Hi all! Im thinking about having the sleeve done. Ive done reserch and my doc says im a canadate and will help with whatever i need.....i guess i want to know from real people the good and the bad.

Just read through sections of the forums. You can also do a specific search up top.

There are almost too many "goods" to list...and that list would vary person to person.

My goods?

Never (and I mean NEVER) experiencing hunger

Losing 85 pounds in 5.5 months

Going from a snug 26 (pants) to a 16

Being able to buy "regular" clothes from a "regular" store

Being in control of my relationship with food...for the first time EVER

Enjoying the little (2oz) meals that I eat

Not craving....anything

Feeling strong

Getting compliments from people who haven't seen me since before surgery

Getting to buy all new clothes, even if they're second-hand, or clearance

Bads?

Spending 6 days in the hospital because of a relatively minor complication following surgery (but the care was awesome!)

Un-growing my clothes so quickly

Having to spend money on clothes so often

Only being able to eat 2oz at a time...and offending caring people who have prepared a huge meal to share with you

That's about it. I enjoy my Protein shakes and bars, so they're not "bads" for me. I also enjoy all of my supplements, so no "bad" there, either.

Laura

Hi, angie here.

Good : Down 118 in little over 5 months

lunch is a LOT cheaper

Self esteem is way up

Less knee pain ( able to put off knee surgery)

Can wear and buy cute clothes most anywhere now

Guys notice me

I am treated with more respect at work and in public

Depression meds and anxiety pills cut in half

Bad:

Can eat alot for comfort when Im depressed

Acid reflux is pretty rough

After surgery, the drain pain was horrible ( was on a nerve)

The week after, the mental part was horrible Lot of depression

Still not sure I'm eating right or how/what to eat

I still see myself at my highest weight so its still frustrating to shop

I hate taking pills for the rest of my life

Would I do it again....in a second !

Thank you!! So u do have to take pills? Thats the real stuff i need to know. Im so sick of hurting. All the time. What type of pills do u have to take? Im so afraid because its permanent and what if it doesnt work and i have to have the bypass. I know enough to know i dont want that. And do u have to drink protien shots all day? A lady i used to work with who had the bypas had to. And what do u do to keep blood sugar from falling/getting hypoglycemia? Ive farted around reading thteads and theyr sooooo super helpfull. I commend you all for being so brave <3

Also what if i go thru it for nothing??? Again i know someone who had gastric bypass and is the size i am now. She lost a bunch and then gained it all back as het stomach streched....that is scary. I dnt have my gallbladdrr. Im in michigan if ne one else is id be glad to hear of surgeons??

What part of MI are you in? I'm in northern MI.

Im in the thumb...harbor beach. Where are you?

Rogers City

Hannah55 did you have it done?

I'm waiting for insurance approval. My surgery should be in January. So looking forward to it but praying for no complications.

I am from Petoskey Mi. I had the gastric sleeve 2 1/2 weeks ago and it is the best thing I have ever done for myself. I have lost 28 pounds and feeling well.

So happy for you!

No....im thinking about it.....did u? I was wondering if anyone could reccomend surgeons

Smilingrl2012 where did u have it done? What was it like? Details dish girl dish! Lol

Also what if i go thru it for nothing??? Again i know someone who had gastric bypass and is the size i am now. She lost a bunch and then gained it all back as het stomach streched....that is scary. I dnt have my gallbladdrr. Im in michigan if ne one else is id be glad to hear of surgeons??

These are normal concerns for any surgery. If you stick to the plan your surgeon sets for you, then you should be successful.

Gastric bypass patients (and sleeve patients) can regain weight. Bypass patients still have their full stomach and the pouch can stretch or reconnect with the remaining part of the stomach, which will allow them to eat more and gain weight. Sleeve patients stay more restricted longer, but don't have the dumping side effect like RNY patients do, so it's easier to start eating things that aren't good for you. All the WLS types have their pros/cons.

Yes, you will probably be on Vitamin supplements for life. Why? Well, with bypass, it's because your intestines are altered, and the portion of the intestine that absorbs nutrients from your food is removed. This is also the part that absorbs fat and calories, so it creates malabsorption for the purpose of weight loss and it is a permanent change to that part of your anatomy. So even if you identify through bloodwork that you have a deficiency and start taking a Multivitamin (or rx) correct it, your body is still set up NOT to absorb those nutrients, which makes it that much more difficult to stay in control of that post-op.

The difference with a sleever is that you're potentially deficient on Vitamins because even if you were on the most perfect, ideal diet plan, you simply can't eat enough of ANYTHING to get enough of those vitamins in your system. But if you find out you're deficient and start taking vitamins, then your body will still be able to absorb those vitamins in your intestines and you can control it more easily.

With bypass and with sleeve, eventually the time comes where you can tolerate eating more food. So your vitamin levels can be maintained with diet alone, once you reach a point where you can tolerate a well-balanced diet. But you may still require those vitamins for the long haul. It's not quite as bad as with the bypass, though, as far as the number of vitamins you need - depending on whether or not you are deficient in those vitamins now.

Bottom line is that when you choose WLS, you are committing to long term medical care for your obesity. So you'll need regular bloodwork to make sure everything is where it should be, and you'll have to be in control of what you put in your mouth post-op. These surgeries (none of them) are the "easy way out" or the "quick fix". You have to be committed to doing what your surgeon tells you to do, and committed to sticking with the plan.

Having 80% of your stomach taken out will dramatically reduce the amount you can eat, and should reduce if not eliminate your hunger/cravings. This journey is what you make of it! I totally understand being scared that it won't work or that you'll regain - I have those same thoughts - however I think the best you can do is take the advice of your surgeon/dietitian and stay in control of what you eat. I'm sure your friend who had the bypass and regained did something to cause it. No one just gains weight for no reason. Maybe your friend doesn't want to disclose what they did to gain the weight - but I sincerely doubt they stuck to their plan 100% and still regained. This journey is only your own - I'm actually glad I don't know anyone who has had WLS, because you could drive yourself crazy doubting yourself when you see someone else's failure.

I wish you good luck! Educate yourself as much as you can to make sure this is the option you want to take!