Hi, I have done a fair amount of research at this point and see that the benefits of a Sleeve Gastrectomy can be great, but this is not a trivial change in lifestyle, there are risks and downsides, and of course it's not reversible. I am at the edge looking over the cliff now, have gone to the required patient info session at a local hospital where I would get the procedure.

I know everyone's experience can be different, so I just wanted to do a simple poll: If you are at least 6 months post-op, please tell me three things:

- How long ago was your procedure?

- What was your starting BMI and what is it now?

- if you could magically go back in time and revisit your decision, would you still get the sleeve procedure?

Thanks for sharing your experiences!

Barry

How long ago was your procedure?

2/3/2015 8 months ago

What was your starting BMI and what is it now?

Starting BMI 42.7 (before pre-op diet). Currently 31

If you could magically go back in time and revisit your decision, would you still get the sleeve procedure?

Definitely. I was nauseated following surgery, (needed meds for that) only needed pain meds postop for 24 hours. By 5 days out felt pretty much back to normal.

As others have said, I wish that I had done it sooner.

As you make your decisions, take into account the nutritional savvy of those that haven't lost significant weight. I see an alarming number of posts that indicate there is a lack of basic nutrition understanding. It's scary, too. Folks are having surgery without an inkling of how to proceed afterwards.

This is such an important point. Make sure you really understand what your nutritional needs will be post-op. I see some folks posting on here who are completely clueless about how/what they should be eating through the post-op food stages and for the rest of their lives. This surgery requires a complete change in your diet and nutrition for the rest of your life. Make sure you understand and accept that. Make sure you educate yourself about it. The need for Protein an Vitamins cannot be overemphasized. The need to progress through your food stages at the proper pace is also critical. Don't be tempted to cheat or jump ahead in your food stages just because you "feel fine". There is a lot of internal healing that needs to happen that you can't actually FEEL and you don't want to do anything to jeopardize that healing.

Hi, I have done a fair amount of research at this point and see that the benefits of a Sleeve Gastrectomy can be great, but this is not a trivial change in lifestyle, there are risks and downsides, and of course it's not reversible. I am at the edge looking over the cliff now, have gone to the required patient info session at a local hospital where I would get the procedure.

I know everyone's experience can be different, so I just wanted to do a simple poll: If you are at least 6 months post-op, please tell me three things:

- How long ago was your procedure?

- What was your starting BMI and what is it now?

- if you could magically go back in time and revisit your decision, would you still get the sleeve procedure?

Thanks for sharing your experiences!

Barry

I am 2 years and 1 month (exactly!!) post-op.

My starting bmi was 43.5 and now it is 20.7 (146 pounds lost as of this morning)

Absolutely, positively without a doubt or hesitation would I do it again.

@@Barry W

I'm 7 months out. My starting BMI was 47.6 and is now 30.1. If I could go back in time, I would do it all over again, only sooner. I've had zero complications.

Barry my sleeve was 2/3/15. BMI was 53, currently is 36.

I totally would redo my sleeve. I have no regrets. It saved my life!

Hi, I have done a fair amount of research at this point and see that the benefits of a Sleeve Gastrectomy can be great, but this is not a trivial change in lifestyle, there are risks and downsides, and of course it's not reversible. I am at the edge looking over the cliff now, have gone to the required patient info session at a local hospital where I would get the procedure.

I know everyone's experience can be different, so I just wanted to do a simple poll: If you are at least 6 months post-op, please tell me three things:

- How long ago was your procedure?

- What was your starting BMI and what is it now?

- if you could magically go back in time and revisit your decision, would you still get the sleeve procedure?

Thanks for sharing your experiences!

Barry

- April 20, 2015

- my starting BMI was off the charts. I don't remember the exact number but if you are on the computer (not the phone app) it is on my tracker.

- absolutely.

I am just about 7 months post-op and feel so much better than I did, and continue to feel better each day!

I had my surgery on March 31, 2015.

My starting weight was 266 (BMI = 44.3)

My current weight is 192 (BMI = 31.9)

Current weight lost = 74 pounds and 12.4 points on my BMI.

I still have about 30 - 35 pounds to go until my goal weight, but I am taking it day by day.

If I could magically go back in time and revisit my decision, I would have decided long ago to have this surgery. I started my journey in October of 2014 and it took about 5 months before my surgery was scheduled. I went in with a mind-set that this was the best decision for me and my family.

I have struggled with my weight since high school and had my first child at 18. I went from a fabulous 150 pounds to a waddling 211. I fought many diet plans and lost and continued to gain. I had my second child in December of 2013 and hit my highest weight of 266. This time it seemed as though the weight didn't want to budge. I couldn't get any of it to just go away. This was biggest I had ever been and I was very depressed about it. I wore a size 24 pants and the thought that I used to be size 10 just killed me.

Not only have I lost 74 pounds but I am in a size 12. It has been 14 years since I could say that and it feels amazing to be able to go to the department store and not have to shop in the plus size section. To be able to wear those cute outfits that the "skinny" girls can wear. Then I think "Oh wait, I am one of those skinny girls!"

Only you can be your enemy. I knew from the first day I talked to my doctor that this is what I wanted and nothing anyone said about the risks and downsides outweigh the benefits and how I feel today. I'm not going to sugar coat that it hasn't been a rough ride, however each day gets better and the more focused you remain the better you will feel.

We are all here anytime! I wish you luck in your journey!

I have decided to try to go forward with the Sleeve Gastrectomy, and have begun the patient intake process at Beth Israel Hospital, which is local to me in Boston. There seems to be a lot of experience in the Bariatric Surgery program there, and I was particularly impressed with surgeon Dr Daniel Jones, who has written 2 books on patient safety, and serves on the nation accreditation board for bariatric surgery programs. Hope I am accepted as a candidate for the surgery.

As things develop I will continue to ask questions here and assuming I get there, to share the experiences on my own journey so they might benefit others. Thanks for sharing your thoughts... Barry