AnneElliot

@sally628 I truly wish you the best and the happiness you seek.

@sally628 It's amazing to want change! But sometimes we go about it in the wrong way! Like I did. I am dealing with severe acid reflux that's impacting my quality of life. Whether, I will be impacted by other complications long term, I don't know Let me tell you that eating is all in our heads! That's why many ppl regain in a few years! Your stomach takes what you give it. Cutting it to almost nothing, may have untold health impacts long term. We're playing with evolution and biology.

I still have my gallbladder. I am posting the same message more or less because mu thoughts for those considering this procedure are the same. @retrochild67 I am two months post op. I am glad your feeling better and happy with your decision. But there are two sides to every story. Severe acid reflux is no joke. It's not a tradeoff anyone should accept for weight loss.

I actually have a high tolerance for pain. There was little pain post op from the surgery. Living with severe acid reflux is a nightmare on the hand. I don't know the criteria for the gastric bypass. But unlike the sleeve, it's reversible in very critical cases. I am an open book and honest. I wish I did something like the gastric ballon and I could return to being biologically normal. The acid reflux issue is mechanical in nature. The sleeve is a high pressure system, there's simply no where for the acid to go but up to the esophagus. All the best in your decision making process.

@HurricaneU the human capacity to adapt is remarkable. I will adapt to this new state of existence. But that doesn't make it easy or natural. Do you need this difficult and life altering path for weightloss? Being thin does not equal healthy. Reality is a bitch. Lol.

@shaylady08 this is a very very serious decision. It's yours alone. Remember this surgery is your surgeons bread and butter. He/she wont live in your body post op. Do you think your coworkers share their true struggles with you. There's a lot of shame associated with hating something you did to yourself. They could be okay today, but what about 20 or 40 years ftom now? I was so optimistic preop. But I am not ashamed with saying that I made a mistake.

@HurricaneU You can research to the ends of time. But reality is a whole other ball game. Did I know I could get acid reflux post op. Oh yea! Experiencing the pain on the hand is totally different thing. Not knowing what more I can do to stop it is maddening. When you research it. It's still not real. It's only real when you're in it and there's no going back.

I am two months post op. I was thinking about why ppl suffer early on and then say it's the best thing ever. I think its because the human mind simply accepts it's new reality. There's also the shame associated with admitting that you made a irreversible mistake! I was desperate to lose weight we all are. But we should not let BMI or a number on a scale lead us to these measures. Think of other reversible procedures or simply implement what you would had to do post op anyway, eat healthy and excersise.

All the best! I can relate with feeling that you simply want to get rid of the weight. But is this the solution?. I would say try another hundred diets before tearing away a vital organ. Look into reversible procedures like Gastric Picclation or Gastric Ballon! This surgery may sound simple. But it's drastic and the only irreversible one. Even the gastric bypass can be reversed if your life is at risk. There's so much we don't know. I don't know how our aging process will be impacted...what if we need a heavy use of NSAIDs or face stomach cancer?? That's just me and something I wish I did. It's all too late. I can see how irational to think I will be healthy by taking away 80% of my vital organ. Regaing is real! This is not permanent. Isnt so scary that regain happens to most ppl! I lost most of my stomach and I can still regain? That can only mean that our stomachs are not the problem! Think about other reversible procedures where you have restriction and can still learn the same healthy food habits we should learn anyway

@TammyLee66 severe acid reflux! I am on the highest dosage of PPIs. I never had acid reflux pre op. If I could tear out my throat and live I would do it lol. I changed my diet completely. As alkhaline as possible. The consequences of severe acid reflux are serious and this us a direct cause of the sleeve. Take that year and try anything else. I wish you all the best. Good health is within your reach and its not tied to the numv5on the scale

