Regretting my surgery
Don't let one or two bad posts scare you away. Look at the big picture. Remember not everybody follows the rules. Some posters aren't compliant with their diet or exercise requirements and then post that they're not losing or losing too slow. Many times they take a closer look at their daily intake or exercise or water intake and find what they're doing wrong. This isn't brain surgery - it's only on our digestion. We still screw up, we still think we can eat normally and we're human. For the most part those that use their new tool lose the wight, they keep it off and they change their lifestyle. The sleeve is a very safe, effective method of weight control. It's been used by many who have lost their excess weight, kept it off and become much healthier. The RNY procedure is the same. Many success stories, lots of weight loss and people being much healthier. I'm 11 1/2 yrs out. I've lost my weight, learned how to use my tool to my advantage, have kept the weight off, can run circles around people half my age and I'd do it again in a heartbeat if I had to. This surgery was the best thing I ever did for myself. I'm happier, healthier, and more active than ever. I eat like a normal person, hang out with a lot of other post ops and we all feel the same. Those that have changed their eating habits, made lifestyle changes, follow their program and exercise have lost the weight, kept it off and are much better for it. I know one post op who's (RNY) almost 30 yrs. She's still active, healthy and with a little bit of regain, she's fine. she's healthy, still uses her tool effictively and has no complications. Most of us don't. It's a viable altermative to other forms of weight loss - none of which keep weight off long term for the most part. Research, talk to veterans, check out the Sleeve board and know that you can change your life, but it's all up to you. this is just a tool, but used wisely can change our lives.
Jen 11+ yrs post op RNY
Jen....Youre an angel as I needed to read this tonight! I Almost had surgery five years ago but had never had any surgeries before and just basically got really scared of the surgery...the excess skin..... And be truthful I was afraid of failing... I haven't had much luck in keeping weight off over the years whenever I've lost it. But in the last five years I've had other health issues and have just reached my limit.... Yes there is still fear To be honest but I feel so much more ready than I did five years ago to make this life altering change. I'm new to this site I will take your recommendations and you're such a positive force and I hope to meet so many more people just like you and get all the support I can.... I dont have that much support from family right now so I kind of feel like I'm on my own but I'll get there... And hopefully in 4 to 6 months I'll be having my sleeve surgery Making a total change in my life and regaining my health I can't live like this anymore... I will do what needs to be done but I'm so thankful I found this site I'll need all the support I can get That much I'm certain of ...thank you VERY VERY much! PK
I want to give you a counter point to the negative post you and I just read. I had my sleeve surgery on 9/24/12 and I had a very positive experience. I have lost 110 lbs. to date on my way to a goal of -200 lbs. More important than weight loss was the physical benefits to my health: (1) no more diabetes; my doctor just took me off my last insulin shot; (2) my legs have healed completely from weeping ulcers; (3) my resting heart rate has been cut in half from 110 to 55; (4) no more sleep apnea; (5) my leg circulation has improved dramatically; (6) my energy and feelings of wellbeing have increased dramatically; (7) my children are excited about their father being around to watch the grandchildren grow up (Lord willing); (8) the neuropathy in my legs has subsided noticeably. This is not just the result of my vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) surgery; it is the combined result of the surgery and a daily exercise program of walking 5-7 miles per day. This has been a lifestyle change for me, and it has been worth every moment of effort and commitment. BTW, you will learn the same joy when you make the firm commitment to change your life. I encourage you to put the negative thoughts behind you and move forward, confidently, to the new you waiting to burst forth.
I, too, can eat anything I want; I just choose to eat wisely since I can only eat a few bites before feeling full. If I get an urge for something sweet, I just have a bite. This satisfies my desire and I don't feel as if I am sacrificing my want. You will learn that what you want is not always what you need. I believe this is the case with the negative experience person. She has not moved forward with her new life experience. She may also have a thyroid problem that is causing her lack of weight loss. This was the case with my niece who struggled with weight loss her entire life. She should consult with her doctor to resolve the problem instead of blaming her sleeve surgery. This is not easy and I have great compassion for her quandary, but she needs to make an effort. I don't believe you can eat 800 calories a day, exercise, and not lose weight.
I encourage your choice to have the sleeve surgery. It was the right choice for me and I don't regret the choice. Good luck and God bless.
Thank you so much for this.....you know I think of the strangest things to ask...but when I read that you have to keep track of every single bite you take etc. (someone said this was said to pre-ops in a support group) the first thing I thought was...oh no...obsessing over food again for the rest of my life.....and I realize that not obsessing enough probably got me here among other things...but do you find you think about food all day long and obsess over every single bite you take? I would love to be able to change my eating habits, clearly...but not have to worry over every little bite and to actually be able to feel full with just a little and not worry about what I'm eating or when and how much. you know...like 'normal' people do...I watch them....they eat when they are hungry...stop when they are full...but they aren't talking about food and what to eat 24/7......I would love one day to not have what I eat the main thing in my life....it just isn't a way to live. By the way....I am so thrilled for you WM....I can't wait to feel healthy again...to be able to just stand up and leave my chair desk and not have to feel that pain everytime all this weight hits my poor feet...knees....to walk again...although Iwont do 5-7 miles a day...I dont have that time...but I will walk 30-45 a day..would LOVE that!!
