AnneElliot

10 hours ago, KattattaK said:

I am sooo afraid to have revision surgery! It's weird, because when I had the lap band done in 2005, I was so ready. But now, it's just not the same. I find myself thinking crazy thoughts about not being able to get anything down or suffering from malnutrition and malabsorption or what if I develop stomach cancer and there's no stomach left once the cancer is cut out. It's INSANE!!! The fact that there's no going back and the surgery is permanent really get to me. What happens if it doesn't turn out right and I'm just stuck with no way to reverse anything!? Like I said, I think crazy thoughts this time around. The lapband traumatized me for all other surgeries! LOL!!!

Lol your not crazy at all! I am on a Facebook group and a woman had stomach cancer after the sleeve. She had to have the remaining stomach removed. So you're thinking the right questions!

Are you having had time eating? Is that why you're losing too fast. There must be an underlying reason.

2 minutes ago, bewell said:

Thanks- I called my Doc and have an appointment. I can eat soft food but getting real tired of vomiting.

All I read was a stricture normally happens in the first 3-4 months. I'm 2 yrs out. So weird

Actually, it's possible anytime. It gets rarer overtime. But I don't know why folks are told that these complications can't happen anytime.

Alternatively it can be that your body is reacting to the new antiacid meds

Hope you find your answer and cure

I think you need to connect with your surgeon or a GI doctor to have a complete check up if your stomach to ensure theres nothing wrong mechincally.

I don't mean to freak you out. But you could have formed a stricture or your stomach could have twisted.

If you can't eat, you will face malnutrition.

Hope you feel better.

14 hours ago, Lateese92 said:

I'm not really sure if I have regrets or not at this stage of my surgery. I had my sleeve done 10/14 so I'm about 2 yrs 4 mos post op. Like many of you up until my 2nd year postop I was thrilled and wouldn't have doubted that I made the right decision for anything. However for the past 6-8 months I have been battling hypoglycemia. Which I found out is very common 18-24 mos postop. Like many of you I also did my research but never came across these statistics. Then again I was so determined to have the surgery .I'm not really sure learning that would have changed my mind back then. It's a horrible feeling and working 12hr shifts at the hospital I am not always able to eat every 2-3 hrs as my body demands, which also results in my blood sugar dropping. I'm sure once I get a handle on this and feel normal again I may very well be thrilled about my decision to sleeve, but currently I having trouble believing I made the right decision as this seems to be a new norm for my life. I welcome any advice or suggestion if anyone else have experienced and conquered low Sugar issues.

This decision alters our lives in so many insane ways. I hope you get a grasp of the hypoglycemia and manage it.

Think about posting a question on Obesityhelp. I find that the crowd there is very knowledgeable.

Several of the risks associated with this surgery are not shortterm nlby any means.

I strongly recommend more counseling before you consider this surgery. I was diagnosed with body dysmorphia post op. Its something I wish I addressed a long time. But I didon't realize how bad it was.

You can implement a life style change without wls and regain is possible after wls.

No coffee for me! I developed acid reflux due to the sleeve, which is pretty common. coffee makes it worse. So yea, living life without coffee or tea SUCKS.

I am almost at three months and would not be able to eat more than 6 to 8 bites of that meal.

Everyone is different. Being absolutely full after the sleeve is a painful experience too.

If you have significant comorbidities that we will be most likely lead to a better life. Maybe watching videos of the surgery on YouTube will help

10 hours ago, Pescador said:

Time eating is irrelevant. We eat no bread, carbs, sWeets. We are both 70. Husband maintains perfectly. I had a low BMI. I work with a life coach at the surgeon's office. No matter what, I struggle terribly, I eat less than my husband. I follow rules. I backtrack to shakes. I try the re-set the pouch.

It looks like you tons of restriction cause you can't eat much. But your concern is that your not losing weight.

I hope it gets better for you, I can't imagine going thru this surgery at your age!

21 minutes ago, Pescador said:

Boogie size is baloney. I can eat as much as I did before surgery.

Seriously? That's pretty odd. Can you give us an example?

What did you eat before that you can eat now? How long does it take you to eat said meal?

That's a great question for your surgeon. I know most stomachs are cut to bougie sizes from 32 to 60 fr. But most surgeons do them around 36/40.

Print the photo and ask during a consultantion.

Another alternative for you is a Gastric Ballon, coupled with a strict Keto diet. You wont eat much as you lose weight and its temporary

13 minutes ago, bariboy said:

thank you all for your feedback everyone.... I hope it makes sense, I am not worried about my typical meal size, I WANT to eat less, MUCH less, I realize my battle with food is putting me down a dangerous path....

....I am just SO self conscious about others knowing, people thinking I am weird, or weak, or "took the easy way out". I do not intent to tell any family members besides my spouse.

