Considering the sleeve, suggestions?

[rgme1983 23]

I'm 32 y/o female. 339 lbs and I'm 5'3" with a BMI of 59.7, went to a seminar and now I'm considering the sleeve. I have had your people in my family all get the bypass and I'm nervous about that. I am not a sweetoholic but do enjoy my sweet tea from time to time and I also worry about Vitamin deficency. Any insight out there to help me understand things a little better?

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[KristenLe 5,980]

@@rgme1983 Both surgeries require significant lifestyle changes. Sweet tea probably may not be an option with either - so whatever you decide, you may want to consider eliminating this from your diet in the future. It can derail your weight loss plan.

[MissMac 163]

Welcome to the forum. You have come to the right place.

My doctor scolded me one time for trying to self-diagnose on the internet. He called it "Google-itis.

When looking up medical info, you are better off going to sites for places like the mayo Clinic, the Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins Medical Center, etc.

If you want to find threads here to address a certain topic, go to the search box and type in a key word (like - PROTEIN). If you use two words or more, like "SOY PROTEIN" , put it in quotation marks. Before you click to search, check that faint little teensty weensty down arrow to the right. It will open a drop down menu that will help you define your search. I get the best results from FORUMS.

That will give you a list of threads that mention that topic.

Here is my favorite thread. It currently shares 1,322 reasons why we decided to follow through with bariatric surgery. You may as well bookmark because it will probably take you a week to read them all.

http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/219831-what-was-your-final-straw-that-broke-the-camels-back/?hl=%20final%20%20straw

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

I'm 32 y/o female. 339 lbs and I'm 5'3" with a BMI of 59.7, went to a seminar and now I'm considering the sleeve. I have had your people in my family all get the bypass and I'm nervous about that. I am not a sweetoholic but do enjoy my sweet tea from time to time and I also worry about Vitamin deficency. Any insight out there to help me understand things a little better?

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I was sleeved April 20, 2015 and have been very happy with my recovery and my choice so far. The sleeve is a very effective and safe choice.

I recommend that you learn as much as you can about your options and then talk with your surgeon about which procedure is right for you.

Ultimately. The procedure that is best is the one that is right for you.

[rgme1983 23]

Welcome to the forum. You have come to the right place.

My doctor scolded me one time for trying to self-diagnose on the internet. He called it "Google-itis.

When looking up medical info, you are better off going to sites for places like the mayo Clinic, the Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins Medical Center, etc.

If you want to find threads here to address a certain topic, go to the search box and type in a key word (like - PROTEIN). If you use two words or more, like "SOY PROTEIN" , put it in quotation marks. Before you click to search, check that faint little teensty weensty down arrow to the right. It will open a drop down menu that will help you define your search. I get the best results from FORUMS.

That will give you a list of threads that mention that topic.

Here is my favorite thread. It currently shares 1,322 reasons why we decided to follow through with bariatric surgery. You may as well bookmark because it will probably take you a week to read them all.

http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/219831-what-was-your-final-straw-that-broke-the-camels-back/?hl=%20final%20%20straw

Thank you for the info. My surgeon actually have me this website, telling me it will be a great "tool" for guidance and support as I only have a support base of about 4 people. Minus my doctor's of course. I have only just downloaded this app and skimmed thru this far but I see there are tons (no pun intended) of information available. So thank you for the tips and support.

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Edited May 23, 2016 by rgme1983

[Read2016 658]

@rgme1983... You might want to consider targeting this question towards people who have similiar starting height, weight etc... As you... I think it's smart for you to asked questions... The only way you can do what's right for you is by gathering info.... I feel googling prior to meeting with a doctor will help you figure out what questions you want to ask at the appointment... It's the role of the Doctor to clear up misunderstandings and explain the procedures in full details... I've only once had a doctor get annoyed that I googled, he said is your Dr.google, gee it turned out he misdiagnosed me... It's the Information Age, think by now most doctors know people are googling and should have learned a professional way to respond to a patient saying I read this on Google...

