I was reading another forum last night and a woman just got back from a seminar with her bariatric doctors they told the people that the sleeve is great, but also said that after about the five year mark the restriction goes away and hunger is back all the way and most need to be re-sleeved!! Thoughts?

So I've been thinking about it all day, and have done some poking about a bit and some reading..

http://www.medpagetoday.com/Endocrinology/Obesity/40490

And I found this an interesting statement coming from a doctor at a bariatric conference...

“Doctors are constantly concerned with durability. The gastric sleeve gained instant popularity because it is quick and easy to master, and is a less difficult operation than a bypass,” said Dr. Coon. However, he stressed the need for surgeons to learn all of the facts, perform extensive prep work, and communicate effectively with each patient before deciding whether the sleeve gastrectomy is appropriate.

“With new surgeries, outcome is always hard to predict,” he said. “If five years from now it still seems to be a good operation, then it probably will continue — and then again it might fail. Regardless, people will continue to promote it or disagree with it.”

Realizing this frailty (along with my personal strength) allowed me to come back here and get back into the game with support... and not be so afraid that I would be seen a having a weak mindset or really, a failure, but as a person that is not giving up when the numbers go up...(not really a rant Fiddle, just a perspective)

It does take a lot of strength to say, yes, I made a mistake, but I am accountable and I am here not giving up. I think in the past many of us (I know for myself anyways), if I started gaining, I just gave up. Boohoo, poor me. Now, I strap on my big girl panties, say its time to get my head back in the game.

I don' t think anyone is a failure that is struggling to reach goal, or has had some regain. I think the only time that we fail is when we choose to give up.

Thank you sweetums, something about the way you just said that, and my clear head (which doesn't happen often trust me) this morning.

Just made it "click"

"This surgery HELPS us get there, our heads keep us there."

Yes!

When I sit back and think about it? I KNOW we will make it and continue be successful at staying healthy because we have these discussions.

It's nice to have my friends here that "get it".

Hooray! Sometimes I just feel like I am spewing bulls**t! But this is the one thing that I have really come to realize since having my surgery. Actually, in the week before my surgery, I had many thoughts about how I would deal with my emotions. In that week, I realized, wholeheartedly, that I was an emotional eater. And now that I have accepted it, I have tried to take steps to make it better. Do I still eat when I am upset, you bet! But I am trying really hard and have set up my environment that I can't just stuff my face full of junk when I am upset.

Oh, and the clear head, I am there with you! I can't even get my kids' names straight sometimes, and I have a boy and a girl!

Oh, and for the hunger...I feel it. I can't remember if I have always felt it or not, but I know it was earlier out that I did. That being said, right now anyways, it is not the same. Even on a fast day, I do not get SUPER hungry...you know the kind...where your tummy hates you. It has to be a long time in between eating to actual get a little rumble in the tummy. I eat because I like food!

It does take a lot of strength to say' date=' yes, I made a mistake, but I am accountable and I am here not giving up. I think in the past many of us (I know for myself anyways), if I started gaining, I just gave up. Boohoo, poor me. Now, I strap on my big girl panties, say its time to get my head back in the game.

I don' t think anyone is a failure that is struggling to reach goal, or has had some regain. I think the only time that we fail is when we choose to give up.[/quote']

Very well said.

One thing to note from the study is that at one year, average EWL was 61% and at five years it was 57%. Turn that into pounds so it's easier to see that if I wanted to lose 100 lbs. on average I lose 61 lbs by the end of the first year and when rechecked at the end of five years, I have regained 4 lbs. So for me, the more telling statistic is that EWL is around 60% on average. And it's best to get there in the first year because as the years go by, it's more likely to gain a little back. Key word is a little, on average. Now that takes the people who get to 100% EWL and those who gain everything back and averages them.

And of course we are not average here, we're all hanging around because we want to do better. At least that's why I'm still here. I don't want to go off, get complacent, quit weighing, and wake up morbidly obese again.

Lynda

I've been gone for a while, but it's Saturday night and I'm on the net. So here's my 2 cents...

I was sleeved 2 years ago. Do I have hunger now? Yup. Is it the mind-numbing, all-encompassing, wake me in the middle of the night so I can get a Krystal type of hunger that it used to be pre-sleeve? Nope.

I haven't made it to goal yet. I have 20 lbs to go. In the last two years, I've had my thyroid removed (it was leading to an overactive heart rate and had to go). I learned that I have a rare autoimmune disorder shortly after that. I lost my job. I moved across the country by myself with my little one to a place I knew very little about. I quit the new job that was crushing my soul.

