Newbie-- question(s)

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

Get to an informational seminar. Ask questions & take notes. You needs facts not rumors.

She's asking here. Isn't that the point of this forum?

The point of this forum is sharing experiences. We aren't doctors or nutritionist. I was advising her to go to professionals and get facts.

[cbruce125 114]

Get to an informational seminar. Ask questions & take notes. You needs facts not rumors.

She's asking here. Isn't that the point of this forum?

The point of this forum is sharing experiences. We aren't doctors or nutritionist. I was advising her to go to professionals and get facts.

Yes. Everyone should go to doctor.

Who doesn't know that? *rolleyes*

In the meantime, people are looking for support and have questions.

Thankfully others have jumped in to give her actual help and advice.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

Hey guys! I'm not sleeved just yet. Actually, I'm just now starting the journey by even considering it.

I have a question! Does anybody know what the effect on the body is of such little nutrition, in the long-run? I've heard that it's about 1,000 calories a day. Is that healthy, once you reach goal?

Also, I'm terrified about regretting my decision. I've heard a lot of horror stories. But I'm 23 and 289 pounds, so I know I need it. It's just a lot to take in....

Hi I am not sleeved yet either and am new to this . I am getting a lot of mixed emotions from my family . They are trying to scare me out of it . Feeling so confused ! I have my appt with the nutritionist December and also my psych appt in December. Not sure if I should reschedule or continue on my journey with the sleeve .

Welcome to both of you and congrats on taking a positive step! People here are more than happy to share their experiences, but ultimately it is your doctor and nutritionist you need to confer with.

As for horror stories, well it it a surgical procedure and as with any surgical procedure there are risks and the possibility of complications. As for me, I had NONE. I started at an extremely high weight, I'm over 50 and menopausal. I also have multiple food and drug allergies. I am on a daily medication that has been known to slow the metabolism. I looked at 2 different programs before choosing my surgeon. I couldn't be more pleased! I had no gas pains, nausea, vomiting, Constipation, etc... I was able to get in and out of the bed independently and walk in recovery. Pain was minimal. It felt like I had done 1,000 sit ups the day before and my abs were sore. I didn't use the pain pump or take oral pain meds. I tolerated the liquids I was given in the hospital and have had no problem transitioning back to regular food. I realize this is a tool so I work with it. I drink my fluids (mostly water), I keep my Protein at 100gms a day or more, I eat a balanced diet including vegetables. I limit processed carbs an breads. I work out 4 -6 days a week & keep a food log. I make sure to take my Vitamins & supplements and have regular bloodwork to monitor my levels. That may sound like a lot, but it has been for the most part and easy journey. When I decided to do this, I committed myself to doing whatever it takes to make this work and now these things are a way of life. I am 14mths post-op and down 115lbs. My only regret is waiting until I was so large that my journey will take 2 years instead of one.

These forums can be an invaluable tool. Use the search feature. There are many good post about Protein Drink & shakes, Protein Bars, recipes, ways to drink Water, exercising, etc... If you are still unsure, post and ask, we're here to support you.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

Get to an informational seminar. Ask questions & take notes. You needs facts not rumors.

She's asking here. Isn't that the point of this forum?

The point of this forum is sharing experiences. We aren't doctors or nutritionist. I was advising her to go to professionals and get facts.

Yes. Everyone should go to doctor.

Who doesn't know that? *rolleyes*

In the meantime, people are looking for support and have questions.

Thankfully others have jumped in to give her actual help and advice.

No quite sure why you are so butthurt, but surprisingly many people do not know to go to a seminar or to actuality pick and choose a doctor instead going with the first one they find in the phone book. The advice was to start with an informational seminar.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

Forgot to add regarding loose skin and hair loss. It's not uncommon but not everyone gets either. I started at a high weight so it's a bit unavoidable for me. It looking like it will mostly be lower body skin on my belly and thighs. Time will tell. I wear compression yoga pants and I work out regularly in the hopes to replace some of that fat with muscle. I had some thinning of my hair around the temples, starting around month 6. I just got my hair done today and it appears to be slowing. It wasn't awful though. I could mostly style around it. Either way, I would trade lose skin and Hair loss for the ease of mobility and overall health any day of the week.

