Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Success/Failure of Sleeve



Recommended Posts

I have my surgery in 4 days and I have the same thoughts. I think it's just normal to think this way. I lost 120lbs on my own in the past, so I know I should succeed with this helping. My problem was keeping it off, not losing it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have my surgery in 4 days and I have the same thoughts. I think it's just normal to think this way. I lost 120lbs on my own in the past' date=' so I know I should succeed with this helping. My problem was keeping it off, not losing it.[/quote']

We share the same struggles of keeping the lost weight off... Too bad the VSG doesn't fully protect against that challenge either but it can help if we use it wisely.... I lost about 92 pounds within 15 months without WLS (I coupled Portion Control & fitness) only to regain 60 over the course of 2 years. It's a long hard journey but so worth it when we can speak truth Over our abilities to combat yo yo dieting & physical fitness

I'm pre op and hoping for December sleeving

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I also asked myself the same questions. The difference for me is that the sleeve gave me a jump start. It allowed rapid weight loss at first with minimal pain/misery of hunger, while showing me that in fact, I can lose weight. It allowed me to see what it will take for my body to actually lose. It allowed me the time to begin to establish new habits. It provided me with enough success that I gained more motivation, because losing the remaining 30-40 pounds is not so overwhelming. It's so fun to shop now, something I really didn't even consider in my decision to have surgery.

Now, at about 11 months out, I am losing slowly. I still don't know if I'll ever get to goal, but I'm SO much better off than I was a year ago. Now I have to put all the things I learned into action, because I could easily slide back into bad habits and gain. I have to watch everything I put in my mouth, I have to count every calorie, and I have to be honest with myself about it. I know that I need to eat around 900 calories a day to lose. Before surgery, I would not have been able to eat that little. So, in short, it is a tool, but in the end, it's still up to us to succeed. And if I can do it, I think most people can, and so can you:)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The sleeve is a tool to help one lose weight by restricting the amount of food one can consume in one sitting. The sleeve does not fail you, nor does your body. Only YOU can fail you by making bad choices, grazing, overfilling your sleeve consistently, not committing yourself to a new eating/exercising lifestyle, etc.

The sleeve has been my second chance on getting back to and maintaining a healthy weight, it's up to ME to make it work.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Here is the thing, you can consume a lot of calories in liquids and sliders so if you are not willing to say no to these things "most" of the time, regain is a real possibility. That is true with any surgery though. So you have to be able to say no. That is the hard part and that is where any surgery fails. The first 4 months for me were the easiest. Right about that time, I was able to eat just about anything and my capacity (meaning, my stomach can process out my food pretty fast) has grown. So, yep, I can take down a bag of kettle corn in a day just like before but it isn't a good choice. It's a choice that will make me gain weight again. So I have to say no.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Don't second guess yourself, although it is normal. I am almost six weeks out from surgery and down 50 pounds. It you are committed you will do fine. Don't go back to any sodas, keep your liquids under 10 grams of sugar, and stay away from the crappy so called sliders.y nerves prior to surgery we're like yours, but once your post op it's really a totally new life and feeling and the urge for me is gone and I have no problem. You'll do fine, keep a positive attitude and wishing you nothing but the best of success. Please keep up updated.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The emotional changes around food and activity level -true lifestyle changes are the wildcard.

Here is the reality for MOST sleevers....first 6 months they lose weight no matter what. As their sleeve "matures" and appetites return, old habits creep up, weight loss slows so they get discouraged, eat sliders, graze all day etc..

This is the cross road - either losses stop/slow and as the 1-2 year mark aporoach regain is a real possibility.

Many others stay with it, keep seeking support, keep making positive lifestyle changes, learn how to eat to manage hunger, learn maintenance strategies. Sleeve is a tool to help you get to the crossroads but you have to choose the path.

Hard cold reality - formerly obese like me could easily regain just by eating like a " normal" person.

This is such a reality for us sleevers. This is a total lifestyle change of healthy eating and exercise. It is not an easy road but well worth it......It is a tool to help with our health and the side effects are looking better and feeling better too. It will help put diabetes is remission, but you will still need to watch your carb and sugar intake. Exercise is really important too. This was the best decision for me and I love my small portions too......I do still struggle with wanting to eat more but I wouldn't ever go back...... :P

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Head's up!

Not everything you hear is true.

Fact, it is very uncommon to fail to lose weight with the sleeve (or you will lose weight)

However, if you don't make big behavioral changes, real and TRUE lifetime changes, it is also very possible to "beat the sleeve" and regain all the weight... If all you can have is 3/4 oz at a time, but you choose to have 3 oreo Cookies with a swallow of milk every 20 minutes, you can get a Buncho calories in (let's see... over 14 hours 9 Cookies an hour is 126 cookies a day. 3 cookies with milk is about 200kCal. So on an oreo day, you get in NO nutrition and eat over 8,000 calories.

I am guessing that you WILL gain weight with 8,000 calories, right???

So again, Lipstick has got it right. The sleeve is a good tool, but you must keep your head in the game and decide to have a different relationship with food and activity... for . the . rest . of . your . life.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×