Vertical Sleeve Surgery Years Later...??

[MrsMaddBroadway 1]

Hi everyone,

My name is Madeline. I am 20 years old and I am fairly new to this website and WLS information. I have my funds to pay for my surgery here in Louisiana and I have all the love and support I could hope for from my husband. I have been very very excited about this surgery and am looking forward to changing all my unhealthy eating habits and develope a healthier lifestyle!

But as I near "the point of no return" I am just curious...

What is life like for patients that follow their diet, excercise regularly and lose all the weight they wanted to YEARS LATER??

I know that information on this surgery is still new and lots of websites say "No long term information available."

But to all the experienced sleevers: Have you ever heard of the staples coming out? Have you heard of the stomach leaking later on in life? Ever heard of infections developing around the staple line?

What has your experience been?

How long ago were you sleeved and how much weight have you lost?

What complications have you experienced (if any)?

What fears do you have (or did you have) after surgery?

Please just share your experience.

My time is coming and I want to make sure that I know every possible complication and positive thing.

Thank you,

Madeline

[LittleSteve 5]

As far as I`m aware once you are healed there is no possibility of a leak as the stomach heals over the staples making them redundant.

[Tiffykins 673]

I'm just a couple days shy of being 17 months out, and I can tell you that life at/below goal is pretty fabulous. I often forget that I've even had surgery, and eating is effortless.

To answer your questions:

Have you ever heard of the staples coming out? No, the staples won't come out. Your stomach tissue and scar tissue heal over the staple line, and they can't come out.

Have you heard of the stomach leaking later on in life? Nope, never.

Ever heard of infections developing around the staple line? Not after the healing period

What has your experience been? My experience has been fabulous. I followed the dietary guidelines through my losing phase, got to goal in 6.5 months, and continued to lose for another 4 months sporadically to where I've been maintaining for over 6 months. My body is apparently comfortable at around 125lbs and not my goal weight of 150.

How long ago were you sleeved and how much weight have you lost? 17 months, and I lost around 140lbs in 10.5 months

What complications have you experienced (if any)? I had complications due to my band. I was a revision, had a leak, it was repaired, had an extensive recovery, but after that I haven't had any other issues.

What fears do you have (or did you have) after surgery? I was pretty well prepared for life post-sleeve. I do not and did not have any fears after surgery. I tackled the food demons, and really changed my relationship with food.

I did a lot of independent research on gastrectomies for stomach cancer and ulcer patients. Since gastrectomies have been performed for decades up on decades, I was not worried about long term issues after reading numerous articles and personal experiences on people that had partial or full gastrectomies due to cancer. There are 1000s of people out there living full, active and healthy lives without a stomach at all. Remember that everyone's experience is different some experience nausea and fatigue, others don't, some experience more pain than others, and even with all the information your recovery will be individualized to your body. My advice is to go in eyes wide open, be prepared, and talk to your surgeon about any concerns you have pre-op, and talk to them openly post-op. You're doing something absolutely fabulous for yourself and your future health.

[SimiLater 0]

Hi - thanks Tiffykins I love that you have all this knowledge and I really enjoy reading your posts and replys. I was searching the forums for answers to the same questions. Can I ask a few more questions?

You said eating is effortless - can you tell me what a typical day is like for you in regards to food? Do you measure everything you eat? How do you maintain your weight when you reach goal?

I'm sorry if there is another post with these questions - I've been searching

Thanks again for your insight. I'm so glad I found this website. I am still in the approval process but hope to have the surgery before Christmas (while I'm on a break from school).

[Tiffykins 673]

Hi - thanks Tiffykins I love that you have all this knowledge and I really enjoy reading your posts and replys. I was searching the forums for answers to the same questions. Can I ask a few more questions?

You said eating is effortless - can you tell me what a typical day is like for you in regards to food? Do you measure everything you eat? How do you maintain your weight when you reach goal?

I'm sorry if there is another post with these questions - I've been searching

Thanks again for your insight. I'm so glad I found this website. I am still in the approval process but hope to have the surgery before Christmas (while I'm on a break from school).

You betcha ! ! !

I don't measure anything anymore. I can pretty much eyeball my portion, and I get a hiccup to let me know I'm full. I don't get this stuffed, or full feeling in my stomach.

A typical day for me is eating 4 - 6 times a day. I hate Breakfast food so I don't typically eat Breakfast. It's coffee in the morning then a little leftovers from the day before, or I grab a granola bar.

lunch is whatever I want- I eat out 3-4 times a week so it's never the same. I still focus on Protein, but I don't avoid any type of food. I'll throw in a couple of Snacks like beef Jerky, or some nuts and cheese. I do eat junky type food like Funyuns or Fritos. dinner is whatever I prepare for my family just smaller portions. I eat a really balanced, nutrient dense diet now. I don't track my food intake very closely anymore. I am guilty of carb loading during my ovulation week, but haven't dealt with any regain. I bounce the same 5lbs any given week. 5lbs up and down doesn't bother me, and I kind of expect it with my eating habits.

Once I got to goal, I incorporated more carbs and calories and healthy fats. I did have to add in some 100% juice to get my weight loss to stop instead of sticking to calorie free drinks. I also drink soda daily, I don't drink diet, but I do stick with caffeine free drinks like Sprite, Cream Soda, or Orange soda.

To maintain my weight, I simply eat what I want. I really don't have an issue with maintaining now. I struggled with maintenance for a few months when my body wanted to lose more weight, but have been easily maintaining for the last 6 months.

Any other questions, feel free to ask, I'll be more than happy to help as much as I can! ! !