Hi everyone,

Well, I'm a newbie to the group...A super-newbie, really - since I'm still trying to decide whether to take the plunge into WLS or not. I swear...the more research I do, the more confused I get! It's good to research all the 'facts and statistics', but I feel there is still such a huge 'uknown' to it all. I hate 'unknowns'!! I know every person's experience is different...and I also know there's no way for me to predict exactly how my body & mind will handle the sleeve before going ahead with it. (Sure would make this decision easier, if I could though!) Anywhoo...I was thinking it might help to hear from those who've had the surgery. My biggest question is the whole, "If I knew then what I know now" deal. If you could do it all over again....would you? I totally welcome any responses...the good...the bad...or the ugly Thanks in advance. This seems like a really great forum for support.

Babysteppin: I have less than a year before I'm sleeved but I've been forced into weight loss by excruciating pain caused by slipped disc! I'm only 25 and am on OxyContin (hillbilly heroin) twice daily! For years I've pretended I'm fine, no diabetes, no high bp (actually its normally very low!), no chol, etc... BUT I've suffered depression, self harm, sleep apnea, pulled hamstrings, back aches, and now this! 20pounds down the pain is still strong! I think I can do a lot of this myself, but to get the rest of the weight off I need surgery. I'm seeing a psych too and unlike some I'm not mourning food- I am learning to like it! I could eat an entire lock of chocolate or a pound of fries and not like a single bite! I hated myself for even having to eat!

For me I need the surgery to undo the damage of a lifetime hatred of and terrible relationship with food!!!

My goal with surgery: a do-over! Start from the beginning loving food, loving Soups, loving mush, loving salads and veggies, and nice cuts of meat and cheeses! Loving that food is nourishing my new body!

I think if you can growto think of it like this too, and if you know you need this tool to help you with this, then go for it! Watch the gsleeve videos on YouTube, (you can really see how it should go, both how easy it is nowadays, but also the risks for staples slipping or infections), read these online forums for inspirations, purchase small kiddy sized eating things, practice eating differently around others (including feeding kids and/or hubby separate meals, and going out) try avoiding drinking calories in coffee, soda, and alcohol sometimes (mourn these losses now because they will be non-negotiable post-op!)

If you can get into the post-op mindset now, think you will be able to do it afterwards, and KNOW for 100% that its worth the risk... Then go for it!

Hi

I wish I did it years ago. I am 5 day post op' date=' drop 25 lbs from pre op diet to now.

I was released Thurs. I was taken of 2 blood pressure, diabetic, cholestohal,

and Water pill meds. I could not beleive everything was in the nomal range. I have

been on these meds for years. The only bad thing is I have hundres of wrapped up

in these pill I still have, I will bite the bullet and take the loose with these worthless

pills.

Wish You The Best[/quote']

Bug, your results are what I am aiming for with my surgery. I have always called all the meds you mentioned (and I am on all of them) my lifestyle meds. Losing weight will be a wonderful bonus but emptying the pill box is the goal.

well i couldnt tolerate shakes so i lived my 1st 2weeks preop drinking tons of Water and starved myself which means no nutrition. i did my first 2weeks post op with just sipping water. i felt very weak and dizzy until i began eating mushies at week 3-4. at that point, i felt 95% better!!!! only thing wrong was that i threw up bile 2x. they sent me for a swallow test which showed a leak. no one really ever knows what causes a leak because its so rare. i had a leak test the day after surgery which showed no leak but i was still very swollen from surgery.

Sorry to hear that, Jasleeve. Sounds awful. You must be such a strong person to be able to make it through all that. Do they know exactly what caused the leak ? How were feeling up until it happened? How was your recovery from surgery day until week 5? I'm just wondering if there are any signs to look out for. I'm 5 days post op and feel fine and keep everything down. I was hoping the hardest part was over and I could relax.

well i couldnt tolerate shakes so i lived my 1st 2weeks preop drinking tons of Water and starved myself which means no nutrition. i did my first 2weeks post op with just sipping water. i felt very weak and dizzy until i began eating mushies at week 3-4. at that point' date=' i felt 95% better!!!! only thing wrong was that i threw up bile 2x. they sent me for a swallow test which showed a leak. no one really ever knows what causes a leak because its so rare. i had a leak test the day after surgery which showed no leak but i was still very swollen from surgery.

[/quote']

Yikes. Thanks so much for the info. I am so glad you are feeling better now though!

