HaddocksEyes

Hi,

I'm Jess and I'm researching the sleeve and am pretty sure I will go ahead, but I just want anyone who has had a negative experience or anyone who fully regrets doing it to tell me why, so I'm fully aware of the negatives as well as the positives.

Please be brutally honest.

Thank you so much!!

X

I do not regret my decision at all. I did not have any serious co-morbidities going into the surgery other than a high fasting blood sugar from time to time. My only problem was being so overweight, so it was a struggle for me to decide to have the surgery. The one thing going through my mind was that I could make myself unhealthy through a life-long complication BECAUSE I had the surgery. However, I knew if I didn't do it, I would either stay morbidly obese or I would continue to get fatter and serious co-morbidities would eventually be my lot.

I did not suffer from serious complications. Just the normal heartburn and Constipation. I don't even feel like I had surgery until I eat and my stomach reminds me that it's not so big anymore.

Good luck!!

You will get alot of replies I am sure! I also suggest you do a "search" for the word regret or regrets to see comments from many on this topic.

Full disclosure - no regrets - I went from BMI over 50 to a normal BMI and am maintaining below my personal goal. I lost over 160# !! - I feel like the sleeve saved my life.

I have been reading these forums for a few years and the regrets generally come in 3 camps:

1. Recently sleeved; struggling with the first weeks or months post op. Vast majority of these people change their minds down the road.

2. Minority of people who have complications. That is an interesting catagory because there are a few people who have gone through really rough time, but generally once they come out the other side they are glad they are sleeved!

3. People who do not achieve lasting weight loss - disappointed with results. To me, that is the tough category. This does happen. I have had great success, but I am nearly 3 years out and i need to warn you - at this stage "maintenance" is more about me and less about the sleeve... I could have never gotten here without the sleeve and it does help me maintain, but you need to have very realistic expectations about what WLS can do for you and what it can't...

At 9 weeks out, I am totally feeling what you are saying, so thank you for verbalizing it so well. I can eat a little over a cup of food and if I am not careful with my choices, I can easily go over 1,200 calories if I choose foods high in fat and calories. With each day that passes, more and more of the responsibility to keep from getting "sloppy" (not tracking food, not exercising, making bad food choices, etc.) is on me and not the sleeve.

I was all prepared for the stall I would encounter in my 3rd week post op as I've read extensively about it on here. What I haven't seen, is how long did it last before you started losing again? Right now I've been stalled for 5 days.

A little over two and a half weeks.

So, I am just past the 1 year mark.

To be honest, I feel disappointed in my progress. I have a friend that had surgery 2 weeks after me and she met her goal prior to the 1 year mark. I look at the before and after pictures people post and am amazed at how much some people have lost in 9 months. I am still 50lbs from my goal. I have only lost 13 lbs in the last 6 months. I can see a visible difference in pictures, but in the mirror I still feel fat.

I try to remind myself that this is a marathon, not a sprint. But I just can't help but feel disappointed. Weight loss has been really difficult for me for many years with nothing really working. I am really happy that I am down 74 lbs and feel so much more alive!

I had wanted to reach my goal at 1 year, so I could get pregnant after reaching goal.

Anyone else have a huge slowdown? Am I the only one that didn't lose everything in the first 9 months?

I just posted a thread about this so I am glad to see you mention it as well.

I went to my doctor today for my two month visit today. They were very nice but honest that I should have lost a greater percentage of weight by now. The nurse said that now is the time to really exercise. She said by 6 months my body could adapt and I could find that what I have been doing no longer works for me. Then she went on to say that at 12 months, I could find myself doing everything right and still not losing weight. I said I was fine losing 10 pounds per month but she said in 4 months, I may not be able to do even that if I start hitting plateaus.

So up until now I have been very relaxed about the rate at which I have been losing weight. My mantra has been "marathon and not a race". But now I am a bit scared because I remember how hard it was to lose weight prior to surgery. It scares me to think that I could go back to that. I defintely have restriction when I eat and I stop when I am full. Then she mentioned the sleeve getting bigger - well, I started to sweat just a bit thinking I am being TOO relaxed.

