Bryan Whitson

Im about 10 days post op with my VSG and I have some inquiries. I've been reading up on a lot of different forums about stomach stretching and capacity and I was wondering if you really can stretch out your stomach? My doctors stated that you can, but I've read a lot of conflicting information. I was also told that carbonation adds to the stretching, is this true? If so, I've always liked flat diet coke better anyway, haha.

Another thing I've been reading is where people are all bummed out and upset with themselves if they eat a Peanut Butter and jelly sandwich or 2 slices of pizza in a sitting, considering they're still likely under 1200 calories a day, what's all the fret about when things like this happen? I personally look forward to being in the maintenance zone and being allowed to indulge a little now and then, not often of course, but people flame the bejeezus out of those who do and admit to doing so. Anyway, these are my observations and questions after frequenting many of these forums and I still haven't had any conclusive answers. Let me know what ya think...

I've read about people being able to eat a pretty fair amount in one sitting a couple years post op... Is this true? After I get to goal I would like to be able to have regular portions and maintain at around 2000 to 2500 calories a day. Also, can you actually gulp or guzzle down Water?

One guy said he can eat 2 slices of pizza, and have a diet coke but then he is very full... Would you be able to do the same? Not that it should be a regular thing, but I'm curious to know.

So, I'm 1 week post op and I'm mourning food and the prospect of ever being able to eat more then dainty portions again... I'm surrounded by people who are of normal builds who can eat a whole plate of food or a cheeseburger and fries and still maintain their normal size. It frightens me to think that I will never be able to finish a cheeseburger or indulge and eat a whole plate of Thanksgiving food. I understand that my size and lifestyle prior to the sleeve wasn't normal either, but I have serious anxiety about never being able to guzzle a bottle of Water or finish a sandwich again. Is this just the price I have to pay?

Will I ever be able to do these things again? Ultimately I would like to be at goal weight and maintain with about 2000 to 2500 calories a day like a normal human being and be able to actually gulp down some water after a good work out. Will this never happen? Please refrain from flaming me, only supportive, informative and non-judgmental responses please.

I wish we had a surgeon or doctor to post on here as to whether or not a 70 percent removal versus an 85 percent removal will still be effective? I just don't want it to be so restrictive

I read an article that compared weight loss between those with a 54F bougie and those with a 32F bougie and it claimed the stats were virtually identical.

Did anyone have a bigger bougie or pouch size? I know one person stated that their mother had a 75 % removal and that it was very effective.

Ughhh... I guess I just need to speak with my surgeon about it... Any further feedback is appreciated : )

First and foremost, I'd ask...why are you having this surgery Bryan? Risking your life to lose weight indicates to me a desire not to weigh 400lbs? But your words belie your actions. You don't want to deal with extreme, yet you will undergo a life threatening surgery (anyone would have to say that this surgery is extreme). I'm totally confused as to the "why" at this point when reading your posts.

Bryan, the plain facts are that 400lbs is an extreme weight to have reached isn't it?

So let's talk about the extremes....

If you have major heart surgery you will find it can take up to 20 mins to roll over and get out of bed after surgery, with your heart racing you will slowly pull yourself up to a seated position, breath deeply for a few mins after that to slow your heart beat, then work your way up to a stand, only to have to pause to breath deeply...perhaps sit again, and start all over.

If they cut half your leg off it may take you months to learn how to walk again on prosthetics. Cut half your arm off and you may take the same time to learn how to write again. Eventually with all of these, you'll regain your normal speed likely, but it takes time because you've had major surgery...something extreme, and your body has to heal.

Cut out the majority of your stomach....and you can't wolf down a burger. See the correlation? It takes time to heal and for many that can be weeks and others months.

I'm assuming you feel that you want the surgery to lose weight? Here's the deal...studies show that you need to leave a sleeve...just a sleeve, or the surgery is wasted. (Learned from studying cancer patients...the worse the cancer, the more stomach they took...the ones with "sleeves" saw the side effect of weight loss and lack of regain after 2 years, the ones who lost less of their stomach saw significant regain and didn't lose as much). The sleeve is hard muscle and the balance of your stomach is soft and flexible...it stretches to contain ridiculous amounts of food (ie thanksgiving dinner). If you leave part of that stretchy stomach, you leave the ability to over eat. If you want to over eat, well that's fine, but then why have the surgery?

