Mrs Havelock

My BMI was 60+ I weighed 372lbs and my surgeon advised RNY, but I chose the sleeve. My reasons were: 1. I have IBS and didn't want more digestive issues. 2. I didn't like the idea of digestive 'dead ends' which couldn't be fully visualised by an endoscope. 3. The benefits of small intestine shortening only last two years max, as the villi in the remaining intestine eventually thicken to compensate. 4. I didn't want the malabsorption issues. It's now 8 months later, I'm 160lbs down and the weight loss is still going strong. It's your body, your life and your choice

I was sleeved April 2013 at 372lbs. Now down 160lbs and weight loss is still going strong. Best decision of my life!

Sleeved April 2013, weighing 372lbs, now 160lbs lighter and so much happier. My surgeon advised bypass, but I chose the sleeve. Worked for me

Reactive hypoglycaemia?

My husband and my dog have both put weight on since my surgery. I've not yet managed to finish even half a child's portion, six months post op. My advice is to always underestimate what you can eat, and even then it'll probably be too much. When you think you're full - you are. Practice leaving an amount on your plate now, then you won't be tempted to eat that one bite too much and feel awful post-sleeve. Good luck, Sarah (6 mths and 144lbs down)

Sleeved April 17th, down 144lbs. Blimey.

The cute guy in my local shop said 'Wow! You look amazing!' as I walked in. The man in the queue next to me said 'He didn't say that to me when I came in!'

When you are on very low calorie diet, your body remains hyper-alert for any potential sources of food.

Bilirubin is responsible for the brown pigmentation of faeces. Lack of it might indicate liver or gallbladder function issues. Get thee to a doctor!

The one and only time I have vomited post-op (5 months) was when I took my multivitamin on an empty stomach.

It's due to plain water having more surface tension. It will improve!

That's when you say one thing but mean your mother.

You would have had a bougie inserted down your throat during the operation. It probably irritated them.

It sounds off.

Er ... fishy?

My BMI was over 60, I had no drains.

It's the biological system we've developed. Our bodies have evolved to store calories for times of famine, and will hold on to those stores with all they've got.

On the contrary, I am obsessed with cooking programmes at the moment. Especially the American diner-type ones. All that gooey cheese and bacon ... mmm!

I slept on my side on my second night post-op. Whatever is most comfortable for you, do it. Your body will soon let you know!

Mmm, those yummy e. Coli, Listeria and Salmonella bacteria in raw milk ...

The sleeve used to be the first step of a two part procedure for severely obese people to enable them to get down to a weight where full bypass surgery would be less risky. However, doctors found that sufficient patients lost enough weight with the sleeve that the second stage was unnecessary and began offering it as a procedure in its own right. The bypass option is still there, though. Addendum. Due the higher complications associated with the bypass, eg. malabsorbtion, it's preferable to start with the sleeve and hope that it is sufficient to help you make the changes and lose the weight you need before considering embarking on the more radical surgery. I'm three months and around 100lbs down with the sleeve, it's working phenomenonally well for me so far.

Some people have no problems, some find the skin troublesome. If it's in your plan, try them and see

It gets reabsorbed into the body. I had no drains and no problems.