On the bright side, she said I can start really challenging myself when I exercise (meaning I really need to make myself sweat instead of taking a leisurely walk around the block) and I can start lifting weights. YAY!

Any people that are 6 months out and beyond care to elaborate and give an opinion on what was said? Just a moment of your time would be great.

THANKS!!

I would argue the main benefit of wls is setting you up for maintainance. I am nearly 3 years from my surgery and in retrospect it didn't really matter how quickly I got to goal. What matters is that i am still under my goal.

THIS!!!

I think it is really awesome you have lost that much in one month. At two months, i am almost at 30 pounds lost. And I am okay with that.

I don't know if this is comforting for you but for me, I know whatever I lose is not ever coming back. I also know that even if it comes off slowly, it WILL come off because it HAS to. It's very empowering because before when I dieted pre-surgery, I always would think "how long is this going to take?" and "can I keep up this strict diet and exercise regimen long enough to lose all of this weight?" When I would lose slowly (which I would always do) I would just get so discouraged.

As many have said (and it's so true) this is a marathon and not a race. Enjoy each hurdle as they come, knowing you have the tool to finally succeed.

I know there's been a number of posts very similar to mine, but I need to vent. I'm almost 5 months post-op, and everyone in my life has been super supportive! It's truly been a blessing. I've lost about 75 lbs. and at first, got plenty of compliments. Now, I'm still about 10 lbs. overweight, and I'm really working hard to lose it. However, people are starting to sip on some serious haterade. I've always been overly sensitive, and secretly it's hurting my feelings. They'll say things like, "You don't plan to lose any more weight, do you?" (and give me a stank eye) or "You don't want to get too skinny." HELLO!! I'm still overweight. What gives, and how can I still keep my motivation and spirits up? Thanks for any advice, or if you just want to make me giggle, that's cool too!!

LOL - I was good until I got to the "stank eye" part. Yeah, the Decaf on the keyboard due to my uncontrollable laughing.

I'm only two months out and have lost 30 of the 140 pounds I need to lose, so unfortunately, I don't have any advice as the people around me (at work primarily-those who would possibly come up with comments like that) haven't really paid attention to the fact that I am thinner. However, I saw your fun personality shine in this post and had to respond. You sound like a really neat person!

How long before you ate subway or Jamba juice..

No Subway yet (I'm two months out). Not a Jamba juice person before this but my doctor said to kiss drinks like that goodbye because of their high carb/sugar content. Not supposed to have juice either of any form for the rest of my life due to the same thing.

But everyone's doctor is different, so you may not have the same restrictions.

I was told by my doctor that with rapid weight loss comes the increased risks of developing gall stones. I was prescribed Ursodiol for the next 6 months. taking 1 pill in the morning and another at night. These pills are expensive!!!! cash price of 180 pills (90 day supply) is over $1200. luckily my insurance had me cover only $158. My doc says that these pills will reduce the chance of gall stones from 32% to 2%.

Just curious if this is a normal Rx for others post surgery (who have their gall bladder...).

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a699047.html

Yes, I am supposed to take one pill, three times a day, right before Breakfast, lunch and dinner for the next 6 months.

I'm still a newb at 2 weeks out, but I'm wondering, just how much can you eat later on? Say 3, 6, 9, and 12 months? I know when I took a few nibbles of scrambled eggs, I thought to myself "hmm I better not do anymore" I think I'm too scared to try and eat more if that makes sense. I don't want a leak or any other issue.

I'm two months out and everything I have eaten has been tolerated if that helps. I can eat about a cup of food at a sitting if it is not dense food (like chicken or turkey).

I have not yet tried steak - not quite ready for that.

It's great that you let everyone know that the post-op experience is not horrible for everyone. In fact, I'll bet you are right and most people will say it wasn't that bad.

For the people who might have been turned off by the negative posts by people like me, I hope they stuck around long enough to read the "walking on sunshine" posts that I, and many others posted after a few weeks.

So glad to hear that you are feeling better!!!

