FishingNurse

Honestly it's a personal choice. I didn't get my surgery to be skinny, I got my surgery so I could be happy. I have 2-3 beers a week and I have since after the 6 month mark. I am happy with my weight loss and I am happy with my lifestyle. Could I be thinner if I didn't have empty calories from beer and other choices, YES. But its all about what is right for you. I have a good balance of good choices and not so good choices and I couldn't be happier.

I really had a modest goal. To me, being "thin" wasn't important, it was about liking myself, feeling comfortable. My surgeon recommended the sleeve cause the weight loss is more modest, and that's what I wanted. It's easier to maintain. I didn't want to look deflated. I would have gotten the bypass if I wanted to weigh 130... Which wasn't important to me. I was scared of regain too which is why having a modest goal was a good plan for me! Hope that makes sense.

The stalls are the worst ! They happen a ton in the first 9 months but you will keep losing. Trust me! I was in tears after 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and on and on. But I made my goal (under 170 pounds) with ease. Yes, ease! Losing it was easy with my sleeve, maintaining is harder but doable! Just keep following your plan! Don't get discouraged.

Hello!

I am 3 years+ post op VSG. It is the best thing I have ever done for myself. I have never felt like I liked myself more. I feel in control of my weight and what I eat. I started my weight loss adventure at 262 pounds in 2011. Today I weigh 167 pounds. I had my ups and downs (I briefly gained 15 pounds during the 2^nd year and lost them all plus a few, and I was anemic for a few months as well. I eat normally and I have no issues with food intolerances, loose skin, or nausea. Please feel free to ask me any questions!! I love this site, it has helped keep me motivated and focused. I will continue to check in as much as I can! I attached a before and a couple afters of course!

You dont have to go to your surgeon after a year. Mine said after 16 months a sleeve has "no further surgical" needs even though they never had me on a regular schedule. You can save yourself the extra $$$ for copays and go to your regular doctor for bloodwork.

Note that one of the reasons they want you to come back once a year *may be* for the figures for the ASMBS. I believe they report figures back to there if they are a Center of Excellence.

If you did CBC with differential, lipid panel, CMP, and the following vitamins/minerals: B1, B9 (folate), B12, D, full Iron panel, zinc, and if you have eye problems Vitamin A, and if you take Flintstones or any Vitamin that doesn't include Vitamin K, get that done.

No joke guys, my Vitamin K has been tested twice and NEVER by my former surgeon, and it is so low it never registered. I did Flinstones and then changed to a few generics around until I went to the powders because pills started to become a problem.

My barriatric team wants us back in every year as well. Actually I'll save money because they know how to code the labs unlike most PCPs. But my insurace covers everything but my 20 dollar copoy once a year.

I go in for a physical next month with my pcp. Do u mind giving exams I should ask her for? (Labs)

your surgeron should order all your labs every year and they do a very comphrensive list of them. Have you been post-op of more than a year?

Try dgl licorice to replace ppi

I am going to look into this after my Endoscopy!

Thank you all so much !!

Thank you all for your input. I did not keep taking my supplements after 1.5 years probably cause I always ate 1500+ cals a day and focused on Protein, and all my labs post op were all normal at 6 months and a year, and at 2 years, I guess I was wrong! (silly I know I am a healthcare worker in an inatient facility for eating disorders) I am on ferrous gluconate 325mg twice daily with 1000mg of Vitamin C. And I am going for 100g of Protein a day now instead of 70. Its not easy!! All my B Vitamins are normal. I take a good Multivitamin now too.

I will keep everyone posted on the endoscopy results/ and labs in 6 weeks.

I think you will be happy, I know I am!! Good luck :-)

I was scared of the malabsorption with the gastric bypass, and I didn't want a foreign object in my body that could corrode my stomach like the band.

I think I would have definately lost more with the Gastric Bypass but over all I am very happy with my results. I am about 3 years out from VSG.

Hello all! I posted in the Vets Forum but nobody had any input so I am trying in this area where there seems to be more traffic.

All my labs were normal pre-op, at 1 year and at 2 years, and now at nearly 3 years I am very low on multiple labs. Has this happened to anyone else? My nutrtion is much better now that it was at year 1 and 2.

I am going to see a hematologist and possible get Iron transfusions. I am scheduled for a endoscopy as well. My primary doesn't seem to think this is related to my surgery. I am a RN and my thought is the prilosec I take for my horrid reflux could contribute to the lack of Iron absorbtion.

Thanks for reading! My results are listed with the normals after. Any thoughts or comments appreciated.