Yes! On this site I am the minority. But I deeply regret my decision to do this surgery. Eating is a FULL TIME job. You eat so slowly and have to time when you drink! Its so unnatural. You still have to eat healthy and excersise! You have to drink a lot of Water, getting dehydrated is so easy. We simply have no stomach to hold water. Acid reflux is a constant reality. This is painful and there's a high probability most ppl will have an issue with it. If not immediately but possibly at 3 or 6 yrs post op. I didn't do this surgery to be on medication for life! This the only irreversible surgery. Even the gastric bypass can be reversed if your life is at risk. I would say try another hundred diets before tearing away a vital organ. We don't know how our aging process will be impacted...what if we need a heavy use of NSAIDs or face stomach cancer?? That's just me and something I wish I did. It's all too late. I can see how irational to think I will be healthy by taking away 80% of my vital organ. Furthermore! Isn't it so scary that regain happens to most ppl! I lost most of my stomach and I can still regain? That can only mean that our stomachs are not the problem! Think about other reversible procedures where you have restriction and can still learn the same healthy food habits we should learn anyway. All the best

@TammyLee66 I am glad your friends are doing well. I would say try another hundred diets before tearing away a vital organ. We don't know how our aging process will be impacted...what if we need a heavy use of NSAIDs or face stomach cancer?? That's just me and something I wish I did. It's all too late. I can see how irational to think I will be healthy by taking away 80% of my vital organ. Isn't it so scary that regain happens to most ppl! I lost most of my stomach and I can still regain? That can only mean that our stomachs are not the problem! Think about other reversible procedures where you have restriction and can still learn the same healthy food habits we should learn anyway. All the best

@vsgbeastmode619 I will come to accept this horrible decision one day. But it will be years. The popularity of this extreme surgery that is ireversible is super scary. Thanks

Trust your feelings! This is a drastic surgery! I had my sleeve done recently. Although my opinion is not in the majority. I will recomend you don't do this! This surgery is scary and life altering. I REGRET decision everyday. I have major acid reflux that I never ever had pre op. I dont know how to stop it. I take 80mg of nexium everyday! Thats maximum dosage. This is the only irreversible surgery. Even the gastric bypass can be reversed if there's serious healthough issues. There are newer procedure coming out like the Gastric Ballon. There will be more over the years! I will always deal with complications from this extreme surgery. I had the lapband and took it out. I will regret doing this to myself everyday. It's not always rosy and you can't turn back. Best wishes.

Congrats on the weight loss so far! I had food funeral but I wish I took my feelings of doubt seriously. I had my sleeve done recently. Although my opinion is not in the majority. I will recomend you don't do this! This surgery is scary and life altering. I REGRET decision everyday. I have major acid reflux that I never ever had pre op. This is the only irreversible surgery. Even the gastric bypass can be reversed if there's serious health issues. There are newer procedure coming out like the Gastric Ballon. There will be more over the years! I will always deal with complications from this extreme surgery. I had the lapband and took it out. I will regret doing this to myself everyday. It's not always rosy and you can't turn back. Best wishes.

You look amazing! I thought that was an after pic! I had my sleeve done recently. Although my opinion is not in the majority. I will recomend you don't do this! This surgery is scary and life altering. I REGRET decision everyday. I have major acid reflux that I never ever had pre op. This is the only irreversible surgery. Evendors the gastric bypass can be reversed if there's serious healthough issues. There are newer procedure coming out like the Gastric Ballon. There will be more over the years! I will always deal with complications from this extreme surgery. I had the lapband and took it out. I will regret doing this to myself everyday. It's not always rosy and you can't turn back. Best wishes.

Congrats! Although my opinion is not the majority. I will recomend you don't do this! This surgery is scary and life altering. I REGRET decision. There are newer procedure coming out like the Gastric Ballon. I will always deal with complications from this extreme surgery!

This is a very drastic way to lose weight. Is it rational to tear away a healthy organ in exchange for weight loss. I am not sure I made the right decision. Complication rates are low but you have no guarantees you won't be among those thar face those issues. Personally, it's probably the biggest mistake of my life. I am dea lung with worsening acid reflux issues that I can tell you know is absolutely not worth the weight loss. My advice to you, and this my opinion. Don't do it

I am fascinated by your thought process. How us it the best thing ever if u still get sick 6 yrs out. I just want to understand?