I read so many posts and blogs about Weightloss surgery before I had my own(09/30/14). Reading these post scared the HELL out of me. First the dreaded pain, sagging skin,hair loss,&this or that made me run for the hills. I'm here to tell those who will come after me, after my surgery I asked my dr why didn't he do my surgery? He laughed and said you had the surgery. The next day I had a pain level of 6 and that was my worst. I walked the same day if my surgery. I was able to eat my broths on the third day and now it's my fourth day I ate almost a whole can of cream of chicken broth. I have no pain and although I haven't lost weight (I don't think) I am one to say that every experience is different but my experience has been painless and I'm ready to workout. Maybe ill be cleared by my surgeon by next Friday. God bless and overlook those who may dramatize their surgery stories and surgery outcomes. We all had great surgeons and depending on age, weight,& health overall is how your story will turnout.

Congratulations on getting through the process!

My recovery was very similar to yours - yes, there was pain but it was manageable. Once the swelling subsided, I was able to drink and eat more and more.

I don't even feel like I had surgery until I eat and feel the restriction - that's how normal life is for me now. My energy has almost completely returned and I am almost as active as I was pre-sleeve.

I do think that the doctor you choose is one of the most important success indicators. The sleeve in many aspects takes more finesse than the Roux.N.Y, at least according to my doctor. Each patient is an individual, with individual inside anatomies and stomach curvature. The number of surgeries he or she has performed is important, as well as their skill in suturing and attention to detail. My surgeon uses the typical titanium staples but then goes and hand sutures as well just to make sure that no stone has been left unturned.

However, no matter how talented a surgeon we have, we are the other part of the success equasion, both before and after the surgery. Your general health before and after the procedure, as well as diet and exercise compliance is important.

@@HaddocksEyes I wish I could say I was doing better, first week out was great no issues or complications and I felt things were getting back to normal. Now two weeks out I've caught a head cold and sneezed my way back into being paralyzed. The pain I'm feeling in my abdominal area feel like muscle pain right where my belly button is and every time I move or walk or breath the wrong way it feels like my intestines are trying to fly out of my body.

So sorry to hear that. But the upside is that you are consuming good amounts of Protein and I hear that the best way to fight a cold is to do just that. I hope you are feeling better!!

My Darlings,

I haven't been here for a while and whilst I won't make apologies for this -had a lot going on in life (my dearest mother has been, well, not well at all- and my friend who put false nails on me one day ago, has a lot to answer for in this immediate typing nightmare) it would be churlish and remiss to not acknowledge this milestone. A milestone I'm hugely proud of.

So, Fother, Muckers, what have we learnt?

1) Your friends or family (if that's who you choose to tell) are everything. Fact. Real and internet based. If you're blessed - you make friends on here that stay with you forever. I have that. I am blessed. For the newbies.. hold tight... life is good if you make friend(s) like I have. Put yourself out there. Lets share this journey together... (yes, I used the vomit-worthy term 'journey'). I told none of my family.... but I have gained a lifelong friend off of here... and she is a true blessing in my life. If you're dancing in corners. Stop it. Dance in the lights and meet wonderful people. I know you've been shy... or the diametric opposite as a cover...seriously.... open your hearts. We're all scared...But when you're open and vulnerable - that's when the best things happen. Go on. Surprise yourself x

2) It all feels like shite at the start.... 8 months out and you're rocking it. You find your groove. Don't lie to yourself. Stop trying to ram your old favourites down your neck. You're lying to yourself if you are. Just f*****ig stop it. No one will listen to you griping and well, you're just lying to yourself. If you're sat there thinking 'who the f**** is this biatch'...It's someone who lied to herself.. and then realised she felt **** if she didn't eat the right foods. As good as carbs taste? You'll feel sated (and hugely over -bloated) and then feel empty. There's a reason why the old guard on here tell you to eat right. Just choose Protein... Fact.

