I'm looking for some input about the lifetime commitment aspect of this.

I'm seeing a therapist about food issues that I need to resolve whether or not I have the sleeve. She is not trying to talk me out of it, she will support me with whatever decision I make. But she said something tonight that I have been thinking in my own head, and I'd love to get some thoughts about it from people who've been sleeved for a while.

First, of course, this is permanent. No going back, the majority of the stomach is gone-gone. That doesn't scare me so much as makes me realize that I need to know in my gut this is the right choice.

Second, it seems like this imposes an unnatural relationship with food, forever. I mean, forever having to think about every bite, x many bites of Protein, x many bites of veggies, x many bites of carbs (if there's room)... in people who haven't had gastric surgery, this would be symptomatic of an eating disorder.

I mean, my current relationship with food isn't healthy (hence the therapist). But in trying to reach a balance and healthy place relating to food, do I want to permanently change my body in a way that requires unnatural eating to the other extreme?

I've read the studies about how losing a lot of weight through diet and exercise doesn't last long-term in the vast majority of cases. My reading of these studies indicates that it's because in order to maintain that weight loss, people have to spend large amounts of time and energy planning and preparing their food and exercise plans, and it's just too much to maintain long-term. It has to become the number 1 priority in their lives, and that's hard to maintain. It seems that the surgery imposes that same thing, the primary benefit seems to be that the cravings are substantially lowered for most.

Everything in life is a trade-off. I get that. I have chronic health conditions that my doctors believe will be greatly benefitted by significant weight loss. On paper, medically speaking, the surgery makes complete sense. My gut isn't there yet. And I know that I have to be mentally prepared for this as much, if not more, than physically.

I know this post comes across as critical of the surgery. I believe the surgery is a great option for a lot of people, and I am not trying to slam the surgery or anyone who's chosen. What I need to figure out is if I'm one of those people, and I'd really appreciate your insight.

I will have my 5 year anniversary in November this year. The quick answer is sadly another question... Are you committed to a life time of yo yo dieting and health problems? It's a hard choice to have a life altering surgery but take it from me it is worth it. After almost 5 years I have lost myself literally. I went from 540 to 265. And 90 percent of my health issues have vanished( unfortunately Wieght loss does not cure MS) .my life has been on the upswing, new jobs and will be engaged soon. I traded my love for food in for a new found love for life and when I look back I have zero regrets. My aunt had the surgery 2 years after I had my surgery and she hasn't looked back either. You can message me If you have any questions .hopefully this helps.

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I will have my 5 year anniversary in November this year. The quick answer is sadly another question... Are you committed to a life time of yo yo dieting and health problems? It's a hard choice to have a life altering surgery but take it from me it is worth it. After almost 5 years I have lost myself literally. I went from 540 to 265. And 90 percent of my health issues have vanished( unfortunately Wieght loss does not cure MS) .my life has been on the upswing, new jobs and will be engaged soon. I traded my love for food in for a new found love for life and when I look back I have zero regrets. My aunt had the surgery 2 years after I had my surgery and she hasn't looked back either. You can message me If you have any questions .hopefully this helps.

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Congrats!!

To be clear, it's not the permanence I was having an issue with. It was the thought that it would be a permanent change requiring a very unnatural eating plan forever. I had the thought that the eating 3 months or 6 months out was what you stuck with forever. If that were the case, it would be like exchanging one eating disorder for another. Everyone here has helped me get a better picture of what the eating looks like 2 or 3 or 5 years out, and it looks very different from what I'd envisioned. It's super helpful to get input from people who have been living with it long term. I really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences.

I will have my 5 year anniversary in November this year. The quick answer is sadly another question... Are you committed to a life time of yo yo dieting and health problems? It's a hard choice to have a life altering surgery but take it from me it is worth it. After almost 5 years I have lost myself literally. I went from 540 to 265. And 90 percent of my health issues have vanished( unfortunately Wieght loss does not cure MS) .my life has been on the upswing, new jobs and will be engaged soon. I traded my love for food in for a new found love for life and when I look back I have zero regrets. My aunt had the surgery 2 years after I had my surgery and she hasn't looked back either. You can message me If you have any questions .hopefully this helps.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using the BariatricPal App

Congrats!!

To be clear, it's not the permanence I was having an issue with. It was the thought that it would be a permanent change requiring a very unnatural eating plan forever. I had the thought that the eating 3 months or 6 months out was what you stuck with forever. If that were the case, it would be like exchanging one eating disorder for another. Everyone here has helped me get a better picture of what the eating looks like 2 or 3 or 5 years out, and it looks very different from what I'd envisioned. It's super helpful to get input from people who have been living with it long term. I really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences.

For the most part I can eat anything... Just not a lot of it. The only thing I have problems with is steak. Steak is heavy and sits with me but other than that I can eat normal food.

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Thank you to TheAntiChick for posting these questions and to everyone else for heir replies. I too am in the PreOp phase. I am taking the Options courses through Kaiser and I am seeing a therapist to deal with my enotional eating issues and generalized anxiety. I haven't decided yet for sure whether or not I want to go ahead with the surgery but this post and the replies are very helpful. Just wanted to say Thank you to everyone.

Congrats!!To be clear, it's not the permanence I was having an issue with. It was the thought that it would be a permanent change requiring a very unnatural eating plan forever. I had the thought that the eating 3 months or 6 months out was what you stuck with forever. If that were the case, it would be like exchanging one eating disorder for another. Everyone here has helped me get a better picture of what the eating looks like 2 or 3 or 5 years out, and it looks very different from what I'd envisioned. It's super helpful to get input from people who have been living with it long term. [emoji4] I really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences. [emoji4]

This is the exact reason this thread is one of the best. I felt the same way as Theantichick described and everyone has helped envision the next 4 or 5 years out.Thanks everyone!Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using BariatricPal mobile app

Well, I am only 3 months out, but I certainly have noticed that my tastes in food have changed! And that is a simple fact. I want to eat fish 3 or 4 times a week. Pizza smells good but the thought of swallowing it--uh, no. Before the surgery I worried about not having my favorite comfort foods in medicinal quantities, but so far it's sort of a non-issue because I have new favorites now, better ones. And of course my moderation-helper (mini-stomach). Don't throw hand grenades into the future.