The Honest Truth

[wyndei 0]

One of my biggest concerns and the reason GastroBypass is completely out of the question is because everyone I know that has had the Bypass look as though they have melted in their skin. That is NOT the vision.I know there are other concerns and benefits other than the physical but lets keep it real. I don't want anyone thinking I am sick. I know you lose weight quicker than a Lap-band but not as quick as the Bypass. Does the Sleeve has this melted-look drawback? Also, I know with the Bypass there is some sort of Vitamin deficiency which has attributed to Hair loss, even though nothing is being re-routed have any of you experienced hair loss? Is there anyone that is unsatisfied with the Sleeve, if so WHY?

[FishingNurse 1,210]

look at my pics- and my face! I look healthy. When I tell people I used to weigh 262 they do not believe me! I think if you are getting all your Protein and Vitamins in you will look healthier because you absorb all your nutrition you eat unlike the bypass. I don't even have any hanging or saggy skin! :-)

[Gene1970 179]

I'm a month out and have not experienced any Hair loss. I'm also 50lbs down and I think My skin looks fine so far. Sleeve of Steel is right on, if you get your protien and Vitamins you will look healthier and be healthier. No regrets here for getting the sleeve.

[jusstice 103]

This is why I never even thought about WLS until now. I know several people who did the bypass, and they looked like they aged twenty years before my eyes. I did not want to look like that.

I considered the band, but my Dr told me about the sleeve. I have looked at everyone's pics, and haven't seen one drawn out face yet, so I feel better about the sleeve. Now, if I can only feel better about loose skin...

[VJSlim 156]

From the tons of before-after pics that I've seen (of VSG and Bypass), I can honestly say that the VSG pics show a healthier output. But as Sleeve of Steel mentioned, you need to take your Vitamins and Iron supplements regularly and hit your Protein and Fluid requirement daily.

But I'm not too sure about the loose skin issue - i've seen many posts where sleeve veterans have mentioned that VSG too can cause loose skin issues.

[VJSlim 156]

You should check out the photos section of this site. I think you'll like what you see - that section is my motivation factor !

[Lilee84 648]

The reason so many Bypass patients look gray and saggy is because their procedure is both restrictive and malabsorptive, meaning not only does it restrict their food intake, it also restricts what their body absorbs from what they *do* intake, including nutrients.

Our surgery is just restrictive and doesn't restrict our bodies absorption of the nutrients from the food we intake. As for saggy skin, that has a lot to do with genetics but can also be effected by Vitamin and mineral deficiencies which most sleevers don't experience.

[Katie713 423]

I am a slow loser and I am actually glad that my body is changing gradually. I feel strong and healthy and I know I look better, everyone tells me that I do as well. I am not fishing for compliments, but they are coming. I take my Vitamins, get my Protein in which really helps with hair loss and muscle tone. I exercise and drink, drink, drink all day long keeping hydrated.

I am really happy I went through this...I am lighter on my feet and weigh less than I have in decades!

[SMP1126 76]

Saggy skin is not a by-product of one weight loss method versus another. An individual can have saggy skin after weight loss whether the weight loss is by diet, diet and exercise, or weight loss surgery. Bottom line is that the weight loss can cause the skin to sag, not the method used to lose the weight. Some factors to consider are age, because our skin becomes less elastic the older we get and the amount of weight one loses. For those who lose large amounts of weight, there may be some skin issues, but that can be corrected after the weight comes off. For me personally, I'd rether worry about the health issues I face by NOT losing the weight, and deal with any sagging of my skin later, after I'm once again thin and healthy. Good luck to you, and I hope you found this helpful.

[Pookeyism 1,143]

I don't think so - or when I do it is usually my sinuses acting up, lol.

I lost it slow, kept as hydrated as I could and was really good to myself - pritien first, second, third - veggies too - juices and Soups...vitamins

[bikerchick519 202]

No saggy skin so far. I did lose quite a bit of hair but that has slowed down now. I get compliments all the time about how great I look now. I feel and look very healthy. It was the best thing I've ever done for me.

[LindaS 316]

I've been good about taking my Vitamins and getting my Protein in, and I still had some hair loss. I noticed it most when I brushed my hair. It lasted about 3 months, and it happened about 4 to 6 months out from surgery.

From what I understand, there isn't much you can do to prevent it. The Hair loss isn't just because of WLS; it can happen with other types of major surgery as well.

I was proactive about my hair. I talked to my stylist early on for suggestions. I also waited 11 months to color my hair, and I waited 8 months before I had my hair layered or thinned. Normally, I have very thick hair, so layering and thinning was normal part of hair cuts for me.

At 11 months out, my hair is back to normal.

As for skin, I don't think that has anything to do with the type of WLS other than maybe side effects from the malabsorption issue that happen with by-pass.

[danyelleb 386]

Hi! I'm extremely happy with how active I've become! BUT I'm 34 and I have saggy skin. My apron and arms drive me crazy. I just started noticing that I'm getting some skin wrinkles on the tops of my thighs. My hair has been falling out since month three. It's breaking like crazy. I don't dye or style my hair. Yes, I would take all of these side effects over being morbidly obese. However, I'm trying really hard to not have the body of a weight loss surgery patient that does not exercise (saggy skin and a extremely soft midsection). I do take my Vitamins, drink my Water, and meet my Protein requirement.