In a few days, I will have the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. I was talking to a friend who had the surgery and they said that the stomach can stretch back out and that you can still stay big and not lose any weight. I guess my question is: What percent of people don't lose weight once they get the sleeve? Why don't they lose?? If they over-eat, wouldn't they get sick? If they were eating the 3-4 ounces per meal, why aren't they losing. I understand the person might not lose if all they are consuming is junk food, but I just don't understand why they wouldn't at least lose something. Please don't be rude with your answers. I am just researching and thinking. If I eat three bites of mashed potatoes, is my life over?? LOL Please help. Just trying to prepare.

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

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:)

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.

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.

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.

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......

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.