I have a few months until my surgery. I'm doing all the reading I can about VSG. This forum is FANTASTIC! I have learned so much and I appreciate everyone of you who have given advise. I feel so much better going into this with complete knowledge. I do have a few questions. I have been told that it is much harder to gain weight back after a VSG because the part of the stomach that is left, is much tougher than the part that is removed -- in other words, it doesn't stretch as well. Is this fact?

The other question -- well, it's more of a comment. I've told a few people about my venture and I keep getting comments about how I don't have that much weight to lose along with a look of "you've got to be kidding" me. I have 95 lbs to lose. It makes me a bit embarrassed and I know I shouldn't feel this way. Anywho, I'm sure other people have had the same problem. Thanks for reading!

Welcome to VST!

I'm just over 2 years out & experienced my first gain since surgery over the holidays. I've never had a gastric bypass, but I know people who have. Of the three I know, all have gained back a substantial amount of weight.

Mine was only 10 pounds, but it could easily have been more if I didn't recognize the issue and refuse to continue to eat junk.

My best advice is to use the first year or so to really retrain yourself to eat "right". Allow yourself some small treats, but don't make them a habit. Learn to cook meat and protein in ways that are very healthy and satisfying. I am a HUGE chocolate freak & have virtually no ability to say no. Unfortunately, I feel very little restriction with candy & I can go through a lot before I feel "satisfied".

I'm not saying this to discourage you. Just take advantage of your tool and learn how to eat the right way. We've spent so many years doing it wrong, it takes a while to get it right.

And yes, I heard a lot of the same commnents. I reminded people that obese was obese and that I had failed on years of dieting. This was the best thing I've ever done for myself. My signature says that it saved my life - I really mean that.

Again, welcome!

I know how u feel! I'm only 5 foot but I weighed 202 before this week on liquids. Apparently I must carry this weight pretty good for being so short but for me to have a normal BMI I will have to be 125. Me personally I will be thrilled with 135! So that's a significant amount to lose and the closest I got wa 145 about 11 yrs ago. So to me I qualify for the surgery my insurance covers it WHY NOT??? I'm sure in the long run my arthritis will thank me ! Lol

I've received some of the same comments, "you don't look that overweight". Are you kidding me??? My highest weight was 232 (height 5'3") when I started this process and I have ALWAYS been overweight. I don't bother trying to explain it to anyone anymore. I've only told a few people, other than family, and the rest will find out when the weight comes off!

Yes, it's the stretchy part of the stomach that is removed.

That does not mean it does not stretch at all. I can eat quite a bit more now at almost 3 years than I could at 1 year. You still have to make good choices. And as Mini Me said, there is little restriction with junk food. You can eat way more Cookies than you can meat. That is not true in the very beginning, but as time goes on, you have to be cautious and hopefully have made new eating habits

by the time that happens.

I'm another one who knows that VSG saved my life. I was self-pay, so I had my choice of any surgery my doctor offered and I chose VSG. My reasons were 1. I spent a lot of time on the Lap Band forums reading about people's experiences. Very little positive with lots of negative. 2. I did not want to have my entire intestines re-routed. 3. VSG allowed me to reduce the size of my tummy without having to have major dumping issues. 4. I can still absorb vitamins and nutrients from my food, although apparently ALL weight loss surgery patients have to take some combo of vitamins and minerals.

Good luck with your decision. You'll reach goal pretty quickly because you have a slightly lower BMI than others, but it still won't be "easy" or a cakewalk. You'll still have to put in the head work and the foot work to get to your goal. It will be worth it, though.

Its still possible to gain pretty easily, i would imagine, with our sleeves, over time, because over time we can consume more, and because of "slider" foods -- carbs/candy/chips just kind of melt through you. so we have to be vigilant.

I had way more to lose than you and STILL got those kinds of comments, and I still have NO idea why. I'm a little bit taller than some women at 5'7" and because my weight is fairly equally distributed all over, I think that might be why, but sheesh. My mom was the worst, I told her that to get to the top of the normal BMI range, I had to lose 120 lbs, and she nearly died--there will be nothing left of you, you'll be anorexic! She just had no concept of how big I am/was.

I am 5' 51.2" and weighed 198 to 204. All most all of my weight was from my behind to my shoulders. Very large belly, just like my Mother. My high blood pressure, Fluid retention and family history were the reasons that I chose to have surgery. My cardiologist even agreed with it. So, for those people who do not understand why I had the surgery I say talk to my doctors. Until they have an MD behind their name and know all of your medical and family history they have no basis for their looks or opinions.

Just don't worry about it. Your decision is between you and your physician.

Good Luck

Thank you all for your responses! This helps me so much.