3) Don't sit in judgement. You don't know everything. If you do? Become a researcher for Steven Hawking/Pinker. I am a judgemental SOAB - but every day on here - someone taught me something new. I'm contrite. But f**** me... if people don't stretch the intellectual conditions of the positions to which we've found ourselves...this site will become an 8 month cyclical repository of predictable shite. Push the boundaries, folks. Keep asking those questions and keep supporting others. To the 'old guard' be very grateful....... To the newbies, be patient (something I'm trying to learn)

4) Okay, I could go on forever and ever.. about HUGE subjects that impact upon us all after the surgery. If it clarifies things for people.. I split up with my fiance.. I realised me siblings had left my mother in a position of destitution...But I look f******* hot now.. and thats come from a strength from within that I never realised I had and was not all about the looks. I have changed the world around me. A world I wasn't happy with. A world around me that the people i most cared about weren't happy with. I am FULLY representing. Big deep breaths... What you want.. what you need.... what the people you need desire of you, is seriously within your grasp.

In short, my loves..

Don't BS yourselves and others. You want it? Go get it. Its out there. (Oh, for the metric heads, i'm 5-odd stone down..)

If anyone would like to stay in touch? Please.I'm always here.. (Just be prepared for the sarcastic Revs, if you're not taking real x)

Love you all. You're all very very special. Part of a club of balsy people that the naturally skinny will NEVER understand.

x Revs x

( A little bit drunk, too!) x

you.are.awesome. We are the ones blessed to have you on here.

~little ole' fish eyes, otherwise known as "little grasshopper"~

I'm really stuck as to whether to get the sleeve or bypass... I went into this process set on bypass, but now I'm considering the sleeve. My biggest concern is that I'm a former sugar addict (have done well the last couple of months), but I feel like I would be better off with bypass because of the risk of dumping.

Is anyone here, who has had the sleeve, been successful in fighting the sugar cravings? Does the sleeve do anything to help you curb the cravings? I'm afraid that if I don't have that extra incentive (dumping) to avoid the sweets, I'll fall back into my sugar loving ways...

HI!

There is light at the end of the tunnel. I was a serious sugar addict - bread, pies, Cookies, pastas...you name it, I probably loved it.

Post sleeve, I am no longer a slave to the cravings. It's really amazing, considering how addicted I was before. It's like night and day.

Hi All!

My surgery was on August18th. I am going into my sixth week post-op. I feel really good, despite suffering from acid reflux/heartburn.

A week ago I progressed to soft foods and yesterday was the first time I had whole wheat bread and crackers. All went down the hatch without a hitch. Nothing that I have eaten yet has irritated my stomach, except it does not like ice cold drinks of any kind.

I am losing very slow. I have been in a stall (that began at 3 weeks) for the last two weeks. This morning the scale FINALLY moved one pound down. I am not mad about that because for the first time ever, I KNOW I will lose weight and it will never come back again. It's just a matter of "when".

I am going to the gym for the first time today, after I get off from work. I am excited about that. As soon as they give me clearance, I am going to hit the weights.

To all that are having complications, I hope you are feeling better soon!

To those that are plugging along without them, may your path continue to be smooth.

I know everyone loses weight in different way's and different places.

I'm 2 weeks out this Monday and I've gained 2inches around my waste, Am I really still that swollen 2 weeks out?!..I've lost 2inches around my calves, Arms and thighs. I just think it's weird was wondering if any one else experienced this lol.

Hi Baby,

I haven't experienced that but was just wondering how you were doing overall.

Hey there guys! Anyone else completely confused between stomach hunger pains, gas pains and fighting head hunger? Holy mackerel. ... burning out on shakes but will pick up sugar free syrups tomorrow. I so badly wanted to eat a tater tot tonight. Hard to fight the urges and re-learn eating. Thanks for reading my whine. :-)

Yeah, that's a hard one. In the first few weeks, I learned just how close real hunger and head hunger are. I felt actual hunger from early out and still do. It's an empty feeling in my stomach..like I need to put something in there. I also have acid reflux and that feels like a burning but it doesn't feel "empty" to me.

Hope that helped!

