Thinking about the sleeve

[RPC324 2]

So as the new year hits, again weight loss is on the list of resolutions. I am taking a more serious look at surgeries, especially the sleeve.

Currently 33 years old, weighing in about 250 lbs, BMI hovering around 35 at the moment. Been heavy for most of my adolescent and adult life. My heaviest was 280 and I decided to get serious in the spring of 2013, lost 95 lbs over the course of 2 years and change using weight watchers and biking. Fast forward 5+ years from then, and I've gained back a big chunk. Since then, I've taken a promotion which means less physical demand, more office work, driving around for field inspections, and losing my bicycle commute to work. Add to that a wife, 1-year-old and another on the way, and it's not a great recipe for weight loss.

I have a family history of heart disease and personally have controlled hypertension on a small dose of a Calcium channel blocker. My cholesterol was borderline but did improve following a recent low-carb diet. Managed to lose 12 lbs in a month doing low-carb and Intermittent Fasting, but then got quarantined for a Covid exposure at work (luckily negative), plus stresses of home life and that loss is pretty much gone.

My oldest brother had successful sleeve surgery around 2 years ago after years of being way bigger. I'm considering it, but the wife isn't quite on board yet. She still thinks that I could do it on my own, but I'm not confident in achieving and maintaining that previous weight loss just based on life circumstances.

Baby #2 is due in July. I think this next 6 months is the time to make one last diet effort at major loss before taking a serious look at surgery and getting the wife to go along with it. I want to be here for my family and I'll gladly give up pizza and beer for them.

[GradyCat 3,692]

Our loved ones sometimes just don't understand and say things like "If you just tried harder, you could do it on your own." I have depression and I've had people tell me, "Just snap out of it!" They just don't understand. It doesn't work that way. Having the surgery doesn't mean you are weak or not trying. The surgery isn't the solution . . it's a TOOL! You still have to work your ass off following the diet program afterward.

I would encourage you to have the surgery now if that's what you want to do. We're all here to support and encourage you.

[catwoman7 10,846]

all I can say is, I spent decades (I'm in my 60s) gaining and losing the same 50 lbs until I admitted to myself that I couldn't do it on my own. At the time I had 200 lbs to lose, and I couldn't even keep 50 off for more than a few months. And I'm not an anomaly - only 5% of people are able to do it on their own. Weight loss surgery doesn't guarantee that you'll take your excess weight off - and keep it off - but it greatly increases your chances. I know a lot of people who've never had a weight problem think it's so easy - we just have to eat less and move more - but unfortunately, it doesn't usually work that way. I'm so glad I had surgery and would do it again in a heartbeat. My only regret is that I didn't have it done years ago.

[bufbills 314]

I just had it done at 52, after 40 years of losing and gaining. I had my chance to do it on my own. I could always lose large amounts of weight, but it came back EVERY time. The though of one more starvation diet made me literally depressed. The cycle wasn't going to change.

[mistymorning 13]

So as the new year hits, again weight loss is on the list of resolutions. I am taking a more serious look at surgeries, especially the sleeve.
Currently 33 years old, weighing in about 250 lbs, BMI hovering around 35 at the moment. Been heavy for most of my adolescent and adult life. My heaviest was 280 and I decided to get serious in the spring of 2013, lost 95 lbs over the course of 2 years and change using weight watchers and biking. Fast forward 5+ years from then, and I've gained back a big chunk. Since then, I've taken a promotion which means less physical demand, more office work, driving around for field inspections, and losing my bicycle commute to work. Add to that a wife, 1-year-old and another on the way, and it's not a great recipe for weight loss.
I have a family history of heart disease and personally have controlled hypertension on a small dose of a Calcium channel blocker. My cholesterol was borderline but did improve following a recent low-carb diet. Managed to lose 12 lbs in a month doing low-carb and Intermittent Fasting, but then got quarantined for a Covid exposure at work (luckily negative), plus stresses of home life and that loss is pretty much gone.
My oldest brother had successful sleeve surgery around 2 years ago after years of being way bigger. I'm considering it, but the wife isn't quite on board yet. She still thinks that I could do it on my own, but I'm not confident in achieving and maintaining that previous weight loss just based on life circumstances.
Baby #2 is due in July. I think this next 6 months is the time to make one last diet effort at major loss before taking a serious look at surgery and getting the wife to go along with it. I want to be here for my family and I'll gladly give up pizza and beer for them.

Heya! I'm in similar situation as you: 32, never been in right bmi my whole life (my fam is genetically fat; all my cousins and siblings are at least overweight). I spent the past 2 years eating clean and working out 4-5 times a week but keeps getting the "you must have not done something right!" or "you're just not working out hard enough".

Nope the hell out, got my sleeve appt coming Tue. I did a Pros and Cons chart, and I know if I don't do it sooner, surgical risk is higher as I get older. Not to mention family illness history that I'd definitely want to prevent than cure.

Hope you found your way now

[RPC324 2]

Update:

It's about 6 months since this post, and I made the decision to pursue the surgery. Wife is on board too, since it will help to alleviate other health issues I have. New job stress, wife having an awful pregnancy (but healthy baby boy!), and now the stress of chasing after a 2-year old and infant haven't helped the weight loss.

Hoping for a 3-6 month window to surgery depending on insurance, which works out as I'll have more vacation time at my disposal in the new year.

Sent from my SM-G973U using BariatricPal mobile app

[vikingbeast 985]

15 hours ago, RPC324 said:

Update:

It's about 6 months since this post, and I made the decision to pursue the surgery. Wife is on board too, since it will help to alleviate other health issues I have. New job stress, wife having an awful pregnancy (but healthy baby boy!), and now the stress of chasing after a 2-year old and infant haven't helped the weight loss.

Hoping for a 3-6 month window to surgery depending on insurance, which works out as I'll have more vacation time at my disposal in the new year.

Sent from my SM-G973U using BariatricPal mobile app

This is one of those times when being a guy is a blessing—we tend to drop weight FAST after surgery. (There are exceptions!) You'll be shocked how quickly your health problems resolve. I was off ALL of my blood pressure meds (amlodipine 10 mg - a Calcium channel blocker; losartan 100 mg - an angiotensin II receptor antagonist; and hydrochlorothiazide - a diuretic) within a month after surgery.

I'm curious to have my cholesterol checked. I've never had bad cholesterol, usually it's firmly in the 140 range though it's been as low as 110 which apparently is bad for your testosterone if you're a guy. Like you, I am pretty active, both athletically and in a side thing which is fairly physical and outdoors.

[ShoppGirl 3,341]

I wish I could find the medical journal article I read that said something less than 5% of people who are obese can lose their weight and keep it off with diet and exercise alone. Maybe if you scheduled a pre op appointment and asked your wife to go with you so the doctor could tell her those statistics it would help her get on board.

[ShoppGirl 3,341]

Oops. Ignore my last post. I didn’t see your update. Glad to hear your wife got on board and that you will have the vacation time when necessary and you are on the road to getting your surgery.