O.T.R. sleever

I know several people who have had bypass. The average experience among them is that they love the early/initial weightloss, but do not love living with RNY long-term (I think they're all 6 - 8 or more years out, I don't think any of them are newly RNYed -- or Roux en Y). One of them is my "second mother" (just a good friend about my mother's age) and I can tell you that she does not look healthy. Her coloring is off, she's gaunt (despite gaining about 30 lbs back from what she initially lost), and she has lost 2 teeth related to malnutrition/vitamin deficiency. A few years ago she called me, unhappy, and basically said, "I'm just now starting to see the long term effects of living with this thing."
But to be fair, I'm sure there are people out as far - or farther - than she is who love it.
This is probably one of the scariest posts I have ever read on this forum. I truly am not trying to steer you toward one surgery or the other - different procedures are right for different people, and only you will know what's right for you. But please let me appeal to your sense of self-preservation:
You've basically just said the only reason you want a SERIOUS surgical procedure is because other people have told you that you lose weight faster. Not because you want surgery, or you've researched all options and think one is best for you over another, or feel confident that you can make ALL the necessary changes for a healthy lifestyle. Wow, I truly am reeling over that statement -- out of conern for you and your not-great filtering of data.
I'm going to suggest you forget what "other people" are telling you and do your own research. I could tell you that injecting bleach into your eye makes you lose weight faster than RNY or VSG, but that doesn't mean there's anything accurate about that statement, nor does it mean it's something you should consider doing just because someone told you it works.
The initial weight loss between RNY and VSG is about even. As a matter of fact, IIRC VSG is now about 4% ahead for initial weight loss (occuring within the first year). But let's say I just made that up, and you lose 200% faster with RNY. Does it matter, when you consider regain stats? If your goal as to be thinner for about a year, and then gain a lot more weight, then "faster weightloss" is probably a good motivator for RNY.
Have you considered looking for a sleeve surgeon to do a sleeve, instead of using an RNY surgeon? They are different procedures, and unless you have some kind of unusual restriction - most people would seek out the surgeon skilled in their procedure of choice. Unless there's a reason why you have to use a particular surgeon, shop around.
Not interested in a lot of hair loss? Surprise - none of us were interested in it. It's certainly not like a motivating factor or fringe benefit. But it happens to just about everyone out there regardless of procedure. Did you realize that? Even the "harmless" lap-band. If you make the changes you will have to make for any WLS, you're at least 95% guaranteed to have hairloss.
Maybe I'm interpreting your messages incorrectly, but here's what I'm getting: I want whatever quick fix is the easiest
You really, really need to research life at 1, 2, 5 years post-op. Objectively read stories from people who are there. Research the stats (reading message boareds does not equal researching stats -- pull up medical journals and periodicals, look over complication charts and rates, even if you're just reading summaries read something, preferrably not from the internet). See what issues people are most frequently dealing with. Then compare the procedures. DO NOT make a decision based on "whatever will give me the fastest loss in the least amount of time". A decision like what might make you happy for a few months. Those better be really good months if you find you then start to regret making an uninformed or impulsive decision.
Procedure aside, just do it smart.

Back burp= fart

Yeah, I wanted to be private about it as well, but as the pounds dropped, people at work were asking me how am I losing all this weight? I decided not to lie about it if they asked me, but I am not volunteering the information. Of course, there are people who know about it who I didn't tell, so word is getting around even though I told the few people who know that I am trying to keep it private.

The trick is moderation. Later on if you decide to have a pickle or a hot dog, or God forbid both on occasion it's not going to send you spiraling out of control.

Hello Sleevers and soon to be Sleevers! This feels so funny to talk about myself but, I am so Happy...I wanted to share with you all. Especially, anyone thinking they are not sure they can take a chance. You need to believe in your surgeon and yourself. Best thing for me was my support, primarily my husband who has been to ever y appointment and both surgeries (yes I had a complication requiring a second surgery and setting me back...just a bit).
Friday I went to see my surgeon and wonderful supportive staff, including Nurse and Marketing Manager...yup, Marketing Manager who was walking by and the nurse called her in...she saw my success and asked if I wanted to apply to Model in the organization's upcoming "Fashion Show", can you imagine? OH MY??
I then stood up from the table to prepare to leave and she said "oh wow look at you, you are model material". I just about fell over. Annually the Western Bariatric Institute in Reno, NV hosts a fashion show using local vendors and featuring their success stories. Apparently they have so many, you must apply to participate. But, what the heck...I will apply and see what happens.
So, we walked outside and took a photo for the application and I thought, well I would post it next to a pic taken about 5 months before my surgery on November 1, 2011 and share with you all. I am looking for full body pics and will try to post those as well.
One thing that came from the check up, was that I told my nurse, I was a little concerned because I definitely can eat more and I get hungry more often. She wants me to stick with 1100 to 1200 cals daily and add a probiotic and keep up my exercise. So, the only change was to add a probiotic. All other levels were great and my potassium is coming up, slowly but surely.
Daily:
Bariatric Advantage (BA) multi, Orange flav
BA - calcium citrate, Cherry
BA - Vitamin B-50 Complex
BA - Vitamin D
Biotin - 2 daily, 5,000mcg
Omeprosol - 1 in am (PPI)
Potassium - 4 daily (40mg)
Probiotic - kerogen 2.4 billion CFU (all I know is it puts good stuff back in your gut)
One more thing.. I bought a pair of Tommy Hilfigger Capri Pants this weekend, and I asked the young lady if the outfit was to young for my age and she said "wow, your legs look awesome", "no way, your outfit is age appropriate". It was strange because the last time I really shopped jeans and such, we all wore high wasted pants. NOT THE CASE TODAY.
So, thanks for letting me share and hopefully, if you are someone researching your options, this may help even if in some small way. I just know, I never thought I would be this size, and feel this way again in my life. I am thankful to all the folks here on Vertical Sleeve Talk who are supportive and who share real stories so that we could make informed decisions to make changes to our lives.
Take care

I never have been able to find one that fits right.

