1Bumblebee

It's not the losing that's hard. It's the keeping it off.

Studies show that' date=' without surgical intervention (ie, the sleeve), only about 5% of people who lose weight through dieting and exercising alone are able to keep it off for more than a year. So, if you're confident that you'll be one of the 1 in 20 who manages to switch to a lifetime of dedication* to diet and exercise, good for you -- you should skip the sleeve! But if you're like the remaining 95% of us, who would have struggled and yo-yo'ed with weight, shaming ourselves and harming our bodies until we likely died early of an obesity-related condition, I suggest you reconsider. The sleeve is not trivial, but it's still a very, very good weight loss surgery.

*Because it DOES take a lifetime. You can't just do it until you lose the weight, and then stop. You can't ever take your foot off the accelerator. Every single moment of every single day, for the rest of your life, you will have to focus on diet and exercise. And let's be honest, if you're in a situation where you're heavy enough to consider WLS, you haven't had much success with that in the past. That's not intended to be an insult -- I was in exactly the same boat, as were almost all of the people here. It's just basic facts; if you really, truly, honestly believe that you'll win the lottery, and magically change your entire personality and eating habits and keep the changes for the rest of your life, then you should absolutely skip the surgery. But as someone in the community you asked for advice, I have to tell you the same thing I tell everyone; while it's fun to fantasize about what would you do if you won the weight loss lottery, I wouldn't cash in your 401k (so to speak) just yet.[/quote']

Thank you for your straight talk. I know the reality...my mind is just playing games with me. I think those closest to me are really scared for me and their feelings are messing with my head.

Oh yeah' date=' I had them in a big way. I lost 30 pounds the summer of 2010, and over the course of the next six months, around 20 of those came right back on. I had surgery in order to lose and KEEP IT OFF.

Best wishes to you![/quote']

How long ago did you have your surgery?

My husband and my brother are scared for me. I'm trying to ease their minds.

Thank you everyone for your stories. Does anyone know the statistics for complications with the VSG?

I'm headed to Mexico for surgery on March 27. I'd be waiting ten years or more if I wanted to have surgery here <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

Congrats. I wish you well.

Yes' date=' I did ... here's my experience:

In 2004, when I weighed 330 lbs, I had a surgical consult with a very good surgeon here in Canada. I qualified for surgery but the waiting list was years long. This surgeon raved about Atkins and inspired me to try it. The first 30 lbs was gone fast, but then I lost slowly, with stalls. However, when I reached 270 I was happy to take myself off the waiting list (this is when my BMI dropped below 40).

I continued to stall off and on but I did eventually make it as low as 255 lbs. I found Atkins quite restrictive and tried various other plans, along with stretches of not dieting at all. The constant feeling of deprivation while dieting was disheartening. I was frustrated that no matter how much I felt like I was sacrificing, I couldn't seem to get down below the mid-200s ... a huge quality-of-life improvement from my all-time high of about 350, but still undeniably fat.

Over time, I chose to eat more and diet less and gained back to 290. I knew I had to try something different, and I began paying more attention to the medical literature regarding outcomes of surgery versus dieting. That's when I decided to have surgery after all, and I'm thrilled to be able to choose the sleeve now, because I was freaked out about potential malnutrition issues around bypass.

I believe, now, that for me I will need surgery to achieve a sustainable weight under 200 lbs. That's why I'm doing it.[/quote']

Thank you for your story. When is your date for surgery?

I definitely have yoyo'd several times. This last time to the tune of 298. How did those of you with these thoughts make it

Through to surgery?

If you don't mind me asking what is your weight and age? I agree with everyone who commented the goal is keeping the weight off

I'm 47, 5'7" and weigh 271. Have yoyo'd many times. This last time I gained, I gained consistently to the scary weight of 298.

I have lost 30 lbs on my own. Have another 110 lbs to go. Need to know if any one else had these feeling before their surgery.

Was in touch with jasleeve who had these symptoms and it ended up being a leak. Go on the side of caution and call your surgeon.

My surgery is scheduled for March 9th. My feelings I'm sure are as everyone else who is waiting...excited and scared. I've never had any surgery, havent had kids so there's nothing I can compare this too. Praying that all goes well. Will keep you posted. Please continue to let me know how you are doing. You've been through a lot. I truly hope the rest of your journey is going to be pain free.

Hi jasleeve, just want to let you know that I prayed for you last night. I hope you have nothing but smooth sailing from here on out. I want to thank you so much for sharing your story.

I'm so new to this website but I'm so thankful to have come across it. I understand that nothing I learn can prepare me for the surgery. Im just glad to know that there is support out there to talk to and help me get through. I hope that I am making the right decision.

Thanks again and I hope you heal quickly.

I hope the rest of your journey is smooth sailing. I'm scheduled for my surgery on March 9 and I know the statistics for problems are low but I'm just trying to find out as much as I can before I have my surgery. Please keep in touch and I'll pray for you.

Did they ever figure out what went wrong? I'm a to be sleeved and trying to find out all I can.

Just a question for a to be sleever. Didn't they check for a leak before you left the hospital?

I'm going in for my prep consultation today. Having a ton of nerves about whether or not I'm doing the right thing. I am the pickiest eater in the world. I can't pallet most dairies or seafood. Worrying if I have the surgery, how I would be able to get my Protein during the first 2 stages after post op. any advise?