I'm three and a half weeks out from my second surgery, two months out from my first. I enjoy food and the social aspect of eating. We are big foodies and I don't expect this to change. I sat through a 4 1/2 hour, seven course dinner last weekend and enjoyed every min of it, even though I wasn't finishing each course. You can do this too. But it will take time to get your sleeve to the point where it's comfortable with larger amounts of food after the surgery. At the end of that meal people were groaning about how full they were. I was comfortable, enjoyed all but the raw vegis, and lost two pounds that weekend.

I had the surgery and still regret the risks I took. I had severe complications and am still waiting to find out if more surgery is necessary. So understand that I get a bit of a chip on my shoulder when I think of people taking these risks without being committed to change their life even a little. I don't want to see one single person who ends up in a life or death struggle because they had to have that half a cheese burger too early. (Which can happen if you don't follow the program, eat smaller amounts and slower at first). My leak was not self caused...a horrible product of an internal bleed most likely, but no matter how a leak is caused, the recovery is hell. And some people don't recover.

Don't have this surgery until YOU are ready for it Bryan. You're not right now, that's very clear. Don't take these risks for no reason. You'll just have to do it again (to get a real sleeve) later when you are ready, if you ever are. You need to wrap your head around the risks. You might be one of the people who, a year out, only can eat slowly (half an hour for a meal by the way is what normal people do). You will likely never have a huge plate of lasagna, half a loaf of french bread and a couple of beers in one sitting. Is that a bad thing???? Well in some minds it is, and if that's where you are, you need to walk past this weight loss option and look to something else.

I probably sound half way flamming. I'm not trying to be a flamer. I'm trying to impart the reality of this surgery into your head. And yes, to talk you out of it now, at this point in your life. Later, when you're ready, it could work wonders, but not now. It's not your time I think.

So, because I don't want to do the sleeve surgery the same way most others do it means it won't work for me? How do you know? I absolutely understand the risks of being morbidly obese, and the extreme health effects that it causes. I also understand that this is an extreme surgery, I would have to be an idiot not to.

Maybe I'm ready to lose weight, but not have a super restrictive sleeve versus one that's a little bit larger. Couldn't it be beneficial both ways? I'm very active for a big fat guy and I like to work out and lift weights, so I'm trying to take this into consideration also. Why does it have to be super restrictive or not at all? Couldn't there be a more comfortable middle ground such as 70 percent removal versus 85 percent?

I was self pay so I wanted to make sure mine was small enough that I never had to worry about going through a surgery like this again! I agree with the other poster, maybe you are not mentally ready to give up on eating so much. Let me tell you, once the weight starts falling off you will not miss all the food you used to consume at one sitting! I'm 4 months out and 87 lbs down so I kinda know what I'm saying is true.

It's not that I'm scared about the idea of not having the capacity to eat as much as I currently do, it's the idea that I will be relegated to such a super extreme version of this. Taking 30 minutes to eat 2 oz. of meat and a 1/3 cup of veggies seems pretty absurd "no offense." The thing is, I do have poor eating habits and unfortunately I'm a quantity eater. I would just like to have a smaller stomach that limits me, but not to such an extreme amount.

So, I asked my Surgeon if I could have only 65 to 70 percent of my stomach removed rather then the standard 80 to 85 percent. He said he will honor my request, but would like to talk about it more during pre-op.

Has anyone else made requests like this? I know a lot of folks are completely happy and okay with the much smaller sleeve, but the idea of it taking me 25 minutes to finish 1 packet of oatmeal or 10 minutes to finish an 8 oz glass of Water is pretty extreme...

I know I'll probably get flamed for this, especially considering my current size and the fact that the lifestyle that led to me being over 400 lbs is pretty extreme also. I'm aware of all of this and I'm aware that it may make it more difficult to lose weight... I'll lose weight regardless, it's still 2/3 of my stomach gone. I'm sure that and a high Protein, low carb diet along with the modified VSG will suffice.

I'm curious to know if others have asked for a modified surgery or what you might think about this.

Thanks,

Bryan

So, I'm having surgery on Nov. 9th and I keep getting anxiety about certain things, so I was wondering if some post op sleevers could help relieve my anxiety and give me some insight?

First I was afraid I will never enjoy food again, which I found out is an irrational fear, as the majority of sleevers it turns out still LOVE food, just in smaller amounts.

