NewMeBefore40

Where are you in your sleeve journey?

Awesome. It's sounds like you're well educated and making good choices.

Congrats!

@@NewMeBefore40 Do you track your food intake? Maybe you should meet with a Nutritionist to see if there's some changes you can make without surgery. If you haven't already, I would also make sure you have a complete physical and blood work to see if there's something else going on that's preventing you from losing weight and contributing to your headache and dizziness. I'm pre-surgery (sleeve) but I wouldn't rush into a sleeve if you aren't able to eat much now (or have hunger).

Good luck! Keep us posted!

Kristen

I keep trying to edit my reply to you but it won't let me. I was trying to say that I have seen all the nutritionists.

Also, while I was ill last year with a lot going on, and experienced dizziness on the norm, that had been taken care of. The dizziness I was referring to was just my body's signal that I'm hungry. It's a low blood sugar thing if I don't watch the clock and eat. Doctor said I may very well have damage to my nerves. Nothing to do there. So good news, no hunger, set an alarm to eat, don't care for food so only eat what I feel I need to sustain health. Bad news: metabolism destroyed so I pray the sleeve resets my "set point".

I give myself the injections.

Yes.. i plan to do the shots every three months.

I have been managing it for a couple of years mainly through diet, and plan to do the same now that i am sleeved.

I try to eat spinach, kale and greens to get my folate, i stay away from fortified foods .. basically if it doesn't come out of the ground, sea or from an animal i won't eat it.

My bloods have been perfect for years, my doc says i am a skinny person in a chubby persons body.

My weight gain hasn't been from eating junk... i believe is from screwing up my metabolism from my band... i practically starved for 6 years.. so as soon as i eat anything i gain...

What type of MTHFR are you?

I'm c667t ++ (homo). Also vdr+ and mtrr+ (hetero) and Maoa. Genes are against me. I too think the band ruined my metabolism. How do we k ow the next one wont.

Also how many mutants are getting bypass and supplementing with cyanocobalamin and wondering why they can't get their B up? Docs should recommend methyl b for all patients (or hydroxy.

I have a methyl B injection and a hydroxy b injection. They are made at at compounding pharmacy. I was severely low on many nutrients. Docs tested serum levels instead of rbc test (both are blood work but one looks at it differently and is more accurate ) I got the rbc done and found the basis of many of my problems. That's why I don't want to do bypass. I've dealt with Mal nutrition and it ruined my life.

As for diet, what you said goes for me too. Nothing processed (except my raw, vegan Protein powder ). I buy meat and produce, herbs and spices and prepare everything by hand.

@@NewMeBefore40 Do you track your food intake? Maybe you should meet with a Nutritionist to see if there's some changes you can make without surgery. If you haven't already, I would also make sure you have a complete physical and blood work to see if there's something else going on that's preventing you from losing weight and contributing to your headache and dizziness. I'm pre-surgery (sleeve) but I wouldn't rush into a sleeve if you aren't able to eat much now (or have hunger).

Good luck! Keep us posted!

Kristen

Thanks for your reply. I even seen them all and baffled them all. I track every morsel. They've even tried hormone replacement to jump start it. I've done nutrition with normal nut, holistic nut, and surgeons nut. At this point they tell me try to maintain before surgery, which I will because my body likes me in the 280s.

I'm Definitely not rushing. Part of the reason I kept the band so long (mostly was money) was that I couldn't decide on whether to convert. Once I decided it was a battle (and still is) with ins. Co.

yes, there is a risk, but the vast majority do not have complications. only you can decide if it is worth the risk.

I knew obesity would kill me, sooner rather than later. not much math to do there, it was a guarantee. so, I took the risk and so far, the worst thing I've had to deal with is Constipation and the hots for my husband. and everything about my health and day to day life is improved. I love my sleeve.

How far out are you? I loved my band til year three.

>

>yes, there is a risk, but the vast majority do not have complications. only you can decide if it is worth the risk.

