Hello all. I am brand new to the site and looking for insight and advice. I have been researching various surgeries for a couple of years now. I am 5'2" tall and about 193 lbs (36.5 BMI). I have yo-yo dieted my entire adult life but have found that since turning 45 it just doesn't come off as easily anymore. Now that I am 48, I can go on any diet you can imagine, stick to it perfectly and lose 6 pounds in a month. If I stop the very aggressive diet, everything comes back and them some. I have somewhat settled on the gastric sleeve at this point although I am very interested to hear what my surgeon recommends. One of my biggest concerns is living long-term with the sleeve. Does my stomach really only hold 4 ounces for the rest of my life? Will I never be able to eat and drink together at a meal again? I just imagine things like my daughters wedding and not being able to toast the bride and eat the dinner! Is this a life of eating for sustenance only? When I travel to foreign countries in my retirement, will I not be able to eat the cuisine? Is this 4 ounces in my stomach forever? I know many people may think if I am asking this question I am not ready to commit to the surgery. I may or may not be, but I want to be sure of the life I will be living in the future if I do this. Any advice?

Hi, for the first few days it’s impossible to hold anything other than a few ounces of clear liquid. I am only a week out and I struggle with getting in 64 oz of fluid. I drink only 8oz of broth and maybe another 8oz of black lemon tea. I only can hold 12oz Max of water. But reading what other people wrote, I believe you will be able to eat actual food after a few months. My surgeon and nutritionist always reminded me that it is possible to gain all the weight back if I don’t adhere to the new diet plan. But that will take some time to even be physically comfortable eating solid foods. You will have to count protein to make sure your getting the right amount daily and you will probably have to take multi vitamins for the rest of your life (that’s what my surgeon told me). You really have to be 100% committed because with the sleeve you will have to make permanent alterations.

I'm 10 months (almost 11 months) post op Loop DS which involves a sleeved stomach (this particular surgery also has an intestinal bypass as well as shortening your small intestines). I'm able to eat between 6-7 oz. If I eat 8oz I feel nauseous, so that's not a good idea. I've been able to eat 6 oz since about 5 months out. It upped to 7 at around 8 months out. Your stomach CAN stretch back out. I wouldn't advise doing it on purpose though because it kind of defeats the purpose of the surgery, but you won't necessarily be stuck eating small amounts forever. As to eating foods from other countries it honestly depends on how you tolerate certain foods. For example, I can't eat wheat anymore because I dump. And it's not worth feeling like that. Even the smallest trace amount of wheat in something gives me unbearable nausea for a good hour. Also, moderation is key. When it comes to drinking with food they tell you not to because it makes the food go through you too fast and then you'll be hungry again sooner. Farther out I don't think it'll be a big deal if you drink on a special occasion but that fluid is going to take up space and won't be able to fit as much food.

I have/had many of the same fears. As a recent sleever (August '20). I travel a lot for work and love travelling internationally. Food is still a big part of my social life as well (I love to cook for friends and family). I'll preface with I've been one of the VERY lucky ones. So far, nothing I can't eat. Also - The BIG positive. I can't each much.

Since being on full solids, the only thing that I've avoided completely is sweets - Honestly, just haven't had any desire for them though so.. I'm excited for the new year and new adventures. This includes real meals AND a cocktail with meals on occaision. As others have mentioned, the pouch is small - When you drink with it, you can't hold as much food - BUT you can have a couple of bites and enjoy the flavors - Bonus, you have that full feeling without eating an entire plate of food. Once you eat more than you should once or twice, it's a quick lesson that you certainly won't try and repeat on purpose. After a day of "indulging" (Thanksgiving for me!), just get right back on track and follow the program.

I had the gastric Sleeve in 2013, I went from 265 down to 155. Fast forward to today, I'm weighing in at 215 and now I'm going for a revision to the MGB (mini gastric bypass) Your sleeve definitely will stretch. I was able to "eat" real foods 2 months out with the sleeve, however, it was 2 teaspoons and I was done and that lasted through my 4-6 month mark. You will be able to enjoy a lot of different food but remember to make healthy choices and count calories, carbs and protein basically for the rest of your life. If not, the regain will happen. If you're on the fence about surgery but want to lose some weight, try a liquid diet for 7 days. It's called a sleeve reset. You will drop anywhere from 5-10 pounds.

