If there's one thing you think pre-surgery members should know...

[jasleeve 440]

im 2months into my 6month supervised diet & i was just saying that i need to start seperating my liquids from my food. you just motivated me!

I felt I was prepared prior to surgery but did I really know how much this would change my life?

• Wish I would have learned to eat more slowly, drinks separate from meals prior to surgery
• Wish I would have realized how special my surgeon was and asked more questions about post op care.

I have no regrets, wish I would I would had the sleeve surgery earlier.

[jasleeve 440]

well put. ill be sure to remember this & make mental note of it for when i cross over to the losers bench!

Here's mine:

Try not to get too complacent with the fact that initially, the sleeve really does do the work for you, through pure and simple restriction. You couldn't not lose weight if you wanted to. Even when you get to solids, you're still so tight and restricted that you can have a little treat here and there and not have it affect your weight loss, so it's way too easy to not work hard enough on your eating habits.

But here's what can happen: You get a few months out, and not only does your weight loss slow down naturally as you get closer to goal, but pretty much all the swelling's gone down inside, and you can eat a lot more. Suddenly the freedom to eat like you're in maintenance instead of the losing phase isn't there, and trust me, it is SO HARD to get both the body and especially the mind back where it should be to get the pounds off.

So, my advice is that no matter how great the weight loss is going, no matter how easily the pounds fall off initially eating "normally," remember that it WILL NOT LAST that way and stay on track until you hit goal... don't count on the sleeve to do the work for you, just know that it enables you to actually DO the work yourself for the first time ever, and that you WILL have to do it yourself.

[jasleeve 440]

i so agree sis<3

I havent been sleeved yet, but I think the most important thing is to make sure that you are really aware of what you're getting into. what I've gathered from all the posts I've read from the people who have been sleeved is that this is a truly life changing experience. You have to modify your eating as well as your thinking. You have to be ready to make conscience and wise decisions about what you are putting into your mouth all the time. All the time.

There may be loose skin to deal with later on too, so begin your research on panniculectomys and body lifts. It's early in the game, but it doesnt hurt to educate your self on what your options are if you happen to need them.

[jasleeve 440]

great advice! this im sure leads to faster and longer results!

with a healthier physique.

WOW, great thread, and TONS of great advice here.

If I was only able to offer ONE piece of advice it would be to always underfill your sleeve. Being overfull isn't fun and I avoid it at all costs.

At my 9 month checkup my dr. asked how much volume I was eating per meal. 3-5oz is my normal meal. He was shocked. I guess he sees too many people trying to push the limits of their sleeve. Some of it may be due to hunger (which even at 9 months out I still never experience TRUE hunger) so I suspect that since not all sleevers lose their hunger, that may be the reason for pushing the limits. But I am happy and satisfied with this amount of food and I've only been overfull about 3 times. Keep your meals small, don't force your sleeve to accept more than what it can handle.

[jasleeve 440]

i dont have any blood sisters but i do have a sleeve sister. i wish her and i were getting sleeved together but shes getting sleeved within the next month or so and im 2 months into my 6months supervised diet.

you are blessed to have a twin (sleeved same day) in this situation! god bless u guys

Me and my sister got sleeved on the same day/doctor/hospital. We are now almost 3 months out. Here is my little bit of advice:

1. Get a candle warmer from Michael's [about $4.99] this is to keep your clear liquids/full liquids/purees/mushie foods/broths/veggies warm because you are going to eat ALOT slower after your sleeve.

2. BEFORE your surgery make your favorite chicken/pea or whatever Soup - strain everything out - freeze the broth because you are going to get tired of drinking those sugary shakes and that chicken stock is going to tase like HEAVEN!!

3. Buy yourself a small pretty bowl, cup and saucer, one that will hold about a cup of whatever. I bought mine from a Chinese store in our city. Why??? Because the small bowl and/or cup will fit perfectly on your candle warmer and keep everything nice and warm as you spend at least an hour eating your Protein and veggies.

4. Stay away from carbs or at the very least limit them to 30-40 grams per day. This will help you loose weight quicker too!

5. Buy yourself some chopsticks -- why -- it will help you slow down with your eating when you are allowed to eat chunky regular food again.

6. Always underfill your sleeve because you do not want the discomfort of being too full.

7. MOVE!!! Walk as soon as possible. I was walking as soon as I was coherent enough after surgery which was about 4-5 hours. I had my little IV pole and my pain pump and I was walking like a 90 year old lady down those hospital halls!! :D As soon as my sister woke up we both walked the halls -- this will help speed up your recovery and help with gas pains too!

8. MOVE AGAIN!!! As soon as you are cleared by your doctor start working out at your local gym/neighborhood Y or just walking in your neighborhood -- get up and get out there!!! My sister and I both go to the gym 3-4 times per week and we just started taking Water aerobics. This week we started taking a Aqua Zoomba class -- Can't Wait!!

