Hi Everyone:)

My name is Fen, I live in rural Australia. I am considering the Gastric Sleeve rather than Lap band. I used to do some trekking, and I would worry about slippage happening during a trek in the bush. I am somewhere around 215, at 5'3'' and I am 28. I wasn't always overweight, but I lost self-control with food when I got together with my partner Andrew when I was 21. I have had two babies, and didn't gain much with pregnancy but gained a lot after each one. I have never managed to get under 179 since hitting 215. I have done high intensity exercise 4 days a week, moderate the days in between, maintained a disciplined diet. The longest I did this for was 7 months and I only got down to 184. I was fit as a beast, strong as an ox but couldn't run because of shin splints. 

Last year I contracted a mosquito-born virus: Ross River Virus. It has taken the life out of me, I can barely repot my plants let alone dig a hole. I can walk on the good days, but I have shin splints from walking. I am the largest I have ever been, even though I have reached my highest weight because I have lost so much muscle. I have been in a depression and though I don't binge eat, I eat cookies and icecream a few times a week. And mash potato… Comfort food. I just put weight on very easily. I also have non-alcoholic fatty liver and occasional pre-hypertension. So I am looking into the Gastric Sleeve because it scares me to think of how far this could go, I have lost faith in myself.

I am worried like I am sure everyone has been of the possibility of agonising death due to some complication. But I can't call what I am doing now 'living' and my kids have suffered for it, because our lives aren't as active (let's be real, they are bored with Mum). I am worried it might now even work, but I haven't ever limited myself to 800 calories per day (I wonder how on earth could I do that without a Sleeve or band). I have a few dear friends that would be horrified with my even contemplating a Gastric Sleeve (one's a naturopath) so I don't have anyone to talk to about it whose been through something like this.

My surgeon is Dr. James Chau. I am still unsure about it all. would immensely appreciate any sharing. I am kind of wondering how much vomiting have some of you experienced? Or nausea, does the majority come out with this sort of thing? And what happens when you reach your goal? Are there any intense exercisers out there with a sleeve? I am just wondering if certain types of exercise result in pain. Cheers- Fen

I"m 5'3" - 190 and considering the GS also.  No sense in rerouting plumbing if NOT NECESSARY.  I'm hoping to gain more energy.  I agree I did 500 calories for 17 days, lost 10 pounds, kept 5 off for 3 years... but I've lost no more.

Good Luck

hi there,'

similar stats  5'3 230 is what i started at.  2/11/15 RNY gastric bypass.  I have ran half marathons and exercised with a trainer 3-5 times for week but never lost the week.  since feb have lost 50 pounds.  wls was the best thing i ever did for myself.  i have had ZERO complications.  feel amazing.  this should be a decision that you and your surgeon make.  good luck to you

Welcome!  I had RNY, not gastric sleeve, but I DON'T vomit - I can't... have tried... and that's usually ONLY if I overeat and am miserable.  

You may also want to post on the VSG board with some of your questions - they may be able to help with more specific type of questions.  I know there are some VSG'ers here that will chime in too.

I believe we "all" did this for our health and being here for our families - you're not along there.  As far as friends horrified - yes, everyone also had a few of those.  I chose to NOT share my plans with others because of the negativity out there.  This is a very emotional time for you and you don't need any more stress.  

Good luck - you will do fine with the surgery.  Surgery related deaths are very low... in fact when I asked my surgeon about the risk factor he said it was the same as having a gallbladder out (which I had already done).  

Good luck and let us know how you're doing.

Yep agree with Jody.  The surgery itself has a very low complication rate.  The success or not of the whole thing is mostly dependent on you.  If you are committed you can be successful or not.  I had some slips this week, so didn't lose, but Im back on plan again this week and doing much better.  Nausea was never an issue for me except immediately following the surgery.  Exercise, well your energy levels are better.  I always tell my hubby can you imagine picking up our 4 year old (who weighs 45 lbs), how long can you carry him before you have to put him down.  Maybe 15 minutes?  Well for us, imagine doing that every minute of every day for however long weight has been an issue, and never being able to set it down.  No wonder we are exhausted all the time...

Anyways Your numbers sound similar to many of ours, so if you do decide to pursue it, Good Luck!

Hello.  I had the lap band in 2008, I had a lot of issues with it and I was vomiting all the time.  I had it converted to a sleeve 6 months ago and I don't vomit now!  My commitment to the plan is what is causing it to be a success.  I am a slow loser, but I am a loser. :)  Just say no to carbs... in any form (potatoes, corn, pasta, bread, fruit...)  If you can commit to the lifestyle change, then the tool will work for you.  Once I reach goal, I will slowly reintroduce carbs into my diet a little at a time, but not before then (at least not much... I'm not perfect, but I'm trying to stay on plan).

Good luck with whatever you decide. :)

I had the sleeve in 2012. I have never vomited, maybe a couple of times during the weeks right after surgery if I ate the wrong thing or too much of anything. I've lost about 60 lbs - My weight hovers around 150 and I'm OK with that. I feel EXACTLY like I felt before my surgery. I eat many of the same foods, only smaller portions. I do have to watch what I eat or the weight starts to creep back on. I am currently not exercising, which I know is why I am stuck at 150 - but I have exercised vigorously since the surgery with no problems. Once your body has healed, all you have is a smaller stomach. Nothing more, nothing less. No internal apparatus that could slip, no intestinal reroute. I feel 100% the same physically as before the surgery, only better because of the weight loss. I was out of the hospital in a day or two for the surgery, then back to work in a week. This surgery is the best gift I have ever given myself and my family. Good luck to you!

I had RNY, never vomited. No complications, except for some low iron, but after female issues were corrected, been golden since then!

Thank you all for the sharing:) I am pretty sure I am going to this. I really wanted to get the feedback from people who have experienced WLS not just the Surgeon. As pleasant as he is, he doesn't offer much information beyond what is already 'out there'. Reading all your messages this week has been really encouraging, having been in a bit of a hopeless mentality for a while. Thank you:)