SleeveToBypass2023

So I'm hoping to hear from anyone with a high BMI that got the sleeve and had a lot of success. My current BMI is 63. My goal weight is 200 pounds, which means I need to lose 190 pounds. For various reasons I chose the sleeve over the bypass, and I know bypass patients lose more than sleeve patients do. BUT...I have no issues following the diet, and once I lose some weight I will start working out again (I did keto and lost almost 100 pounds over 7 months, but then it just started creeping back up and no matter how much I restricted my carbs and worked out, I couldn't keep the weight down and I got frustrated and quit), but I worry that I won't be able to hit my goal even if I stick to the diet and work out. I have MS, so strengthening my muscles and losing the weight is a must to keep my mobility and reduce the pain. I also desperately want to get rid of my diabetes and high blood pressure. And I'm hoping losing the weight will help my asthma a little. BUT... is this possible with the sleeve? I'm so excited about the surgery, but is it really possible to lose that kind of weight with the sleeve? Has ANYONE on here done it, or even come close? This just has to work. I wasn't always overweight. I used to be a size 6, but when I had my son back in 98, my PCOS jump started and I put on close to 100 pounds and only lost maybe 25. No matter what i did, I couldn't lose it. Then I had my daughter and gained close to the same amount, and was never able to lose any of it. Then I did keto, succeeded for a while, then it failed and I gave up. And now here I am. Do I have any hope at all of hitting my goal weight?

What i was getting at is, did the OP have complications and need to have it emptied or did they never fill it because they were afraid there might be complications?

Just wondering why you have nothing in it. Seems that would be why you're not seeing any results. Have you thought about having slow, small fills to prevent issues but give yourself some restriction to start losing weight?

This is what it is: https://www.optifast.com/

It's been quite a while since the last post here, and I just found this thread. What's happened since then? Were you able to get your surgery?

When in May? Mine is May 3rd. Good luck!!! Are you excited or nervous or both?

Did you ever talk to your doctor to see what size they gave you? Have you tried bra shopping to see what fits? I'm glad the pain is gone, and I'm glad you're starting to like how you look

What did you find out about the patches? Did you figure something out to be able to take vitamins?

I think I'm going to order these. They meet my surgeon's requirements, and since I am normally anemic or on a good day have borderline levels, the option I would choose has the 45mg of iron in it. i also would have to add more D3 (I have to take 5000IU because of my MS) but this looks like it would really take care of everything!!!! And it's $12!!!!

This. My surgeon said not to eat any food at all the day before the surgery because it can cause issues with the surgery and anesthesia. He said it's because anesthesia can reduce your body’s ability to protect and prevent food or acids from the stomach from entering the lungs.

How long did it take? Was it first approval or did you have to appeal? I have BCBS of Illinois and they did a full approval 48 hours after it was submitted to them. I was like WHAAAAAT???? Even my surgeon's office was shocked lol

This thread is everything!!!! My surgery is in 3 1/2 weeks, and I have to do 1 week pre op diet so I'm actively looking for protein shakes and liquids. Very happy to hear there's some good ones.

I feel the same way!!! I just can't wait to start this next chapter of my life. I am so excited to be healthier, have less pain, have my comorbidities disappear (I'm talking about YOU diabetes and high blood pressure), and also shop in regular stores in NORMAL sizes (I'm in 28 and 30 now and often have to order online or shop at specialty stores).

Same!!! I kind of fell into this forum and I'm SO glad i did. I just lose hours reading through all the different topics LOL

Thank you for posting this!!! I was looking for some tried and true options. I have to do a week of pre op liquid diet and then of course post op. Every company says theirs is the best, so to hear from ladies who actually tried some and have real opinions is super helpful.

