Restriction - Do you still feel it? Will it always be there?

[Letgo 15]

I searched for this topic and cant find anything. So I wanted to ask how your restriction is doing. I really don't want mine to ever go away. But I hear it kind of gets less and less. Are there any people out there who had a VSG years ago and still feel a very strong restriction when eating? What can I expect?

[Lynn Cannon 49]

Dumb question BUT can someone explain what a “restriction” is.

[lzucks 232]

It’s the feeling that nothing else will fit down your esophagus. At least that’s how it feels for me.

[Lynn Cannon 49]

Thanks. So like the pain I have about 10 in down on the right hand side of my chest. Often I get this gurgling too. Very loud!

[lzucks 232]

Yes mine is discomfort in the center but sounds similar. I get the gurgling too especially from liquid meals. Less so now that I’m eating soft foods. Today is 4 weeks post sleeve. How about you?

[Lynn Cannon 49]

Hi, we are very close. My surgery (sleeve) date was Aug 23 2018. Will be 4 weeks this coming Thursday. I am reading other posts and am thinking I need to join a support group and engage in counselling. I hope I can find these supports I need here in Calgary. No one does the sleeve surgery here so I had to go to Toronto.

[lzucks 232]

That sounds tough... hope you can find a support group. The program in Michigan that I went through has several support group meetings a month. Guess we’re lucky! Good luck going into your second month!

[Lynn Cannon 49]

You too🤗😁

[Matt Z 4,138]

10 hours ago, Letgo said:

I searched for this topic and cant find anything. So I wanted to ask how your restriction is doing. I really don't want mine to ever go away. But I hear it kind of gets less and less. Are there any people out there who had a VSG years ago and still feel a very strong restriction when eating? What can I expect?

You will get used to the sensation and it will become "normal" for you, so yes, the sensation WILL change, even if you only ever drank shakes and your pouch never stretched, the way it feels now, will not be the same as when you become adjusted to the new sensation completely. Much like how our brains ignore our noses in our vision, your nose is ALWAYS visible when your eyes are open, ALWAYS. But your brain just... erases it because it doesn't need to track it, it's always there. So down the line, that restriction is going to feel different. Just how it works.

9 hours ago, Lynn Cannon said:

Dumb question BUT can someone explain what a “restriction” is.

Restriction is the the "full" feeling you get after having WLS.

[SleeveinIL 386]

I only felt restricted for about a month. Now I do not have that feeling anymore. I was sleeved on 3/16/18. I have had absolutely no complications and at times wonder if I really had the surgery as nothing bothers my sleeve and I mean nothing.

[laurileet 86]

once in a while I feel like I've over eaten. so I am eating smaller amounts. I can always eat more if I need to , but if I've over done it, I cant undo it. thankfully I haven't had any dumping issues, but at times pain.

[Foxbins 625]

Like MattZ said, you become accustomed to the feeling of your new stomach, but yes, seven and a half years after surgery I still have restriction. If I eat too much, it's just as uncomfortable now as it was when I was eating whole cakes and bags of potato chips when I was fat. Now the uncomfortable feeling comes at about 4 oz of dense Protein or 1 cup of vegetables, but it's still that feeling of "I ate too much." I don't like that uncomfortable feeling so I have learned not to eat so much. Better two small meals than one big one.

[lzucks 232]

I’m so glad to hear it doesn’t go away!! Thanks for sharing.

[allwet 868]

13+ months out now and i still get full very fast. The amount of food i can eat in 1 meal hasn't changed in the last 3-5 months. I am glad i still feel restricted. It is a very good reminder of the limits i live under and helps to prevent those oh what the hell moments. I have had 2 "incidents" in the last 13 months when i tried to much food and i hope to not have a third.

Some have mentioned pain with their restriction but what i consider restricted has never had pain with it other than that to dam full feeling.

Edited September 19, 2018 by allwet

[nenes78 528]

I go to a post surgery group and luckily have a few veterans in the group, which has been helpful for me for future insight. One member had the VSG done 7 years ago. He said he still gets restriction. he has maintained close to goal weight. He is truly an inspiration to me.