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After a couple of years you will be able to eat a significant amount at a time. At that point it becomes much easier to regain weight however. Research long term out comes.

I travel internationally a lot and I can try a little bit of anything I want. But my stomach is small so I can't eat huge quantities at a time. That's the tool of the WLS -- to keep me from overeating. When you travel you can focus on the culture and the scenery and try little samples of the food. It's not a prison sentence. It's a wake-up call.

6 hours ago, TimeToFeelFit said:

Hello all. I am brand new to the site and looking for insight and advice. I have been researching various surgeries for a couple of years now. I am 5'2" tall and about 193 lbs (36.5 BMI). I have yo-yo dieted my entire adult life but have found that since turning 45 it just doesn't come off as easily anymore. Now that I am 48, I can go on any diet you can imagine, stick to it perfectly and lose 6 pounds in a month. If I stop the very aggressive diet, everything comes back and them some. I have somewhat settled on the gastric sleeve at this point although I am very interested to hear what my surgeon recommends. One of my biggest concerns is living long-term with the sleeve. Does my stomach really only hold 4 ounces for the rest of my life? Will I never be able to eat and drink together at a meal again? I just imagine things like my daughters wedding and not being able to toast the bride and eat the dinner! Is this a life of eating for sustenance only? When I travel to foreign countries in my retirement, will I not be able to eat the cuisine? Is this 4 ounces in my stomach forever? I know many people may think if I am asking this question I am not ready to commit to the surgery. I may or may not be, but I want to be sure of the life I will be living in the future if I do this. Any advice?

Almost two years out from my gastric sleeve, I can eat 6-7 ounces at one time. I can take a small sip of liquid while eating, so you might be able to sip a toast and still eat. I can taste whatever I want and occasionally I do. This Thanksgiving, I tasted everything. People with the sleeve are less likely to have dumping syndrome, so there is nothing I have to totally abstain from. What I can't do, and what you won't be able to do, is eat large amounts of food with reckless abandon. You will have to eat smaller portions for the rest of your life (unless you stretch out your sleeve, which would not be optimal). With weight loss surgery, you are permanently giving up the ability to pile a plate high with food and demolish it, LOL. Those days will be gone forever (hopefully). It's portion control enforced by your own anatomy. So are you up for that?

I had RNY, not VSG, but it's similar. Your volume will be unrealistically restricted for the first few months or a year, but after that, not really. Although I eat much less than I did pre-surgery, no one would be able to tell anymore that I had bariatric surgery. I eat like my never-been-obese women friends do who are "watching their weight". At restaurants I'll usually order an appetizer and eat that - or else order an entree and take half of it home.

no I could never eat half a large pizza again at one sitting like I could pre-surgery, but I can eat 1-2 pieces. But 1-2 pieces is what my mother eats - and most of my skinny friends.

so to answer your question - yes, of course you'll be able to eat at weddings and when traveling abroad. You won't be stuck forever eating 1/2 C of food or 600 calories. But you'll be eating much smaller portions than what you probably atepre-surgery (or you should be eating much smaller portions - unfortunately, regain is real!! Luckily, it's easier to eat small portions and be satisfied with that after surgery)

a year and a half later - I travel all over and I eat all kinds of foods. Now for the first 6 months kept it simple but introduced new foods into my diet. As for 4oz you need to move past that. I drove me nutz also

You just said you like to try international foods, You still can but not by the bucket full - As a trained chef it was hard for me to realize my addiction to quantity - I got thru it I really enjoy cooking for family and friends and still do but i simply pick at it while prepping it and then sit down to about 8 oz of food on a plate. They have 12-18 oz plates but all the food is the same. It will not matter as you go on about the VOLUME of food.

