Flutterfly19

Did any of you experience hair loss to the extent of having to use hair pieces or wigs? Or did a lot of you just experience minimal hair loss?

So, as overweight people...we typically feel awkard or uncomfortable when we go out (out to eat, even more specifically). We feel like people are staring or judging, or feel like we arent like everyone else. So, I got to wondering...after surgery, does it put you in a whole new stage of feeling awkward? Do you still not feel like you fit in or like people are staring or that you are different...but this time because you CANT eat? I travel for work and was at lunch and then at dinner with coworkers. Lunch is always rushed because we have to get back to the shows we work. I was wondering if I had surgery...how I would handle those situations and If It would just be a continuation of being in awkward situations. What advice or input can you offer? Thank you! A prospective sleever

When I had the lapband, PB stood for 'productive burping'. It's when you burp, and some 'unsettled' food comes up. That may be what OP's comment was referring to.

Prior to surgery? Did the surgery/weight loss help?

So *far....lol

Im in the Plano/Frisco area and would love to meet up with any sleeve mentors in the Dallas area. I am considering surgery and would love to sit down and talk about your experiences. Is anyone up for that?

Hi Jessica, im in the same boat as you. Im still trying to make the big decision. Its so scary! look forward to following your journey. Which surgeon did you choose?

Wow. Great success! Congrats!!!

So, I had the lapband years ago (and ended up having it removed...due to complications). I am considering the gastric sleeve now and have been reading the forums on this site. I am seeing some incredible success stories (congrats to you all)! But i'm also seeing some really concerning things and I think I'm more unsure than when I first came to this site. I am seeing complications like, MASSIVE hair loss, Vitamin deficiencies, anemia, seizures, LOUD rumblings of the stomach, body dysmorphia (sp?)...the list goes on and on. So, I have to ask...is it worth it? Are you glad you did it? Do the benefits outweigh the risks? I would really love to have your input. What would you say to someone in my position? What advice would you give? Thanks in advance for any input!

A coworker and I were discussing 'hot yoga' yesterday. Im considering the sleeve so it made me wonder, what is working out like post sleeve? Do you feel more likely to pass out? Is it easier? What is your experience?

MauiGirl5555...funny, im an Events Planner too. We clearly think too much. Lol

I need some input...I am considering the gastric sleeve and I encountered a situation last night that really made me think. Clearly I have issues with food. Last night, we ordered pizza. I hadnt eaten much all day because I was so slammed at work, so when that pizza arrived, I put 2 pieces on my plate and had my papa johns garlic butter sauce ready to dip into. I took a big bite and it was SOOOOO good. As I ate those 2 pieces of pizza...I couldnt help but think..."how in the hell would I ever survive the gastric sleeve"? At this point, I cant even imagine not being able to have moments like that...where I can just chow down. Does this desire go away? Post op, are you sad or depressed that you can never do that again? How do you cope with that? Can you walk me through what this is like, on the other side? (this sounds so pathetic...but it's the reality of life before the sleeve and it's how most of us got into this mess in the first place...sadly)

MauiGirl5555...funny, im an Events Planner too. We clearly think too much. Lol

Hey there, So, I'm considering the sleeve but have many concerns. One of them being that I have a MAJOR sweet tooth. When I had the lapband, sweets were the one thing that were easy to get by the band (most healthy foods hurt too much or would get stuck)...so it was easy to trick the band. So, what I am wondering is if any of you loved sweets prior to surgery. How has that affected your weightloss? How did you handle it? Does your desire for sweets change after being sleeved? Thanks!

Wow..these are some really inspirational responses and they actually made me tear up. To see that this procedure helped so many people NOT feel like I feel right now is amazing. Being on this side of things, it's so hard to comprehend. I want SOOOO badly to take that leap and just do it...but I am SO scared. Did all of you feel terrified about this like I do? I'm scared I will have a leak or a blood clot or that I could die. Is it natural to be petrified into non action due to those fears?

Thanks for all of the input. It's SO hard for me to imagine a life where I dont crave that stuff or a life where I am not depressed or sad because I couldnt have them. Was this a fear of yours as well?

Omg....I have been considering this procedure but holy hell, this sounds horrible! What are the odds that something like what you guys have experienced will happen?

I'm not a big drinker, never really have been. With that said, I DO like to go to happy hour here and there and I do like to be able to enjoy having drinks with friends occasionally. I had a friend who had the gastric BYPASS...and man, when she would drink, it would hit her like a freight train. She would be wasted in NO time and it really became an issue. I am scared of that happening to me if I decide to be sleeved. What is it like...drinking after being sleeved? Does it hit you harder than before?

Hey there! I had the Lapband in 2006 and really had a tough time with it and had it removed a couple years later. I'd like to hear from people who have had the Lapband, had it removed and then were sleeved. I'm worried that if I'm sleeved, I will have the same issues (not being able to swallow, sliming, throwing up, extreme discomfort, etc) and not be able to do anything about it (since you can't just undo it like can with the Lapband). How do the two experiences compare with one another? Thank you!!!

Awesome. Thanks so much!

A

7 Bites Jen..thank you! It's good to hear from a fellow Texan (much less someone who is just down the road...I'm near Frisco)! Catnapper...so you still have a lot of issues with hunger? And yes, I did get the impression that the lbs melt off. I keep reading about 80 lb losses w in 3 months. But then I also see some people w 30 lb losses within 7 months. So...it seems to vary. So, that hasn't been your experience?

Yikes Andrew, that's so scary. I'm glad they caught the issue in time and glad to hear you're doing well now. It blows me away when I read stories like that and THEN read that the person is STILL glad they had the procedure!

Yes! This is what I have been looking for. Great idea!

Morewithless and KltKlass...this is GREAT information. Thank you SOOO SOOO much for taking the time to respond. Morewithless, I'm glad to know I'm not the only one with those concerns and it's good to hear you are on the other side of this and that those concerns aren't an issue. It's just SOOOOO scary to do something SOOOO permanent. It's like I'll get close to the edge, ready to jump and then I take a few steps back because I'm scared...and then I inch back to the edge and want to jump again....(weird analogy, but I'm sure y'all will get what I'm talking about). I'm so glad I found this site! It's helped a lot already!