Having a sleeve vs. old school dieting?

[stefanie0804 36]

I don't know how long the effect will last, but here's my experience shopping last night at just over 2 weeks post-op:

Walked in the produce section and was drawn to the smell of the nectarines. Mind you, I have SERIOUS food issues (Dad physically force fed me veggies when I was very young) and in the past would have serious anxiety about eating anything outside my comfort zone. I can't tell you if I've ever even tried a nectarine. But damn they smelled awesome. So hubby said he likes nectarines, and we grabbed a couple. (Tried them at home, they're good but not really by themselves, needs to be in a cobbler or Cereal or something.)

Walked by the Little Debbie display - one of my old binge foods. Part of my brain went "oooohhhhh, Little Debbies, that would count as soft food". (Don't worry, I didn't get them.) But then the part of my brain that was imagining eating them, went "eh."

Walked through the Breakfast section - PopTarts are another one of my old binge foods. Used to be I only loved the chocolate fudge ones. Those had no appeal. The cherry ones had more appeal, but there's better ways to get cherry tastes like fruit in yogurt. Walked on by, no cravings no nothing.

Even if this effect doesn't last forever, if it lasts long enough for me to establish some healthier eating patterns, it'll be good enough.

And, I'm 30 lbs down from my highest weight. Jeans I haven't been able to wear since last fall are comfortable on the verge of being loose, and my wedding band which I haven't been able to wear for months is finally back on my hand. Just getting the boost of that 30 lbs gone is exhilarating and making me very excited about the future.

this is amazing, i want this to be me so badly....if i only lost 50lbs with this sleeve i would be happy! I almost wish i had this done years ago. now i have to wait.... or i could pau $13,000 and have it done.

[Hellya 144]

I, too, worry about this, but after reading so many people's stories, I am not worried about year 1. What I'm worried about are years 2-40. I have no doubt I will lose weight. I worry that I will keep it off. That seems to be the struggle that is the real one.

I have been thinking a lot about my current eating habits and while I refuse to believe they are cemented in (I have confidence I can make changes) they do seem to be deep in the tar pits. My two main issues are eating when I'm alone and grazing. Those are huge for me. I'm staring the desire to eat while alone right smack in the face right now since my kids are back in school. That habit? It started when I was a fat tween and was being watched closely by "concerned" parents. Any time I was alone, I would seize the opportunity to eat--to eat all the crap I wasn't allowed to eat. We didn't have sugar Cereal in the house, but we did have cherrios and sugar. I would put TABLESPOONFULS of sugar into that bowl and eat bowl after bowl. Still have that issue. It's better, but it's still here.

And grazing...why do I think I have to have something in my mouth at all times??? (insert inappropriate joke my husband would make here. (I've been married to that guy too long, he's infecting my brain!!! LOL)) But, seriously, WHY? I'll just have a bite of this. And a little of that...all day long. GUH.

Anyway, my point is, that is my fear--the long game. I am hoping that thinking about this now--and hopefully as I am losing--I will be able to have a handle on it (somewhat) when things start to feel more "normal". This is not how I want to live anymore.

It's scary as hell.

Edited September 2, 2016 by Hellya

[MarciaN 391]

I think I may be the minority here--- but this is my story.

I tried EVERYTHING for years with no success. Finally when I thought I was actually going to die, I decided to get surgery. I truly thought this was my last hope. The moment I went into the orientation I decided to start eating like I had already had the surgery. Rather than the 6 months that my insurance required, I actually ended up going almost 9 months before being sleeved. By that time I had lost 68 pounds on my own. After being sleeved 10 months ago I have lost an additional 50 pounds with about 33 left to go.

I was 58 years old at surgery. It went extremely well and I recovered quickly. I never had the side effect of not being hungry. I did realize that a lot of my "hunger" was head-hunger-- just me thinking I needed to have something in my mouth when I really didn't need it.

I almost immediately could eat lots of food. I didn't just have the ability to eat a tablespoon or so... I learned that I needed to not drink too close to meals and really savor my food. I was actually losing more before the surgery.

That being said. I am SO happy I did this. I don't think I ever would have gotten on the "straight and narrow" if I did not have to have the supervised NUT visits every month- and also the requirement that I needed not to have a gain during this time. This gave me 9 months of getting good habits. I realized that nothing is a quick (or permanent) fix. I had to change. After reading about other folks who lot weight and then put some/all of it back on- I realize that I must always be diligent and take nothing for granted.

