Only you can decide but I have to ask, if someone offered you a life of high cholesterol, debilitating GERD, chronic back pain, diabetes, heart disease, fatty liver, a compromised LFT from heamacromotosis and medications, low self esteem and hating the way you look, and constant back pain which will keep you cranky and disparing, struggle with daily activities let alone giving up wonderful things like gardening and bushwalking -- are you saying you would choose this option? Because that's what I hear as one of your choices and possibly the one you are considering choosing.
Take a sheet of paper and on one side, list the pros and cons of having the surgery and what your life might look like and on the other side, the pros and cons of not having the surgery and what your life might look like.
Take a step back and look at the list and be honest about which life you really want. (don't think about the fear, be pragmatic and think about the real pros and cons of each and what they really mean.
Best of luck in your decision.
It would seem you're quite aware of your realities and the eventualities if you forgo surgery. No one can make you do it but yourself. From what you illustrated you have all the pieces in place to do this, but are stuck on the negatives.
What finally pushed me to have gastric bypass was seeing my little girl grow up. I came to the realization that it was selfish of me to put off surgery that will likely prolong my life. Why should't a daughter have her father around for as long as possible?
There are risks with any venture you take in life. It comes down to overcoming the fear of the "what if," and seeing the "what could be."
I'm not suggesting you should or shouldn't. There is more to VSG than weight loss. They don't know why yet, but it does seem to cure metabolic syndrome, fix type 2 diabetes and fix high blood pressure. There's plenty of info on the Web you can read to help you make up your mind, including lots of clinical studies. Those are what I read and they helped me come to my decision.
I'm 5 Days Post-Op!!!I I can't believe it's done - It's been such a whirlwind.
I had so many doubts up to the very last minute - I have no regrets now. It seems like it was all a little easier than I expected. (Thank G-d!)
For the months leading up to my surgery I read everything I could possibly find on the internet and on this site for hours everyday. It really helped me to know what to expect at every turn.
I also can't believe how much everything I did and was told to do before the surgery really mattered. Every Protein Powder I tested, every baby utensil I bought, the chap stick I brought to the hospital - each and every thing mattered and helped me come home to this new life.
The only thing that was hard to prepare for is the dramatic change in my life that I felt as soon as I was home from the hospital. It's daunting, but I'm digging deep to handle what this week, and the six 6 weeks in total, and everything thereafter will require.
I can't believe I have a sleeve!!!!!!
Does anyone ever feel some burn out in the pre-op stage? My surgery is in 3 1/2 weeks and today I feel like I'm just not in the mood to deal with this anymore. Today, just as I need to go into high gear to get my life and my work ready, I'm feeling tired of it all, scared and shocked by the reality of the surgery - am I really going to do this to myself???? (I am, but sometimes I can't handle thinking about it too much). It's going to take so much very, very hard work to get from today to 4 months from now - I am going to have to dig really deep in myself to make each day happen and happen successfully. It seems so hard - how do I make sure I have what it takes and can do what it takes.
The people scheduled near my surgery date are all so excited - they can't wait, some wish it were tomorrow - is that the right and better way to be feeling? From everything I've read, this surgery is not magic and it's going to take a heck of a lot of total commitment from me to get through this - I see it more as a long road and hard commitment. I am working on coming to terms with and accepting this overwhelming challenge to make sure I'm ready for it. Anyone ever feel this way? Any thoughts?
I am giddy and happy here and there, but the huge commitment to this change and the growing acceptance of a life without dependence on food is much more of my focus.
(No really harsh responses to my post please)
How absolutely easy this was going to be......I wished I'd done this years ago.
Seriously.
I have zero complaints about anything related to the sleeve surgery.......liquid diet and all. Everything has been straightforward and within my ability to handle.
I don't understand all the complaints from folks who've not had complications. Too much whining.
I'm really enjoying the reduction in joint & back pain that I'd been dealing with last year. That persistent pain had limited my mobility a great deal. It had even begun to make me a grumpy bastard for sure.
I've lost more than just weight. A lot of pain has gone with it. A lot of medication has, too.
