Hi all ,

I'm a sleeve candidate and I'm struggling with the decision to go ahead. I REALLY want to have the op as I've struggled with weight my whole life but I'm extremely scared that my 'life' will end. (I do love food)

It's a bad place to be I know, but can anyone help with this fear? Does your attitude towards food change over time??? Or will I grieve the loss of a painful but comforting 'friend'?

I appreciate any help or guidance you can give

Marie

I hesitantly offer the following, since I have yet to be sleeved (happens August 18).

Everything I've read and heard from others and from long-term research studies I've read about WLS indicate that after WLS some people are unable to build new relationships with food. The roles that food plays in their lives go unexplored and unchanged. For them, overeating remains an "appropriate" response to many positive and negative feelings and life situations.

Long-term research about WLS isn't as plentiful or rigorous as any of us would wish. But some studies show that within 3 to 5 years after WLS surgery, 40-50% of patients regain more than half the excess weight they lost.

If we don't do "the head work" many WLS patients refer to, how can we be successful long-term?

Ann... that was my anti WLS argument pre sleeve. It was my sleep apnea doctor who said "let's say you gain back 50% in 5 years, aren't you still better off then gaining year after year... ?" I thought he had a valid point.

Now I have been maintaining for a bit but am aware that 3-5 years out is regain land (potentially). I am on it like white on rice. I watch it with the same diligence (not perfection but intention) as weight loss phase. I really like being slim and I have yet to find any food as good as this feels.

Did you have problems with the pre-op diet? I'm looking at it thinking if I could do even the pre-op diet, I wouldn't be in the position I am in now. Also, they always quote protien as chicken or fish, I don't like either, I'm a beef girl. I'm having my surgery done in Mexico, so other than the pre and post op diet that's the only guidance I'll get I think..

I am 17 months out and I don't mourn food at all. Mostly because at this stage I can have pretty much anything. But do I have everything. No I don't. Do I have as much as before. Nope. Can I get 3 courses at a restaurant. Nope. But can I have a slice of pizza. Yes did that Saturday. Can I have a cheeseburger. Yes just had half an angus burger I made at home on a slice of low carb bread. It was delish. Some days I can eat a whole one. Had a couple French fries too. The only thing I can't have is high sugar stuff like ice cream or cheese cake or other sweet things. Makes my stomach ache. A type of dumping for sleevers. I am glad I have it so I stay away from it. But can I have a cookie or brownie. Yes 1 only.

So no, for me at this stage there is no need to mourn. Pretty much anything can be eaten. But do I choose to eat that junk. 95% of the time I do not. I fuel my body now and I want high quality fuel. Yes I do get stressed and I feel like I want to go binge but I physically cannot. I am so glad I cannot!

So be patient. Life is pretty normal 17 months out for me. Still have to be a mindful eater but knowing I can have pretty much anything makes me choose the right thing most of the time and I am not tempted by the "forbidden" because for me nothing is forbidden, but I choose not to have it (95% of the time!)

Did you have problems with the pre-op diet? I'm looking at it thinking if I could do even the pre-op diet, I wouldn't be in the position I am in now. Also, they always quote protien as chicken or fish, I don't like either, I'm a beef girl. I'm having my surgery done in Mexico, so other than the pre and post op diet that's the only guidance I'll get I think..

Beef is higher in calories and so that is why. If you pick beef, use the leanest cut possible. I recommend you be open to new foods as you go thru the process. I eat all kinds of stuff I never did I before.

My doctor had a pretty simple pre op to follow and I knew I had to do it to be in the best shape for surgery so I was very compliant. Depending on how big a person was especially in the belly area they do it for 1 or 2 weeks. I was told 1 week and did it for 10 days.

I had to substitute a Protein shake for 2 meals. I used premiere protein or GNC Lean shake ready made.

Then I could have 1 "healthy" meal with upto 4oz lean meat or chicken or fish and non starch vegetables.

I was also allowed 1 Greek yogurt or a ounce of cheese or a piece of fruit for a snack. I could have 2 Snacks a day. Sometimes I had the Greek yogurt for Breakfast and the shake for a snack. After first couple days I did not even want 2 snacks as hunger was not too high probably because there was no bread, rice or grains to make me more hungry.

Overall it was about 800 calories a day. I lost about 11 lbs in 10 days.

I would not do it again. Im struggling daily since 12/5/2011. I work out at gym with perdonal trainer 3x week. Currently on prednisone so am junry all the time. Hate being conscious of my weoght daily. Do enjoy spme of the benegits but not all.Hhi

I so needed to read all the positive comments on this thread tonight... Thank you! Being just two weeks post-surgery and struggling with the discomfort and the loss of the food that was such a comfort to me before, it's all too easy to lose sight of the greater goal here! But I am comforted by the certainty of those of you who are in a better place than I to know what good this surgery can do, longterm... Many thanks for your insight and wisdom and encouragement.

Best decision I ever made after getting married. My life is on track. My healthcare costs have gone way down. My outlook is great. And it saved my life as the cardiologist found an Abdominal Aortic Aneurism that was non symptomatic. 12.5 cm. largest one the surgeon had ever seen on a "live" patient.

Doug! You are one lucky duck! And that's the biggest one I've ever heard of, too. Years ago, a radiologist "saw something not right" on one of my hubby's x-rays. Lucky, lucky day.

Rosy thanks for sharing your perspective. We were sleeved about the same time, wondering if the veterans forum might offer support as you continue to "work your sleeve"

I would not do it again. Im struggling daily since 12/5/2011. I work out at gym with perdonal trainer 3x week. Currently on prednisone so am junry all the time. Hate being conscious of my weoght daily. Do enjoy spme of the benegits but not all.Hhi

I did my surgery in March of this year and I am down about 85 pounds. I was really afraid that I would "miss out" on a lot of things but instead I have found that I can still have them. I love flan and different Desserts that aren't good for me but now, I have my husband order them and I just take one bite. I get the taste but I'm not eating the whole thing.

It is working really well for me to tell my self I am a grown up and I can have whatever I want... most of the time I realize I don't really want to eat the junk I just like knowing that I am in control.

Good Luck!

I would not do it again. Im struggling daily since 12/5/2011. I work out at gym with perdonal trainer 3x week. Currently on prednisone so am junry all the time. Hate being conscious of my weoght daily. Do enjoy spme of the benegits but not all.Hhi

I'm sorry to hear you are having so much trouble. Trying to look on the bright side, Is it possible that, with the prednisone, you would have gained a lot more weight if it weren't for the sleeve?