Zemi

Hello,
I'm still in pre-op with a bmi of 54, aged 48, no co-morbidities. I met with the surgeon yesterday and he said that people that have the bypass have better long term results and suggested that to me rather than the sleeve which is what I was originally set upon. He did say that folks still have good results on the sleeve but not as good as the bypass. He said he would do the sleeve on me as well if I wanted. I was pretty much set on the sleeve for the slightly lower risk factors, and the Vitamin absorption issues.
Anyone have a similar experience?

I chose the sleeve because I didn't want to mess with the rearranging of the intestines in RNYGB. The research I read said that the complication rate was lower. Friends that just went ahead with bypass asked me why not just get the 'gold standard' since its reversible and some sleeve patients have to convert to bypass anyway. The way I figured it, I had a less than 5% chance of needing a revision to RNY from GERD. Then if I was that 5% and needed bypass then I would have a 20% chance of any complications from RNY. I didn't want to jump to that 20% complication risk right from the get go.
I didn't care that the sleeve wasn't reversible - why would I want to reverse it? Some people need to have their bypasses reversed because of malnutrition, but because the sleeve isn't malabsorptive the risk of losing TOO much isn't nearly such a problem. There are a lot of surgeries that aren't reversible and no surgery has zero risks involved.
Both surgeries are a TOOL. And your long term success is determined by how you use it when making a lifestyle change in eating habits. Those friends that had their "gold standard" surgery? They follow an everything in moderation diet and some are still working to get to their goal weight. I've eliminated a majority of sweets, breads, rice, potatoes, fried foods from my diet. I've reached my goal and have lost an additional 14 pounds beyond it.

This would be a concern. According to an online BMI calculator, Riah's BMI is 35.4, just barely enough to qualify with a comorbidity. IF you decide you want it, it would probably take a letter from a surgeon or your primary care doctor to your insurance to get them to consider your lack of mobility a comorbidity.
There are a lot of things to consider when making your decision which surgery to do. Ultimately I choose sleeve because you don't lose as much weight with it as you do the bypass. I didn't have a lot to lose. And in fact, I'm losing more that what I'm truly comfortable weighing. I can't imagine how much less I would weigh if I had the malabsorption component of bypass.
If you are permanently wheelchair bound something to think about - I've lost A LOT OF PADDING ON MY BACKSIDE. If you go look for a topic I posted "I didn't realize when I lost weight that __" you will find a lot of WLS veterans complain of the same. As you know if you are permanently wheelchair bound you are at risk for pressure ulcers. If you lose the kind of weight I did you are WAY WAY more likely to get a pressure ulcer on your sacrum. Unlike most of us that can do squats and lunges and get on a stair master to build up our glutes to protect that tailbone, you won't be able to do that. That should be a huge consideration when you look to do this or not. Please give it a lot of thought before you decide.

Last Thursday I had a scratchy sore throat for a couple days. It went away. Figured it was allergies. Yesterday I started constant sneezing and no allergy meds in my arsenal would fix it. This morning I have crap in my chest, a slight cough and still a sneezing with a runny nose. No fever. This is NOT ideal for the week before surgery! liquid diet starts today and Pre-op Appointment is tomorrow. Last thing I need is a stupid cold to postpone surgery plus my medical leave is all set up with HR. Waiting to hear from my surgeon about what they want me to do. Anyone else get a cold right before surgery?

This didn't happen to me but I am a surgical nurse. I wouldn't worry about it just yet. You can go ahead and talk to your surgeon about it but ultimately your anesthesiologist will decided whether or not your lungs are in good condition for general anesthesia. I hope it clears up soon! When is your surgery?

It helped for a short while. But I still had a lot of head hunger. Now the hunger is back, and I'm just very relieved that during my honeymoon phase, I had the chance to learn to crave new healthy foods. It's not that I don't stray or have cravings for bad foods, but I'm very satisfied with eating healthy meals.
I have a fairly large capacity, so I choose to fill my tool with lots of leafy greens, raw and al dente veggies, limited healthy fats, limited dairy, and great dense lean Protein.

My hunger never went away. But my stomach capacity is way down. I'm also able to eat a low calorie option like 80 calorie Greek yogurt and be satisfied for a little while at least. You just have to learn to eat super low calorie to your limited capacity and you should be fine.

My hunger never went away at all. I was hungry right out of the hospital. It sucks!! Im 3.5 months out now and I am finally getting my head in the game as far as deciding to really eat clean and plant based with some animal Protein thrown in. I'm not saying I ate badly before but I am trying to really clean up my diet even more. I feel like the surgery has given me an opportunity to reset my mind with the 18 days of liquids and then purees etc I was unable to rely on food like before and it forced me to find others ways of coping with uncomfortable feelings. So I can eat pretty much anything and never get sick but I am chosing not to because I feel better when Iisten to what my body really wants (healthy foods).

congratulations ... love seeing the progress you’ve made and how well you are looking! how are you feeling seeing the pictures you posted?