I have been on this journey for 18 months and am down 118 pounds! I am thrilled. I feel wonderful (in fact yesterday I walked 15,000 steps---before I could not even walk around the block without being in intense pain.)

I never had the "honeymoon" period that folks talk about-- but I have developed new habit. I also don't take anything for granted. Is it hard-- Sometime it really is! But I think the "hard" days come less frequently with each passing day. Being able to "participate in the world" is so much better than that piece of cake. I still love food but don't revolve my entire life around it. Good luck with you journey. We are all rooting for you.

[stefanie0804 36]

I think I may be the minority here--- but this is my story.

I tried EVERYTHING for years with no success. Finally when I thought I was actually going to die, I decided to get surgery. I truly thought this was my last hope. The moment I went into the orientation I decided to start eating like I had already had the surgery. Rather than the 6 months that my insurance required, I actually ended up going almost 9 months before being sleeved. By that time I had lost 68 pounds on my own. After being sleeved 10 months ago I have lost an additional 50 pounds with about 33 left to go.

I was 58 years old at surgery. It went extremely well and I recovered quickly. I never had the side effect of not being hungry. I did realize that a lot of my "hunger" was head-hunger-- just me thinking I needed to have something in my mouth when I really didn't need it.

I almost immediately could eat lots of food. I didn't just have the ability to eat a tablespoon or so... I learned that I needed to not drink too close to meals and really savor my food. I was actually losing more before the surgery.

That being said. I am SO happy I did this. I don't think I ever would have gotten on the "straight and narrow" if I did not have to have the supervised NUT visits every month- and also the requirement that I needed not to have a gain during this time. This gave me 9 months of getting good habits. I realized that nothing is a quick (or permanent) fix. I had to change. After reading about other folks who lot weight and then put some/all of it back on- I realize that I must always be diligent and take nothing for granted.

I have been on this journey for 18 months and am down 118 pounds! I am thrilled. I feel wonderful (in fact yesterday I walked 15,000 steps---before I could not even walk around the block without being in intense pain.)

I never had the "honeymoon" period that folks talk about-- but I have developed new habit. I also don't take anything for granted. Is it hard-- Sometime it really is! But I think the "hard" days come less frequently with each passing day. Being able to "participate in the world" is so much better than that piece of cake. I still love food but don't revolve my entire life around it. Good luck with you journey. We are all rooting for you.

Do you feel like the sleeve has finally allowed you to keep it off?

Do you think you could have sustained weightlessness from pre op if you didnt end up getting the sugrey? Was it because you had something to look forward too?

My biggest concern is that i could maybe try the "diet" for a while. But i've even done Keto and when i get hungry i just want to eat. I'm concerned as a few people still said they felt hungr post surgery . Maybe it was head hunger but how do i even over come this? I hope to work with a diettian and therapist about all of the additional problems. But dont know if i can trust myself.

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Edited September 2, 2016 by stefanie0804

[Dr-Patient 830]

Now almost three years post-VSG, I don't have "will power" issues at all. With my EYES, I might lament that I can't eat a big ol' meal like I used to, but not really.

The sleeve will let you know that you cannot eat as you did before. I love the restriction it gives me, especially if I eat slowly.

Eating too fast is tempting (especially the further you are away from the surgery). But if you eat too fast, you really feel full and it is not comfortable at all. Damn; is my stomach going to burst!? Am I going to stretch my sleeve? I don't want to worry about that, so if I eat slowly, I notice when I need to stop eating, and I do. And for most things, I pull off most of the bread, push aside 90% of any Pasta, etc., and always have 'to go' boxes with stuff still in them in my refrigerator.

[stefanie0804 36]

Now almost three years post-VSG, I don't have "will power" issues at all. With my EYES, I might lament that I can't eat a big ol' meal like I used to, but not really.

The sleeve will let you know that you cannot eat as you did before. I love the restriction it gives me, especially if I eat slowly.

Eating too fast is tempting (especially the further you are away from the surgery). But if you eat too fast, you really feel full and it is not comfortable at all. Damn; is my stomach going to burst!? Am I going to stretch my sleeve? I don't want to worry about that, so if I eat slowly, I notice when I need to stop eating, and I do. And for most things, I pull off most of the bread, push aside 90% of any Pasta, etc., and always have 'to go' boxes with stuff still in them in my refrigerator.

