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Gastric Sleeve Experts... Please Chime In!



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I haven't been on for awhile either, but this is a great question. Statistically, gastric sleeve patients lose 63% of their excess weight. Excess weight is measured from your starting weight to your ideal weight (look up ideal weight calculator to determine yours). It is not to goal weight, which is often higher than ideal weight. I started at 240, and my ideal weight is 130, so I have 110 pounds of excess weight. So, my surgeon told me to expect 70 pounds of loss total. At 6 months I was at 90 pounds, and it was fun to watch him nearly fall out of his chair when I went in for my 6 months appointment. I am now 18 pounds from my ideal body weight, but 4 from my original goal (which is right in the middle of "normal BMI" range for my height, and the weight I remember being healthy and happy at).

Yes, average loss is good to know when making the decision between the various surgical options, and when setting realistic goals. HOWEVER, it does not mean that will be your loss. You get out of this what you put into it. When the honeymoon phase is over, it is really easy to accept that it is the best you can do, and just return to old habits. Or, you can continue with new habits forever and continue to lose or maintain your loss.

Also important is that not everyone loses at the same rate. Many of my fellow sleevers from last fall are losing, but at a much slower rate than I have, and some at a faster rate. For me, the important thing is that I am headed in the right direction. When I calculated it out, even though every month fewer pounds come off, I have managed to lose 5-6% of my remaining excess body weight every month, which means I am steady.

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I was surprised that I lost almost 20 lbs already, I am at 2 weeks !!!

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Averages do not have to define how much weight you lose.. That's just the "average" you are NOT an average and neither am I :) I have surpassed the docs expectations... and am close to the "reasonable" goal the nut and I established. It does not mean I can not have a new goal in mind and a healthy number when I get to my yr... This can take you wherever you want it to take you... I have been bad at the exercising part as well and just recently started walking again... I was and still am pretty tired and lack energy which the docs do say will come back ( at about the yr mark) I want it back now so I can lose the rest before I get to the yr mark... I have started the walking thing slowly... not fast paced and not far one week... short then I will start to extend how far I walk a lil at a time,,

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I'm right there with you! I have three grown kids, so I'm no stranger there. However, the idea of all the drain tubes, catheters, etc etc - kinda freaks me out. It's been over 21 years since I've had any type of hospital stay.

But after 10 years of struggling and doing everything in my power to lose weight, I think none of that will matter when the time comes. We have too much to look forward to. I miss being able to tie my shoes without struggling!! And the day I'll be able to cross my legs at the THIGHS again will be a glorious day for me! LOL

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I lost more than 100%. It's definitely harder and you burn fewer calories moving around a smaller body, but how much you lose is solely dependent on how hard you work!!!! Definitely make the most of the 6-12 month window when it's the easiest and your sleeve is working the hardest. The hunger will come back.

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@@jess9395 How does the hunger come back when they remove the hunger hormone? Do you still feel physically hungry?

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@@jess9395 How does the hunger come back when they remove the hunger hormone? Do you still feel physically hungry?

Ask most vets and they tell you the hunger comes back some (not as badly as before, but real hunger) between a year and two years out. Hunger is a complex system regulated by more than one system/hormone/modulator. Removing the fundus removes the largest manufacturer of ghrelin but there are other sources and the body is a wonderfully complex system that adapts amazingly well.

@@jess9395 How does the hunger come back when they remove the hunger hormone? Do you still feel physically hungry?

Ask most vets and they tell you the hunger comes back some (not as badly as before, but real hunger) between a year and two years out. Hunger is a complex system regulated by more than one system/hormone/modulator. Removing the fundus removes the largest manufacturer of ghrelin but there are other sources and the body is a wonderfully complex system that adapts amazingly well.

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@@jess9395 How does the hunger come back when they remove the hunger hormone? Do you still feel physically hungry?

Ask most vets and they tell you the hunger comes back some (not as badly as before, but real hunger) between a year and two years out. Hunger is a complex system regulated by more than one system/hormone/modulator. Removing the fundus removes the largest manufacturer of ghrelin but there are other sources and the body is a wonderfully complex system that adapts amazingly well.

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Do any of you vets who have been following your program (i.e. healthy foods not slider foods), do you still get the same "one bite too many" warning, or does that disappear? Thanks in advance!

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Do any of you vets who have been following your program (i.e. healthy foods not slider foods), do you still get the same "one bite too many" warning, or does that disappear? Thanks in advance!

I am over a year and a half post-op and if I do eat too much I know. It happens less often as I am learning and listening to my body, but it does happen on occasion.

Reminding myself to slow down and eat mindfully really helps.

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Do any of you vets who have been following your program (i.e. healthy foods not slider foods), do you still get the same "one bite too many" warning, or does that disappear? Thanks in advance!

I am over a year and a half post-op and if I do eat too much I know. It happens less often as I am learning and listening to my body, but it does happen on occasion.

Reminding myself to slow down and eat mindfully really helps.

Thank you, thank you :). I was anxiously awaiting an answer. Good to know.

Sent from my SM-N910V using the BariatricPal App

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I started at 293, being 150 lbs overweight. After pre-surgery diet and dieting on my own, I was 275 on surgery day. I'm now 7 months out and I've lost 100 lbs. That's 66% of my excess weight. Assuming weight loss all but stops at 12 months, I've got 5 more months left to lose. I'm confident I'll hit between 78-80% of excess weight gone.

This is far above my bariatric doctor's predictions. He said I'd stop after losing 91 lbs. In fact, I was chided in group education class for saying I was an overachiever and wanted to lose more than that. Pffft. My body's a trooper.

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    • Doughgurl

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      1. Phil Penn

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    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

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      2. Doughgurl

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    • Alisa_S

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      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

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