Thanks everyone. I feel a lot better, physically. I look forward to my trainer sessions each week. Had my six-month appointment and they were thrilled with the results so far and said I don't need to change a thing I am doing and they are confident I can get off this 46lbs by the end of November, which is my goal. Now that the complications have resolved, I feel a lot better and less regretful. It's nice to be able to compare these photos since you don't always notice the change yourself without really seeing the befores and afters. I can't wait to get to my goal weight because buying clothes is a hassle! I have no clue what size I wear any given day and I am still gravitating towards the plus section, even though my tops aren't plus anymore and my pants are a borderline 12.

congratulations on having a date, and so soon now!

congratulations on your weight loss and hard work, that’s great! and very good you can now make those healthy choices and control cravings unlike before

@GradyCati was reading about the stalls the other night ... i hope you get past yours soon. i’ve sure encountered these in the past with losing weight but hadn’t thought about it with wls

@mgrand how have your tastes changed?

@sheademo29 i would be frustrated also have you asked your nutritionist/dietician what’s going on there with the hunger and if there’s anything that can help you feel more full? sorry to read how frustrating it is

that’s wonderful news!!! congratulations on having a date now 🙂

congratulations on your weight loss and hard work, that’s great! and very good you can now make those healthy choices and control cravings unlike before

I lost my appetite for quite a while after surgery. I ate to get my Protein in, not because I was hungry. My restriction is still very noticeable especially when I eat dense protein but I am hungry a few hours later. The hunger is different though, I don't crave the crap I used to crave. I realize now I was a major sugar addict, not so much anymore. Now if I crave sweets I can have a sugar free or no sugar added popsicle (or two) and be good, even a flavored greek yogurt or some berries will usually satisfy the craving. I think this is partly because I refused to eat what was not on my plan (and still do for the most part). I avoid bread, pastas, rice, and sweets. I know in my head if I go back to eating these things it is a slippery slope and I'll be stuffing my face again!
The tricky part is head hunger.....I've realized I have strong tendencies to eat when I am stressed, bored or experiencing a lot of emotion (pissed off, anxious, for example.) Looking back, this was always the case.
Use your prep time to become aware of triggers and why you are eating and if you are truly hungry or just looking for food to soothe you. It will help after you go through the surgery.
Best of luck!

Sleever here. Hunger disappeared for 6 months and then it came back. Like at 6 months, 1 day. For several weeks I was haunted with a rebound hunger monster that I really struggled to get under control. I bought some Slimquick - which I consider mild as far as appetite suppressants go. Took that for about 6 weeks until I felt like I had the necessary self control not to graze in the afternoons and evenings. I don't take it anymore, but I keep it handy in case the stresses of everyday life get too much and the monster wants to come out again.
It's too bad, I would have happily gone the rest of my life without ever feeling hungry again.

I was sleeved on April 29th one week ago and my appetite is gone I feel no desire to eat but I still do to get my Protein and Fluid in. Yesterday I made spaghetti with ground meat and Italian sausage and I had zero craving or the urge to eat. I am on the pureed stage for one month.

There's still "head hunger" and a little regular hunger, but it's easier to control. I eat every 3- 4 hours, but in small portions.

most people do lose their hunger for awhile - anywhere from 3-4 months up to a year. Mine came back at five months out. There are a few outliers who either never lose it at all or they lose it permanently, but for most of us, it eventually comes back. That's why it's so important to really work the plan those first few months when you're not having to deal with hunger. It'll NEVER be easier to lose weight than it is when you're never hungry!!

Hunger may be reduced with bypass or sleeve. Not disappear. Link below on bariatric 101.
https://www.obesitycoverage.com/the-complete-patients-guide-to-bariatric-surgery/
M hunger didn’t disappear. I have real and head hunger. It’s not the same as pre surgery. It’s much more manageable. I feel the sensation of full on smaller meals.
Another link for bypass vs the sleeve.
https://www.obesitycoverage.com/gastric-bypass-vs-gastric-sleeve-surgery/

I'm only 5.5 weeks post RNY, but I've had no hunger as of yet. I hear it comes back at some point. I'm enjoying it while I can!

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No. I was not one of the lucky ones. I never lost my appetite like many people do. Small amounts of dense Protein do fill me up. But I am hungry again an hour later.
It does still take some willpower to lose the weight even with surgery.
Hopefully you would be one of the lucky ones and lose your appetite at least long enough to change your eating habits.

Good luck.

I still get hungry, sometimes every few hours. The big difference is my ability to control cravings and make healthy choices, plus I get full by eating a fraction of what I used to. I had the sleeve in Aug 2018. I’ve lost 104 lbs and am 11 lbs from goal. 😊

I wish that I knew I was going to be hungry and craving everything.but there’s nothing I can do about it.very frustrated