Ammclary

Think back over the past week – how many times have you been on the scales? Once per day, twice per day, or multiple times per day???? Now answer this; how do you FEEL after you see the result? Are the scales playing a positive or negative role in your weight loss surgery journey?


Scales can leave us feeling frustrated, confused, unmotivated and unsuccessful – our entire mood can be dramatically affected by a weigh in.
Too often people place excessive emphasis on ‘the weight on the scales’ and after a lifetime of dieting and success being solely measured by this number it is no wonder! However compared to the evolution of technology, scales are relatively unintelligent. They do not differentiate between fat and muscle and are significantly influenced by Fluid shifts – often during weight loss they can tell us ‘worst case scenario’. Don’t let the number throw you off track, focus on your positive eating and exercise and the weight will take care of itself.
Over the next month I want you to work hard on extending the time between your weigh in, and to try to focus on some non-scale measures of success:
Are your clothes fitting better, feeling loser, requiring some serious alterations?
Are you feeling fitter? Can you walk further, for longer or tackle the stairs at work without getting out of breath?
Are you feeling positive about your food choices, planning meals ahead, buying less take away meals, dodging the vending machine, controlling evening snacking?
Are you actively participating in life, joining in with your children/grandchildren at the playground, happy to stroll around the shops (without looking for a seat outside every shop), getting a bit more bounce in your step?
Are friends and family starting to comment on your changing shape?
Are you able to do what you want to do without your weight holding you back?
Is your health improving? Are your cholesterol levels, blood glucose levels or blood pressure going down? Are you taking less, or even no medications?

Of course reducing your weight is a core goal of weight loss surgery, but remember the number is not the only measure of success and it is never the most important!
Make a list of how you can measure your success independent of the scales and let us know by joining the conversation on our Facebook page.

I know your question is really old and you've probably heard the answer by now, but thought I'd post in case anyone else was curious.... Intubation wouldn't have any impact on your sleeve because the tube goes in your trachea, which leads to your lungs, not your esophagus, which leads to your stomach. An NG (nasogastric) tube, however, could be an issue if they accidently rupture your sleeve. Some people even advise to wear a medical Bracelet indicating "no NG tube" or some other alert so they know you've had a VSG.

I was told this, read this and having the surgery is what was best for me. I refuse to have my autopsy read "death by food"
i had 3 c- sections and was given similar risks and was there a choice to say no and lose my life and baby, I chose to have my children to give them life. I know it's not the best comparison, I chose to give the life inside me a better chance, as I chose to have the surgery to give me a better life.
I can't fathom what I would feel if I had problems because everything went fine. Just like I wouldn't want anyone to understand what its like to lose an adult child because it is the worst thing that can happen to a parent no matter how old their child is.
My heart breaks for those who had horrible experiences with this surgery. I don't think one person can agree to having any type of surgery with out understanding it may result in death. Risks are explained very thoroughly. I'm sorry for those who suffer, whose odds were not in their favor.

I've always thought about this in two ways.
1) I can stay morbidly obese. Develop Diabetes, congestive heart failure, kidney trouble, everything else that's run in my family and linked to diabetes, and die a slow, decaying, miserable painful death while living a life of "what might have beens" and false hopes, barely making it, barely surviving and barely able to move when I get older.
2) I can take my 1 in 500 or whatever risk, and get my life to be on track with what I want it to be. After trying every diet known to man, and working my ass off in the gym, I know I have a choice. Live an adventurous fun crazy life, or die slowly.

I'm 5'1", was 213 at time of surgery. Get it done. I've had complications and I'd still say get it done.

I was sleeved one year ago July 11th. I have to say I am one who has no issues with anything. Nothing bothers me. My mom says it is my German stomach. Lol. She is 86. I do stick to protien and veggies. I do no more than 60 carbs a day. Sometimes sweet things can make me fill icky for a bit. Like I will eat low carb ice cream if I'm craving a sweet or sugar free candy. I have really kicked my carb addiction. I also had to have my gallbladder removed due to rapid weight loss and nothing seems differant. Since I do low carb I still eat fat. It keeps me satisfied like cheese. I do totally stay away from anything fried. So I just wanted you to know nothing seems to bother me. Good luck with your surgery and what you choose.

My grandfather had most of his stomach removed many many years ago d/t a bleed... He's still kicking (healthy besides his unrelated COPD) at the young age of 91--- I swear he'll outlive us all.

My grandmother lost 2/3 of her stomach to cancer when she was in her late 40's. She died at 88 and never had any issues related to her stomach.

Surgeons have been doing total and partial gastrectomies on cancer and ulcer patients for well over a hundred years. With proper Vitamin supplementation and diet, there is no reason a complication-free VSG would shorten your life. But obesity-related comorbidities certainly could.

I'm going for the Sleeve in November but I'm thinking is it safe long term? Can you live to a ripe old age with more than half your tummy gone???

Best thing I can tell you is to get real with yourself about your overall diet, when and what is going into your mouth. We can consume a LOT of calories with little effort if they are junk. I know. If you are not tracking your eats, I advise you to do so with my fitness pal or similar. I think you will be surprised. I know it can be difficult and it is never ending. Truly. But stop
It now and get back on track. Much easier when we are not overwhelmed. Good luck. You CAN do this!

Like most, the fear of regain lives inside me but it doesn't slap tortilla chips out of my hand for me. I have never been as active as I am now. I log my food everyday and synch my Fitbit. I wonder if most regain is fatigue of the vigilance required to be successful.

I SOOOOO agree with you! I DID regain 27 pounds - 3 years out. Why? Cookies, candy, carbs, no exercise, yadayadayada. AND I DID lose thos 27 and an additional 10 with work and exercise and I'll tell you what - it would have been extremely difficult if I didn't have my sleeve. I Still Have the restriction and if eating properly, can only eat a small amount still. I DO get hungry sooner than Before and have to guard very carefully my calorie count per day because if I go over a certain amount I WILL and do gain.
Was my sleeve a failure? No. I feel truly successful almost four years out and 110 pounds lighter, normal BMI and size 8!

Hello All,
I am 43 days Post-Op and so far I have lost a total of 73 pounds. I am so happy that I made this choice to take back my life. My weight loss has slowed, but fortunately it has not stopped nor stalled yet. At first I was losing around a pound a day, then 1 pound every two days. Now I am losing about 1-2 pounds every 5 days or so. I am completely ok with this and am keeping my fingers crossed that it will continue at this rate. I am however mentally prepared and emotionally ready for when the dreaded stalls come a knocking. I have had such positive results from the weight loss to date that I cannot express my gratitude that this option was available to me. I now walk 18 holes of golf and instead of being tired, I am ready to shower and go on to the next adventure that awaits. I also want to thank everyone who has sent along positive comments and well wishes. It really does make a difference when you know you are not alone and have the support of a community of individuals who all share a common goal and are venturing down similar paths. Good Luck to Everyone! We Can Do This!

Man I can't believe 1 year has pass by... Here are my results...