9. Eat your Protein first and drink that Water -- you will loose more weight this way.

Hope this helps and good luck on your weight loss journey!!

[NewPath4Me 1]

Me and my sister got sleeved on the same day/doctor/hospital. We are now almost 3 months out. Here is my little bit of advice:

1. Get a candle warmer from Michael's [about $4.99] this is to keep your clear liquids/full liquids/purees/mushie foods/broths/veggies warm because you are going to eat ALOT slower after your sleeve.

2. BEFORE your surgery make your favorite chicken/pea or whatever Soup - strain everything out - freeze the broth because you are going to get tired of drinking those sugary shakes and that chicken stock is going to tase like HEAVEN!!

3. Buy yourself a small pretty bowl, cup and saucer, one that will hold about a cup of whatever. I bought mine from a Chinese store in our city. Why??? Because the small bowl and/or cup will fit perfectly on your candle warmer and keep everything nice and warm as you spend at least an hour eating your Protein and veggies.

4. Stay away from carbs or at the very least limit them to 30-40 grams per day. This will help you loose weight quicker too!

5. Buy yourself some chopsticks -- why -- it will help you slow down with your eating when you are allowed to eat chunky regular food again.

6. Always underfill your sleeve because you do not want the discomfort of being too full.

7. MOVE!!! Walk as soon as possible. I was walking as soon as I was coherent enough after surgery which was about 4-5 hours. I had my little IV pole and my pain pump and I was walking like a 90 year old lady down those hospital halls!! :D As soon as my sister woke up we both walked the halls -- this will help speed up your recovery and help with gas pains too!

8. MOVE AGAIN!!! As soon as you are cleared by your doctor start working out at your local gym/neighborhood Y or just walking in your neighborhood -- get up and get out there!!! My sister and I both go to the gym 3-4 times per week and we just started taking Water aerobics. This week we started taking a Aqua Zoomba class -- Can't Wait!!

9. Eat your Protein first and drink that Water -- you will loose more weight this way.

Hope this helps and good luck on your weight loss journey!!

Wow!. Thanks so much for all the great advice! I'm going to print out your great suggestions and all the others on here to help remind me. Congrats on your new healthier life!!!

[5McK 10]

Hi,

There is some data and it's from people who have had essentially a VSG for other reasons, like ulcer or cancer removal. I have a freind who had a large proportion of his stomach removed 20 years ago due to an ulcer and he is absolutely fine.

Jane x

I agree! My grandfather took a shot to the abdomen in WWII. They removed 60% of his stomach due to the injury, but he lived. He was the only skinny person in our family and he lived to be nearly 90! I remember my grandmother saying to him, "Robert, don't forget to eat!" Sounds like an early VSG to me!

[mb20mom 9]

Here are the things I wish I knew beforehand:

• You WILL regret it immediately after and maybe for 2 or 3 days after surgery. This is NORMAL. I was crying when I woke up from surgery and thought I'd made a big mistake. It didn't last though and I realized almost everyone goes through this. It is the best thing I've EVER done for myself and I have no regrets!
• Your hunger might not go away, as I was hoping it would. This was one of my main motivations for getting the surgery and I was disappointed that my hunger didn't go away like I'd heard it did for so many others.

Other than that I felt very prepared because of the 6 month diet program that is required by Kaiser patients. I hear of many that don't "gear up" enough to make this a lifestyle change and it's hard for them to cope with the new way of eating after surgery.

Good luck and good of you to learn all you can.

[NewPath4Me 1]

Here are the things I wish I knew beforehand:

• You WILL regret it immediately after and maybe for 2 or 3 days after surgery. This is NORMAL. I was crying when I woke up from surgery and thought I'd made a big mistake. It didn't last though and I realized almost everyone goes through this. It is the best thing I've EVER done for myself and I have no regrets!
• Your hunger might not go away, as I was hoping it would. This was one of my main motivations for getting the surgery and I was disappointed that my hunger didn't go away like I'd heard it did for so many others.

Other than that I felt very prepared because of the 6 month diet program that is required by Kaiser patients. I hear of many that don't "gear up" enough to make this a lifestyle change and it's hard for them to cope with the new way of eating after surgery.

Good luck and good of you to learn all you can.

Thanks for the info. If you don't mind my asking, how are you handling the hunger? The removal of the ghrelin and subsequent lack of stomach growling or hunger pangs was something that I really liked about this surgery. But I've heard of it coming back for some patients and I'm wondering if eating only the little amount you can eat when you're hungry satisfies you or not and if you have cravings.

[dominichula 0]

I would also like to hear about pre op/post op problems and general surgery information