Does The Gastric Sleeve Work?

[Optima 3]

I originally was going to have the RNY gastric bypass but decided to go with the sleeve. I am wondering if it really works? I keep thinking just because the stomach is smaller why does that matter if I want to stuff myself full? Is it a mental issue? Do I just need to think I am full and not eat anymore because right now that is hard. I eat all the time when I am not hungry. I can eat 4 candy bars at one sitting and still eat more. Pleaes give me your input. Thanks

[Bedhead 158]

Well I'm 5 days out from surgery and have already lost 13lbs- so I think it's safe to say that it works:)

[Viola 15]

Getting the sleeve works but like any gastric surgery its a tool and not a magic bullet. There are ways to cheat your sleeve and the RYN for that matter with slider foods. I've known folks who have gotten both types of WLS and gained weight back. For the RYN you have to be over 100 lbs over. Like you before the sleeve I would eat for the sake of eating and had nothing to do with being hungry. I never really was because I always ate. About 4 weeks ago I started doing that again and I gained 7 pounds. I stared to log my food intake again and that helped me a lot.

Here is what I've found; we eat for other reasons than hunger and "head hunger" is the term you see around the site best describes the feeling of wanting to eat even when you're not hungry. After surgery I didn't have the same relationship with food that I had before and I was on high for a long time. I stared going through personal stressors and guess what reared it's ugly head.....the feeling of wanting to eat, waking up and thinking what am I going to eat today....etc. Working through the mental junk is harder than any of the physical. Getting a new smaller tummy or the RYN is only one step in the weight loss journey. To bad the doctor can't take out the old tapes in your brain that tell you its okay to have that cupcake, or nothing is going to happen if you take a bite of this or that because you're in control....It always starts with just a bite and then next thing you know you've reached the bottom of the ice cream carton or there is only one slice left in the pizza box.

I'm getting long winded I know. I really understand what you are going through because I've been there. I just really want to stress to you that any WLS that you choose is not the cure all. It gives you the leverage to fight the weight but you'll need to be mentally strong too to be truly successful.

[KellyL 173]

As others have said, any WLS is a tool and works if you use it properly. The Sleeve makes our tummy MUCH more smaller than it is, but it also removes the ghrelin hormone which causes hunger. You definitely have to be compliant with getting in your Protein and lowering the sugar and carbs, but the sleeve helps extremely with Portion Control. You're still in control of what you put in your mouth though, so it takes work and commitment.

[Foxbins 625]

It works. I can't really describe how my relationship with food has changed other than to say it's no longer important to me anymore. I used to wake up in the morning and think about what I would have for breakfast; at Breakfast I would already be planning lunch, dinner, and Snacks. I don't do that anymore. food is fuel and not a hobby, or love, or a way to push down feelings of anxiety or anger. Sometimes I want to eat the way I used to, just mindlessly stuffing anything edible into my mouth, but I can't do that anymore and the longer I have my skinny body the less I want to do it anyway.

Hope this helps-

[Chubby girl in Utah 7]

I can say it works. I am 5 days from surgery and down 19 pounds. Someone else mentioned this in another post about the relationship with food changing. I can totally agree with this. It is something that cannot be explained until you are mentally prepared and ready to make that commitment.