I'm not going to miss bumping into walls, worrying about fitting into chairs - especially airplane seats, having to shop at plus size stores and so much more! What about you?

What are you going to try as you get smaller? I want to try rock wall climbing!

I don't miss being a slave to food. I don't miss the cravings and the need to pile a ton of food on my plate.

I don't miss the huge portions I used to eat.

This has been the best thing ever for me. Even though I am losing slowly, I am so happy with my decision.

GOOD LUCK!!!

Hi guys and girls

It's been a long time since I've posted. Just an update, I was sleeved in Dec 2013 at 264 pounds 5'2. Here it is today knocking at 100 pound loss mark. But more significantly I was able to do THIS the other night! Haven't done this in years!!!! ImageUploadedByBariatricPal1410739786.291576.jpg

Hey, how did the bar go? Now that it is over, I bet you are super relieved!

Great progress on the weight loss - I'm stuck in a stall right now.

I have decided to keep my surgery a secret. Major reason for keeping it a secret is lack of understanding and all the misconceptions. I don't like to justify myself, plus I am pretty private.

so my question is, if it does come out that I had surgery, what can I tell them that would jive with a VSG? gerd surgery? haital hernia repair? I need something good, if it comes up.

I am a week out of surgery now and have this week off of work. no one knows why I took off time. told them it was just a staycation. told no family. but I had auto reply on my work e-mail and sister (with a mouth the size of texas) sent me an e-mail to work and had my auto reply kick back to her. Now she knows that I was off..... she asked if I was on vacation and I replied "yup". hopefully it can die there.... but if not.

I've been telling people I had hernia surgery. I didn't come back to work drastically skinny and it looks like I will be a slow loser, so I think I am going to be good. Just don't want to share with anyone at work.

Unfortunately, I don't have any suggestions for the family part of things. I did tell my family for two reasons (1) it would be too hard to try and explain away why I can't eat very much because two family members have already had weight loss surgery (one on each side) that were open about it so people would be like "yeah, now tell us the truth" and (2) I have family members that desperately need to lose weight so if I can be a good role model, I am so there!

Just wanted to share my answer to pizza. I make this, flatten out on cookie sheet, top with low carb sauce or fresh diced tomatoes, fat free cheese, garlic, onions, broccoli, olives, peppers, etc....... maybe turkey pepperoni. Bake till desired doneness, DELISH!! Even my carb addict sis, does not miss the crust.

I also use this to make burgers (great on the grill) or anyplace else I might use Italian sausage.

If you like spicy, you can also mix in some red pepper flakes.

http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/prt/RecipePage.aspx?Type=1&RecipeID=261465010

Thank you for the recipe! I will certainly try it.

Totally know what you are talking about! Liberating, isn't it? Instead of being a slave to INTENSE cravings and binges, I practically have to set an eating schedule, or I won't even want to eat, sometimes.

In the past, I would see a commercial and HAD to have that food, would even write it down, till I could go get it.

Now, I see a commercial, and think, hmmmmm, that looks good, then I move on.

No obsessing, and if I do crave something, one, literally ONE bite satisfies.

My sis knows that if she's having some kind of junk food treat, that I will want one teeny bite. She thinks I am crazy, well I might be, but not about this. lol

It is WONDERFULLY liberating! Never in my life have I experienced anything like this. I was thin from about 16 to 21 and even then I had to fight, fight and fight again to keep thin.

I am so excited to see where this journey leads. And glad others are experiencing this too! YAY for us!

I was intentionally told that I need to do a two week full liquid diet after surgery. I am two days from a week and I am SO sick of brother I could scream. Half the time I don't even eat it because I am so sick of it. I see my surgeon tomorrow and have every intention on asking him to let me start the pureed stage a week early. Has anyone ever experienced this and their surgeon let them start early?

I was a bad girl and didn't ask - I just did it. I was very careful to stop when I felt full. I have no ill effects from it. After I did that, I did not feel the need to advance past what the doctor has recommended. I just wasn't getting full from the liquid diet.< /p>

I am on soft foods at the moment and have another week and a half before I am cleared for "everything else".