how that goes. Plenty of published info out there if you google it.

I lost more than you have to lose in less than a year w/o a thought of surgery, and I'm also shorter than you. Just have to get your head in the game. I was barely 110# in my mid-twenties & ballooned to 230# by my mid-thirties. Surgery is invasive and not something I'd voluntarily put myself through unless it was life/death.

Good luck.

^^This^^ I was Class II Obese on BMI and am now Normal Weight BMI all just by counting and logging calories at a deficit. I would never elect to do life altering surgery unless it came down to, "I was going to die without it." Proceed with caution.

Nanaluvs2sweat · February 2020

My aunt did this and ended up gaining most of the weight back. Why? Because she refused to change her unhealthy habits. Unless you change your mindset and learn good and healthy behavior then you’re doomed to fail. I will never understand why people would rather go through with surgery instead of just making healthy lifestyle changes but I wish you the best regardless.

RodaRose · February 2020

A close friend did this. She did not have a good outcome.

adotbaby · February 2020

Personally, I do not endorse WLS. There are too many changes to how your body needs to get nutrients. Risks of ulcer, osteoporosis, anemia, vitamin deficiency, protein malnutrition are some of the side effects that can be serious. I have two family members who had it, who suffered years of ill health.

InstepFitness · February 2020

Hi! I had a gastric sleeve in Tijuana Mexico! WWW.Weightlossagents.com it's only $3,500 and they have payment plans. Best decision of my life. Diabetes, goodbye is what the doctor told us, no more threats of it and no more chub rub lol!

rheddmobile · February 2020

I think it’s important to do whatever works for you.

That being said, for myself I can’t imagine wanting to endure the pain and suffering of a major surgery when I can achieve weight loss results by eating appropriately and exercising. I don’t like pain at all. I had to recover from a comparatively minor abdominal surgery when I lost an ovary, and it took me two months to feel human again. The three people I know who have had weight loss surgery had major complications; one almost died, and all of them had serious issues for a year following surgery. Compared to that, being a little bit hungry and tired is a no brainer.

In addition, two of the three friends regained all the weight. One actually died from diabetes related complications after regaining her weight. She got really creative when it came to consuming major calories with a tiny stomach - she would eat whole meals of nothing but alouette cheese spread, for example. I wish she had been able to overcome her demons and don’t know what could have helped her, but surgery did not help her. If you aren’t ready to do the work, surgery is not a magic fix.

If you yo-yo on regular diets you will yo-yo even with surgery, unless you decide to change your life. For some people, being miserable and vomiting every time they stuff themselves is enough reason to change lifestyle when nothing else is. But for me, I prefer to just not eat so much, log every day, and work out six times a week. So far so good, maintaining into my third year of normal BMI after 125 lb weight loss. It can be done. It’s not easy, but neither is getting drugged into unconsciousness and then cut up with knives.

Gastric Sleeve - Your thoughts and opinions or your very own experience?

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