Jaelzion

Being able to shop anywhere (although it wasn't much of a secret, LOL).

Being able to shop anywhere (although it wasn't much of a secret, LOL).

Being able to shop anywhere (although it wasn't much of a secret, LOL).

I will typically go back to how I ate when I was in the weight loss phase - little to no processed foods, limited carbs, no drinking calories, Protein first, then non-starchy veggies. I literally cannot overeat on nutrient-dense, protein-rich food. My tummy won't let me. So by sticking to that kind of food, the calories take care of themselves.

Being able to shop anywhere (although it wasn't much of a secret, LOL).

Being able to shop anywhere (although it wasn't much of a secret, LOL).

It took me almost two years to get to goal. My weight loss slowed down quite a bit about halfway through, but the good thing is, it kept going and going until all my excess weight was gone. Even slow weight loss adds up over time. Hang in there!

I was exactly in your shoes two and a half years ago. I researched both surgeries and I had decided on the bypass because I read that bypass patients tend to lose more of their excess weight. But the bypass turned out to be medically contraindicated for me and I had to have the sleeve. Like you, I was never one to eat large volumes of food, so I wasn't sure the sleeve would be effective. But it was. I was one of the lucky ones who completely lost my appetite for the first year so it was possible for me to eat 600-800 calories a day for months. As my appetite slowly returned in year 2, my calories increased to 800-900. My weight loss slowed down but it continued and almost two years from my surgery date, I hit my goal of 130 pounds for a normal BMI. I continued losing and at this point my weight stays between 120 and 125. When I see it creep up to 127, I find myself immediately cutting back until I get it back down to under 122.
It wasn't just the restriction of the sleeve that helped me lose. The surgery changed my relationship with food (I'm guessing due to the hormonal changes from having most of your stomach removed). Even today, my appetite is about 65% of what it was presurgery and I don't have unmanageable cravings. I still like sweets but I eat mostly sugar-free things like popsicles and pudding, yogurt, etc. Once in a while I'll have a treat of some kind, like cake or pie or Bailey's Irish Cream, but it's rare and it's always one treat and then back on plan. I feel like I still have the capacity to be a sugar/carb addict, so I'm careful with those foods. I also keep my carbs relatively low (although not keto-low) because that helps me maintain.
So, statistically, bypassers do lose more on average. But your individual results can vary a lot.

I was exactly in your shoes two and a half years ago. I researched both surgeries and I had decided on the bypass because I read that bypass patients tend to lose more of their excess weight. But the bypass turned out to be medically contraindicated for me and I had to have the sleeve. Like you, I was never one to eat large volumes of food, so I wasn't sure the sleeve would be effective. But it was. I was one of the lucky ones who completely lost my appetite for the first year so it was possible for me to eat 600-800 calories a day for months. As my appetite slowly returned in year 2, my calories increased to 800-900. My weight loss slowed down but it continued and almost two years from my surgery date, I hit my goal of 130 pounds for a normal BMI. I continued losing and at this point my weight stays between 120 and 125. When I see it creep up to 127, I find myself immediately cutting back until I get it back down to under 122.
It wasn't just the restriction of the sleeve that helped me lose. The surgery changed my relationship with food (I'm guessing due to the hormonal changes from having most of your stomach removed). Even today, my appetite is about 65% of what it was presurgery and I don't have unmanageable cravings. I still like sweets but I eat mostly sugar-free things like popsicles and pudding, yogurt, etc. Once in a while I'll have a treat of some kind, like cake or pie or Bailey's Irish Cream, but it's rare and it's always one treat and then back on plan. I feel like I still have the capacity to be a sugar/carb addict, so I'm careful with those foods. I also keep my carbs relatively low (although not keto-low) because that helps me maintain.
So, statistically, bypassers do lose more on average. But your individual results can vary a lot.