This kind of sounds wonderful. Somtimes i dont feel full. I just ate dinner and still want more. So it will be nice to have some restriction. So i dont eat as much, i think its gonna take some training in my part to eat slower and still make better choices. But if i see weightloss i wont be as discouraged. I really hope i can get this all sorted out soon. Seems like the waiting list is long here in Ontario

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[NewAdventure2016 131]

I am a 52 year old post menopausal woman. No amount of dieting will help me lose the pounds I need to lose - I just can't stick with it. I can sometimes lose but then can't keep it off. I never really felt the feeling of hungry because I was constantly grazing. My surgery was Tuesday. Including the 7 pounds I lost on my own pre-op, I'm down almost 18 pounds 4 days after surgery ... And I'm not hungry. It's got a similar sensation of just after your Thanksgiving meal and someone offers you another piece of pie and it makes you want to throw up. You can easily say no. I am stunned at the difference and was worried I would be the "one" that this wouldn't work on, but so far it's going great. I am still very tired, but my cravings for my favorite foods are gone. I have no desire to really eat any particular thing. I just have a desire to keep my body hydrated and nourished. Hope this helps.

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[stefanie0804 36]

I am a 52 year old post menopausal woman. No amount of dieting will help me lose the pounds I need to lose - I just can't stick with it. I can sometimes lose but then can't keep it off. I never really felt the feeling of hungry because I was constantly grazing. My surgery was Tuesday. Including the 7 pounds I lost on my own pre-op, I'm down almost 18 pounds 4 days after surgery ... And I'm not hungry. It's got a similar sensation of just after your Thanksgiving meal and someone offers you another piece of pie and it makes you want to throw up. You can easily say no. I am stunned at the difference and was worried I would be the "one" that this wouldn't work on, but so far it's going great. I am still very tired, but my cravings for my favorite foods are gone. I have no desire to really eat any particular thing. I just have a desire to keep my body hydrated and nourished. Hope this helps.

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I actually feel like im that "one perskn this wont work for" i have honestly tried everything even dr. Bernstein (low carb with injection) sure i starved myself and lost but i gained it all back. I started saving pee becuase they checked if you were in ketosis and all i wanted was a sandwhich!

I really hope this process doesnt take more then a year! I feel like ive found somthing tbat might actually force me to eat less and say no.

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[NewAdventure2016 131]

I am a 52 year old post menopausal woman. No amount of dieting will help me lose the pounds I need to lose - I just can't stick with it. I can sometimes lose but then can't keep it off. I never really felt the feeling of hungry because I was constantly grazing. My surgery was Tuesday. Including the 7 pounds I lost on my own pre-op, I'm down almost 18 pounds 4 days after surgery ... And I'm not hungry. It's got a similar sensation of just after your Thanksgiving meal and someone offers you another piece of pie and it makes you want to throw up. You can easily say no. I am stunned at the difference and was worried I would be the "one" that this wouldn't work on, but so far it's going great. I am still very tired, but my cravings for my favorite foods are gone. I have no desire to really eat any particular thing. I just have a desire to keep my body hydrated and nourished. Hope this helps.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I actually feel like im that "one perskn this wont work for" i have honestly tried everything even dr. Bernstein (low carb with injection) sure i starved myself and lost but i gained it all back. I started saving pee becuase they checked if you were in ketosis and all i wanted was a sandwhich!

I really hope this process doesnt take more then a year! I feel like ive found somthing tbat might actually force me to eat less and say no.

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I also did a low carb/injection deal with a local Dr - I lost the weight but as soon as I stopped the injections and low Carbing it all came back on and more. With this new tool, you're forced to not overeat. I'm happy and e cited that I've virtually made it impossible to sabotage myself!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

[stefanie0804 36]

I am a 52 year old post menopausal woman. No amount of dieting will help me lose the pounds I need to lose - I just can't stick with it. I can sometimes lose but then can't keep it off. I never really felt the feeling of hungry because I was constantly grazing. My surgery was Tuesday. Including the 7 pounds I lost on my own pre-op, I'm down almost 18 pounds 4 days after surgery ... And I'm not hungry. It's got a similar sensation of just after your Thanksgiving meal and someone offers you another piece of pie and it makes you want to throw up. You can easily say no. I am stunned at the difference and was worried I would be the "one" that this wouldn't work on, but so far it's going great. I am still very tired, but my cravings for my favorite foods are gone. I have no desire to really eat any particular thing. I just have a desire to keep my body hydrated and nourished. Hope this helps.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I actually feel like im that "one perskn this wont work for" i have honestly tried everything even dr. Bernstein (low carb with injection) sure i starved myself and lost but i gained it all back. I started saving pee becuase they checked if you were in ketosis and all i wanted was a sandwhich!