I am a little over 4 months post op and down 95 lbs. I would do it over again in a heartbeat. No problems at all. Just wish I would have done it sooner.

thank you!

Yikes. Thanks so much for the info. I am so glad you are feeling better now though!

Jasleeve - I'm sorry that the procedure & recovery time was such an ordeal (to say the least!). I am glad you are doing much better now, and feeling well. I really appreciate you sharing your story, because it's helping to me learn about some of the potential complications that could happen. I'm totally a pro's & con's list maker when it comes to making big decisions....so thank you for your perspective!!

I am very happy I went ahead with it. I knew I needed something to help me out with controlling my appetite and binge eating. I've had to address my food issues a lot by not being able to physically binge eat! I have gotten better at learning when I'm full and not trying to stuff myself needlessly. I am enjoying healthy foods more. I am one of those people whose taste buds haven't changed. I still like all of the same stuff-my taste buds haven't changed a bit. I am just much more satisfied on smaller amounts of food now. I still get hungry but it's a whisper compared to the ravenous pre-surgery hunger. I was eating healthier for quite a while prior to surgery and I feel that it helped me a lot transitioning over to eating healthy after surgery.

No regrets. At all. No words to describe how much better I feel about myself. I keep my profile pic the same as a reminder of what I used to look like. I've only lost 40 pounds or so, but I feel and look SO much better now.

So yes, I would do it again.

A word of caution. Do not underestimate the impact of not having food to "lean on". I feel a huge void and am aware that this is a good thing but a struggle nonetheless. I knew I loved food and used it in some negative ways but the level of addiction was somewhat surprising and evident when it was no longer an option. Lots of tears and some intense anxiety. I'm a little over 2 weeks postop and have had bouts of regret but overall I know I've made the right decision.

I guess what I'm trying to say is do some serious soul searching and learn as much as possible about emotional eating and head hunger.

I researched for 4 yrs off and on and tossed it around. I am 50 and knew that it was time and that if I hadn't been successful getting the weight of by now it wasn't going to happen. My health was suffering and I could see my future and it was not good.

It is a very big decision and I admire you gathering all the information available. Good luck and u will have no lack of input and support on this forum.

In less than a heartbeat. ZERO regrets. Loving my life. I'm almost 7 months out from surgery. Love love LOVE my decision

Sent from my iPhone using VST

Very interesting question....as of right now I would say no that I would not do this again. I am just struggling too much right with basic nutrition and hydration which terrifies me. Everyone in my life that has had any type of WLS (and online friends too) are telling me this is normal and will pass. They all swear that one day I will look back on this and laugh, changing my opinion. I am seriously waiting for that day!

You have received some awesome advice in this thread but ultimately no one can make these decisions but you. I will add my two cents, if your insurance company requires any type of diet program, participate and run with it because you need the time to learn about food, changing your diet as you go. We all think that we know the rules and such but the meetings really do help. Of course no one can tell you about the post op process except those have been through it (this forum is a godsend!) but you really need to take everything concerning food seriously pre op because after you will mourn the loss more than I can state.

The surgery is serious as are whatever issues you have with food and we all have them or wouldn't be dealing with such an extreme way to lose weight. It has also been suggested to me to participate in some form of therapy for support for the major changes that will occur. Since my insurance copays for this are hellish, I am looking into other avenues but can see where it is a good idea.

youre very welcome!

Jasleeve - I'm sorry that the procedure & recovery time was such an ordeal (to say the least!). I am glad you are doing much better now, and feeling well. I really appreciate you sharing your story, because it's helping to me learn about some of the potential complications that could happen. I'm totally a pro's & con's list maker when it comes to making big decisions....so thank you for your perspective!!

I would also have to say I Would not do this again. I was sleeved in Mexico 7/9 & then was hospitalized with a bacterial infection & hydration 8/3 for 4 days.

I also have horrible acid reflux, gas all the time which I have never had before!

Getting my Protein & Water in is still a struggle. I have also missed about 4 weeks of work & am due to go back 8/15.

Maybe I should reply to this in a couple of months!

I would also have to say I Would not do this again. I was sleeved in Mexico 7/9 & then was hospitalized with a bacterial infection & hydration 8/3 for 4 days.

I also have horrible acid reflux, gas all the time which I have never had before!

Getting my Protein & Water in is still a struggle. I have also missed about 4 weeks of work & am due to go back 8/15.

Maybe I should reply to this in a couple of months!

So sorry to hear this. Tell you what, we both need to post in a month or two and report back on how much our feelings have changed!