MichiganChic

I'm aware of the difference. I'm a surgical nurse. thanks http://bariatrictimes.com/the-history-of-sleeve-gastrectomy/ http://www.sages.org/wiki/laparoscopic-sleeve-gastrectomy/ https://asmbs.org/resources/story-of-obesity-surgery

Actually, you can revise a sleeve to bypass. They take the remaining portion of stomach and treat it as if there was no sleeve, and turn that into a pouch, and create an anastomosis to the intestine. I would imagine this might work if the leak is in the portion of stomach this sewn up and bypassed, but the surgeon can answer that question. The sleeve was originially intended to be the first surgery before a duodenal switch, not the first step of gastric bypass. They are two different procedures. To the OP, so sorry to hear this! I have heard one other person on the boards report a leak a year out, so I know it can happen. Wishing your husband a speedy recovery.

Congratulations! You are looking good! Wishing you a speedy recovery. I had those two surgeries a year ago and I'm still thrilled every day. One question - no belly button? Or is it there and just not visible in the pictures?

I would agree that losing or maintaining a normal weight by means that do not involve surgery would always preferable. WLS is risky in an of itself, both during surgery and long-term. Having said that, people (like me) who were never successful losing or maintaining, NEED something more. Personally, there is a night and day difference in my ability to lose and maintain. I've been successful for almost three years, which is something I wasn't able to do on my own. Still takes work, but at least I can do it now. I am the same person - I had plenty of will power, desire, and resources before surgery. The ONLY thing that changed was having the surgery. One thing I find surprising - I've never heard one person who lost and maintained say they were sorry they had the surgery because they could have done it on their own. The only regrets I ever hear are people who have complications, people who don't lose, or those who have psychological problems making them unable to cope with change in lifestyle. I just went back and reread what you wrote - that people "...wish they could have done it without surgery'. I wish that, too. I also wish I'd win the lottery! Wishing you didn't have a disease needing treatment is different than wishing you didn't have the treatment.

My advice it find something else to plan There is no way to know. I ended up wearing my regular clothes for the first 50 pounds I lost. They were baggy, but oh so comfortable, and it was only a couple of months. It's shocking how much you can lose before needing new clothes when you start at a high weight. Then I just went clearance rack hunting. I was able to get by with 3 or 4 different, all new, though very small, wardrobes for pretty cheap. I just bought things a little snug, then wore them till they were a little (or a lot) big. I went from a 26 to an 8, and trust me, it's much more fun to shop when you can actually try it on and know how it's going to look. It's likely your style will change, too. The smaller you are, the easier it is to find things on sale. My first new wardrobe for winter was purchased in Jan/Feb, and it was all on sale super cheap.

@@Olarance75 I think you hit the nail on the head - it's as much about getting our minds straight as anything!

I'm three years out and I don't miss anything. I think I used to miss drinking with meals, but not anymore. I especially DO NOT miss obesity and all things associated with it. Such a good trade-off for the things I gave up and thought I would miss.

White female, 3 years post op. My scars had mostly faded by a year. Then I had a tummy tuck and all but one are gone. Just the larger on that was near the navel is left, and now its just above my pubis! However, now I have miles and miles of plastic surgery scars, and at a year out, they are mostly faded, too. I used the silicone gel on them, and I'm not sure if it actually made a difference.

I say you can be done when either you feel you are done, or when your body decides to level off. As long as you are within a healthy range and eating a healthy diet, then a lower weight shouldn't be an issue. Congratulations on your success!

@@MzB that looks great! How hard is that to work with?

Elode, from one nurse to another....You're wearing a "doctor's stethoscope"! Couldn't resist You look great!

I didn't have a very long time to wait, but once I knew I was having surgery, I ate my way through. I made it my business to have anything I wanted, in any quantity, and as often as I wanted it. Even at 300+ pounds, I had never done that. Oddly, I didn't gain any weight. I am glad I did that, never felt bad about it, and have been very successful. I think it was my way of coming to terms with what I knew was permanent change coming.

Congratulations on your success. I'm sure there have been plenty of men having plastics. You could try posting in the plastics forum, or the mens forum, too. Another great site is realself.com You can search by procedure and sex/age/physician and see real results of people just like you!

Good luck to you! I had my surgery 3 years ago December 12. It's pretty close to the holidays, so those were pretty much a bust that year. However - so worth! I felt like I was getting ready for the new year, too. Best thing I ever did!

While I don't disagree with the rant, I have to admit I get a particular thrill out of knowing I can shop in stores that do not carry large sizes. I feel like I have been granted access to an exclusive club, and even though I feel bad for people who can't join, I am still going to! My entire life, I wanted to be able to shop in places like that and feel entitled to so. Now that I can, I love it.

