Pros and Cons of the Sleeve Procedure

[Jordien 30]

I really appreciate reading that list! I'm at the beginning too and have a lot more cons right now. But I have hope for the future!

Tiff, thanks for the recommendation on OTC meds. I might start taking something myself. Is it okay to self-medicate with an OTC thing? Or should I def. ask my surgeon. I know he would give me something. I don't have symptoms as bad as fleur. I was also curious about something you wrote about "tired of the false hunger." Are you saying the acid reflux makes you think you're hungry? Because it seems at night, after I've had my dinner (whatever that may be) I also feel hungry. But, when I go to have something else to eat, after two bites I feel bad. Could it be I'm having acid reflux and mistaking that for hunger? Interesting. Thanks, you're such a wealth of knowledge!

Thanks original poster!

[dbrar88 5]

My cons was nausea /reflux after surgery. But, thanks to Pepcid and Protonix, it is under control. Other than that, I was sore where they removed my port (I had lap band to sleeve revision). Other than that, can't complain!! People are amazed that I can get by daily on just liquids right now and be completely full. It was tough getting in enough Protein and liquids the first week, but it gets easier and easier. NO REGRETS!!!!!

[SarahD. 0]

I was recently sleeved on the 27th, so right now my con list is longer than my pro list. However, I'm thinking within a few months, that will change:My cons (for now):- throwing up (whether or not I have eaten doesn't seem to make a difference)- persistent heartburn and reflux- always nauseous- unable to eat anything because of aforementioned nausea - not eating=not getting enough protein- laying down all day instead of walking because I'm always thisclose to throwing up- no energy because I'm not eatingPros:- down 27 lbs. which is the most weight I've lost. Ever.

I am now almost 4 months out and I wanted to say that I would do it again in a heartbeat. I also struggled in the beginning with everything "con" that has been posted. But for me, once I began healing, life began to return to normal. I can drink in big sips now, I can eat just about anything I want (within reason), I've lost almost 50lbs, and the pros go on and on. Yes, there are some what some people might call cons that remain, for example not being able to gorge myself at the buffet to "get my money worth", (lol), or to finish off that box of Cheeze its before it "spoils", etc. HOWEVER[ i do not want nor desire to return to that mentallity ever again! So for me, those things are not really disadvantages, they are actually the end to a mean and that is to be a healthier person. I feel so WONDERFUL and full of life now. I actually enjoy getting out of bed and look forward to what my day will bring, instead of thinking, OMGOSH, when can I come back and relax. A funny side note, my husband has now lost almost 20 pounds just on his own because I'm not sitting around and eating/snacking like I use too. LOL! This has caused him to feel better and not be as dependent on insulin.

Anyway, my answer is there are some cons first out, but the results are well worth it! I feel like standing on the top of the mountain and shouting how wonderful the sleeve has been for me!!!!

[Peffermintchili 0]

I haven't had the surgery yet, but here will be my pros:

1) Not losing my balance and having embarassing moments in public ( I slipped and fell at a bowling alley on Saturday and I thought I was going to shrink into nothingness - if my husband wasn't there I think people would of just kept on pretending I didn't exist and left me there - it was depressing).

2) Fitting into an airplane seat comfortably without squishing the poor soul next to me - I haven't flown in a plane since 2007 and I really miss my family in the states. Part of me not going is the weight issue. 10 hours with those handles digging into me and I've got bruises and cant feel my legs anymore.

3) being normal.

4) Feeling alive and part of the world again. I just feel so lost like I don't belong. I'm a tough cookie but lately my confidence is at an all time low.

5) feeling like a woman again and not a fat slob.

6) Not dying of obesity related illness.

7) Sharing my experience with people on here to give them hope in the same way that the people who have already had this surgery and are giving me hope every day.

Potential Cons:

Not eating to deal with emotions.

[MlkPas 5]

I'm 6-1/2 months out, 2/3 of the way to goal, no longer "overweight" according to the BMI charts. Honestly, I can't think of anything that rises to the level of a "con!" The most upsetting thing to me so far is that my double chin has turned into a turkey neck, but that would have happened no matter how I lost the weight, and honestly when I'm done losing I plan to run to a plastic surgeon and get it fixed! I had low energy the first couple of months, but now I work out with a trainer twice a week and take tap dance classes twice a week and feel great!

Seriously, this surgery has been like a miracle to me. I feel much more "normal" than I ever felt when I wanted to eat everything in sight and was never satisfied!

[lunarose 97]

Hi, I am seven weeks out come Tuesday.

Cons:

I'd have to say the whole first week was one long con. I wasn't in real pain or anything mostly I was uncomfortable and restless.

Negative thoughts that this will not work.

Finding eating something of a chore because for the most part it isn't as enjoyable.

Fighting the old habit of trying to clean my plate.

Left overs. I am overwhelmed by left overs.

Pros:

I eat maybe 1/10 of what I use to and am full.

More energy

Feeling better over all

Lost 25lbs so far!

Not sure if this is from the weight loss or the fact that I no longer drink diet soda but I seem to be sleeping better and not getting up to use the restroom.

Am off both my blood pressure and cholesterol drugs!

I would do it again in a heart beat.

Nancy

[MuffinsMom 5]

I'm 9 weeks out. Thankfully I never experienced nausea, never threw up, never got depressed. I did have very serious acid issues when I moved to mushies - refluxed only once up into my throat but that was enough! Mostly it caused major belching no matter what I ate, like every 10 seconds for hours. Very serious quality-of-life thing, and I got to where I was afraid to eat, and was my one "what have I done" moment. It took me a few weeks to, first, figure out what it was (acid) - the reflux experience helped with that, LOL! - then figure out, with the help of my surgeon's patient coordinator, the right combination of things that work for me to get it under control. Once I did that it's been pretty smooth sailing.

The other major issue is re-learning how to eat. Not what to eat, but literally HOW. Small small bites, chewed to dust, and a bite about every 2 minutes is what works for me, a 180 from my old eating habits. Takes me about a half hour or so to each 1-2 oz. of food. Hardest thing I've ever done, and would I do it again? In a New York second.