The more unpleasant part of the surgery is simply the wait time for the surgery itself. The recovery and the new way of eating is simple and easy.
I"m 7 weeks out and am laughing at the clothing situation already. I've dropped a couple "xx"'s from the shirt size and several sizes smaller in the waist on pants.
I feel like I really haven't even gotten started good, yet. The best losing and rebuilding is ahead. I have lost some muscle along with the fat. I'm learning how critical it is to take in my Protein like I'm supposed to. I'm guessing that I'll be reliant on Protein shakes for a long time.....one a day.
Looking forward to the hernia repair fully healing so I can start a structured weight training program.
Was going to book a vacation in March/April........but I think that I"m going to punt it back until May/June. Shirtless at a beach-pool will be a heap more fun if I can get a few months of good gym work in.
DISCLAIMER: This FAQ is in no way intended to replace or undermine the advice of your physician. Every person is different, every surgeon has different guidelines, and no two situations are identical. Therefore if any of the answers below are unclear or contradict your physicians’ instructions, always follow your physicians’ instructions. The responses given are a compilation from multiple sources and references.
How do I embed the weight loss ticker? Click on the liquid stage? During your clear liquid stage you can have anything that you can sip through a straw that is translucent, meaning see through. For instance: Water, juice, broth, sugar free popsicles, sugar free Jello, Isopure Protein Drinks, Gatorade, Powerade, Decaf tea just to name a few. Once you move on to full liquids you may add liquids that are not translucent. For instance: creamed Soups, soups with the chunks strained out, milk, Protein shakes etc…
When do I start mushies/purees? Every surgeon has different guidelines for the progression of your post-op diet. The majority of post-op diets progress as follows:
Day 1-7 Clear Liquids
Day 8-14 Full liquids
Day 15-21 Purees
Day 22-50 Mushies
What’s the difference between mushies and purees? The major difference is that purees are anything that has been blenderized/pureed to a baby food consistency and has no chunks. These should not be watery, but instead a thicker pudding like consistency. Mushies are soft foods that have not been pureed.< /p>
Should I be counting calories or carbs or both? Both. Again, every surgeon is different, but the majority of sleevers will be on a 600-1000 calorie/day diet with carbs kept at 60-80g or less. The general guideline is this: When eating, protein is always first, veggies are second, and if you have room carbs/starch last. The majority will rarely have room for the carbs.
How much protein should I be getting per day? The recommended protein intake may vary from 55 to 100g per day, depending on your individual needs and the bariatric diet provided by your surgeon or dietitian. The generally accepted minimum protein requirement for women is about 50 to 60g per day and men need at least 60 to 70g of protein per day.
How much liquid do i need for the day? About 60-80oz
When can I eat salad? Once you reach the point where you’re on normal solids you can try salad. Start with a small amount and see how your sleeve tolerates it as it can be difficult to digest.
Best Protein Shakes? This one depends on your particular tastes, however most seem to enjoy powders? utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury.
What else counts as a liquid? Anything that can be sipped through a straw or that will reduce back to a liquid. For example: Jello, sugar free popsicles, frozen yogurt/ice cream (these are generally no no foods)
How long will my surgery last? Typically about 45mins assuming there are no complications or other procedures (ie: hernia repairs) being done at the time of your surgery. Every surgeon is different so for a more accurate answer you should consult your respective surgeon.
Why can't I tolerate plain water, is this normal? It’s called water nausea and it is completely normal. This is very common during the first few weeks following surgery and should eventually subside.
What is sliming/slimes? Sliming or slimes occur when you eat or drink something and then regurgitate a slimy, foamy, saliva like substance, usually when belching.
What is grazing? Grazing is when instead of consuming your standard 3 small meals and 2 small Snacks per day, you simply munch all day grabbing a handful here or a bite there. The rule is that your meals should take you 20-30 minutes to eat and should be about 3 hours apart with only fluids in between.
What do all these acronyms mean?