I knew obesity would kill me, sooner rather than later. not much math to do there, it was a guarantee. so, I took the risk and so far, the worst thing I've had to deal with is constipation and the hots for my husband. and everything about my health and day to day life is improved. I love my sleeve.

>

I didn't mean that to be rude. I'm truly wondering about people several years out... if they are still happy.

I am three months out - but I am sorry, I didn't know you were looking for people who were sleeved several years ago.

No I was looking for supportive comments all around, even if is true story of complications to help me make a decision. But in addition I'm looking for info from years old patients.

I appreciate your reply.

They are scary right?

I think to look at the percentages and the risk-esp for a move from a band to a sleeve.

The Band is a very dramatic procedure, so of course complications are as well.

I would think you already did your time with complications and math is in your favor

...and yes, this IS the Hunger Games!

Speaking of hunger, I don't have it. I think some nerves were damaged with the band or vomiting. I only feel a headache and dizzy or terrible brain fog. Husband says it's blood sugar. I struggle to get 1000 calories because I just don't get actual hunger and nothing is all that appetizing.

Thanks for your supportive reply. I've found this group to be one of the best with the least amount of drama.

yes, there is a risk, but the vast majority do not have complications. only you can decide if it is worth the risk.

I knew obesity would kill me, sooner rather than later. not much math to do there, it was a guarantee. so, I took the risk and so far, the worst thing I've had to deal with is Constipation and the hots for my husband. and everything about my health and day to day life is improved. I love my sleeve.

How far out are you? I loved my band til year three.

yes, there is a risk, but the vast majority do not have complications. only you can decide if it is worth the risk.

I knew obesity would kill me, sooner rather than later. not much math to do there, it was a guarantee. so, I took the risk and so far, the worst thing I've had to deal with is constipation and the hots for my husband. and everything about my health and day to day life is improved. I love my sleeve.

I didn't mean that to be rude. I'm truly wondering about people several years out... if they are still happy.

What the heck! I just spent two hours in the complications threads for sleeve and bypass and I'm now scared to death to move forward.

I've had so many issues with the band but was able to get it out. There is no reversal for sleeve and only a chance of reversal for bypass.

Losing entire stomach? Years and years in pain? I just kinda got out of pain (still have some). I already have chronic fatigue syndrome and it's debilitating. I was hoping losing the weight would help, but now I wonder will it get worse?

I'm terrified. Last year when I decided I was done and was going to have the band removed my husband got really nasty. He told me that he's had to live with my complications for 7 years and now had to pay for the removal (he broke his arm, needed surgery and we met our out of pocket so it was actually going to be free, but math is not is strong suit). I'm considering the sleeve because I can't be at this weight anymore. But those complications are worse than my crappie life now.

I'm lost, frustrated, and angry that my body will not let me lose weight (I maintain a diet of under 1000 calories with avg of 100 g protein).

Too many carbs too little Protein. Try Halo top ice cream. Look at eatmeguiltfree.com

Also research splenda, its basically poison.

Agreed... poison.

Great idea to post. When I had my first surgery I had no idea what they would look like. This should be helpful for those who are wondering. Good luck with your journey.

I had the band and lost about 80 pounds. I had many problems with it and had to have it removed. I was careful to maintain my eating and Portion Control. After 6 months of maintaining, the weight SHOT back up. I went to the doctor in tears. I was gaining as fast as I had lost. I had already seen forks over knives, food matters, food inc, fat, sick and nearly dead. I had given up all processed foods. I only consumed whole foods (well I cooked them, but nothing from a box; I chopped and prepared everything). He said if I was really eating the way I said I was that he didn't know what to tell me (so basically he was pretty sure I was lying; I wasnt). I still eat that way but I've gained all my weight back. I'm looking into getting the sleeve.

What I've learned is that when you have the surgery it changes your set point. It's a hormonal change that causes your body to lower the weight it thinks you should be. In some people, like myself, it switches back. They (doctors) don't know why. I've had my band removed and still eat whole foods, low carb, and under 1000 calories and my weight won't budge in the right direction. I'm hoping the surgery will change my set point again and without that blasted band I'll do better physically.