I rarely cook these days. I cooked a lot when my Dad was living with me, but now that it's just me, it seems like a lot of effort to cook for just one person. Plus, since surgery, I rarely sit down and eat a full meal. I eat mini-meals throughout the day. I'll buy a rotisserie chicken or baked chicken breast from the grocery store a couple of slices at some point in the morning and a couple more at some point in the evening. I'll eat a fried or boiled egg. I'll eat a yogurt. I like to munch on baby carrots. I start the day with a low-carb latte. Now that I am in maintenance, I eat fruit. I'll eat a cheese stick (or two). So the post-op diet can be done without a lot of cooking if you wish.
I will say it's easier post-surgery because my appetite is about 65% of what it was before surgery. Right after surgery, I had no appetite at all, and it returned slowly. But never to the same level as before. And post-op I rarely have a strong craving for anything. Everyone doesn't have that experience, but that's how it's been for me, so far.
Like you, I had not been a normal weight since childhood, so my new body is still somewhat surreal to me. I've lost all my excess weight, but some degree of regain is pretty common. You only have to review the forum to see that. And a lot of us know that person who had weight loss surgery, lost an incredible amount of weight and gained almost all of it back. I'm about 2 and 1/2 years out from surgery, and I've only been in maintenance for about eight months of that. So I'm not an expert on maintenance by any means. But I'm trying to keep myself accountable as best I can. For me, that means that I track my food, I weigh regularly, if I see my weight creep up 5 pounds, I immediately cut back and try to get it back down. I have an occasional treat (like cake or pie or something) but normally I stick to my maintenance plan.
I don't plan to regain, but I know it can happen. I don't know what I will weigh in 5 years (shoot, I don't know if I'll be ALIVE in 5 years, LOL). But while I'm here I will keep fighting the good fight! It would have been a losing fight without the surgery but I feel like I have a shot at keeping the weight off now.

Hi Friends!
I rarely ever get on this anymore, but I know how pivotal these forums were to me at the beginning of my journey to have people alongside me going through similar experiences! I did this around this time last year and figured another post wouldn't hurt anyone. So, the facts! I'm currently 3.5 years out from VSG, down 140 pounds and kept off, and still living my best life! I have had two plastic surgeries, completed two degrees, and have never been happier in my life. For those just beginning, please do not get discouraged. I remember so vividly the nights I would cry with regret that I had made such a mistake, that my life was ruined, that I was upset I couldn't just do it the "normal" way. These are such valid feelings, but with time they fade. I still have my moments, even this far out, where I have thoughts of "I wonder.." but they are quickly shut down when I think of the quality of life I have provided for myself by going on this journey and seeing photos of myself from 4-5 years ago. So stay strong, stay dedicated, count those grams of Protein and ounces of water!! You have silent supporters in your corner! Always happy to answer questions or provide words of encouragement! Sending best wishes and hugs to all those who need it!

It took me almost two years to get to goal. My weight loss slowed down quite a bit about halfway through, but the good thing is, it kept going and going until all my excess weight was gone. Even slow weight loss adds up over time. Hang in there!

Yep, lots of ready to drink alternatives. I like Evolve and Owyn.

I'm guessing Namiland has given it many shots over the years. Losing weight is not the problem. Most of us have lost hundreds of pounds, even before surgery. The problem is, we've gained them back, with more besides. At some point, it became clear that the long term answer was not "one more diet". A lot of insurance programs require a BMI of at least 35, or 30 with comorbidities, and Namiland has already been approved. So Namiland, surgery is a big step, you should carefully evaluate whether you're ready to make the commitment it requires. And if you are, I say go for it. And find another surgeon.

I'm guessing Namiland has given it many shots over the years. Losing weight is not the problem. Most of us have lost hundreds of pounds, even before surgery. The problem is, we've gained them back, with more besides. At some point, it became clear that the long term answer was not "one more diet". A lot of insurance programs require a BMI of at least 35, or 30 with comorbidities, and Namiland has already been approved. So Namiland, surgery is a big step, you should carefully evaluate whether you're ready to make the commitment it requires. And if you are, I say go for it. And find another surgeon.

It took me almost two years to get to goal. My weight loss slowed down quite a bit about halfway through, but the good thing is, it kept going and going until all my excess weight was gone. Even slow weight loss adds up over time. Hang in there!