In no particular order:
WLS – Weight Loss Surgery
NSV – Non scale Victory (ie: smaller clothes, compliments, climbing a flight of stairs etc…)
NUT – Nutritionist
PCP – Primary Care Physician
VSG – Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy
TOM – Time of the Month
SF – Sugar Free
WFL/WFD – What’s for Lunch/Dinner
How much did you lose at 1 month etc.? How much can I expect to lose in what time frame? Everyone’s body is different and so is everyone’s journey. There is no set amount you should expect lose in a set amount of time, and you should never compare your journey or your progress to someone elses. As long as you’re sticking with the program and following your surgeons guidelines, the weight will come off.
What is a stall? How long does it last and how do I break it? A stall is a point at which the scale stops moving for a period of time. The length of the stall varies from a few days to a few weeks and sometimes a few months. Non VSG’ers typically call it a plateau. Stalls are perfectly normal and to be expected. As we lose weight so dramatically, our bodies need time to catch up physically - this typically happens during a stall. While the scale may not be moving, you may notice an increase in compliments. This is because while the number on the scale isn’t getting any smaller, you are physically getting smaller. There are many tips and tricks for breaking a stall (increase your fluids and protein, increase your activity, up your calories…) but the reality is it will break on its own.
When can I have sex? When you’re ready. Keep it simple for the first few weeks post-op and don’t attempt any tricky positions. Be careful until you’ve been cleared by your surgeon for strenuous activity.
When can I start exercising? Typically right away, though the types of exercises you can do will be limited. Most surgeons restrict weight training/resistance training for about 3-4 weeks after surgery, but you should be walking/speed walking at least 30-45min daily starting from the day you get home.
What do I do with flabby skin? What's the best exercise etc.? The severity of the flab will vary based on many different factors. While there’s no way to tell how bad it will be or whether it will even be bad, there are a couple of proactive measures you can take. Make sure you’re using a moisturizing lotion with Vitamin E and Keratin several times daily. The vitamin E will help add elasticity back to your skin and the keratin will add moisture, both of which may help your skin bounce back as the weight falls off. The best exercises to target your problem areas are resistance and strength training in order to tone and build muscle to replace the fat. Lastly, be patient. Just as your weight stalls while your waist catches up to it, your skin will sag until it gets the signal to shrink. While it probably won’t ever be as tight as you’d like, it will shrink.
Will I lose hair? How much? What causes it? When does it return? Do Vitamins help? The truth is, yes, you probably will lose hair. Because of the drastic changes going on that are caused by the extreme reduction in protein and vitamins coming in as well as the hormonal fluctuations caused by the rapid weight loss, it takes our bodies a while to adjust. Don’t worry, as our hormones level out and our bodies get used to the new us, it will come back. There is no set time frame for it to do so however.
I’m constipated - what is it okay to take, especially in the beginning when newly sleeved? Will it get better? Worse? In the beginning a simple stool softener like Colace should do the trick. You don’t want to take a laxative or anything that may irritate your new sleeve. While you’re in the liquid/puree stage, Constipation shouldn’t be an issue, but as you reintroduce solids you may have to go back to your stool softeners. If you do find that stool softners are only offering temporary relief, try increasing your fluids and Fiber and decreasing your cheeses.
I’m having very loose bowel movements, is this normal? Totally. You do need to monitor stools of this consistency to ensure they contain no blood, but very loose stools, even watery stools, are completely normal for a few weeks post-op. When in doubt – ask your surgeon.
Will I feel fatigue? Will fatigue go away? Yes and yes. Your body has just undergone major surgery and it needs to heal. While it’s healing you will feel more fatigued than normal. Subsequent to having such a large portion of your stomach removed is the fact that you can no longer take in as much food (read: fuel) and therefore your body has to adjust and find a new fuel source. Your body will eventually begin to burn fat for fuel and some of the fatigue will subside. Your surgeon should also prescribe a B12 supplement which will also help with energy.
When can I go back to work? How much time should I take off? That will be entirely up to your surgeon. Most return to work within 2-3 weeks.
How many days in the hospital? Your hospital stay will depend on your recovery. When you are able to keep down liquids, are up and about and walking as directed, and your surgeon and nursing staff are confident there are no complications, you’ll be released. Your surgeon should be able to give you an expectation of the length of your stay.
