Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Pros and cons of surgery



Recommended Posts

I am new to the forum and I am considering gastric sleeve surgery. I want some real life advice on the surgery. What are the pros, cons, and long term effects? Thank you all and I admire you all for sharing your stories!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I can only answer for myself. I am sure it is a different yet similar circumstance for the masses of this site.

Pros
1. To live a longer and healthier life, and see my grandchildren grow up.
2. To weed off medications, I am taking three pills just for blood pressure.
3. Not being singled out as the fat person and looked down on.
4. To fit into normal clothes and not worry about stores not having the jumbo sizes.
5. To be more active sexually.
6. To have more confidence, when I am slimmer I am more outgoing and confident.
7. To have my sleep apnea, high blood pressure, diabetes and ED go away.
8. To start wearing those clothes in my closet that I have been putting off for a few more pounds.
9. I get compliments almost every day on the weight I have lost and how much better I look.
10. Your social life will get better.

Cons
1. You have to be serious committed to make major sacrifices at mealtime. No hearty meals.
2. I can only eat between 1/2 - 1 cup of food at a time.
3. Forsake certain foods for at least the first year such as pizza, white rice and heavy starches. (I sample)
4. Trying to eliminate loose saggy skin, skin loses elasticity as you age.
I am trying Vitamin E and Keratin moisturizers and gym workouts to fill with muscles.
5. You have to conquer old habits and wants for a newer you. Mental challenges.

Edited by FishOn

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I think FishOn mostly covered it.

I would add that a huge pro being that it will mostly end the massive yo-yo dieting that I did my whole life. While you can gain weight again, it's often not as much as without the sleeve. It just makes it a lot harder.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Fish On, great response! Can you talk a bit more about the excess skin? When do you first start noticing it (at what weight loss)? Have you had any surgery to fix it? Anything else...? Thanks!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My mom chosen pro surgery

This years I’m change my chapter life because of my BMI is too hugely and doctor decide to cut my stomach eat less but baratric doctor found out i got defect remove where i got lung surgery when I was 12 years old but no cancer in my systems thankfully for that!

I’m been rollercoaster on my weight after my surgery last January but I’m now ten months later..

Pro

1.eat healthier food

2.eat fruits and vegetables

3.eat at home

4.eat steam vegetables

5.black coffee

6.eat Protein Bars

7.soup

8.water bottle drink lots after surgery

9.exercise

10.walk

11.get married and have children some days

12.heart healthier

13.taking daily Calcium and Multivitamin after surgery it’s so important!!

14.eat healthier pumpkin pie its would be ok on thanksgiving and its low calories for me

15.rid saggy skin

Cons

1.no fast food

2.no fried food

3.no rice

4.no pizza include crust also!

5.no candies including holiday candies period or you get gained weight options!

6.no white bread! Too much bread and its bad for post surgery trust me!

7.no any breads they you can get eat too much its bad for post surgery trust me!

8.ice cream

9.no pop soda its bad for after surgery!!

10.no iced tea its bad for after surgery!!

11.no cake!!

12.half&half milk its bad for after surgery answer is no!

13.no orange juice or any flavor they can gain weight of sugar! Trust me

14.no sugary cheesecake or you will gain weight after surgery!!

15.no cookies!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

8 hours ago, Buzz10009 said:

Fish On, great response! Can you talk a bit more about the excess skin? When do you first start noticing it (at what weight loss)? Have you had any surgery to fix it? Anything else...? Thanks!

I am noticing it at one month after surgery mind you that I lost 45 pounds prior to surgery. Stomach is getting wrinkles. Add another 22 pounds after surgery and that is 67 pounds. I believe I started noticing the wrinkles at 50 pounds and just started treating with Vitmin E oil and keratin moisturizers. Also keep in mind that wrinkles are different for everyone depending on your heritage, age and weight loss.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 1 reply
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×