Planning stages..please talk to me about your sleeve experience

[Goldy6575 38]

So I am still in the planning stages, but have made my decision on gastric sleeve. I have about 80-100 lbs to lose. THere is so much info out there that has helped, but would like some direct first hand answers!

• I am debating between Dr Leon or Dr Ortiz in TJ. Any thoughts?
• I am concerned with feeling like a normal person. How long before you felt normal, as in you could eat normal healthy food (just in much smaller portions) I will not live the rest of my life on soft food and Protein Shakes will I?
• I am 5"8. Every one talks about skin. I know its different for everyone, but does everyone have lots extra skin? Do you have more with sleeve than you would just traditionally losiing weight? I have lost about 70 lbs before (gained back of course) and did not have any skin. That mean i probably won't this time? Now my weight is very evenly distributed everywhere
• Will I lose my hair? ?
• I want to get this started asap...If I chose April 8 surgery date, I will be vacationing in Florida May 2. Will I be miserable, what would i be eating by then?

[imsoglad56 402]

I don't know anything about the surgeons you're looking at, so I can't offer anything there. As far as feeling like a normal person in regards to eating, for me it was about 6 weeks and it gets better all the time. I can basically eat whatever I want now, as long as it's not too high in sugar. If you've lost a bunch of weight before without sagging skin, then you probably won't have any troubles this time, either. My understanding is that the hair loss is mainly tied to low Protein, so if you're reaching your Protein goals pretty quickly after surgery, you won't likely lose much hair. You can also help this out by starting to take Biotin now.

[jdziedzic28 0]

First if all congrats on the decision, it was one of the hardest parts for me. I am only 2 months post op and I am back to eating normal healthy food. I just have to chew well and eat slow. When they say you should take a half hour to eat a meal they mean it. I'm not sure you ever feel normal but I promise you will not be on soft food for the rest of your life!!!

I haven't lost my hair, I think as long as you get in the recommended Protein you should be ok. As for loose skin my NUT endorsed the IT WORKS! Wraps which my sister actually sells.

The first couple weeks suck but I promise it's worth it to start feeling healthy and watching those numbers go down!!

Good luck, I wish you all the best!!

[Goldy6575 38]

Thank you both so much....what was your worst part of it all so far?

What were you eating 3 weeks out, and how did you feel? Would you have went on vacation ?

[jdziedzic28 0]

3 weeks out I was just regaining my strength... My first ten days were the worst, I should really explain that I have a low pain tolerance, so you might be better off at 3 weeks than I was. It really is a case by case thing. My worst part was eating to fast and making myself sick... Learned my lesson real fast

[Bobby46 327]

^{Hello. I cant say anything about the Dr.'s you mentioned, I had surgery in Ohio.}

^{My surgeon had me on liquids for the first 4 weeks. He felt it was better safe than sorry since it takes 4 to 6 weeks to fully heal.}

^{Soft foods will taste like heaven to you when you get there so even if you are on soft foods on vacation you will be fine with it. I ate a lot of cottage cheese, greek yogurt, creamed Soups, tuna salad, pureed chili was my favorite and of course Protein shakes, but I thickened them with greek yogurt and fruit.< /span>}

^{At 4 weeks I was still really tired, no energy at all. But no pain at all since the day I got home. You may not have the energy to be very active on your vacation. Just a heads up. But you could also be just fine. Keep in mind that everyone has a different experience.}

^{hair loss....I was told your body stores Protein. I understood that if you hit the high levels of protein for a while before surgery you actually store it and it helps get you through surgery. Protein is important for healing. They aren't completely sure if its protein issues or anesthesia issues that cause Hair loss in patients. I would recommend B12 and Biotin before surgery and use a sulfer free Shampoo and conditioner. It cant hurt. I did it for about 3 months before surgery and still do today. I lost a little hair about 5 mths out. I can notice....but its my head. My hair dresser noticed only because she was aware of how thick it was before surgery. She assures me that no one can see a difference unless they were looking for it. But no one else can tell....and I only ask friends who will be brutally honest!}

^{Loose skin....I'm 47 and short....its gonna be an issue for me. But I will deal with it when I have too. So far its not really bad and I'm down 74lbs.}

^{My opinion.....I would vacation first and then schedule surgery. ONLY because everyone has different experience. You could have it super easy....or you could have it super rough. You just never know.}

[Babbs 14,680]

• I am concerned with feeling like a normal person. How long before you felt normal, as in you could eat normal healthy food (just in much smaller portions) I will not live the rest of my life on soft food and Protein shakes will I?

It will take a few months of trying different foods out to see how you tolerate them. But really, once off "mushies", you really start to feel as normal as you can. Keep in mind the no drinking before, during or after meals after a certain amount of time. I think it's the most "unnormal" thing right now for me.

• I am 5"8. Every one talks about skin. I know its different for everyone, but does everyone have lots extra skin? Do you have more with sleeve than you would just traditionally losiing weight? I have lost about 70 lbs before (gained back of course) and did not have any skin. That mean i probably won't this time? Now my weight is very evenly distributed everywhere

Depends on age, how quickly you lose, and how much you have to lose. I was just a touch above your BMI when I had my surgery, I'm losing slower than some, and I'm 47. A little loose skin, especially on my tummy, but nothing I can't live with. At least right now.

• Will I lose my hair??

Most do, some don't. I have lost some hair, but it was so thick before it really is only noticeable to me. I think the Protein thing is a myth. I have eaten TONS of protein since my surgery (still even drink a shake with 30 grams every morning to make sure) and I started losing hair at around 3 months. It's kind of a crap shoot.

• I want to get this started asap...If I chose April 8 surgery date, I will be vacationing in Florida May 2. Will I be miserable, what would i be eating by then?

Depends on your surgeons plan. Some people are still on pureeds at that stage. In my opinion, it may be hard at that early stage to plan meals, making sure you're getting enough protein, Water etc... on vacation. It was hard for me the first couple months figuring it all out, and I work from home! I know it can be done, though Be prepared also to still be a little tired from surgery, as you're still recovering.

Edited March 12, 2015 by Babbs

[imsoglad56 402]

I went back and checked my food tracker from then, and I was eating things like turkey taco meat, scrambled or poached eggs, salmon patties, cheese sticks, cottage cheese, that's sort of stuff. I was already in my second week back at work and feeling fine, really. I'm one of those who did not have a rough time of it. I walked to my room from the recovery room and went home a few hours later. Honestly the worst part of the whole experience for me was the liquid only pre-op diet. And the only reason it bothered me was because it caused major diarrhea.

I could have easily gone on vacation three weeks after surgery, but I probably wouldn't have wanted a very active vacation. I probably would have loved something like a beach or cruise where I could do some major relaxing, lol.

[Goldy6575 38]

Good to know. It's a beach trip , with all girls, won't be doing anything but laying in the sun! I have chosen to just keep this between me and my husband , girls don't know. Didn't know if I would really be obvious by how I'm eating....will say I'm dieting of course..

[Babbs 14,680]

Good to know. It's a beach trip , with all girls, won't be doing anything but laying in the sun! I have chosen to just keep this between me and my husband , girls don't know. Didn't know if I would really be obvious by how I'm eating....will say I'm dieting of course..

Hmmmm. It may be pretty obvious at that early stage....just saying.

By the way, your trip sounds FUN!!

[micheleann 0]

I have Aetna Better Health in Illinois has anyone had gastric surgery with this insurance. Where do I begin? Thank you!