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to do it or not to do it, is the question



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So I have been researching the sleeve for months now and I know this is the right choice. But I'm having a hard time with going through with it.. I'm so scared of complications. I'm going in with none even though I am 30yrs old 5'7 and 290lbs. I know everyone has these fears but how do u push through them. I'm scared of malnutrition I hear all these people having to go for iv's or being put on medications.. the whole point I thought of doing this is to not have to be on any.. is it right to think maybe after surgery u really won't want to drink or eat but u have to force urself literally even though it hurts. Please help me with this

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Yes... right after surgery you may not feel like eating or drinking anything, and you may have to make yourself do it--this goes away as the swelling goes down. You don't have to worry about malnutrition with the sleeve, especially if you take your Vitamins and minerals afterward (we absorb all our nutrients, but generally don't eat enough to get everything we need---then again, the general public doesn't get it from what they eat either).

The complication risk is so low compared to what you will have to deal with in the future, that being any of the following: High Blood Pressure, Heart Disease, Hardening of the Arteries, sleep Apnea, Osteoarthritis, Diabetes, premature death, I'm sure I'm missing some big ones here. It is a big choice to make, but you're virtually guaranteed big problems down the road if you don't get the weight off one way or another. For those of us who have chosen to go ahead and have the surgery, most of us have tried time and time again over years and haven't been able to lose it or keep it off permanently.

Even including people who had complications like a leak or stricture, I have never once seen a single person who wasn't happy with their surgery in the end. But you have to be really ready for it, at that point where you KNOW it's what you need to do and you WANT to do it, and have yourself prepared for how the first few days and weeks are going to be... just make sure that you're really comfortable with the decision before going for it, and you won't regret it. :)

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So I have been researching the sleeve for months now and I know this is the right choice. But I'm having a hard time with going through with it.. I'm so scared of complications. I'm going in with none even though I am 30yrs old 5'7 and 290lbs. I know everyone has these fears but how do u push through them. I'm scared of malnutrition I hear all these people having to go for iv's or being put on medications.. the whole point I thought of doing this is to not have to be on any.. is it right to think maybe after surgery u really won't want to drink or eat but u have to force urself literally even though it hurts. Please help me with this

Im sorry to hear that you are having a difficult time making the decision to go through with the procedure. I think being nervous is very normal and you just have to remind yourself that most of the people who have issues are the ones who stray from the guidelines and dont take care of themselves. I went through a major surgery and am determined to not mess it up by making careless choices that may lead me to malnutrition or dehydration.

I personally had a very smooth recovery.

I started a YouTube Channel to document my journey and just finished another video talking about my experience thus far.

Check it out and maybe it will put your mind at easy knowing that not everyone has difficulty healing.

Hope This Helps

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Thanku both for ur replies this has totally helped calm me down and made me realize that it doesn't have to go down that way.... I'm so happy to have found this site... I appreciate all the support

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So I have been researching the sleeve for months now and I know this is the right choice. But I'm having a hard time with going through with it.. I'm so scared of complications. I'm going in with none even though I am 30yrs old 5'7 and 290lbs. I know everyone has these fears but how do u push through them. I'm scared of malnutrition I hear all these people having to go for iv's or being put on medications.. the whole point I thought of doing this is to not have to be on any.. is it right to think maybe after surgery u really won't want to drink or eat but u have to force urself literally even though it hurts. Please help me with this

How everybody reacts to surgery is different. If you read many post here, if there has been complications it has been temporary and once they get past it, they have no regrets. I was one of the lucky ones. I had no issues whatsever. My IV was only during the hospital. I did not have a sore throat but had to learn how to sip instead of huge swallows. I do take Vitamins and hoping that my remaining medications will stop with 3-6 months. I did have diabetes, fatty liver disease and they did a hiatal hernia repair during surgery. I feel so much better and I am pleased on how I am already looking. I can walk in front of a mirror or see my reflection in a window and think WOW. I am looking okay. I use to hate to see my reflection. Do your research and be prepared, if you know worse case scenerios and what needs to be done, it will help you overcome any fear. And if something happens most likely someone else "has been there done that" so I am sure there will be plenty of advise to help you through it. I am 47 and I wish I could had done this years ago. But then I didn't have insurance to cover it then but better late then never.

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This is one of many issues you will have to hurdle. Just take time to process each one and be patient until you can come to an acceptance of each one. Reading all the experience on this forum truly helps.

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I agree with Eloray. I was super jittery before surgery, but I found so many answers to my fears on this board. I'm not trying to convince you one way or the other, but if you feel like you want to go through with this, but are scared, a good way to get through it is to keep reading this forum. And ask the questions that make you most scared. You'll find some great and reassuring answers. I was on here every night the month before my surgery, and it helped a ton! :)

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Thanks again to everyone who posted a reply it really eases my mind. I visit this site multiple times day and night and that's exactly what I will keep doing... thanks a ton!!! :-)

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • 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

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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