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.

A funny side effect of abdominal surgery/trauma can be nerve damage!

After gallbladder laproscopy I lost all feeling in right exterior thigh then when it came back it was tingly then stabby! On cymbalta for nerve control...

I am so sorry for all the members who have had complications. When you read those stories it is scary. This surgery can be life saving, life changing and there is a chance of life taking. I am just being honest. We all know there is a chance, mostly very small and you do best by researching and educating yourself. This forum was very important to me when I was researching, as there are so many individuals and experiences.

I was at a point in my life where I not only needed to get the weight off, I needed a tool to help me keep it off. I was right on the line for diabetes, had knee issues, high blood pressure, breathing issues and was DONE. I turned 46 the day I was released from my surgery, I have a lot of living left to do and wanted to have quality of life.

I searched, read and reached out to a couple folks here on this very site for information which was real life. I spoke with my doctor and for me as I was not a smoker, did not drink much (wine 2-3 times a year) and was willing to forgo carbonation for the rest of my life, I knew surgery was for me and the time was then. My surgery did cause a complication, I ended up with an abscess along to drain line and had another surgery to remove the abscessed tissue before the infection spread. They removed a large chuck of my stomach and I had cell treatment to grow layers of skin for months so I would not have a hole in my tummy area...it worked great. Now, over the past almost 10 months, I have learned new things about myself. I CAN exercise, I CAN leave a plate of food empty, I CAN wear size 12 pants, and I CAN like what and who I see in the mirror. I WILL be healthy, I WILL be around for my grandchildren and to retire with my wonderful husband.

I am over 100 lbs down overall, still have 30 to get to my goal. I have really slowed down in my loss but, I am living a very normal and healthy life.

Sorry for the length of my post. I am just grateful to my husband for his complete support and dedication to my success (I do feel support is a key component when you are thinking of this surgery), to Alex and his team for putting this site together and to all the members who share their experiences with all of us.

Best to you in your personal journey.

YES I would do it all over again

Great post! I am very curious though. Since you were already sleeved and obviously had a very small stomach, and they had to remove MORE stomach, how much stomach do you have left? Are you able to eat only very little--even in comparison with someone who has a standard VSG surgery? Sorry if I seem nosy I have just never heard of this before. :-)

Hopeful,

Thanks only like to share my personal experience and hopefully give others tid-bits to help with their journey. Surgeon removed tissue from my tummy area, and said I was lucky the infection did not burst through my peritennial cavity getting to other organs, sorry I was not real clear. No more was removed from my actual stomach. A deep chunk of the skin if you will...I was willing to post pictures so folks would have a go to reference but, it did not seem appropriate for the forum.

I'm pretty new too, and I do not regret the surgery at all, but I will say its a huge commitment and sacrifice. The fact that I will never eat the same way again is sometimes hard to deal with, but the weight loss and health benefits outweigh that by a long shot!! It just takes time to adjust I assume, I got my sleeve on 5/30/12 so I'm pretty new but I take on the challenge one day at a time ????

Good luck with everything!! #readyforchange

Thank you SO much everyone. This has turned into such a wonderful thread. I am so grateful to everyone that's shared their experiences & advice, and those who may continue to share after this post. I cannot say what a huuuge help it's been, and continues to be! I'm finding that medical research is essential to making an informed decision...but learning about others' true life experiences (both the 'highs' and the 'lows') is absolutely vital!! I am like a sponge right now, soaking all of your wonderful posts in!! Thank you

NO. I would have the gastric bypass instead. Everyone I was in support groups pre-op who had the same amount of weight to lose as me (1 year ago) is already smaller than me. My weight loss has stopped and theirs has not. I may never be a normal BMI and they will or already are. Lots of regret....but on the flipside, I was 233 and now I'm 145. Just not "normal" in the BMI yet.

I am 3 months out and have had no problems i can.eat and drink just about anything with the exception of rice. I have lost 42 pounds and yes i would.do it again.

NO. I would have the gastric bypass instead. Everyone I was in support groups pre-op who had the same amount of weight to lose as me (1 year ago) is already smaller than me. My weight loss has stopped and theirs has not. I may never be a normal BMI and they will or already are. Lots of regret....but on the flipside' date=' I was 233 and now I'm 145. Just not "normal" in the BMI yet.[/quote']

That's not "normal"?!

How tall are you, 3'6"?

Just kidding! Almost 90 pounds is great!

Celebrate!!

Sent from my iPad using VST

I think I made the right choice and would make it again. I am steadily losing, and even if I only average 2 lbs a week now that the things have regulated a bit, it is still worth it. Yesterday was 3 months for me and I am down 61 lbs. I am more active, more in control, and happier.

Yes, I would do it all over again... This was one of the best decisions I've ever made!

Yes' date=' I would do it all over again... This was one of the best decisions I've ever made![/quote']

Hello, my name is kenyadambrewer, im 15 days out having the gastric sleeve i found myself nausea and vomiting yellow stuff mix w mustard color and mucas which is clear in middle of night what to do. Iv called my doctor they say that normal, i feel it not let know what can i do. Does it get better.

Keny, in my opinion...vomiting is not normal (i have never vomited...close in the hospital with the pain meds only) especially where you are two weeks post surgery, unless it is pain medicine induced or you can get the flu (are you still taking pain meds?). The gauge my doctor gave to me was like climbing a hill, you should steadily feel better, if at any point that changes or you do not progress you need to take action, his instructions were to call his office.

You can easily get and may be dehydrated which is very concerning. There are many things that can go wrong. I for one now subscribe to "listen to your body"...make an appointment or go to ER. I kept ignoring my developing abscess in my stomach and we just barely caught it before the infection spread throughout my body.

Let us know how you are doing.

Keny' date=' in my opinion...vomiting is not normal (i have never vomited...close in the hospital with the pain meds only) especially where you are two weeks post surgery, unless it is pain medicine induced or you can get the flu (are you still taking pain meds?). The gauge my doctor gave to me was like climbing a hill, you should steadily feel better, if at any point that changes or you do not progress you need to take action, his instructions were to call his office.

You can easily get and may be dehydrated which is very concerning. There are many things that can go wrong. I for one now subscribe to "listen to your body"...make an appointment or go to ER. I kept ignoring my developing abscess in my stomach and we just barely caught it before the infection spread throughout my body.

Let us know how you are doing.[/quote']

Well my vomiting is ehat the doctor said mucus other than that i feel find just wish i get more energy.

Never had a moment of buyer's remorse, have been very happy with my decision. I'm 18 mos out and it has been a breeze for me, I feel very lucky. I would do it again in a heart beat. Good luck!

Absolutely NOT, glad to hear all the success stories keep up good work, but there is no way I would do this to myself nor my family if I had it to do again. Ok I am 41 3kids and married. 5'4 286# was my highest weight had surgery july 24th tired all the time, cant sleep except flat on my bk. Living in fear what to eat what to drink, worry more about food than I ever have, gas only have 1bm a week. Scared to enjoy myself outside bc leaks n infections, scared to be intimate with spouse besides no sdrive. Skin dry had to go to er heart problems never had heart problems before. No if loosing weight was going to make me miserable and suck all enjoyment out of living. I would rather be fat and happy. N yes I was happy. I had the surgery bc I wanted to be healthy an enjoy life more. All I had was migraines, guess what I still do. Plus heart issues only since surgery. Each person has their on opinion, this is just mine. My mother was considering it I said no. I will walk with her cook for her, join gym with her just plz no. so yes I have lost 40# but there is no other up side for me. So be sure to consider all options and whatever your choice is it is the rest of your life.. Good luck.