Estella

1. Well. 600 calories a day sounds way too low. The diet I was requested to do had 1,440 calories a day for 3 weeks, and included low fat meat and dairy products, vegetables and a lot of Water. The emphasis was on high Protein intake and low carb intake. Something about the diet you're on strikes me as odd, but I'm not a doctor or a specialist. I'd get a second opinion if I were you.
2. Almost everyone who is heavily overweight has a larger liver. isThe purpose of the low-carb diet is to reduce liver size. An augmented, brittle liver poses a higher risk because the surgeon is more likely to nick it inadvertently, and cause hemorrhage. This is why those diets are so strict. They are difficult to adhere to, but knowing that it's a matter of life and death helped me refrain from pastas.
3. If your BMI is only 32, how come you're going for a bariatric surgery? I thought the minimum requirement was 40 or 35 with related diseases.

7 Months post-op. I lost 33 kilos, down from 115 kg to 82 kg (from 253 lbs to 180 lbs). I know 82 kg doesn't sound skinny, but I am also very tall so the results are to my liking. I buy size 40 jeans (size 30 in jeans measurements, size 12 in EU sizes or size 8 US), I feel much better about my body and my life in general.
The great surprise was that my period returned - it appears once a month, which is something that never happened before. The other side effects of PCOs, however, are here to stay: the excess hair on my face, the dark Patches of skin on the feet and neck (my sugar levels were always okay, so it wasn't diabetes).
Seeing that losing so much weight did not help me get rid of the facial hair, I started taking Yasmin contraceptive pills. The doctor says that within 3 months I should see some improvement. Will update if it works.

Well, it's no rocket science. I've known forever that I eat too much carbs, it didn't make me stop eating them. Knowing I have PCOS didn't scare away the craving for pastries, Pasta, pita-bread etc. All my attempts to go on low-carb diets were terminated when I just couldn't adhere to the orders.

Is this a medical or an aesthetic issue?
As for the aesthetic aspect, I can say - as a woman - that this is the last thing we care about. You could have them touching your feet and I wouldn't mind!

Is this a medical or an aesthetic issue?
As for the aesthetic aspect, I can say - as a woman - that this is the last thing we care about. You could have them touching your feet and I wouldn't mind!

Is this a medical or an aesthetic issue?
As for the aesthetic aspect, I can say - as a woman - that this is the last thing we care about. You could have them touching your feet and I wouldn't mind!

Jello tastes like hell post-op anyway. I tried various kind but I couldn't handle sweets at all, even one tbsp of sugar in my coffee was way too sweet for me.
Feeling like you want to cheat is okay. However keep in mind you're physically unable to cheat anyway. 3 weeks post op I had an insane craving for lasagna, bought a piece and realized that even one well-chewed bite was way too heavy for me to handle.

If your co-workers, friends and family happen to be very supportive, great. Don't be surprised though when they tell you to back off, because they heard of a friend's friend who had the surgery and gained all the weight back (usually a lap-banded person but they can't tell the difference), or when they give you the number for some new diet group or tell you that "it's all in your head, you need to change your thinking instead!"
I heard so much B.S. from people I considered intelligent and supportive, that I decided to keep it to myself. They haven't read the researches that prove the effectiveness of bariatric surgeries and the ineffectiveness of other dieting, instead they read the "10 tips that will help you lose those extra holiday pounds" in women's magazines. They believe the myth of weight loss by dieting, I don't. I didn't want to hear their views and opinions because it was not at all helpful.

Jello tastes like hell post-op anyway. I tried various kind but I couldn't handle sweets at all, even one tbsp of sugar in my coffee was way too sweet for me.
Feeling like you want to cheat is okay. However keep in mind you're physically unable to cheat anyway. 3 weeks post op I had an insane craving for lasagna, bought a piece and realized that even one well-chewed bite was way too heavy for me to handle.