So where am I now and what does it have to do with the post? I only have 20 lbs to go. I have passed my first belt test in my martial arts classes and am training for tournament next month (with my little one)! I am training to do the Race for the Cure 5k walk next month too. I have a new job that I really enjoy with a lower stress level than I have ever had in my career. I am gluten free and pay much more attention to what goes into my mouth.

I still underestimate the amount of food I eat (I pulled out my food scale last week). I still have a hard time getting my Water down (I'm trying a lot of new/different tactics). I am back to my Protein shakes at least once a day. There are things I am working on, but not making it to goal yet doesn't keep me up at night. I'm so much better than where I was 2 years ago, and I'm ok with that.

One gift my surgery gave me (and I have to keep reminding myself) is that I am more than numbers on a scale.

(Wow, this got long!)

I've been gone for a while' date=' but it's Saturday night and I'm on the net. So here's my 2 cents...

I was sleeved 2 years ago. Do I have hunger now? Yup. Is it the mind-numbing, all-encompassing, wake me in the middle of the night so I can get a Krystal type of hunger that it used to be pre-sleeve? Nope.

I haven't made it to goal yet. I have 20 lbs to go. In the last two years, I've had my thyroid removed (it was leading to an overactive heart rate and had to go). I learned that I have a rare autoimmune disorder shortly after that. I lost my job. I moved across the country by myself with my little one to a place I knew very little about. I quit the new job that was crushing my soul.

So where am I now and what does it have to do with the post? I only have 20 lbs to go. I have passed my first belt test in my martial arts classes and am training for tournament next month (with my little one)! I am training to do the Race for the Cure 5k walk next month too. I have a new job that I really enjoy with a lower stress level than I have ever had in my career. I am gluten free and pay much more attention to what goes into my mouth.

I still underestimate the amount of food I eat (I pulled out my food scale last week). I still have a hard time getting my Water down (I'm trying a lot of new/different tactics). I am back to my Protein shakes at least once a day. There are things I am working on, but not making it to goal yet doesn't keep me up at night. I'm so much better than where I was 2 years ago, and I'm ok with that.

One gift my surgery gave me (and I have to keep reminding myself) is that I am more than numbers on a scale.

(Wow, this got long!)[/quote']

Hi, and welcome back.

Yes we are infinitely better off these days in the hunger department even with the relaxing of the sleeve over time.

I am having a biopsy on my thyroid Tuesday but regardless of the results the endocrinologist wants it out so I'm sure I will have another bump in the weight loss road myself.

I can say one thing, being here with this group of people has been my biggest help, my biggest motivator.

And I am thankful for that.

Anyway glad to see you back

Hi' date=' and welcome back.

Yes we are infinitely better off these days in the hunger department even with the relaxing of the sleeve over time.

I am having a biopsy on my thyroid Tuesday but regardless of the results the endocrinologist wants it out so I'm sure I will have another bump in the weight loss road myself.

I can say one thing, being here with this group of people has been my biggest help, my biggest motivator.

And I am thankful for that.

Anyway glad to see you back [/quote']

Laura-Ven,

So sorry to hear of your thyroid issue. I am thinking of you.

Lynda

One thing to note from the study is that at one year' date=' average EWL was 61% and at five years it was 57%. Turn that into pounds so it's easier to see that if I wanted to lose 100 lbs. on average I lose 61 lbs by the end of the first year and when rechecked at the end of five years, I have regained 4 lbs. So for me, the more telling statistic is that EWL is around 60% on average. And it's best to get there in the first year because as the years go by, it's more likely to gain a little back. Key word is a little, on average. Now that takes the people who get to 100% EWL and those who gain everything back and averages them.

And of course we are not average here, we're all hanging around because we want to do better. At least that's why I'm still here. I don't want to go off, get complacent, quit weighing, and wake up morbidly obese again.

Lynda[/quote']

Yes Lynda,

I feel as though the vets. And I mean long time vets (in other words not me,yet) that are still here,

Have a greater than "average" loss and are able to maintain that better than average loss.

Because they keep on working, learning, growing, and being accountable to themselves and the process.

Laura-Ven' date='

So sorry to hear of your thyroid issue. I am thinking of you.

Lynda[/quote']

Thanks.

I'm ok, as I told the girls on the 5:2 and, this is so bad to say... Right now the only thing that's bothering me is the scar.