Now I'm afraid I will never be able to chug Water again. I know this is a stupid fear, but I like working out and I love being able to slug down some Water after a good lifting or heavy bag session. Will I ever be able to drink water normally again?

Also, I got in a bit of a debate with a pre-op sleever who was telling me that I will not be able to gain muscle mass after the procedure has been completed. He said that I can maintain, but I would never be able to get the nutrition and calories needed in one day to gain muscle or make up for my caloric deficit once I start exercising more and working towards a goal of mine which is to fight in 1 MMA match.

Is this true, have any sleevers gained more muscle then they had and kept the fat off?

Anyway, please let me know what you think... I would really like to know that someday I will be able to drink water normally again after the procedure.

Thanks for all the feedback and honesty everyone. I'm still struggling with my anxiety during this preop diet. Hopefully it will subside once the procedure has been completed. I just hope I don't completely lose any desire for food... We'll see.

basicaly none of it is medical. That's what support groups and your Doctors team would tell you, Once you start cheating and going against the recomendations it's a slippery slope. Thats why we have people in the support groups who lost incredible amounts of weight and after a year or two it started back up, some weight more now than when they started. pizza and Beer, cake, pastries, sodas. Just a little bit or a bite or a sip and it just grows everyone thinks they can control it. How did your become overweight to begin with must have been our outstanding self control. Sorry hope this helps some people who read this post. All the rules are really only recomendations because you will do what ever you want, you dont have anyone beating you with a hammer to do it right. Thats why there are a lot of eventual failures it's not the Doctor its your mind set and will to get it right and change your life style for the better. Forget about the idea Now that I can eat BBQ and Cheeseburgers like normal people. If that's your attitude you were not ready for the surgery and you will probably fail.

I think people just want to know that someday they can have a little BBQ and Cheesebuger now and then, but in more normal/smaller portions... I think it's a fair question, and I think it's kind of presumptuous to think they'll fail because of it.

Besides, isn't it ridiculously difficult to stretch your stomach back out?

Interesting question. I'm almost nine months out, down 75 and ten pounds to goal. I will preface this with the fact I don't consider myself really a food addict pre surgery. I have a horrible metabolism. My relationship with food is still however very different. I love cooking more now than before. I love planning and cooking. I don't eat much, but can pretty much eat anything. I am choosy because I have so little room. I naturally crave much healthier food and fried food even the thought if it makes me sick. I feel very normal and already hardly remember all the liquid and purées anymore. I just feel normal. It's much easier than I expected. Good luck.

Thanks for taking the time to provide feedback... I guess I'm a bit of a food addict, so the idea of not being able to enjoy eating touches on some anxiety I have concerning the issues.

I go in the 7th - preop diet starts the 24th. Of course some of the fam is giving me a hard time cause thankgiving is coming up i will be on liquids lol they also are the first to say it will be well worth it too

Hahaha, I know... You would of thought we would have been smart enough to wait until after the holidays. Turkey and stuffing sounds amazing right now as I suck down an Atkins "wild berry" shake!

I kinda had the same question. I like to cook and cook alot for the family. We bbq or cook out alot. My fam is not all heavy. But i enjoy having the fam over and throw something on the grill and bs all day and watch a game.

Have you already had the procedure or are you planning to?

I enjoy food but don't really think about it. I went to lunch with some of my best girlfriends and had a hot turkey sandwich. It was wonderful. I ate a little turkey a bite of mashed potatoes and was satisfied. Every meal is like a feast because you eat so little that what you do eat is so good.

This is reassuring : )

I do not look forward to or enjoy food any longer. What I do enjoy is participating in physical activities that I could not do 4 months ago. Oh and I enjoy shopping. Lol. I also am on an eating schedule to remind myself to eat. My world doesn't revolve around food anymore. I'm enjoying this new life a lot

The idea that people don't enjoy food after the procedure is something that bothers me. Food is such a big part of my life and the culture of my family and so forth... Do you miss it at all? I would like to still be able to enjoy food after the procedure, but just in smaller amounts. I'm a bit of a foodie and I can't imagine not ever looking forward to, or enjoying food again.

I'm still newly sleeved but I've been on soft foods for several days now but I have found myself less obsessed with food. My mind is freed up from thinking about food constantly or that next meal. I can go hours without eating and not feel like my blood sugar is plummeting like it used to before I was sleeved. Once I eat and become full I no longer have the urge to take another bite. I've also become used to the idea of not finishing everything on my plate, my dog has been eating a ton of my left overs lol.