WBC: 3.3 (3.8-11.0)

RBC: 4.47 (3.7-5.2

Hemoglobin: 10.1 (11.8-15.5)

Hematocrit: 33.8 (35.0-46.0)

Iron: 20 (50-165)

Iron binding capacity 427 (250-450)

Iron Saturation 5 (20-55)

Prealbumin 17.3 (20.0-40.0)

Ferritin 2 (10-291)

everything else was normal.....

@@Skywalker

As an RN that works with Psychologists and Dieticians everyday: I think your Psychologist has no business judging your "nutritional insight" He has a degree in Psychology not nutrition.

You will be required to see the Dietician before surgery and they will educate you. Problem solved! See the Psychologist that your Surgeon's use.

@@swimbikerun why did you need TPN? did you have a leak?

I have been at about the same weight for 2 years.... up and down with the same 10 pounds. Currently 5 poiunds from my lowest. I eat 75 or more grams of Protein a day and 1800-2000 cals a day. I just don't see how this is happening!

no diff, but all of the others listed are normal.....

Hello all!

All my labs were normal pre-op, at 1 year and at 2 years, and now at nearly 3 years I am very low on multiple labs. Has this happened to anyone else? My nutrtion is much better now that it was at year 1 and 2.

I am going to see a hematologist and possible get Iron transfusions. I am scheduled for a endoscopy as well. My primary doesn't seem to think this is related to my surgery. I am a RN and my thought is the prilosec I take for my horrid reflux could contribute to the lack of Iron absorbtion.

Thanks for reading! My results are listed with the normals after. Any thoughts or comments appreciated.

WBC: 3.3 (3.8-11.0)

RBC: 4.47 (3.7-5.2

Hemoglobin: 10.1 (11.8-15.5)

Hematocrit: 33.8 (35.0-46.0)

Iron: 20 (50-165)

Iron binding capacity 427 (250-450)

Iron Saturation 5 (20-55)

Prealbumin 17.3 (20.0-40.0)

Ferritin 2 (10-291)

everything else was normal.....

You are amazing! thanks for sharing

everyone worries about "never having my favorite".... 95% people can tolerate anything they want post-op including myself. (I am nearly 3 years post-op) Mcdonalds is not my treat of choice... mine is Chic-fil-a or Cheezits.

You WILL be able to eat this DON'T WORRY. Just make this a treat. :-)

Update!! its been 2 weeks since I re-commited myself to getting back on track. I am eating more Protein and less carbs and not eating after 8pm... down 4.6 pounds!! I have not felt this good in a long time!! 5.4 more pounds to go to get me back to my lowest weight then I will tackle 10 more pounds for my ultimate goal. Yay!

Thank you all for posting, this helps me!! I am going to get those ten pounds off, 1 at a time!! I will keep you posted. I am not going down that slippery slope. :-)

I would go to Park Nicollet personally. Why? I have been an employee there for 8 years and I had my surgery 3 years ago with Dr. Thomas Jones. :-) Best decesion I have ever made.

How are your portions?

How is maintenance?

Is anyone revising to the DS or Gastric Bypass?

Anyone struggling with significant regain?

I feel like I am stuck trying to lose 10 pounds that I have gained since I made goal.... I have had success with the 8 hour diet plan...But my willpower is about zero right now.

I am bummed, I want to lose my 10 of regain plus 10 more. I am pretty determined just want to know where others are at this far out. Don't be shy!

Any thoughts/ input are welcome.

I wish more people had info for you Irene! When I was struggling I really researched converting to the DS. I was feeling hopeless. Luckily I am 7 pounds away from my low weight again right now but its not easy. My BMI is still 28ish, and I wonder what it would have been if I would have gone for the Bypass. Don't get me wrong, I am happy, just wonder what it would be like!! (I am a size 12, wayyyyy better than a 24 ) My hunger is no different than before at this point! I'll keep trying, I really hope you get approved !!!

-Lisa (previously Sleeve of Steel!)

you are not alone, I am reading more and more about regain after the sleeve! I too gained 10, and have lost it, and gained it again! I am currently 6 pounds from my lowest. I am 3 years out this summer. I have found the intermittent fasting (8 hour diet) the best. My restriction is fair, I eat 1500-2000 cals a day usually, sometimes more. If you still have a significant amount to loose, and you continue to struggle there is always revising to a DS or a Gastric Bypass.

I think you know WHAT to do. But you need to figure out why you're sabotaging yourself. I would consider seeing a therapist, and start coming up with ways to self soothe other than eating. I have some similar behaviors but not quite as severe. Get back on track now before regain starts. You can do this!! Good luck and keep us posted.