Bad I know!! But **** I lost this stupid weight and at 47? Things are a bit saggy but I love my shoulders collar bone neck area.

Now your telling me I have to get a new scar on my best body part??

God that sounds so bad..

But it is what it is.

Right now the only thing that's bothering me is the scar.

Time to spend a LOT of money on some really funky necklaces, Spanish scarves (love them) and for winter some v flattering slimline turtlenecks. Go wild. Have fun!

Thanks.

I'm ok, as I told the girls on the 5:2 and, this is so bad to say... Right now the only thing that's bothering me is the scar.

Bad I know!! But **** I lost this stupid weight and at 47? Things are a bit saggy but I love my shoulders collar bone neck area.

Now your telling me I have to get a new scar on my best body part??

God that sounds so bad..

But it is what it is.

I know a few people who have that scar and (yes they are years out) but it's hardly noticeable. But I think I would feel exactly like you do. So feel free to whine and vent.

And of course we are not average here, we're all hanging around because we want to do better. At least that's why I'm still here. I don't want to go off, get complacent, quit weighing, and wake up morbidly obese again.

Lynda

And this is interesting...the whole topic about what keeps "us" here. My husband is sleeved (2.5 years ago) and has zero desire to join "message" board to interact with other post-ops. For myself, I've been to so many physical support groups, offered by my surgeon, I've lost count. When I do "drag" him with me to group on occasion, I can tell it's not his bag. And it's not a male vs female thing (although I'm pretty sure women outnumber the men here and also in the support groups I attend) but I just wonder about those of us who need support vs those who don't. And in case you are wondering, he lost about -70lbs and keeps his weight within a +/-5lb window easily. Much more easily than myself. But it's all good. We support each other but obviously we gain support in vastly different ways.

Right now the only thing that's bothering me is the scar.

My scar isn't very noticeable and apparently mine is a little longer than most. My thyroid had "calcified" I think is the term they used. He literally had to do some sort of tough stuff to get it out. The notes from my surgery:

1 - 100+ SPF sunscreen ALL THE TIME. I'm so bad about sunscreen but I made sure to keep this one covered. I didn't want it changing colors and being noticeable.

2 - Really pretty scarves tied in all different combinations. People thought I was very chic! They covered the bandages really well!

3 - Necklaces annoyed my scar for a while because they weren't soft.

4 - My boyfriend at the time was scared to hug me because he thought my head was going to fall off like in a horror movie.

5 - When people asked what happened to my neck, I told them "Bar fight. You should see the other guy." and walked off. It was incredibly fun.

6 - I wasn't prepared for my voice after surgery. I was hoarse for months while I healed. It didn't hurt but it sounded like I was always in recovery from strep throat. For a month I couldn't speak above a whisper. This made going through drive thru's and talking on the phone almost impossible. I don't think this is the norm. I had a lot of trauma when they were removing things.

7 - Make sure your doc puts you on high doses of Calcium and Vitamin d immediately after. They will be messing with your parathyroid glands. Mine stopped working for a few days because they were moved all over the place. My understanding is that they help with your absorption of calcium & D. If you don't get a ton of that stuff in right away, you will have severe muscle cramps that can seize you up and send you back to the ER.

8 - I am apparently allergic to one of the many fillers they put in generic Synthroid. I was living in an allergic state for months until a specialist figured it out. I now take Tirosint (a hypoallergenic levothyroxine). It is a gelcap. Lots of people don't know about it, but if you have problems with Synthroid you may want to try it out.

Good luck and you will be great! My endocrinologist says I am doing so well that he doesn't need to see me for 6 months. If my bloodwork is good, I won't see him for another year. Yay!

Wow HDubSleevery,

Thanks for all the tips! I will ask about all the meds too, they already started me on a prescription of vitamin D a couple of weeks ago.

But know I'm armed Witt more info and questions to ask.

Thanks.

I'm ok' date=' as I told the girls on the 5:2 and, this is so bad to say... Right now the only thing that's bothering me is the scar.

Bad I know!! But **** I lost this stupid weight and at 47? Things are a bit saggy but I love my shoulders collar bone neck area.

Now your telling me I have to get a new scar on my best body part??

God that sounds so bad..

But it is what it is.[/quote']

Okay, dear friend. I JUST saw my friends scar who had full thyroid removed less than a month ago! You couldn't even hardly tell it. Make sure your surgeon is one who ONLY snips what's necessary and places somewhat in the "fold" of your neck. That's what she said. And she is 39!

You got this!!!!!