Need advice

[elizabethc 1]

i am having the sleeve done in May but i'm still worried that it won't be as successful as the bypass. The doctor says its my decision but i really dont know anyone who has had the sleeve. the people I know have had the bypass and had great sucess. I love sugar so I know that the bypass will prevent me from eating sugary Snacks, I am not a bulk eater, Please help me understand the pit falls, if any, of the sleeve and eating ice cream, candy, Cookies, etc. I'm really confused!

thanks!

[Mississippi Girl 124]

i am sleeved and have no taste for sweets and i was a sweet freak. yogurt is even too sweet for me. it makes me sick. i've only been sleeved for 24 days though. i only know people that have been sleeved and it seems to be a lot less trouble with as much benefit. i did a lot of research on it before i made up my mind. i would stick with sleeve. good luck.

[joatsaint 2,814]

A co-worker and myself had WLS within months of each other. She had the RNY and I had the Sleeve. We're both very happy with the weight we've lost. But the funny thing is that she stopped losing weight while I continue to creep down. I think it boils down to how committed you are to eating right and exercising after surgery.

From what I understand, she has an advantage over me. Being that the absorption of food in the intestine is reduced after RNY. But if you go back to eating too much junk, you're still taking in excess calories.

Neither RNY nor the Sleeve will prevent you from eating sugar, only limit it to some extent. And with RNY there's the possibility of having dumping syndrome (where the food moves too quickly from stomach to intestines), since the valve at the bottom of your stomach is no longer there to moderate the movement of food.

So, both surgeries work well, it's all in how you stick to the recommended diet and exercise post-op that will determine your success.

Here's a video a guy posted showing his experience with dumping syndrome.

[septappt 74]

It's all in personal preference. Do research online. I went with the sleeve because I didn't want any rerouting of my intestines and I didn't want to take off 6 weeks of work. I'm 7 months out down 88lbs, 17 to my personal goal of 175. My doctors goal was 205, pasted that awhile ago! I totally agree.....you get out of it what you put into it. Example maybe a bad one lol, maybe to much info but it's the week before my period and I want a frosted cinnamon roll and yes I ate it but after I went to the gym and worked out longer. I know that's bad but I justified it, now the guilt sets in. So now more work in the gym tomorrow. I never was a sweet eater and now I crave it but I believe my "diet" is missing something, maybe magnesium. Just keep in mind everyone is different, do your research compare them, you might even consider going to a support group and listening to other patients talk about their experiences. Good luck on your journey!

[NothingUpMySleeve 244]

I wasn't necessarily a huge volume eater, either, but the sleeve has helped me. It really limits consumption. I do get very sick if I eat much sugar, which basically killed my sweet tooth. I liked facing fewer malabsorption issues, but I know people who've had great success with both, provided they aren't grazers.

[Debi Amador 120]

I have never been a sweet eater either but I am nearly 4 weeks out and I am down 36 pounds. I liked that the surgery was done laparoscopically and that I was out of the hospital in 2 days. I also like that there is no malabsorption issues, I was told that you have more pills to take after and more blood tests to make sure your Vitamin levels are OK.

[jack35 33]

Hi Elizabeth

I was sportsmen use to play badminton every day morning but unfortunately my knee gets hurts & I stopped playing. My diet was of sportsmen very heavy,I love sweets & use to have sweets every time after lunch & dinner . that's why I gained very rapidly 100 lbs in three years . Visiting dr they advice me to sleeve or Rny I found sleeve was very safe because cutting and staple has done at same time and no foreign planted in our body as compare to lapband & Rny . No part of our body (intestine) touched in sleeve that's why it's safe and quicker to heal & also has good result . I reduce 54 lbs in four months & got controlled on amount of eating by sleeve done. So I prefer sleeve. Thank u.

[Miss Mac 6,261]

Reduced capacity New Tummy is your friend - "food" items made in a factory are not. You can focus on whole natural foods. Mine (and a lot of people here) are required to eat 60+ grams of Protein a day, mine is 70 grams. Fo 60 grams, that is 20 grams per meal. By the time you eat that, you will not have much tummy room for veggies, let alone fruit, bread, noodles, Cookies, pastries, Cereal, etc.

