Leaning toward a sleeve

[Robyn1030 19]

Hello,

This week I had my first appointment and after talking with the surgeon, I am leaning toward the sleeve. I'm considered a "lightweight" with a BMI of 37. I'd love to hear people's experiences with the sleeve.

Thanks!

[joatsaint 2,814]

Good luck on your journey.

I am very happy with my sleeve. It has "cured" my constant hunger problem. I noticed a long time ago that no matter how big a meal I had, I'd be hungry again in about 2 hours. I rarely ate "bad" foods, I just ate large quantities of food - like grilled chicken breast, lean pork loin, tons of vegetables. The sleeve stopped that nagging sensation. I don't have the feeling of hunger anymore.

It is still possible to eat bad foods and take in excess calories, many on here report that they initially still have problems with food cravings after the sleeve. So I would think about where your calories are coming from and where your hunger feelings initiate - in your stomach or your head.

You will have to make the commitiment to make better food choices. The sleeve will cut the amount of food you can eat at one sitting, but it won't control what kind of food you are eating.

[MoreganK 164]

I don't think I can say enough about how happy I am now, that I got the sleeve. I will totally say, that there was a point of regret about 3 months after where I thought I made a mistake, but that was only because I was just starting to get the hang of life after being sleeved. I also had some minor complications in the hospital that made me feel like I was going to die, but after a day I was over it.

I can now proudly say that I am medicaion free. My bloodpressure is normal, and I am not longer pre-diabetic. I am close to being one of the rare ladies who successfully puts her PCOS in remission state. I can not put in words what this means to me. It brings tears of joy! I am 40 pounds from my goal weight. I went from a size 20/22 to a size 14 (and counting down to my goal of size 10).

Things to keep in mind when making your decision.... it is not the easy way out. It still requires you to make all the correct mental decisions (in fact in some ways, its more important post-op). When you eat, you need to eat with nutrition in mind, and not just taste. Tattoo the basics of post-sleeve life on your arm or something, they need to be a part of your daily life forever (Protien, Vitamins, & Hydration). Remember that you are having a surgery that is a big life change, that means forever. It will happen fast, but it won't happen over night... also, the less weight you have to lose, the less you'll see some of the huge numbers other's see (I had to realize this myself).

Would I recommend the sleeve, if everything else has falled you... if you have health concerns you're worried over...if you mentally are ready to change your eating habits for good... heck yes, I would recommend the sleeve.

[NyPrincess 7]

I just had the sleeve done...waking up in recovery was the worst unbearable painful feeling in the world...I woke up screaming & vomiting sorry.... Today is day 5 & I'm still suffering so much.. This is the pain that nobody talks about.. Being uncomfortable no matter what I do.. I can't stand up for to long i cant lay on my back only on my side which is so annoying.. I toss & turn about 10times within the hour..& Everytime I finally fall asleep Im awoke by nightmares... I been having headaches everyday backaches & a whole lot of bloating... I try my best to walk around as much as i can..im trying to keep myself hydrated by drinking 3-4 ounces of liquid every couple of hours.. in the beginning it took me about 1hour just to finish 1 ounce of liquid...how can something so small be so hard to swallow... I honestly can't recommend the sleeve to you rite now because I'm still fresh out of surgery but I had to share these feelings that no one else does... Good luck to you hope your experience is not as bad...

[Capricornrose 59]

I just had the sleeve done...waking up in recovery was the worst unbearable painful feeling in the world...I woke up screaming & vomiting sorry.... Today is day 5 & I'm still suffering so much.. This is the pain that nobody talks about.. Being uncomfortable no matter what I do.. I can't stand up for to long i cant lay on my back only on my side which is so annoying.. I toss & turn about 10times within the hour..& Everytime I finally fall asleep Im awoke by nightmares... I been having headaches everyday backaches & a whole lot of bloating... I try my best to walk around as much as i can..im trying to keep myself hydrated by drinking 3-4 ounces of liquid every couple of hours.. in the beginning it took me about 1hour just to finish 1 ounce of liquid...how can something so small be so hard to swallow... I honestly can't recommend the sleeve to you rite now because I'm still fresh out of surgery but I had to share these feelings that no one else does... Good luck to you hope your experience is not as bad...

Wow. I'm preop and that's pretty scarey. I have a low tolerance for pain. Thanks for sharing.

[NewKristen 356]

NYPrincess - I don't think many people talk about it, because to have that much pain is not the usual! I hope you start feeling better soon girl!

The worst part of surgery for me as the CO2 gas. That was pretty miserable. Now, just shy of two weeks out...from my perspective it was totally worth it all. I have lost 31 pounds total since the day I started my 10 day pre-op diet. I have lost 13 pounds since the surgery. For the first time in my life, I feel like I am in control of what I eat.

[NyPrincess 7]

NYPrincess - I don't think many people talk about it' date=' because to have that much pain is not the usual! I hope you start feeling better soon girl!