I would think long and hard about this decision. I had the revisions and coming to terms to accept my decision. It's incredibly difficult. I need to stop wishing I could go back in time. You can't reverse this like the lapband. That might sound good...but what ig something goes wrong. Acid reflux issues are real and they impact your life quality. Your young, can you live for the next 40 or 50 yrs without the majority of your stomach? Is it rational to destroy a healthy organg for weight loss when regain is real. Ppl do regain. All the best

Hi Trishb! I wanted to share my experience with you - one month post op, the good, bad and ugly (sort of so far) The Good. Dr Gagner is a consummate professional, and so are his staff. He takes the time to listen to your concerns and answer your questions. His staff are responsive (within a couple of days at the most). To date, I healed well and only faced my first test today with nasty acid reflux...hopefully its not a recurrence. The Bad. I didst realize the clinic in which the operation was performed was in a commercial building with a shopping centre. That threw off , but I was pretty determined to go through this. I think in another lifetime I would have run away lol. Its a major surgery and you should ideally be in a hospital. I didn't receive any post-op/discharge instructions re warning signs of complications. Dr Gagner discussed them with me over the phone, when I returned to Ontario - but I had to intiate the request for information... It's rather expensive when you start piling on the hotel costs/travel costs/and other expenditures - considering we can be completely covered through OHIP for the same procedure. The Ugly. Long-term aftercare, or heck even short term! There is mental health side to weight loss surgery and I can't stress how important its for you to feel that you can schedule an appointment with your surgeon, and his team and meet him next week/month or whatever the case. I can only speak to Dr. Gagner on the phone, and I didnt' realize how important after-care is...the OHIP program offers weekly support groups managed by psychologist and nutritionists and follow up for five years! You can't join these support groups if you had the surgery has self-pay. So we're kinda on our own. Second, I started to really be concerned about how I manage complications long term - such as strictures..I am lucky to have a family doctor familiar with the procedure...but there are untold advantages of going directly to your surgeon and his capacity to refer you to a known professional for whatever treatment is required. . I am very lucky to live near a Bariatric Centre of Excellence (Humber Hospital) so if I have a complication, I will head to the ER. But I will have to always explain my story and lack that team based support. I completely understand your need to jump in! and not wait - but there is something precious about that wait-time that I only understood afterwards - this is a significant permanent change in your life. That wait-time prepares you for the challenges ahead and it can get very intense! I found that Dr. Gagner, explained the procedure well, stats on the main complications - however, there was no mention of the fact that GERD (acid reflux) can be so bad for some patients who acquire it post-op that they need to be revised to Gastric Bypass. I heard several stories on Facebook groups and instagrams. He essentially told me that a few # of people develop acid reflux, but you can easily take meds for it and generally resolves it self. I am finding that's not always the case - because its not diet related...its the mechanical problem - the sleeve is a high pressure system and folks either immediately get severe acid reflux or develop it over time. There were no mention that most surgeons now recommend that you do not take NsAIDs - advil etc w/ the sleeve as it can cause ulcers and damage the stomach. There was no mention that long-term some people suffer like teeth decay due to the body's incapacity to absorb Calcium appropriately. I am not sure he's Vitamin list is necessarily the most extensive...most surgeons recommend B12 supplements, but his nutritionist does not...and calcium is on a as need basis. I wish you the best on your journey, and I urge you not to discount the importance of local medical support

@Dairymary welcome back to the online group world! Glad to hear your positive experience and the importance of counselling. I am very much so a newbie - only 10 days post-op and praying this new tool will help me achieve a long life of good health and happiness.

I had my surgery on December 22nd, feeling pretty good and healing nicely - my doctor was Michel Gagner - there were to other women who had the surgery the same day - Tamara and Charlotte...not sure if you frequent this forum. But would love to hear about how you're doing.

@@Bhappy, thanks for asking and sorry about the late reply! The surgery went well and I am recovering easily, no issues - trying to keep hydrated and focusing on my Protein intake. Emotionally, I have many "what-if" moments daily that bring me to tears - wondering if I could have done this on my own and in fear of complications down the road. I was fully aware of all the complications and I made this decision knowing that it would be only a matter of time before I became diabetic as it runs very strongly in my family. Its just a part of the process and I know that this was the solution I needed or another a year or two or three....would have passed trying to do it on own with no success like the last 14 years. How are you doing? I am curious also about your Vitamin plan - what are you taking?

Hello, I had my consult with Dr Gagner on Oct 14th and elected to have it in person - thought it would be important to meet the man in person. He was good! answered all my questions and was pleasent. My surgery is booked for December 22nd I opted for the sleeve. Would love to hear from other's who had the sleeve surgery with Dr. Gagner and their post-op experiences.