I'm guessing Namiland has given it many shots over the years. Losing weight is not the problem. Most of us have lost hundreds of pounds, even before surgery. The problem is, we've gained them back, with more besides. At some point, it became clear that the long term answer was not "one more diet". A lot of insurance programs require a BMI of at least 35, or 30 with comorbidities, and Namiland has already been approved. So Namiland, surgery is a big step, you should carefully evaluate whether you're ready to make the commitment it requires. And if you are, I say go for it. And find another surgeon.

It took me almost two years to get to goal. My weight loss slowed down quite a bit about halfway through, but the good thing is, it kept going and going until all my excess weight was gone. Even slow weight loss adds up over time. Hang in there!

I'm guessing Namiland has given it many shots over the years. Losing weight is not the problem. Most of us have lost hundreds of pounds, even before surgery. The problem is, we've gained them back, with more besides. At some point, it became clear that the long term answer was not "one more diet". A lot of insurance programs require a BMI of at least 35, or 30 with comorbidities, and Namiland has already been approved. So Namiland, surgery is a big step, you should carefully evaluate whether you're ready to make the commitment it requires. And if you are, I say go for it. And find another surgeon.

It took me almost two years to get to goal. My weight loss slowed down quite a bit about halfway through, but the good thing is, it kept going and going until all my excess weight was gone. Even slow weight loss adds up over time. Hang in there!

I'm guessing Namiland has given it many shots over the years. Losing weight is not the problem. Most of us have lost hundreds of pounds, even before surgery. The problem is, we've gained them back, with more besides. At some point, it became clear that the long term answer was not "one more diet". A lot of insurance programs require a BMI of at least 35, or 30 with comorbidities, and Namiland has already been approved. So Namiland, surgery is a big step, you should carefully evaluate whether you're ready to make the commitment it requires. And if you are, I say go for it. And find another surgeon.

I'm guessing Namiland has given it many shots over the years. Losing weight is not the problem. Most of us have lost hundreds of pounds, even before surgery. The problem is, we've gained them back, with more besides. At some point, it became clear that the long term answer was not "one more diet". A lot of insurance programs require a BMI of at least 35, or 30 with comorbidities, and Namiland has already been approved. So Namiland, surgery is a big step, you should carefully evaluate whether you're ready to make the commitment it requires. And if you are, I say go for it. And find another surgeon.

We're all over the place in terms of how much weight sleevers lose. I really wanted to have the bypass because my research had told me bypass patients tend to lose more. Unfortunately, it was medically contraindicated for me (I got 3 opinions). So I was forced to have the sleeve and really disappointed about it. But as it worked out, I lost all my excess weight. I started at 5'1", 250 pounds, and over two years I got down to 121. I'm right now at 124. I was blessed that my body responded well to the surgery (even 2.5 years later, my appetite is only about 65% of what it was pre-surgery). I was highly motivated and compliant with my eating plan. My surgeon was aggressive and gave me a small sleeve. It all came together and I'm now normal weight for the first time since I was about 8 years old. So it's good to know the statistics, but realize that they are just averages. You can lose more or less than predicted, based on many factors.

I'm sorry you're going through this. It sounds like your surgical team definitely failed you. The surgery does change your relationship with food forever. While your surgeon may have overstated things by saying the effects of the surgery only last 18 months, it is true that over time your sleeve will be less intrusive. The restriction eases somewhat and you get to the point where you can eat a small but regular-sized meal with no problem. I'm 2 and 1/2 years out from surgery and I don't have to take tiny bites or sips anymore.
As far as eating "normally", that's not something most bariatric patients aspire to because that's what got us obese in the first place. If you really did go back to eating exactly how you did before, you'd simply gain all the weight back. My program had so many educational requirements that it got irritating, but I can see from your story why they are necessary. I hope you find some peace, particularly as time passes and your sleeve matures. God bless!

I agree that just randomly issuing a referral without having discussed it with you is unusual and potentially annoying. My PCP was more like "You know, being overweight is hard on the body, have you considered weight loss surgery?" Only when I indicated that I was open to the idea did he send a referral. But then, my PCP doesn't send ANY kind of referral without talking to me first.