Your posts have been so very helpful.

I recommend you take time before you make this decision. Ppl will notice because you won't be able to eat more than a cup of food several months or year down the road. Early on it will be only a few table spoons. It will feel so awful if your very worried about being self consicous. I am pretty self aware as well and I simply avoid eating out now, I don't like all the questions.

All the best :).

I think that most ppl revise the sleeve due to complications and rarely due to poor weight loss.

@dragonfly2u

Why is your surgeon recommending this option? Out of curiosity how old are?

Well, can't edit the original post

I would like to note that this is my personal experience! Just sharing for anyone that was told or heard countless times how different the sleeve is from the band!

All the best

2 hours ago, orionburn said:

Do you ever have actual statistics or numbers to back up all your claims? Yes, there are risks involved. What about all the people that have truly benefited from it? All the people that no longer have to take a medicine cabinet full of medicines? Or is it more important to try and scare other people away because you're unhappy with the decision you made? It's one thing to be realistic with people and point out the very real risk of complications. It's another to not have any numbers to back up your claims and do nothing but try to scare people.

Oh you're quite right. I didn't realize that I forgot to note that it's my personal experience

Moreover, I think it's so unfortunate that the only experience this community accepts is a manic happy one. You are aware that the human emotions come in great spectrum right?

Lastly, this is really meant for folks who are revisions! That hear "ohhh the sleeve is sooooooooooo different" It's not an indictment on your decision! Duh of course you or anyone else must consider the risks vs benefits.

Thanks for commenting! I added my Personal Experience Disclaimer!

2 hours ago, orionburn said:

Do you ever have actual statistics or numbers to back up all your claims? Yes, there are risks involved. What about all the people that have truly benefited from it? All the people that no longer have to take a medicine cabinet full of medicines? Or is it more important to try and scare other people away because you're unhappy with the decision you made? It's one thing to be realistic with people and point out the very real risk of complications. It's another to not have any numbers to back up your claims and do nothing but try to scare people.

Oh you're quite right. I didn't realize that I forgot to note that it's my personal experience

Moreover, I think it's so unfortunate that the only experience this community accepts is a manic happy one. You are aware that the human emotions come in great spectrum right?

Lastly, this is really meant for folks who are revisions! That hear "ohhh the sleeve is sooooooooooo different" It's not an indictment on your decision! Duh of course you or anyone else must consider the risks vs benefits.

Thanks for commenting! I added my Personal Experience Disclaimer!

Well I can tell from experience! I had the band but had it out due to vomiting. Lots of vomiting but I loved my band early on.

I have more gas now and my stomach is loudddddd lots of gurgling sounds. Lol. It's like an alien lives in it.

@Waiting4March that's great. My PCP is awesome too. I was self pay but in Montreal.

I scheduled an appointment with a surgeon here in Toronto to discuss some post op follow up. But it wasn't easy to get that appointment lol. I would suggest you get all your preop and post op tests/reports.

Do you live near a center of excellence?

@Please I am 8 weeks post op. I am cleared to excercise as of this week. So starting Monday.

All the best ladies and thanks for understanding.

@MelissaRose24Yes just like you I didn't think I could lose 120 pounds on my own. Probably true I never had the resolve lol. food addiction for real! But the funny thing for me the weight loss with this surgery feels different!

There's no satisfaction to it because I did nothing to gain it, no sense of accomplishment!.

It just dissappeared in eight weeks highlighted by fatigue and acid reflux lol.

The next 50 will go too and I will not probably notice until my clothes fall off. Lol

But I will sure as hell notice my arms. Yikes on loose skin! More surgeries in my future.

I understand. I didn't mean to sound judgemental.

Perhaps being post op now and on this hard road I am no longer as hopeful as I was pre op. This surgery isn't just about weight loss. I can't get off the bus once I lose weight. I still have to live long term with the possibility of complications and the complications with this surgery are no joke. Is it easier to manage high blood pressure and diabetes with meds than deal living with the potential of a leak, twisted sleeve, severe gerd or recurring strictures?. Is it easier to desl with the aches of veing heavier? don't know, at least high blood pressure and diabetes are known fairly well to the medical world and manageable. Just my thoughts right now.

But yes we all have our reasons for doing this. Wishing you both success!

1 minute ago, Please said:

I've had a lot of people around me do it for the same weight, the balloon has really low success rates. The Sleeve has pretty good long term success with the lower weight loss needed.

I've tried every diet, sometimes I loose 20lbs, then I gain it back in a month, after starving for a month....well everyone knows the cycle.

Best wishes. Do you feel that some of the life threatening complications like leaks, severe gerd and strictures are worth those 50 pounds?