A few weeks ago I was 98% certain I wanted to go ahead and have the sleeve. I have one more appointment and then I can get a surgery date. My insurance covers everything.

After some soul searching I decided to start a pre-op diet that would be very similar to how I would have to eat the rest of my life. I gave myself a few guidelines, I wanted to stay under 1000-1200 calories, 60-80 grams of Protein and 64oz of Water. I also wanted to give myself a head start dealing with head hunger vs physical hunger. After the first 3 days everything fell into place. I have no problem hitting protien goals and staying below the 1000 calories. It's still early but at this point it's starting to become second nature. Each day that passes I want the sleeve less and less. Has anyone experienced something like this? I am currently down 9 pounds from this, it's just over a week. (I am sure it's mostly water)

I know that most of us have had great success with weight loss in the past but gain it back. After talking with my surgeon he explained that there is a 2 year window where the surgery will cause weight loss, after that it's all you. He has seen numerous patients put the weight back on.

Sorry for the rambling but I guess where I am at is this: Is it worth keeping up this lifestyle to lose the weight without surgery, even though it will take longer? Or is surgery the answer since you can't go back? After reading some posts where people will lose 3-4 pounds a month, I keep thinking that I can do that without surgery. Now I am not sure that the risks of surgery is worth it. Everyone I work with thinks I am nuts for having second thoughts.

I would love to hear what other people have to say about this.

A few weeks ago I was 98% certain I wanted to go ahead and have the sleeve. I have one more appointment and then I can get a surgery date. My insurance covers everything.

After some soul searching I decided to start a pre-op diet that would be very similar to how I would have to eat the rest of my life. I gave myself a few guidelines' date=' I wanted to stay under 1000-1200 calories, 60-80 grams of Protein and 64oz of Water. I also wanted to give myself a head start dealing with head hunger vs physical hunger. After the first 3 days everything fell into place. I have no problem hitting protien goals and staying below the 1000 calories. It's still early but at this point it's starting to become second nature. Each day that passes I want the sleeve less and less. Has anyone experienced something like this? I am currently down 9 pounds from this, it's just over a week. (I am sure it's mostly water)

I know that most of us have had great success with weight loss in the past but gain it back. After talking with my surgeon he explained that there is a 2 year window where the surgery will cause weight loss, after that it's all you. He has seen numerous patients put the weight back on.

Sorry for the rambling but I guess where I am at is this: Is it worth keeping up this lifestyle to lose the weight without surgery, even though it will take longer? Or is surgery the answer since you can't go back? After reading some posts where people will lose 3-4 pounds a month, I keep thinking that I can do that without surgery. Now I am not sure that the risks of surgery is worth it. Everyone I work with thinks I am nuts for having second thoughts.

I would love to hear what other people have to say about this.[/quote']

No one knows you like you do. Many of us on this site have dropped huge amounts of weight in the past, including me, only to regain, plus some. Right now, you're really motivated, but without the restriction, motivation will be the only thing that keeps you going. Yes, I believe some people gain weight after surgery, when they stop following the plan, but the ability to eat huge portions like before surgery is no longer there. Consider how many times you've tried a low calorie diet, and failed. If you're not ill with co-morbidities, then do it on your own, and see where it takes you. The sleeve isn't going anywhere, take more time to consider it, and work your plan in the meantime. Good Luck!

I say if you feel motivated and it's working then keep going. That's great.

Keep in mind that at 1000 calories your "head hunger" is probably real hunger, that's not very many calories. I lost 70 pounds keeping at 1000 calories. It's just not an easy number to stay at. I don't want you to be mad at yourself if you mess up a couple of times. For me I messed up and spiraled down hill (or up hill) and fast. I gained it all back and eventually 30 more. I think that is where the sleeve fits in, we can all get in the right mind set, but it's not permanent. It's so hard. That is why we are seeking this additional tool. I'm not saying it's going to be easy, but for some of us, we have no other choice.

I may be rambling but that is because I struggled with the same question. Why can't I just do this myself, well if we could, we would, we have and we've failed. None of us have given up and that is why we are doing this, we are not giving up. I praise anyone that can do this on their own. I have to tell myself that it doesn't make me any weaker, we are all just different.

I feel the exact same way. I know we've all lost before and have gained it back and that's what scares me. It scares me with the sleeve and without the sleeve.

It hit home when the response said that when we fail, the sleeve is there to make sure we don't blow it. That's exactly why I liked it the idea in the first place.

I also want to make sure you know I didn't say that I think anyone is weaker or can't do it on their own. I think that this is a great tool and its awesome that people are taking control of their life's. If anything I admire then because I am looking for any reason to not have it because I am chicken ****.