I'm 3 1/2 weeks away from my surgery and I'm SO EXCITED!!!!! I'm not nervous at all. Is that weird? I was a little worried about the gas pain afterwards but I had my gallbladder removed in 97 and they had to inflate my stomach with gas then, too, and I didn't have any gas pain (it was mostly discomfort from the 4 lap scars). Not super excited about the large possibility of major hair shedding, but that didn't happen with any of the other surgeries I had in the past. I also have PCOS, so I'm used to my hair shedding. I have thick hair, so nobody ever notices. And I'm making sure I have plenty of moisturizer for my skin because I've been hearing the surgery can make your skin drier and itchy, and I already deal with that. I don't want it to get worse. But even with that stuff, I'm not nervous or scared. I'm excited and READY!!!!!

Thank you so much for your replies. I feel a little better. I don't remember having any gas pain when my gallbladder was removed. The main pain I had was from the incisions, and that was really when I overdid it and didn't let myself rest. I had worse, lingering pain when I had all 4 wisdom teeth and an additional tooth removed all at once in a surgery center. Actually had to take pain meds for like 3 days afterwards. I was MISERABLE. So here's hoping I have the same experience with wls that I did when my gallbladder was removed. Thanks again, ladies!!

Thank you so much, ladies! I'm used to shedding since I have PCOS. Nobody has ever noticed because I've always had thick hair. My surgeon said the biotin is optional, so that's why I wanted to ask you all about it. I'm so glad I joined this group. I never had any increased hair loss/shedding when I had my gall bladder out or when I had all 4 wisdom teeth and 1 additional tooth removed (in a surgery center, knocked out, roots were either tangled in nerves or sideways in jaw). Again, thanks so much for your responses. I'm going to stock up on moisturizer since I tend to have drier skin and it can get really itchy.

Thank you!! I just want to do the most that I can to keep my skin, hair, and scalp as healthy as I can.

To those of you who have had your sleeve for a while, how much hair have you lost? Is it sudden or gradual? Is it in clumps or shedding? Did you find biotin helped? Do you have any special shampoos or hair masks or supplements you use to help slow down the hair loss and/or speed up regrowth? I have PCOS, so I'm used to hair shedding (many women end up with very thin-to-balding hair with it. I have had moderate shedding but my hair is thick enough that you can't really tell). My surgery day is May 3rd and I'm just trying to prepare myself. ALSO, did anyone notice any drying of their skin? If so, what do/did you use to help with that? How long did it last? Is it really bad, or just mild? Thanks in advance!!!

I'm not afraid of losing too much weight, I'm more concerned that I won't lose enough. But my BIG worry is what I'm hearing about how bad the gas pain is. I had my gallbladder out in 97 when I was 4 1/2 months pregnant with my son. I remember being more uncomfortable with the incisions (4 lap scars) then anything else. But now I'm seeing that the gas pain is so bad with the bariatric surgery (gallbladder surgery inflated my stomach, so I was thinking it would feel the same way). But now I'm really uneasy.

Oh I'm glad it wasn't more serious! And happy you're feeling better

Of course And thank you, I'm so excited. Good luck on yours, as well!!!

What did you ultimately decide? I've been riveted by this thread and I hope, whatever you decided, it'd making you feel happy and at peace.

My surgery day is May 3rd, and I have already started taking the Biotin that is recommended. I also take a collagen supplement and I wash my hair, and use a hair mask, with keratin and biotin in it. I'm also upping my protein intake and I make sure to take vitamin E. I also use a scalp massager in the shower when I wash my hair (clears the scalp of dandruff and also stimulates blood flow). For skin, again the collagen and vitamin E are really good. I also use a gentle cleanser that doesn't strip my skin, I use a hydrating toner, a vitamin C serum, a light moisturizing cream. At night I use a pore cleaning cleanser, a hydrating toner, a hydrating hyaluronic acid serum, and a heavier moisturizing cream. I'm doing what I can now to minimize issues with my skin and hair before surgery, and since they are good habits to get into anyway, I want it to become 2nd nature so I can hopefully lessen any issues and continue to take care of myself.