With any gastric surgery, your body needs Protein to function and rebuild. You have to decide between sweets or a longer life. Nobody wants to deny themselves of all of the comfort foods we love the most. There are plenty of Paleo, Primal, Atkins, and other low carb cook books, to help you find adjustment foods. Also, cooking at home is a key for your success, because you can control the ingredients. Starch makes you hungry for more starch.

I had my share of food funerals prior to my surgery. Your sleeve is a tool that you can't keep hidden in the garden shed while you cheat. You have to take advantage of your new tummy. The first time you throw up or get dumping syndrome by eating too much sugar, you will be cured of eating it. Just be prepared to empty those cabinets and start cooking from fresh. Get creative, and try to make your favorite dishes in a low carb style. You will be glad you did. Also taking chromium picolinate with magnesium will help reduce sugar cravings. Start making youradjustments now before surgery. because it will be harder to make changes post-op when your are tired and washed out.

Just an after thought.....we all learned the hard way how to balance food, beverage, and exercise to help the weight loss process.

[CHIHUAHUA X 5 0]

I am new as of today to this site, I very much enjoyed reading everyone's input. thanks

[mariavg 154]

I totally agree the sleeve is the way to go. I was sleeved on Dec 9th and I'm down over 60 pds. My mother had the gastric bypass and a few years out she had a bowel obstruction . It was terrible and that's why I choose the sleeve. Also remember the sleeve is not NEW. It's been around for years. They do the sleeve for cancer patients and then someone got the idea it would be great for overweight people. See there are the facts!!!

[elizabethc 1]

Does anyone know where I can find information on long term results with the band? I have tried to find info on computer and I only find for bypass. Thanks

[elizabethc 1]

sorry, I meant the sleeve not the band!!

[sblissp 16]

I'm a sweets lover too...my entire family is..only, I'm the only one who is obese. I was originally going to get the bypass surgery because I thought I needed more control, but I am not a candidate because I have COPD and have to take Prednisone a few times per year. I was sleeved on 3/31 and my cravings for sweets have diminished!! I have lost 22 lbs in 18 days. I can't even drink my Protein Powder shake mix because it is too sweet...have to stick to th pre-made stuff.

[elizabethc 1]

I have decided, with them help of this forum, to go ahead with the sleeve.
My next issue is that my bmi is 37 and the nurse told me my insurance
company does not always approve bmi so low. she said that I would need to
appeal if I'm denied. has anyone had this issue and did it work out? Please
respond if you have any insight!
Thanks!!

I have decided, with them help of this forum, to go ahead with the sleeve.
My next issue is that my bmi is 37 and the nurse told me my insurance
company does not always approve bmi so low. she said that I would need to
appeal if I'm denied. has anyone had this issue and did it work out? Please
respond if you have any insight!
Thanks!!

[Miss Mac 6,261]

Do you have anything else on this list that insurance companies use for qualifying co-morbidities? Obesity Comorbidities

To follow is a list of comorbidities (additional conditions or diseases) related to obesity which may help you in qualifying for weight loss surgery.

• Family history of heart disease
• Family history of stroke
• Family history of diabetes
• Family history of heart attacks
• Hyperinsulinemia
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Coronary-artery disease
• Hypertension
• Migraines or headaches directly related to obesity or cranial hypertension
• Congestive heart failure
• Neoplasia
• Dyslipidemia
• Anemia
• Gallbladder disease
• Osteoarthritis
• Degenerative arthritis
• Degenerative disc
• Degenerative joint disease
• Recommended joint replacement from specialist
• Accelerated degenerative joint disease
• Asthma
• Repeated pneumonia
• Repeated pleurisy
• Repeated bronchitis
• Lung restriction
• Gastroesophageal reflex (GERD)
• Excess facial & body hair (Hirsutism)
• Rashes
• Chronic skin infections
• Excess sweating
• Frequent yeast infections
• Urinary stress incontinence
• Menstrual irregularity
• Hormonal abnormalities
• Polycystic ovaries
• Infertility
• Carcinoma (breast, colon, uterine cancer)
• sleep apnea
• Pseudotumor cerebri
• Depression
• Psychological/sexual dysfunction
• Social discrimination
• Premature death (of a family member who was obese)