HI there

I posted this morning looking for people who are 5 or so years out, it looks like there are not many as it hasnt really been around for that long, a very nice lady answered me, I am pre-op and still tossing up with the idea of gastric sleeve, I know regain is a big issue, and this is going to be a issue for life with or without surgery, this is just a tool to give you a better edge on keeping the weight off, my question is, with this tool of gastric sleeve people who are fighting regain or over the honeymoon period is the regain battle a little easier with the tool of the gastric sleeve than it is fighting regain without this tool? I know either way i go it's going to be a battlefield and everyone has their own demons, I just cant get my head around this if the battle at the end of the day is going to be the same! My understanding in a scientific way is the gastric sleeve gives you that better odds as its "easier" to stick to lower calorie intake, i have read for example that a 115kilo person who gets to say a goal of 70 kilos has to consume 30% less calories than a never obese 70 kilo person, this is how a obesity scientist explained WLS to me, its because the body goes into a hypometabolic/orexogenic state after weight loss (hence 95% people who lose weight without bariatric surgery regain) the surgery gives you better odds at keeping it off as it allows you to consume less and feel fuller. Im just curious as to the real battle after the honeymoon stage and if the sleeve does make it that little bit easier. (ps I Love this forum! so informative, awesome set up!) Angela

Hey Angela,

As I understand it, the immediate post-surgical period is helped by the elimination of the part of the stomach that produces the hunger hormone 'ghrelin'. Many of us have less physical hunger, at least for a while. Later you learn to feel satiety by getting full on less food, and that is forever.

That said, the sleeve is a tool and the BIGGEST and never-ending battles will be with your own head demons. You can "eat around" the sleeve and regain the weight if you do not focus, pay attention, and keep your head in the game.

I also recommend the "Big Book of the Gastric Sleeve"

And keep with us.

I'm 15 months post op, and for me, it's easier in the sense that I cannot eat a whole pizza, or a bucket of chicken. But I can eat all the candy and ice cream I want with no restriction. Even the amount of healthy food I can eat now is fairly high. I typically eat 2000 calories a day and can hit 2500-3000 with no problem....and that's eating alot of lean Protein and healthy fats, fairly low carb and very few "treats."

I can gain weight fairly easily just by not logging my food for a few days, eating whatever I want and indulging in too many sweets. I've bounced up as much as 17 pounds in 2 weeks since surgery. Of course, I can get it right back off just going back to my tried and true methods of protein, Water, logging and exercise.

There is also a reduced metabolism component to losing weight that will reduce your daily calorie expenditure over time....massive weight loss and prolonged calorie restriction contribute to this. Thus, making it easier to gain weight on less calories than needed before surgery. Lifting weights and building muscle help with this, but only "help", not prevent.

However....yes....it's much easier now. The surgery gave me an edge. A window of time to lose weight and rethink my priorities. I got my head on straight. I changed my lifestyle. I changed my relationship with food....basically I broke up with food, although I'm still tempted to go back for a little post break up indulgence every now and then.

The honeymoon phase was that window of time. And by the time it was over I knew I never wanted to go back. I have to work much harder now than I did 12 months ago, but I'm motivated to do it. I can't imagine quitting and going back....I won't.