Why am I having another surgery when I know I may gain it back even if I'm perfect with my choices? Because I'll take three years being able to sit in normal chairs without fear and dread, 3 years of being able to find clothes, 3 years of time with my family that I may not have if I don't fix my weight. I'll take that. I'll have a surgery to buy 3 more years. And I'll work my as off to make it last forever. But if it doesnt, I'll still be happy with however long I get.

One of the (many) reasons to get enough Protein is because of your set point. That is why my surgeon bases Protein requirements for life on starting BMI. My biggest question is whether or not you are getting enough protein. Minimizing calories, only eating plant-based, or whole foods, etc. won't really make that big of an impact if you aren't getting enough protein.

I have come to believe this is true whether or not you choose to have surgery.

On retrospect, this is probably one of the main reasons I got so large in the first place.

Yes, I log everything and I always get a minimum of 80 grams but usually 100-120 grams of protein. However with the band I did vomit almost every time I ate solid protein. To make up for it I did extra protein supplements and relied on that for the count and any meat I kept down was bonus. By the end I was doing mostly Protein drinks. My surgeon seemed good in the beginning but turned out to be a joke later. Maybe my goal of 100 grams wasn't enough?

I was never plant based. I just did no processed foods with the exception of my Protein shakes. But the fact that solid protein didn't sit well left me eating more veggies than meat (still I was meeting protein goal with supplementing).

There may be contributing factors, but what was not one of those was my dietary/exercise/lifestyle choices. My point is that it can happen even if you do everything right, but surgery is still worth it for me.

I'm curious what your protein goal is and what you use to calculate your need? Yesterday I had someone tell me I might be getting too much protein... can't win!

I had the band and lost about 80 pounds. I had many problems with it and had to have it removed. I was careful to maintain my eating and Portion Control. After 6 months of maintaining, the weight SHOT back up. I went to the doctor in tears. I was gaining as fast as I had lost. I had already seen forks over knives, food matters, food inc, fat, sick and nearly dead. I had given up all processed foods. I only consumed whole foods (well I cooked them, but nothing from a box; I chopped and prepared everything). He said if I was really eating the way I said I was that he didn't know what to tell me (so basically he was pretty sure I was lying; I wasnt). I still eat that way but I've gained all my weight back. I'm looking into getting the sleeve.

What I've learned is that when you have the surgery it changes your set point. It's a hormonal change that causes your body to lower the weight it thinks you should be. In some people, like myself, it switches back. They (doctors) don't know why. I've had my band removed and still eat whole foods, low carb, and under 1000 calories and my weight won't budge in the right direction. I'm hoping the surgery will change my set point again and without that blasted band I'll do better physically.

Why am I having another surgery when I know I may gain it back even if I'm perfect with my choices? Because I'll take three years being able to sit in normal chairs without fear and dread, 3 years of being able to find clothes, 3 years of time with my family that I may not have if I don't fix my weight. I'll take that. I'll have a surgery to buy 3 more years. And I'll work my as off to make it last forever. But if it doesnt, I'll still be happy with however long I get.

Thanks for your reply. I'll look in those.

I'm currently doing methyl b shots weekly. My homocystene and inflammation markers have decreased significantly since. But I'm not sure I can afford them forever so I need to find something long term. I was super sick prior to my lapband removal and I don't want to go back to that when I get the sleeve. At least I'm armed with genetic information now

Will you be doing a methyl B shot? Are you bypass or sleeve?

Does anyone have the mthfr mutation and found a good supplement to take?

With mthfr I can't take regular Vitamins with B12 as cyanocobalamin and I can't take folic acid (have to take methylfolate).

Anyone have ideas?

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Great job! If I could do lchf and lose that much I wouldn't get the surgery. I've tried everything, even paleo. I've even done a juicing reset. Nothing works.

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