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[Sophie74656 1,572]

I had the sleeve and am very happy with it. I have lost 175 lbs and I still drink things like sweet tea, iced coffee, (just in smaller amounts) please feel free to message me if you would like to talk about it

[Waler 330]

I had a sleeve as well and do not regret a thing. It all boils down to what you are most comfortable with. As for drinks I waited for the ok but I am now back to drinking normal coffee, but I find some drinks too sweet now so I stick to my crystal light tea

[rgme1983 23]

I had the sleeve and am very happy with it. I have lost 175 lbs and I still drink things like sweet tea, iced coffee, (just in smaller amounts) please feel free to message me if you would like to talk about it

Thank you Sophie. That's what I wanted to know and hear. I know I can drink those in moderation I just wanted to hear I didn't have to give them up 100%. I have googled and read up online and everything I have read tells me no sugar and no caffeine for the rest of my days. So it's nice to know that I may reward myself from time to time. But even tho having a glass of sweet tea is the last thing on my list, tho it was the first I brought up, it's the Vitamin deficency I worry most about. Do you have problems absorbing Vitamins? I already have to take Iron and Vitamin D supplements, I just worry this will worsen.

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[silverthreads 183]

I'm just under a month into the sleeved life but I'm very happy so far. One big thing is I no longer crave all the junk foods. I do enjoy the occasional diet peach Snapple though... As for Vitamin deficiencies you do need to take your Vitamins because you will eat so much less. With the sleeve there is no malabsorption so you shouldn't have a problem absorbing what you take. Vitamin D is a fat soluble Vitamin so it can be difficult to absorb with the bypass procedures. As you lose weight you may find you have less problem with Vitamin D. (Since it's fat soluble it tends to get absorbed by your fat instead of staying in the bloodstream and getting where it needs to go!).

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[smg 471]

I am a little over a month post-op (sleeve) and I agree with some of the above comments I no longer crave most of the foods I craved before surgery. I am very happy that I decided on the sleeve as it was the best choice for me.

About which you should go with I would say it has to be a choice made ultimately by you with input and recommendations by your surgeon. I will say that if you intend on making your decision based solely or partially on which one you can eat "bad" foods easier on, you will be setting yourself up to fail before you even begin.

Regardless of the surgery, you need to commit to lifestyle changes that include (perhaps most importantly) making better food choices than what you've done that's led you to where you are.

Something as sugary as sweet tea is most likely a no-no regardless of the surgery you choose, especially since it's a liquid. With the sleeve, liquids drain through your new baby stomach very fast and if it's full of sugar, it's going to wreak havoc on your duodenum and blood-sugar levels. You may even experience symptoms equivalent to that of a bypass patients "dumping syndrome".

It's difficult to think about giving up things that have been so much a part of our lives for so long, but it's the commitment you have to make in order to be successful long-term. Think of this as a reboot, and try to purge all of that bad stuff from memory. A few weeks or a month without it, and you most likely won't even miss it.

The other thing to consider is that your tastes may change after surgery. Mine certainly did. Things that I ate or drank before surgery that never stood out to me as "too salty" or "too sweet" now come across as so salty and/or sweet that I have absolutely no interest in them.

Best of luck to you whichever choice you make!

[paulinayoyo 2]

I had my sleeve done in April 18 there's days I could eat more and there's days I can't eat at all I don't know why I feel I'm alone at this and feel like I'm never going to enjoyed a good meal .. I get very tired after I eat too

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[silverthreads 183]

@paulinayoyo I was sleeved April 28 so I'm just about as "new" as you -- but I'm not having the same problems you describe. I'd definitely talk to your surgeon for advice.

Separately, if you start a new thread on this board you'll probably get some good advice (although you'll also get told to seek medical advice from your doctor not from the board!). The community here has lots of experience and wisdom. You're not alone in this at all. Start a thread and see what people say. You might want to describe what you eat -- at least in terms of Protein intake and fluids -- calories if you're tracking them. Those are the first questions you'll get.