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It works. I am a total sweets addict. chocolate, candy, ice-cream, cakes, Cookies, you name it! Totally addicted! And breads, do not even get me started! I had VSG Feb 4, 2015. Great surgery experience, zero issues afterward and, at 6 weeks out and 35 pounds lost, I have never puked! Winning! Here's the biggest surprise: I have NO APPETITE FOR SWEETS! Zero! My hubby is very fit, and he loves his Snacks. The house is always stocked with treats, and I haven't had a single one! Not one! I just don't even think about it. Even typing this, I have no urge. It's like a switch was flipped. I crave meat. eggs are my favorite treat, scrambled with low fat cheese. I can eat 1/2 of an egg at a sitting and it is like heaven! And I leave the table totally satisfied! I am actually having to track what I eat to make sure I am getting enough food in me. So, what I guess I am saying is this, IT WORKS. It has to. There is no room for junk food. There is no craving for junk food. Your body tells you what you need now. Add just a little activity and the pounds pour off! Do it. Do it for your future, fitter self. I promise, you will not regret it!

@@mdlange I am so happy to see you doing so well! I got approved!! My surgery is March 30th. Your words of encouragement here mean so much. Hearing "it works" is great for those of us getting ready to have the Sleeve!!

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I just want to say that I loved reading these posts because they are so inspiring and SO true. WLS is for people who are, without question, ready to be true to themselves and put in the hard work--not just for "a little while" but for the rest of their lives. In doing my preparation for my surgery, I so often came across works published by WLS professionals who stated that weight loss surgery is 10% the actual operation and 90% the mental work (changing unhealthy eating & lifestyle habits, positive attitude, willingness to change, keeping an open mind, commitment to exercise, etc).

The surgeons know exactly what they are doing in creating our sleeves. But like everyone has said, it does not do the work for you--the choice is always in YOUR hands how you make your sleeve work.

Best to you in your decision-making. For many of us, we have achieved that freedom from the power that food has had over over us for our entire lifetimes, that was there all along for the taking, because we chose to be firmly dedicated to changing our old, unhealthy habits. FREEDOM tastes better than ANY junk food that would ever pass your lips!!!

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Hi Stacy,

You're right, there is a very certain possibility that the Sleeve might not work for certain people. The sleeve is designed for higher volume eaters. I was a very low volume eater 500-800 calories/day, but still obese despite my honest and healthy efforts. If you are a low volume eater, then I would highly recommend getting a bypass or mini bypass. This way you fight obesity by restricting your intake, and also by restricting the amount of food your body absorbs. I can guarantee that this will work for anyone, and yes, you do get out of it what you put in. Best of luck to you in your search.

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The Surgery will work. You have to do your part too. Don't worry, your stomach will keep you in line. In six months, no one will recognize the new you and I mean in a good way. A lot of people I have known for years now see me and don't recognize me, then the next thing I hear is OMG you've lost so much weight. It's a good feeling. I wish I would have done this ten years ago.

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Its been 5 years in for me. I had bypass. Now I have to be very careful because I have all the cravings that I had before. I still want to bake and do all the things that will start me on a down hill slide. So I have to police myself. For those of us that have been surrounded by food all our lives it can be very difficult . So you have to understand your triggers and be able to do you best to redirector your mind and actions. And there are those family members and food friends that can lead you astray. Its like walking a mind field. You have to arm yourself with as many helpful things as you can. If you want it bad enough.... To change your life... To be happier and healthier... All the struggles will be worth it, and one day you will look back and be proud of yourself that you did it... You made it through... And then you will inspire others...

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Thank you all for your encouraging words and great advice. This is truly helping me process all of what is happening.

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Hi Stacy,

You're right, there is a very certain possibility that the Sleeve might not work for certain people. The sleeve is designed for higher volume eaters. I was a very low volume eater 500-800 calories/day, but still obese despite my honest and healthy efforts. If you are a low volume eater, then I would highly recommend getting a bypass or mini bypass. This way you fight obesity by restricting your intake, and also by restricting the amount of food your body absorbs. I can guarantee that this will work for anyone, and yes, you do get out of it what you put in. Best of luck to you in your search.

I'd have to disagree with this. I was never a big eater. I was a very disordered eater. I could literally go all day without eating, then eat dinner and be fine. Other days I could live off coffee. Things started to change for me when I seriously looked at my diet and living habits. I changed how I was eating and literally forced myself to eat 3 meals a day. I also cut out processed foods and artificial sweeteners. Even then I often struggled to eat 900 calories most days. Still I needed the sleeve to jumpstart my weight loss. The sleeve will work for anyone who works with it. I have nothing against bypass, but not everyone wants that. It does not matter if you are a high or low volume eater. It matter that you are willing to follow the program and make the necessary changes in order to be successful.

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I go for my first appointment Tuesday to learn more about WLS. I have struggled with my weight since I was very young and lost my first 100 pounds when I was 14. I have been up and down ever since. I am at my highest weight ever now. I am so scared that the surgery won't work and that I will wake up just as hungry as ever and nothing will change. Did anyone else have this fear? How have you managed it?

Stacey, My name is Susan and I too am in the beginning of changing my Lap Band to a Roux N Y. My band has failed as many do. I have gained over 60 pounds since having my band. So much trouble with it that I had to have all the saline removed. Went last week to get saline put back in and it had a kink in it and leakage......so my doctor has suggest I convert to Roux N Y, So scared too that I will have some complications.

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It was so with me... there was a little doubting demon that sat beside my left ear now and then. It said "YOU have enlisted in yet another failure or temporary fix. DUH" Well let me say I pray more and eat less and the DEMON is gone. PTL I can be so content with just a 1/2 cup or 3/4 cup serving of marvelous Protein food and only a slight bite of carb or vegi food. YOU can do it... ! The jeans you wear will be a testimony!

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It works! It's life changing and the experience is priceless.

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    • 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!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • 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.
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