Do the staples dissolve? No. The staples used to close the stomach are titanium and do not dissolve. The stomach tissue will eventually grow over the staple line. Your staples do not make metal detectors go off or make you ineligible for an MRI. They are completely benign.
Why am I always hungry? The most likely culprit is either head hunger or reflux/heartburn. Head hunger is a false sense of hunger triggered by boredom/emotions/the clock or any number of things which make you think you’re hungry when you’re really not. Heartburn is the most common culprit of constant hunger. Even though you may not feel as though you have heartburn, you may find that a simple antacid will eliminate that constant hungry feeling.
What is a stricture? A stricture is what happens when scar tissue builds up in your esophagus (sometimes caused by reflux) that causes your esophagus to narrow and makes swallowing difficult.
What is a leak and what are the symptoms? A leak is an opening along the suture line of your sleeve that allows bile and other digestive fluids to leak into your abdominal cavity. The symptoms of a leak vary but the most common symptoms are pain radiating across the abdomen, fever, rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, dizziness, vomiting, nausea, fatigue, and abdominal cramping. It is important to note that leaks are rare and only occur in about 1 out of every 100 cases.
Can you get a leak any time after surgery? Or is it just immediate? Most leaks happen very soon after surgery, but there is still a risk for about 4-6 weeks after. Again, it is important to note that leaks are rare and only occur in about 1 out of every 100 cases.
Some of my incisions are oozing - is this normal? If they’re oozing a green or yellowish Fluid, absolutely not. Green and yellow are the colors of infection and should be reported to your surgeon immediately. If your incisions are oozing a pinkish or clear watery fluid it’s your body’s way of keeping your incisions clean and isn’t usually a concern. When in doubt, ask your surgeon.
I don't know what my actual BMI is I go by the charts and they are wrong. So, I'm right here with u! 30 and under BMI, don't want to hear the speeches! Fat is fat! And to me I am fat! I want to change it. I don't judge anyone else only myself. I want to be healthy and strong. I am self pay, so I'm not putting it on my insurance. I'm doing it in my own! So here's to us low BMI PEEPS for starting early before our health got too bad. And congrats to ALL U SLEEVERS OUT THERE FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK! u deserve it!!!
I just read back what a I wrote on my phone yesterday and I see that I made what I was alluding to seem like a big, high-intrigue deal, lol (sorry about that!).
What I wanted to warn about (if you are not telling anyone about your surgery) is to resist the remarks about "you're getting TOO thin" as you approach a healthy BMI of 24-25 ... I had made my new habits of Protein first, few carbs, etc,etc. second nature, but I started getting those remarks from a few female friends (whom I hadn't told) when I hit about 24.5 BMI ... I let someone convince me that I should stop being SO intense about dieting and I ended up switching to just eating less of "whatever." This worked until about 8-9 months post op (I maintained at 24.5 BMI for four months after making that change), but then I started gaining about a pound a month from months 9-13 and I put on 9 or 10 lbs in month #14 (related to taking steroids, but still). I got rid of those 9lbs from the steroid month, but the last few pounds down to a 24 BMI again are STUBBORN indeed (I won't give up).
What I want to suggest is that you plan to reduce down to a LITTLE bit below your "I'd-be-fine-with-that" goal weight DURING your honeymoon (preferably the first 6-7 months of being sleeved). Then you'll have an acceptable range to bounce up in to when the honeymoon is over and your body stops being able to shed pounds for you INSTANTLY the moment you eat virtuously/on program (many veteran sleevers are finding the change to their metabolism is not permanent and they need to REALLY work it during the honeymoon). I think this is way easier to do if you've told everyone about your surgery because they will know you have a new tool and are not just newly anorexic. If you haven't told, some folks will find your rigidity troubling and will do gentle (or not-so-gentle) interventions on you. ( I always intended to reduce to 150 when I got my sleeve, but I slowed down after 4-5 months at 154-57 when the remarks started happening. I wish to HECK now that I'd just kept my head down and gotten there because losing is a WAY slower process now.
Hope that makes sense and best wishes to all as you gear up for all the exciting changes to come!
KnowNothing got a reaction from smarcelin2014 in January VSG