The worst part of surgery for me as the CO2 gas. That was pretty miserable. Now, just shy of two weeks out...from my perspective it was totally worth it all. I have lost 31 pounds total since the day I started my 10 day pre-op diet. I have lost 13 pounds since the surgery. For the first time in my life, I feel like I am in control of what I eat. [/quote']

I guess everybody's body is different.. & I definitely have a low tolerance with pain... What's the CO2 gas thing about by the way? Congrats on your weight loss by the way I no your feeling great!! As for my self I lost 10lbs pre-op & 5lbs since Monday...Did you drink Protein shakes after the surgery? What kind of Protein can you recommend for me to have now on my 5th day?

[NewKristen 356]

I guess everybody's body is different.. & I definitely have a low tolerance with pain... What's the CO2 gas thing about by the way? Congrats on your weight loss by the way I no your feeling great!! As for my self I lost 10lbs pre-op & 5lbs since Monday...Did you drink Protein shakes after the surgery? What kind of Protein can you recommend for me to have now on my 5th day?

A lot of surgeons inflate your abdomen with gas during surgery so that they can get around easier during the surgery. It takes awhile for the gas to go away, because it isn't in your digestive tract. It is actually in your torso cavity. It is really uncomfortable.

That is awesome that you are down 5 lbs. Good for you!!!

Regarding protein...I have had challenges with it. The Protein Shakes make me feel weird...shaky and weak. I saw someone else describe it as hypoglycemic. The one that makes me feel the least bad is Atkin's. the ones that are pre-made. I get them at Wal-Mart. 4 of them are around $5. The mocha chocolate one is pretty good. They have 15 grams of protein in them and only 2 carbs. My doctor didn't let me have protein until I was 1 week out. So if you have issues, don't be discouraged. I need to find some that is higher in protein. I have been reading a lot about the different options, but haven't made it past that.

[MoreganK 164]

I just had the sleeve done...waking up in recovery was the worst unbearable painful feeling in the world...I woke up screaming & vomiting sorry.... Today is day 5 & I'm still suffering so much.. This is the pain that nobody talks about.. Being uncomfortable no matter what I do.. I can't stand up for to long i cant lay on my back only on my side which is so annoying.. I toss & turn about 10times within the hour..& Everytime I finally fall asleep Im awoke by nightmares... I been having headaches everyday backaches & a whole lot of bloating... I try my best to walk around as much as i can..im trying to keep myself hydrated by drinking 3-4 ounces of liquid every couple of hours.. in the beginning it took me about 1hour just to finish 1 ounce of liquid...how can something so small be so hard to swallow... I honestly can't recommend the sleeve to you rite now because I'm still fresh out of surgery but I had to share these feelings that no one else does... Good luck to you hope your experience is not as bad...

I don't think everyone has pain. I had no pain after surgery from the surgery itself, and my nurses and doctor made sure I had plenty of access to pain medicine. I was even sent home with vicodin if I needed it, and I never did. If you're still in pain, I would totally reach out and ask for some pain meds!

[MoreganK 164]

A lot of surgeons inflate your abdomen with gas during surgery so that they can get around easier during the surgery. It takes awhile for the gas to go away, because it isn't in your digestive tract. It is actually in your torso cavity. It is really uncomfortable.

That is awesome that you are down 5 lbs. Good for you!!!

Regarding Protein...I have had challenges with it. The Protein shakes make me feel weird...shaky and weak. I saw someone else describe it as hypoglycemic. The one that makes me feel the least bad is Atkin's. the ones that are pre-made. I get them at Wal-Mart. 4 of them are around $5. The mocha chocolate one is pretty good. They have 15 grams of protein in them and only 2 carbs. My doctor didn't let me have protein until I was 1 week out. So if you have issues, don't be discouraged. I need to find some that is higher in protein. I have been reading a lot about the different options, but haven't made it past that.

I can't say enough about how yummy, and great powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury protein poweders have been for me. I still drink them now every couple of days... the fact that I still am willing to drink them now is surprising to me. I'm not fond of the Protein powder taste. If you drink it with skim milk, you get 28 grams of protien. It mixes thin, so its easy to drink.

[NewKristen 356]

I can't say enough about how yummy' date=' and great powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury Protein poweders have been for me. I still drink them now every couple of days... the fact that I still am willing to drink them now is surprising to me. I'm not fond of the Protein powder taste. If you drink it with skim milk, you get 28 grams of protien. It mixes thin, so its easy to drink.[/quote']

Thanks for the info. I will have to check it out!

[Robyn1030 19]

Thanks everyone!! It's an exciting and scary journey!

[Capricornrose 59]

I can't say enough about how yummy, and great unjury Protein poweders have been for me. I still drink them now every couple of days... the fact that I still am willing to drink them now is surprising to me. I'm not fond of the Protein Powder taste. If you drink it with skim milk, you get 28 grams of protien. It mixes thin, so its easy to drink.

Have you found any with a discount? They are pretty expensive from what I see on the Unjury website.

[MoreganK 164]

Have you found any with a discount? They are pretty expensive from what I see on the unjury website.

Unfortunetly, no. I buy it from Unjury. Sometimes you can find it sold on Amazon for a little less, but not much. But, since being sleeved, I've taken a point of view on what I eat that is along the lines of, my body is the most important thing to invest in, without my health I have nothing. So, I'm okay spending the money on it. A tub lasts me a month to 6 weeks depending on how many days I have a shake.

[Capricornrose 59]

You're right about health being number one. Ok, it lasts a month that's not bad.