I had many things I wanted to do, have done them, and sometimes still marvel that I can do the most simple things that people who have never been obese take for granted. I still feel like I've been given a gift and I'm grateful, but for me, it's the feeling that I am ENTITLED to do these things, just like anyone, that is the most empowering. Be normal and average, or basic, as my kids say fly without fear of not fitting in seats ride roller coasters, same reason attend summer outdoor gatherings with cheap plastic chairs not have to scope out restaurant seating beforehand to decide if I could go due to seating shop in boutiques and stores that only care small sizes walk/run 5K with friends/family feel free to seek new career opportunities Not much of a bucket list, I know. But all of that is the foundation to be able to do what I want, when I want, and how I want without the ball and chain of obesity and everything that comes with it. I am now free to do anything that comes up, with or without planning for it. Such freedom is truly a gift!

I stayed overnight for those combined procedures (though I a 360 degree lower body lift). I probably could have stayed an additional night for pain management. I doubt you will be ignored for any reason, but nurses in hospitals are there to take of post operative patients. They designate entire wings to it.

I had a lift and implants at 2 years post op. I don't think it's time for you yet. Your body is going to change so fast, and you don't know what you'll be left with. Most surgeons are most likely going to require losing all your weight first. I would suggest getting some good bras that will augment you to the size you want to be. Just don't go bra-less.

It's definitely portion control, combined with calorie counting and carb counting for me. At almost 3 years out, I can eat plenty at one time that would allow me to gain, so I have to really watch it. If I grazed, I would weight over 300 pounds again in no time. I need way less calories to maintain than one would think - somewhere around 1300-1400. I avoid bread, rice, past, and usually end up around 60-80 carbs a day.

I never really experienced fat shaming, that I know of, but I do know it exists, and it's wrong. There is also discrimination against obesity, that shows itself in many forms. I think fat discrimination is one of the last acceptable types of discrimination. I may or may not have been on the receiving end of that, though I never thought so when I was fat. I always felt like I had a lot going for me and a lot to offer, and I always made it my business to be liked and succeed. I also probably come across as one of those people who isn't going to tolerate bad behavior from anyone. I'm happy with my personal and professional success, despite being overweight/obese most of my adult life. However, I have to say I was recently sort of shocked, and somewhat irritated that strangers are really nice to me now. They want to chat, compliment my clothes, my bag, etc. I had great fat clothes and great bags before, but get way more compliments now. It makes me wonder if maybe I was discriminated against in some ways before and was just too obtuse to even know it. Then I have to consider that maybe something in me has changed, too. I seriously HATED being obese, and was miserable physically from it. Being fat not as much fun, in general, no matter what you are doing - even eating! So, perhaps some of the "improvement" in the way strangers treat me is due to an increased openness or happy projection from me. That was a really long answer, but in general, it's never OK to treat people badly!!

I know this question has been asked a million times, but I wanted to hear from fellow vets. Unfortunately for me, I can consume more than I wish I could. I still spot check my food quantity and weight, and count calories to ensure I'm on track. If I just "listened to my body" I'd be 300 pounds, I fear. I have let myself eat as much as I wanted a couple of times, and while I wasn't measuring it then, I was shocked that I could eat at least 1.5 cups. Typically, I stay between 1/2 and 1 cup. I can easily eat 5-6 ounces of lean Protein. My surgeon said that's pretty typical, and that some people develop an area of ballooning in a portion of their stomach. He said there is no evidence to suggest that it's harmful, or that there is increased success in removing it. He didn't suggest doing any tests to find out, and neither did I, since I'm fine. It's just that I wish I had more restriction than I do. I've never had restriction like so many people report, but obviously, it was enough to lose a significant amount of weight. I keep my calories around 1100/day, some days a little more. I do experience hunger, but it's most certainly manageable. 1. What is your capacity in measurement (cups)? 2. What is your capacity in weight (ounces, grams)? 3. How many calories do you consume? 4. How's your hunger?

I have to count calories. If I don't, I gain, and quickly!

Congratulations - I am sure you will love your results. I had all that done (and more) and love mine. I am still so grateful every day! One thing about losing more weight - I thought I would lose, but didn't. She cut off about 12 pounds total, and a year later, my weight is the same as it was before plastics. I had some areas that were slow to heal so I had to increase calories for about 6 months. I can only surmise I've actually gained the same amount that was removed. I think most people do lose more, though.

I'm sure its within the realm of normal. Consider yourself fortunate.

@@JamieLogical that's great to know! I sure hope I continue to improve, too. The itching is insane! I went around for the first six months smacking my left hip/butt because the itching made me crazy. It's numb, so scratching doesn't do it, but for some reason, hitting it helped. I really had to resist the urge to do it at work, lol. Once in a while, I still get it in that one spot. Thanks for your response.