Hello again Sunshine, I don't think about food since I don't get hungry after my VSG surgery. Don't get me wrong, I will feel an interest in food after a period of time, but not like it used to be. I would get ravenous and start eating anything and everything. I used to live to eat; now i eat to live. Trust me, your whole perspective about food will change. You will start feeling better, the weight will start to come off, which will make you feel better. Stay in a support group for the sharing and encouragement. Be encouraged, the best part of your life is still ahead. God bless.
oh you're so sweet! I definately will need the support as I dont have any family even
remotely close to me here in MD. I hear too, that will the sleeve you may not have as many
vitamin 'issues' as with bypass...and thats good to know too. You know someone once said...well
you'll never ever be able to eat a slice of bread or dessert ever again....and I thought...well, if that is the
case then so be it. But I don't think that is true. I do love bread and coffee....but if I have to give some
things up....I'll do it. And as you said....I think when I start feeling better, the weight comes off...everything
will feel worth it. I also was worried about the skin...since I can't afford plastics....is it safe to save, to expect skin
problems? I know everyone is different....but 5 years ago when I was considering it then, seeing all those pictures
of all that skin all over the place, must be honest...freaked me out and caused me to not pursue the surgery. I
wish I had back then....but sometimes I think looking at your body with all that skin would almost feel worse than
before? And I'm not that vain a person...but for some reason, the skin bothered me. Again...thank you for all the upbeat
info here. I look forward to reading more on the site!! take care!
I had a VSG 3 1/2 years ago. I lost 70 pounds and gained back 20, several times.
I'm still glad, I made the decision to do it. It has been worth it. I can do so much more, now and can wear smaller sizes. LOVE IT!!
With RY you are at risk of malnutrition, all the time and can't eat the goodies that make life tasty.
With VSG you lose weight rapidly, at first and will keep losing, as long as, you eat small amounts, eg. 2 Tablespoons of something you love.
Yes, you get some flabby skin, depending how fat you are and how long you have been overweight.
But just think, that flab was once filled with fat. It's the better alternative.
joanie r.
At two months out it's really early to be testing your new surgery. Use this time to make good food choices - protein forward or protein only meals, lots of water and exercise. If you're exercising a lot - increase the water. At 2 months I was on 200 calories per day. I didn't get up to 800 until I was 8 months out. I'm 11 yrs out and I still couldn't do 1600 calories in a day. I stick to the 1200 daily my doc said I'd be on after one year and forever after that. Even if you're not in control of your eating environment - you have to be in control of what goes on your plate. If you're at a buffet - you can still choose the low fat, protein meal,over crackers and ice cream. This is a tool we have to use to lose weight. We have to make the right choices - nobody does them for us. If you're on vacation and the food choices aren't what you can eat - bring your own food. Beef jerky, yogurt, cheese stick are all good travel foods you can eat if there's nothing on the menu that is good for you. Use the first 6 months to a year to change your eating habits and lifestyle.
The surgery isn't a lie and not a hoax. It's a tool we use to get to a normal weight so we can maintain easier. The work is up to us. the surgery doesn't do it for us - it's just a way to get there. You may be eating too many calories. If you're fulfulling your body's need it won't use stored fat. That's the reason we start to lose when we're on very few calories in the beginning. The first month or two it's only a couple hundred a day. Only 300 by 3 months out. With the exercise you could be gaining muscle but without the weight loss it won't look like much on a scale. Cut back on the calories, up the water if you're exercising a lot. I know for me the recommended 64 ounces a day wasn't enough - I had to increase to 96 ounces every day and then some. Some days I'd be well over 100, depending on my activity level. You'll lose weight when you eat less than you're burning up. Right now you're not. I could exist on 800 calories a day right now at almost 12 yrs out and not be too deprived. That's way too many calories early out. We work up to more calories the farther out we go but our meals are still protein only or protein forward for the rest of our lives. Crackers, mashed potatoes and other slider foods will put weight on really fast and wreck any weight loss we've already had. Go back to your doc or nut - get a good diet to follow so you can lose weight and use this surgery to it's best advantage. Work on your eating habits, portions, etc. It gets easier the farther out you are and a support group in your area would be a good place to have someone else to compare where you each are in your journey. For me at 2 months out it was 200 calories per day - 300 b 3 months out, 600 by 6 months 900 by 9 months and 1000-1200 by one year. My portions were 1/4 cup the first 3 months (I worked up to that by month 3) 1/2 cup by 6 months out, 3/4 cup by 9 months out and at a year and even now my meals are a cup to a cup and a quarter. Examine what you're eating and how much. Find out where you can tweek them and make your meals better for you. Hang in there - it does get easier.
Jen 11+ yrs post op RNY