Do you still enjoy food or look forward to it though?

All I can say is, for me food is fuel, not entertainment or enjoyment. I don't hate food, but I have other things I do for fun and excitement. Food just allows me to do those things. I ran 2-1/2 miles the other night without stopping. 5 months ago I couldn't run around the driveway. That is way more fun than any meal I ever had.

As for caffeine, sure you can go back to it but why would you want to? Once you break your addiction, why start a new one?

I understand the whole "I don't use food for entertainment anymore" concept. I guess my issue is fear of never wanting or enjoying food again. Even super skinny people enjoy the occasional burger or pizza and enjoy going out and looking forward to a tasty meal now and then. Also, as far as caffeine goes, I have no issue with being addicted to it. I love coffee and tea and after my sleeve is healed I'm hoping I will be able to take great pleasure in those vices once again.

I think it's absolutely amazing that you can run 2 1/2 miles and that you enjoy life more now. Hopefully soon I'll be in the same boat : )

MiniMo, I like your view on the matter, I might just adopt it : )

I am 19 days post op and I hate to say it, but no, I am not enjoying food right now. I know it will get better, but for now its a pain. Next week, I start soft foods. Truthfully, I am kinda scared to eat. I am all soup-ed out, my fridge and pantry is full of Soup that I have made from scratch and Ive had one or two bites and I am over it. I am just tired of soup, as well as Jello. I still enjoy yogurt, V8, and pops, but I sincerely dont have a desire to eat anything... Today, I had two protien shakes and a half of a cup of Tomato Soup, plus my Water, that was it.

Are you concerned that you may never desire food again, or do you think this is just a byproduct of a healing stomach?

I've read some experiences from other people who talk about how they still like food and enjoy it, but it took them a bit... the idea of not even liking food bothers me.

I don't look forward to it or enjoy it. I'm sure that will change at some point.

When did you have it done? Does it bother you that you don't look forward to it or enjoy it? Do you have other vices in place of the food? Do you look forward to tea or coffee?

Thanks... Im hoping it's a positive move in the right direction. It's kind of silly that I'm such an obsessive fatass that my biggest concern is being able to enjoy or look forward to various foods down the road.

The idea that I can't eat a normal meal is frightening to me for some reason.

I'm scheduled to have my VSG on Nov 9th in Tijuana and I'm fearful that I wont enjoy food anymore or look forward to having meals. This was and is such a big part of my life and our culture, I can't imagine not even wanting food...

Also, will I be able to drink caffeine eventually?

Ughhh... I cheated tonight, again!!! This time pretty bad. I had a spoonful of Peanut Butter, a dill pickle, a couple spoonfuls of fat free cottage cheese and a cheese stick. I added up all my calories and Im still under 1200, as I only had two Protein Shakes and a salad with tuna on it before my ridiculous splurge.

I keep tricking myself into thinking it's okay to eat all this stuff cause it has almost no carbs, no sugar and lots of Protein, but I'm thinking part of the reason we have to stick to the plan is to also adjust to no solids eventually.

The lack of caffeine is driving me crazy still, but my surgeon approved taking the pain killers for my knee.

Are there any post op VSG'ers who can let me know if it gets easier or how they coped with the pre-op diet?

How funny, my procedure is on Nov 9th. I arrive in San Diego on the 7th and Samuel is picking me up on the morning of surgery.

Hi Bryan,

If you have a coordinator you should ask about taking pain meds, I didn't even think of asking and I take percocet for bad knees and back, I am actually going to MX Nov 7th so I probably should ask too lol.

After the first few days the headache should stop, I have been lucky thus far (Day 3 of liquid diet) to not have a headache but I had some migrane OTC pills just incase.

If you are having a hard time and this is your first week where you are allowed some type of food, I would say have a little bit of a pickle if you want to but as you get closer just start getting more strict. The last thing you want is to get there and your liver be too big, I know sometimes that will cause them to open ya up opposed to laporscopically (well.. that is what I have read).

Best of luck to you! Keep your head up and eye on the prize and you will do great!!!

Thanks for the input. I actually have my surgery on Nov 9th in Tijuana with Dr. Garcia also, haha. You'll be leaving as I arrive.

Im having a lot of difficulties with the preop diet so far, but I've stuck with it pretty well. Only in my 3rd day, but the lack of caffeine and the headache are the worst part so far. Is Alma your coordinator also?