I never have been able to find one that fits right.

ATeam,
Your timing of this post is just perfect for me...
I am just over two years post op... not at goal, and I have been in a stall since Oct last year... 9 mths!! Believe you me, I have tried everything and anything to break this stall, but my body just seems to be very happy here, even though my mind is NOT!
So, to read your post has sort of put this into perspective for me... I seem to be focusing on the last 14-20lbs instead of looking at the 74lbs that have gone forever... there is no way will I ever see the numbers 238 staring up at me, so I have to be happy at seeing 164... right!?!
Now, this doesn't mean that I will stop trying to get rid of the last bit of weight... there is no expiry on the sleeve, but I also have to realise that me and my sleeve have done a good job, not only to lose but to maintain this weight and size for the last 9mths!

Wow!! Thanks for sharing this!! I really needed to read this... I've been on the road for 3 weeks... Working out very little and struggling with eating..(some days I hardly eat, others I'm ravenous!!)... I was sitting here riding w/my brother ( from Va Beach to DC) and just really kicking myself... But, now... I am making a plan to get back into the gym when I land in Chicago tomorrow and heading to Trader Joe's to stock my fridge... Thanks again for sharing!!

Hey guys,
Its been awhile since I've posted until today, but I wanted to share something with the group that has really helped me.
I have been feeling very discouraged with my surgery progress so far. I started at about 192 lbs, and am currently sitting at about 155 (give or take up and down a few lbs). Its REALLY hard for me to get down below this weight (this was my old skinny weight), as I now have to start trying extra hard, and pushing myself to exercise more. I also love my wine. Anyway, I have really been getting down on myself, and today I decided to listen to a support podcast that the company I had VSG through gives to their clients. The entire topic was about how we have all come SO far, but yet we all seem to focus on the negative and how much farther we still have to go. She spoke of patients who had lost 120 lbs, but could only still focus on the extra weight that still had to come off. She then asked us all to think about how we would have felt about ourselves and our current weight situation post VSG when we were pre-op. Could that person who lost 120 lbs have even fathomed that before? Probably not. We, along with our tool have made this our reality, and let's savour it! Even if we do give in once in awhile and have those chips, or the scale doesn't move for a week or so, remember : WE ARE IN THE 1% of people who can actually lose it!
I know if you would ahve told pre-VSG me that I would lose nearly 40 lbs, and maintain a steady size 6 I would have jumped for joy. Old me could have got there, but would have promptly balooned up and put the weight back on. I could never have imagined getting to this steady size, even if I still feel like I have another 15 lbs to lose.
I went on Facebook today and looked at pics of all my progress: Wow, have I gotten thinner month by month! I tried on clothes that used to be my "skinny clothes". They all fit or were baggy! AMAZING, but yet, I still focus on the negative. I will change this, I will curb it.
I urge you all to look back at your incredible progress and revel in our victories- we've come a long way baby!

I see so many threads about "I don't want anybody to know". Have tou ever stopped to think about the other side of the coin? When people are secretive about things if you enquire, don't you then assume the worst case scenario? In an office environment the rumors are always so much worse than what is really going on.
My suggestion is to tell them what is going on. You don't have to go so far as to disclose everything. But give them enough to relax their curiosity or concern.
For example. Do you have diabetes? Tell them you are undergoing a procedure that will hopefully cure your diabetes.
Do you have sleep apnea, heart issues? Tell them you are getting a procedure that will cure ore minimize these conditions.
All of these would be true, and once you've had the surgery, you can go back and tell the rest of the story if you so chose.

This is good advice. From everything I've read, skin will continue to shrink & tighten for up to 2 years before its done. So assuming it takes 1year+- to reach goal. I think by getting cosmetic surgery before this could very well be paying someone to fix something that your body might have been able to take care of itself.
Of course this wouldn't apply to "medically necessary" skin removal.

I guess it's time for me to get more hate mail.
First off, men are very visual, we are turned on by what we see. If you were thinner and in better shape and more confident when you met him, you can bet that he found that version of you attractive.
If as you gained weight, his affections dwindled, as did your confidence, well, the blunt reality is that his physical attraction likely decreased as your weight increased.
I know this sounds horrible, but it's a man thing, it's just the way we are. We can't fake a physical relationship.
The fact that he has stayed by you through all of this is testimony that he loves you. It's just the brutal reality of being a man, we can't pretend to be sexually attracted to someone.
So when he starts flirting with you more, maybe even gets a little jealous, take it as a compliment
We can say anything you want to hear, and believe me we know what you want to hear. But the way he treats you is is his real tribute to your success

Nothing!!!! I thought I'd miss something, but now when I think of all the foods I loved all I can think about is how much damage they did to my health. Nope, don't miss it a bit

The latest for me is the premier protien. They are a bit high on calories (about 280-290) but they also have 30 grams of protien. Not a bad idea to break these in half.