I really hope this process doesnt take more then a year! I feel like ive found somthing tbat might actually force me to eat less and say no.

Sent from my SM-N920W8 using the BariatricPal App

I also did a low carb/injection deal with a local Dr - I lost the weight but as soon as I stopped the injections and low Carbing it all came back on and more. With this new tool, you're forced to not overeat. I'm happy and e cited that I've virtually made it impossible to sabotage myself!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

The more and more i research i get more excited. Although tarified im ready to feel better and hopfully look better too

Sent from my SM-N920W8 using the BariatricPal App

[Alex Brecher 10,486]

That’s a great question! There are a lot of differences and similarities between losing weight with the gastric sleeve and old fashioned dieting.

The sleeve definitely makes your stomach smaller, so not as much food fits in. You will get full sooner than without a sleeve. That can help you lose weight as long as you choose low-calorie dense foods. If you choose high-calorie dense foods, you can still “eat around the sleeve.”

For some patients, the sleeve can force you to make certain food choices, since you might find that you cannot tolerate certain foods post-op.

For some patients, the sleeve leads to less hunger and less interest in food. That can be a hormonal thing, like lower levels of a hunger hormone called ghrelin. But some patients are still hungry after surgery, so you should go into surgery expecting that you will still need to have a lot of discipline with your diet.

Even so, there are some things the sleeve can’t do for you, and that you will need to do for yourself just as you would before getting the sleeve. For example, you will need to avoid those high-calorie foods that just slip through the sleeve and don’t fill you up. That is, you will need to choose lean Proteins and vegetables over sugary and fatty and starchy foods.

Also as with old school dieting, you will probably need to measure portions, count Protein and calories, and make sure you are getting enough Water.

So, as cliché as it sounds, the sleeve really does act as a “tool,” that you have to control. Good luck!

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

@@stefanie0804

Do you need will power with the sleeve and motivation. If you are properly motivated, your sleeve makes it easier to make the right choices because you are satisfied with less and you can eat to normal portions.

In the beginning, which is the stage almost everyone in this thread is in, the healing process makes it easier to stick to your plan. Once you are healed at 6 months, you have your normal capacity which is higher than right after post op. If people don't learn early on to eat healthy and properly (the opposite of what they normally eat just in smaller amounts that a lot of people seem to try), when they can eat larger amounts they stop losing, and eventually start gaining.

Your sleeve won't stop you from eating cake or ice cream or cotton candy or elephant ear, or crackers or chips. All the empty calories and sugary carbs are very easy to eat and you can eat them in quantity. You have to decide not to eat them

The difference with the sleeve is if you follow your program, following the stages, it reprograms your mind and body to be satisfied with Proteins and veggies and you relearn to eat properly like a baby. The stages exist not just to help with healing but also to change the relationship with food. A lot of people miss that point and skip that aspect of surgery by skipping the steps, or advancing them or eating what they normally do in small amounts.

If you change your way of eating for life, you are never on a diet.

[Miwaihara 2]

I am about nine weeks out doing quit well no problem with binging, my stomach is small so am full fairly fast. Have lost 35 pounds since the month before surgery. Glad I did it no regrets!

[LipstickLady 25,682]

I am about nine weeks out doing quit well no problem with binging, my stomach is small so am full fairly fast. Have lost 35 pounds since the month before surgery. Glad I did it no regrets!

GOOD FOR YOU!!

[Dee R 4]

For me, the surgery has been all about making those right choices. I can eat a whole lot of crap if I choose to. The surgery doesn't work on your mind. YOU have to do that part. And sometimes it takes seeing a therapist of some sort. I can say I'm NEVER hungry. There are days on the weekends where I just totally forget to eat. This surgery has made it so I CAN keep the weight off. I've never had a problem losing weight. It was all about keeping it off. I'd get bored and start back in to my old crappy habits. So, the weight would all come back and those pounds would bring their little friends too. So, only YOU know if you can handle the total lifestyle change. Good Luck to you.