By the way now i can eat anything in the world, Only thing that is a pain in the belly for a lot of us is pastas and rice - Heck Find one of my last posts. I ate a dang Mc Rib!

Yes, you will be able to sit down & eat & drink with others. You’ll just eat a smaller portion & not drink as much and you won’t be able to eat & drink together. There may be food you can’t tolerate but most sleevers can eat just about anything. Just step gently with a new food or an old favourite the first time you eat it after surgery.

The closer you get to your goal weight & maintenance you’ll find your portion size increases closer to a recommended portion size for a non surgical adult. It’s an important thing to remember that many people eat serves that are 2 & 3 times the recommended portion size without even knowing it. You likely did. We all likely did.

I used to have a large glass of wine every night. Now half a glass is enough & I can go for weeks without even wanting a drink. I’ve lost a lot of my taste for it. It’s not a problem. I just sip slowly if having a social drink.

I understand your experiences with extreme dieting & then regaining very quickly after. I was the same. The big realisation & acceptance for me has been I can’t go back to eating like I did if I want to be successful & keep the weight off otherwise I’m just repeating what didn’t work before & I’ll be obese again. I have to eat smaller portions. I have to make healthier food choices & I have to eat food prepared in a healthier way. There are foods I avoid. There are foods I restrict. But it works for me.

It’s a realisation you will have to come too as well. And you’ll also discover what you need to do to be successful. Yep, it’s hard to begin but you’ll work it out. It’s about finding a balance between your food & activity choices & how you want to live your life.

Good luck with whichever path you decide to take.

Wow! Thank you all!!! I am so grateful for all of your responses. I feel like I have a better idea of what to expect. I know this will be a lifestyle change and know I feel better prepared for what that will look like long term.

15 hours ago, Jaelzion said:

Almost two years out from my gastric sleeve, I can eat 6-7 ounces at one time. I can take a small sip of liquid while eating, so you might be able to sip a toast and still eat. I can taste whatever I want and occasionally I do. This Thanksgiving, I tasted everything. People with the sleeve are less likely to have dumping syndrome, so there is nothing I have to totally abstain from. What I can't do, and what you won't be able to do, is eat large amounts of food with reckless abandon. You will have to eat smaller portions for the rest of your life (unless you stretch out your sleeve, which would not be optimal). With weight loss surgery, you are permanently giving up the ability to pile a plate high with food and demolish it, LOL. Those days will be gone forever (hopefully). It's Portion Control enforced by your own anatomy. So are you up for that?

Yes I am! That is exactly what I am hoping for. Thank you so much for this great insight. I am grateful for your response.

1 hour ago, Arabesque said:

Yes, you will be able to sit down & eat & drink with others. You’ll just eat a smaller portion & not drink as much and you won’t be able to eat & drink together. There may be food you can’t tolerate but most sleevers can eat just about anything. Just step gently with a new food or an old favourite the first time you eat it after surgery.

The closer you get to your goal weight & maintenance you’ll find your portion size increases closer to a recommended portion size for a non surgical adult. It’s an important thing to remember that many people eat serves that are 2 & 3 times the recommended portion size without even knowing it. You likely did. We all likely did.

I used to have a large glass of wine every night. Now half a glass is enough & I can go for weeks without even wanting a drink. I’ve lost a lot of my taste for it. It’s not a problem. I just sip slowly if having a social drink.

I understand your experiences with extreme dieting & then regaining very quickly after. I was the same. The big realisation & acceptance for me has been I can’t go back to eating like I did if I want to be successful & keep the weight off otherwise I’m just repeating what didn’t work before & I’ll be obese again. I have to eat smaller portions. I have to make healthier food choices & I have to eat food prepared in a healthier way. There are foods I avoid. There are foods I restrict. But it works for me.

It’s a realisation you will have to come too as well. And you’ll also discover what you need to do to be successful. Yep, it’s hard to begin but you’ll work it out. It’s about finding a balance between your food & activity choices & how you want to live your life.

Good luck with whichever path you decide to take.

This is so very helpful. THANK YOU! I am grateful you took the time to respond.