Over 400lbs

[cherie 0]

I was just wondering if anyone had had success with the sleeve after weighing 400lbs pre-op. I was originally opting for the gastric bypass but my surgeon said my bmi was too high and i am now having the sleeve done. I dont really want to have to have another surgery after the sleeve, so I just want to know if anyone has had success with just the sleeve with a high bmi. thanks

[thinoneday 445]

Hi there! I wasn't 400 lbs but close to it, I weighed 350 lbs at my highest and have lost 150 lbs with the sleeve. I would like to lose about 25 - 30 lbs more. . .I think the sleeve is really a blessing. It can be frustrating at times, but a blessing nonetheless. . . good luck with your decision.

[Maddie 9]

I know 2 women that were very close to 400 lbs.. One of them has reached goal, and the other is only 20-25 lbs. away from goal.

[sunnyd 32]

I started out over 400. I had to decide between the bypass or sleeve. I orginally chose the bypass thinking I'd lose more that way. However after doing a bunch of research it seemed over time the same amount of weight was lost. So I went with the sleeve since it also seemed to have less potential long term risks . I'm now 3 1/2 months out and down 117lbs (80 post-op). I think the sleeve is great and am excited for the months to come and get down to a healthy weight. I'm already enjoying life so much more! Good luck to you!

[Wheetsin 714]

VSG is indicated for people who are super morbidly obese. As the first stage pf a DS, it is done to help initial weightloss to facilitate the second stage. Many RNYers have had their surgery at 400+ lbs, so that may be a personal preference of your surgeons. Regain stats, especially with super morbidly obese patients, are not great.

[Caliblonde 25]

My highest weight was 444 and I lost 40 pounds prior to surgery and since having surgery 6 weeks ago I am down to 369. I'm very happy with the sleeve so far.

[Roseib 13]

I weighed 385.5 at 5'4" so about the same as you. I'm one year out and am very pleased with my results. Still a fair amount to lose, but miles from where I was this time last year. See my post in this subforum today "One Year Out!" if you want to read more about how I've improved.

[Noel Bleakney 10]

I was 416 at the time of surgery on April 26th 2011 now down to 325.. I feel 1000% better and losing weight everyday.

[Nikkeystar 12]

I was just wondering if anyone had had success with the sleeve after weighing 400lbs pre-op. I was originally opting for the gastric bypass but my surgeon said my bmi was too high and i am now having the sleeve done. I dont really want to have to have another surgery after the sleeve, so I just want to know if anyone has had success with just the sleeve with a high bmi. thanks

My highest weight before surgery was 371, the day of surgery I weighed 344 and I now weigh 220 pounds. I would like to lose another 40-45 pounds.

[Papa Jack 86]

A guy that told me about the Sleeve a few weeks ago was 550 pounds 13 months ago. He has lost 235 pounds with the Sleeve. He told me it was the best thing he has ever done & would do it in a minute.

He took out a loan & paid $27,000 because his insurance would not cover it. He also said his wife is haven't done too.

I was just wondering if anyone had had success with the sleeve after weighing 400lbs pre-op. I was originally opting for the gastric bypass but my surgeon said my bmi was too high and i am now having the sleeve done. I dont really want to have to have another surgery after the sleeve, so I just want to know if anyone has had success with just the sleeve with a high bmi. thanks

[mnbsleeve 87]

I wasn't at that weight per se at pre-op however, I want to share that my surgeon is one of the pioneers of this surgery. He's been performing the sleeve for over ten years. He mentioned that originally it was intended as the first step before the gastric bypass but his patients, many over 400 lbs for whom this two-step process was designed, did so well with the gastric sleeve, that the second part, the bypass, was unnecessary. He believes the sleeve IS the surgery of the future. He said many surgeons are performing them exclusively. For what ever it's worth. Hope it's helpful. I know many folks here can share with you practical experience. Good luck to you!!!!

[Chicadee 10]

My highest weight was 390 and I am only 5'1". So far so good with the sleeve. My surgery was 9 weeks ago and in total I have lost 62 lbs. Still have 198 to go basically. With just the small amount i have lost so far, in comparison to what I need to lose, I feel so much better. I can get around much more easily and and am not winded just walking around anymore. I am even finally starting to see a difference in the way my clothes fit. I am not ready to go down a size yet but I can tell my tops are fitting more loosely and I am down about a bra size, my old ones are way too loose.

Keep reading here on the forums there is a wealth of information. You can definitely do it without the bypass.

[twoboysandagirl 109]

I just want to tell you all that I think you are all amazing and are doing a wonderful job! You are such and inspiration to everyone.

Keep up all the great work!!!

[KristeyK 3]

There is a man in my support group who weighed 494 when he got his sleeve done. He is four years pot-op, and he now weighs 195. He is A-MAZ-ING!!! He used to pretty much be a recluse, then decided he couldn't live like that anymore. He started walking at night so no one would see him. Something changed and he decided to start walking during the day. It ended being that as his neighbors saw him, they were HIGHLY encouraging him. Some of them even started walking with him every evening. He's now a personal trainer, and likes to work mainly with people looking into, or previously had, bariatric surgery so he can be a means of support like he had.

[sunnyd 32]

Love that story Kristey- thanks for sharing!