I am reading this in tears now. My mother and I have had numerous quarrels regarding my weight, even long after I passed the age-range in which it is still legit to shove her nose into my plate. Ever since I was a toddler, I was taught that "kids will always be cruel to fat people". The irony is that the abuse from my other classmates stopped around the age of 13, when they were no longer so immature, but my mother's abuse, name-calling and accusations never ceased, to this very day. This topic probably justifies a separate thread, I'm sure lots of people have a lot to say on this matter.
You wrote that you and your mother do not communicate. Neither do I communicate with mine.
My sister was the one that held my hand before I entered the OR. She didn't pass a single word of judgement. My mother was emotionally incapable of supporting me, or anyone for that matter. I suggest you google the term "poisonous parenting", you mind find interesting readings.
In my humble opinion, if your mother has the same issues and her behavior is as detrimental to your mental health, do not bother sharing this with her. No good can come out of it.
As for your husband, all the researches and statistics reinforce the notion that the comorbidities of obesity pose a higher risk to one's health than the operation itself. Diabetes is more hazardous than anything, and I recently read that the daily routine that HIV carriers go through is less troublesome than diabetics'. I can't be arsed to find the links, but the death rate from VSG is teenie-weenie - 2-6 people out of 1,000. I find pure science to be more reassuring than faith, positive thinking, trust in god etc.

I just had a really ugly panic attack and need some positive post-op stories otherwise I think I may explode.
Also, if someone wants to call me, that would be welcome. I'm at 415-439-3879.
Please help -- thank you!!!

May I say, you look pretty hot.

I bought a pair of Levi's as "goal pants" and was looking forward to wearing them. . . Sadly, I happen to skip that size and dropped right down to the next size. This happened a couple of times especially once I got out of the plus size clothing. I would skip a size completely, or only stay in a size for a couple of weeks. Luckily, I had bought them at a consignment shop so I didn't pay much for those jeans.
I think it's fabulous to have "goal size" clothing, but don't over-shop because you might not ever get the chance to wear them. It's a great thing, but huge waste of money if you skip sizes and tailoring isn't cheap.

I find it to be self enforcing. You can beat it if you want, but in my case even that is self enforcing and I love it. I loved sugar; cake, icing, the corner pieces with two sides of icing, ice cream; as well as fast food.
Since surgery I just don't tolerate sugars well. I don't like the way it makes me feel so I have no desire for it. I can still eat a piece of cake, but now it is a small piece from the middle, and that one piece is more than enough.
Overall, the portions I am comfortable with now are miniscule compared to pre-surgery. When I fall back and take an old size portion, my sleeve is there to say I've had enough before I cross the line.
This was the best decision I have ever made.

Would you say that even after a slip, gaining 21lbs, is it easier to get it off with the sleeve than it was before the surgery? I understand it's not going to drop like it did in the honeymoon period, but is it easier to diet now having built-in Portion Control?

So we're good then? It's not a reported problem and should not be a problem?

Hi. I am new to this particular site. I have had a lapband for 2 and 1/2 years now and it hasn't turned out like I thought it would. I know that some people have had the band to sleeve surgery and have had terrific results. I had to pay for my band surgery myself and really don't have the money to have the band out and the sleeve procedure done. Just a dream right now. Where is the surgery done? How much does it cost? More or less to have band to sleeve done. Any suggestions on paying for this procedure (I've thought about becoming a bank robber.... but I'm an honest citizen.... jk.... kinda). Any help/suggestions/advice anyone can give me will be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Becky

lets put it this way, since October 2010 I fell off the wagon and gained about 21 lbs . . . I quit exercising and watching what i was eating all together. . . so if you think this is a miracle surgery that will take care of all your weight problems without you working with it, well you may as well forget the surgery cause it takes work and alot of it. . . I have pulled up the big girl panties now and am back into the saddle, i watch what i'm eating and how much of it, back to exercising and am back to losing, but the second time around is really tough. . . the sleeve is just a tool, like a hammer, in order to hammer a nail you have to use it to bang the nail in, the hammer isn't going to get up and do it for you . . same with the sleeve, it will work only as hard as you do . . .if you don't well, yes you will gain weight . . . good luck

I haven't had surgery, but from what I understand, it doesn't tame "the beast" of our bad impuses, it just hobbles it or reduces it making it easier to overcome.
So you're not wrestling a tiger anymore, just a bobcat. It's much easier to pin down, but you still have to wrestle it.