[Kirbykendall6 12]

Thank you guys so much! Everybody really is very supportive so far. I will definitely be coming back here often, for advice and encouragement.

[FocusOnMeNow 599]

I had absolutely zero of the complications even the credible common ones you hear about on this site. I did not take a single pain med other than Tylenol from the moment I woke up from surgery. I never regretted it for a second. In fact I almost had a high in love with myself feeling because I was so happy that I was finally taking such good care of myself after letting myself go. I do believe that an oz of prevention is worth a pound of cure. I have heard more people say that their only regret was waiting so long to get the surgery, than I have heard of complications. This was the best decision of my life and the best thing I have ever done for myself. I paid out of pocket 100% and was happy to do so. I took back control of my life and will never go back. You have to make the decision that is right for you. You will have a lot of support here to guide you. I also highly recommend you tube videos ... Just search Kstar VSG and Clusie VSG and you will see amazing results and some pretty cool

Chics.

[KindaFamiliar 3,867]

Absolutely zero complications here...

No post-op pain...

No infections...

No hair loss...

I'm exactly nine months out today and am down 165 pounds (210 from my heaviest weight)...

100 more to go but I'll get there...

And so will you...

Good luck with it all...

You've come to the right place...

[CowgirlJane 14,261]

Those of us with no complications and great results will sing the praises of WLS (me included!) I am so much better off maintaining 150# weight loss and staying a consistent, healthy weight! I feel the sleeve helped me save myself.

However, risks are real. Statistically low chance but if YOU have a complication the stats don't really matter. I think it is wise to be informed of the good and bad before diving in.

Personally I would do this again in a heartbeat.

[Alex Brecher 10,516]

Kirbykendall6,

It is so good that you are asking these tough questions now instead of jumping into surgery without being sure!

Slvarltx has a good point – a lot of the successful sleevers with no horror stories aren’t around the internet sharing horror stories! On the other hand, if you’re one of the unlucky ones, you might have your own horror story – unlikely based on the statistics, but it does happen to a few people.

Like dappljr said, it can be a great thing to do this so young. I did in my mid-20’s, and I am so glad I was able to enjoy these past several years instead of just letting the situation get worse. On the other hand, you want to be sure you really need it – for example, (since you’re so young) – have you already tried moving out from your parents’ home and setting up your own healthy living situation?

Some sleevers do have trouble increasing their calories and they rely on Protein Shakes for longer than just the few weeks of the liquid diet.

Another super important consideration (as you mentioned) is the long-term implications. You MUST follow a calorie-controlled, healthy diet if you want to keep the weight off. Anyone can eventually “eat around” their weight loss surgery if they choose to, for example by snacking too much or eating high-calorie foods or drinking their calories. If you get the sleeve now, are you ready to eat right next year, and when you’re 30, and when you’re 40, and when you’re 70 years old?

Good luck to you as you research all your options and figure out the best choice for you, whether it’s surgery and whether it’s the sleeve. Keep asking questions and let us know how we can help!

[AnA92212 577]

I wish I would have done this in my 20's. Definitely go to a seminar. They will be able to answer a lot of questions for you especially specific questions. Initially the calories are very low. I am 7 months out and get about 700 to 1000. My doctor wants me at 800 to 1500. The upper end on the days I work out. It is still hard for me to get in that many calories. My doctor does yearly nutrition tests. I just had my first one at 6 months out. My Iron is low, but it has already been low. Everything else is great. I continue to work with my nutritionist as well. It's a lifelong journey and it is more about the quality of food versus the quantity of calories.

I have 0 regrets. Well, except that I didn't do it sooner.