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!

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 November 3, 20178 yr by FishOn

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.

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!

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!

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.