Sleeve Surgery

[Lorey_a 19]

I am going back and forth because I used to work out and eat right. I lost my way and now am a mess. Really looking to hearing about the experience from start to where you are now specific to the sleeve. Did you have a hard time getting back up and moving after surgery. Were you having vomiting issues, any leaks or a need to have additional surgeries? My doctor wants me on a pure liquid diet for 5 weeks. Nothing but Protein Drinks and pureed Soups at most. That part I can deal with I am just worried about some of the negatives I have read about on other sites such as chronic nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. Any one had to deal with Gallstone issues following surgeries? Scarring that caused blockage and needed a revision? Sounds like these things could pop up over the long term including ulcers so wondering if anyone has had these experiences.

What about food intolerance? Big Italian family who drink wine and do Sunday dinners at least twice a month. I am good with the moderation completely just concerned that I wont be able to tolerate anything normal in the future. I am second guessing my decision but know I should probably not be. I have lost 12lbs on the pre-op diet and have been optimistic until now. Think I am allowing paranoia to take me over:( Words of wisdom and any stories you wish to share on what you experienced over a period of time would be most welcome. Thanks for listening

[Jaelzion 1,123]

20 minutes ago, Lorey_a said:

I am going back and forth because I used to work out and eat right. I lost my way and now am a mess. Really looking to hearing about the experience from start to where you are now specific to the sleeve. Did you have a hard time getting back up and moving after surgery.

VSG is a major abdominal surgery, so recovery will be a process. They start getting you up the next day after surgery (or same day, if you're awake enough), so you're not going to be spending a long time bed-ridden. I was able to get into and out of bed, sit and stand from a chair, walk to the refrigerator or bathroom, etc. from day 2 onward. I got stronger and more mobile every day and was back to normal about 3 weeks out.

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Were you having vomiting issues, any leaks or a need to have additional surgeries?

I had no major complications, no follow up procedures, etc. Eating was very uncomfortable for the first 3 weeks but that's not a universal experience. A lot of people report minimal discomfort.

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My doctor wants me on a pure liquid diet for 5 weeks. Nothing but Protein Drinks and pureed Soups at most. That part I can deal with I am just worried about some of the negatives I have read about on other sites such as chronic nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.

Wow, that's a crazy long time for the liquid diet! I struggled with my 10 days, LOL. I haven't had chronic nausea, vomiting or diarrhea (actually Constipation has been more of an issue for me).

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Any one had to deal with Gallstone issues following surgeries? Scarring that caused blockage and needed a revision? Sounds like these things could pop up over the long term including ulcers so wondering if anyone has had these experiences.

My surgeon routinely prescribes medication to prevent gall-stones. I had no unusual scarring or stricture of any kind.

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What about food intolerance? Big Italian family who drink wine and do Sunday dinners at least twice a month. I am good with the moderation completely just concerned that I wont be able to tolerate anything normal in the future.

This one is very much YMMV. Once they get through the eating stages, some people can eat just about anything. Some of us find that there are foods we used to eat that we don't tolerate now or that don't taste good anymore. Ground beef is one of those things for me - it just doesn't sit well in my tummy.

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I am second guessing my decision but know I should probably not be. I have lost 12lbs on the pre-op diet and have been optimistic until now. Think I am allowing paranoia to take me over:( Words of wisdom and any stories you wish to share on what you experienced over a period of time would be most welcome. Thanks for listening

Have you talked these concerns out with your surgeon? People love to share horror stories when they know you are going to have WLS and of course people are more likely to share when something goes wrong. I mean, you don't see people posting on here: "Hey, I just wanted to let everyone know, it's been two years and I'm fine", LOL. People who post generally have a need or an issue of some kind (unless they're just here for the support and friendship). It makes the site a great resource but can give a false impression that almost everyone has complications.

I had surgery two years ago, lost all my excess weight, am learning how to maintain that loss and have no complaints. There are lots of others like me, they're just too busy enjoying life to share updates, LOL. Talk to your surgeon, ask him/her what the risks are, which ones particularly apply to you and how they will be managed. And tell everyone who brings you a horror story to get lost, LOL. <--just kidding about that, but honestly, I got sick of it when I was pre-op.