Hi there,

Yes you will need quite a bit of willpower to get to your goal and you will need won't power to keep it off. Won't gain it back! LOL :-) I'm getting closer to goal every day and I'm battling this more and more now. I won't gain it back!!! I won't let myself slide back into my old habits!!! I won't allow the old me to take back over and do whatever I want and then some... for that is how I got to over 300 Lbs in the first place.

Yeah, sure... you can do it without the surgery, but this tool is incredible as far as keeping your portions way down and helping with the hunger issue. Not everyone gets all the hunger taken away so that is something to think about. But... smaller portions will help you to lose weight. Diet is the main focus on any weight loss program. It far out carries workouts or anything like that. I do workout a lot, so I'm burning an additional set amount of calories per day which helps a lot. But... if I'm adding them back in, it doesn't help at all, right? Of course.

The truth is this tool will keep you in check in a lot of ways. You can cheat it though, as with any of the other WLS, I just find it quite a bit harder to with this one. I've had the band too, so I know it's way better at keeping me in line. For you, make sure you are 100% on board with it. It's a huge life changing event, and you will need to be as mentally ready as possible.

Good luck to you!

I have to agree with Jamie Lynn. it DOES still require some willpower but for the most part due to the physical restrictions and removal of a large part of the ghrelin producing part of the stomach the willpower is easier now. It's also a DIFFERENT type of willpower. One that is driven with a high likelihood of success since you now have the sleeve on your side. I am NOT constantly hungry now and don't have massive incredible cravings for food now. Things don't taste as good and I get very full very quickly.
It would be safe to say that you CAN fail this operation by forcing yourself to eat in constant small batches and bypassing the sleeves physical restriction, but this is YOU failing not the sleeve. If you have that unhealthy a relationship with food that you just CANNOT leave it alone - even after the physical and psychological benefits of the sleeve - then you are more than likely bound to fail.
Prior to the sleeve, I ate a LOT, till I was full and then some more. I did not exercise and to tell the truth barely got up off my fat ass to go take a piss till I just absolutely had to. I was depressed, high blood pressure, sugar out of whack and my adrenals were showing signs of failing. I was miserable and hated it. I tried a few diets would lose a few pounds and then gain the m back - for 20+ years! I could not stand being hungry all the time. I had no willpower. I ended up in the hospital with breathing problems due to dust exposure - mostly due to environmental issues but exacerbated by my great weight of 375+ pounds. I made a decision right then and there to do something. After learning that my insurance would take 6+ months to approve me I decided to go to Mexico and do self pay. I made arrangements and within the month was sleeved.
It's been hard, but a lot easier than starving and the constant brutal hunger pangs I used to get. At this writing I am down 91 pounds, almost 1/2 way to my goal in 3 months.
So YES, it takes willpower but with the sleeve it is easier. You and you alone can make the decision to use it or not.
I wish you the best of luck in whatever you decide.

I had horrible willpower. I could exercise and lose weight and go right back up again as soon as i even slacked a little bit. I just needed a little help to get me on the right track so i looked into the sleeve. My doc made me make some diet changes before my surgery, like cutting out soda. which now...i could care less about. The surgery has really made a difference. I still get those cravings...and i do give in. but only a bite or 2. cuz if you do try to eat more than you are supposed to, you are uncomfortable, you vomit, and there is just a subtle fear for me, that i may hurt myself. I am only 8 weeks out today, but i can tell a huge difference in myself. the foods that i choose by choice now. The way i look at labels and i know that not only am i doing this for myself, but i am making good choices for my family and we are all going to be healthier. I have lost 50 pounds...since i started this journey, and even tho i know i mess up from time to time, i am still a loser. I do stall...but i can get myself going again. looking in the mirror only makes me wanna be better. I am a firm believer in this surgery and i think we are only as successful as we want to be. I hope the best for you....good luck and I hope this helped. There are lots of great people here with all kinds of experiences. welcome and we look forward to hearing more from you!!!!!