Edited March 30, 2021 by Jaelzion

[catwoman7 10,851]

I'm an RNY patient (gastric bypass), but I've been hanging around on this and other boards for a few years now, so I can address some of these.

complications like you described are pretty rare. The most common complication with the sleeve is GERD, which happens to about 30% of sleeve patients. Most cases of GERD can be managed medically, but some people end up getting revised to gastric bypass, as that often improves (or can even cure) GERD.

re: diarrhea - actually, Constipation is much more common. It's due to the high Protein diet plus some of the supplements (that is, if you have to take Iron and Calcium - not all sleeve patients do).

nausea/vomiting/etc - that's not uncommon in the early weeks after surgery, but after that, no - not very common. Blockages, etc - none of that common. Seriously, the GERD issue is the one that's the most common.

food intolerance - you'll most likely be on a fairly restrictive diet the first few months (and very restrictive the first few weeks), but after that, there's nothing that's prohibited. Some people do develop some intolerances and just can't stomach certain foods anymore, but there's nothing that's restricted after you're a ways out.

[Arabesque 6,466]

it’s surgery & all surgeries have some risk for possible complications but generally they are pretty low for sleeve surgery. The best person to ask about these is your surgeon.

You’re having surgery & are changing how you partially digest food so there are going to be some changes for you & your body to get used to.

Generally, my surgery went well. No real issues or problems at all. Little or no pain & I happily looked after myself after surgery. And there ‘s been no significant issues since.

My energy levels were low for some time after surgery. It was complicated by low blood pressure & some hypoglycaemia. I always had a tendency towards these so nothing new. They just happen more frequently now. Also it was discovered after my surgery that I have Gilbert’s which explained why I always picked up bugs more easily than others & why I take longer to recover.

Low blood pressure (postural hypotension) can be an issue for some but it generally passes.

I vomited a few times in the months after surgery. But it wasn’t a retching vomit. More gentle. All but once was from my Multi Vitamins. They made me very nauseous but Vitamins usually did in the past. Was just worse but I don’t take vitamins anymore. I think I had diarrhoea once. Constipation was the bigger problem but I managed that with powdered fibre, added fruit & vegetables as soon as I could & took a stool softener if I reached about 3 days without a bowel movement. It improved a lot in maintenance.

I had stress related gerd which was also aggravated by certain foods before I had surgery but I had already cut those foods out of my diet anyway (no fatty or overly rich creamy foods, rarely had carbonated drinks, no spicy food). I took Nexium only as needed. Now the gerd is still there but different. As long as I don’t have a solid Protein before I go to bed (liquid is fine ) & take a Nexium every morning I’m fine.

A liver function scan at about 6 months did reveal a very small gallstone but they think it may have been there for ages. Didn’t & still doesn’t cause any issues.

Food intolerances are pretty individual. I’m not good with potato or Pasta - sit like a lump in my tummy. But no loss. I choose to remove these from my diet anyway & only tried them out of curiosity a few months back. Some struggle with sweet things others with fatty.

As for pasta & your family. There’s a lot of high protein vegetable pastas out there which many don’t have an issue with in maintenance. It was what I unsuccessful tried. If I want ‘pasta’ I use fresh zucchini noodles. While losing, just avoid the pasta & eat the sauces or just the inside of filled pastas. Portion size may be more challenging. Only 1/4 to 1/3 of a cup for a while slowly increasing. I have about a cup now but it ‘s really about what is a recommended serving size.

My friends & I always enjoy having a ‘few’ drinks. Now I have a glass of something & that’s it. I sip on the one drink for an hour or so. Hasn’t changed our relationship or how we socialise at all. They say more for them to drink. 😁

We’re all individuals & how we respond to the surgery & how how body reacts to the change to our digestive system is very personal. Much is tied to your pre existing conditions or tendencies like mine. Sure some will be similar but really it is your journey & experience.

My surgeon & his team & my GP are wonderful. I can’t complain about their follow-up & ongoing care & support in the almost 2 years post surgery. Between my surgeon’s blood tests, my GP would ask for one. If I had unusual for me symptoms they’d order scans & additional tests. It’s how they picked up my Gilbert’s. Nothing was ever found to be wrong it was just how I was reacting to the changes & the additional hormones & such being excreted as a lost fat. For example my previously fine cholesterol level sky rocketed while I was losing then went back to normal. Plus they shared all information about my health with me & each other. Having a supportive medical team behind you can not be undervalued.

I haven’t regretted my surgery a single day.

Sorry for the long post.

Good luck.