Should I Consider WLS, specifically, the Sleeve?

[pushforth 2]

I'm looking for input from those who are of similar age and circumstance who have gone through with the Gastric Sleeve... I'm not seeking specific medical advice or information. Just looking for a friendly conversation.

I am a 31 year old man who weights 405lbs. I've been overweight since childhood and morbidly obese for the last 8 years. At my heaviest I weight around 430lbs. When I realized that, I put forth a great effort and was able to get down to 360lbs. Over the last couple years, I slowly crept back up to 400.

I've scoffed at WLS for years. I thought of it as an unnecessary risk to my body when all I really needed was the drive and a stronger will to eat less and move more.

Well, now I'm finally admitting that I'm really terrible at maintaining the drive/will to lose weight. I'm starting to consider WLS to use what will I have left to force myself into the restrictions created by the surgery. It's like I know I need to do something, but no matter how hard I try, I just cant bring myself to do it enough for it to matter... so I want to make the decision to take the control of the situation out of my hands and force myself to do it.

I've read up on the various procedures and spent time in the forums here at BP and the Gastric Sleeve seems like the best option. I've read the success and horror stories. While I understand that serious complications only occur in about 5% of patients who undergo the surgery, it still freaks me out.

Anyone out there who is around my age and weight that went through with the surgery?

I'm not just simply asking if it's worth it, because I know most here will trumpet a resounding YES! I'm asking for a "here is what I wish I had known before getting the surgery" and "here are things I didn't expect".

I greatly appreciate your time and responses.

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

What I wish I had known, many years ago is that obesity is a disease process. Yes, our behavior (willpower) strongly influences it, but once you are super morbidly obese very very few can maintain a massive weight loss without surgery.

Developing a deeper understanding of the underlying medical condition relieved me of much of my guilt and self doubt. Like, if i can be successful at a million other things in life WHY CAN'T I STAY ON DIET? Well, that was my first misunderstanding, that I needed a diet. It really is a shift in mindest, behaviors and food choices that go along with the weight loss surgery. Understanding that my physical drive to overeat was a metabolic problem helped me accept myself alot more on this topic and tackle it like a medical not character problem.

that is what I wish I had known ages ago.

[samuelsmom 670]

I'm a girl, and I'm 20 years older than you. However, I have been obese since childhood and in the past I felt that surgery was dangerous and I would never consider it. What changed my mind? 2 things: 1) Knowledge that aging is not kind to the obese, they suffer from immobility and die young and 2) It was possible to do this without re-routing digestion. Both of these were like a "lightbulb" for me as I realized that I did not want to be injecting insulin or have a stroke if I could avoid it, and that I didn't have to move stuff around inside which was really a deal-breaker for me. Instead, my stomach was made smaller and I am grateful for it. Good Luck.

[onthefencejenny 204]

I'm 32 year old female! And like you I dismissed the idea of wls surgery for years thinking that I could do it on my own! When I finally hit 336 lbs I decided I wasn't going to do it on my own.. I booked my surgery! On July 25 I had the sleeve done in Mexico and now just a little over 6 months later I'm down 92lbs!! This surgery has given me a new lease on life! I feel like I'm actually living now! I have a crazy amount of energy, I work out 5 days a week ( but only started that in the last couple weeks)! I would highly suggest having it done!!

[BeagleLover 1,020]

I wish I had known earlier that a less drastic surgery was available! I knew I had to do something effective. What I was doing was not working, and a doctor told me that my weight would take 10 years off my life. I felt I was hurtling towards a cliff and didn't have any brakes. I also had diabetes. Once I went to the surgeon's presentation, I made up my mind and was absolutely committed to having sleeve surgery. I had no pain afterwards, and didn't even need to fill my pain prescription. My diabetes went away in 2 days. I'm around 4 months out and doing well. I can eat anything and feel full just like I used to. I am so glad I did this!

Edited February 3, 2015 by BeagleLover

[pushforth 2]

Thanks for your replies... y'all make it seem worthwhile.

Let me ask a direct question - How difficult is the first month post-op? Recovery is, I'm sure, uncomfortable but to have to follow a strict liquid diet for the first couple weeks and then slowly work in puree and mushy food... Is it as difficult as it sounds or does the reduced stomach size make it more tolerable as you feel full sooner without the hunger pangs?

[onthefencejenny 204]

To be honest I found it difficult! I didn't have much for pain just the first couple days , but for me it was finding things to eat or drink that tasted good! My taste buds were out of whack for the first couple months so every thing tasted weird! But your stomach is so small that the smallest amount satisfies the hunger( well it's not even hunger it's just that you need to eat). During this time I wondered if it was all worth it.. But looking back those first couple months were nothing compared to how good I feel now and the result I have gotten in such a short time! Now I can say without a doubt this is the best decision I ever made for myself, and my life!!

[CapeCodder 15]

I'm only 3 weeks post op... but I've found the recovery to be really easy. The first few days were hard, of course. The pain from the surgery as well as a kidney infection I picked up along the way. But I went back to work (I work from home) 1 week post op and haven't looked back.

I've lost 30 lbs in 3 weeks, and the energy level is amazing! My body already feels very different, and I'm feeling so optimistic about everything. I didn't have a scale at first, but realized at one point when I got up and put on my bathrobe it was HUGE on me. My 12 year old said "mom, my arms go around you further!".

The hard part is planning your meals. You do not feel like eating for the most part. Getting your Protein in as well as fluids is hard - but I've found that just planning ahead makes it work. I'm never hungry (I never ever thought I would say that!), so having a set plan for the day is key to making sure everything gets in.

The day I went home from the hospital I said "why did I do this???" 1 week later I said "why didn't I do this 10 years ago?!"

It's the best decision I have ever made.

[onthefencejenny 204]

Thanks for your replies... y'all make it seem worthwhile.

Let me ask a direct question - How difficult is the first month post-op? Recovery is, I'm sure, uncomfortable but to have to follow a strict liquid diet for the first couple weeks and then slowly work in puree and mushy food... Is it as difficult as it sounds or does the reduced stomach size make it more tolerable as you feel full sooner without the hunger pangs?

If you have any questions feel free to pm me! I'm not an expert by any means but If my experience can help someone I'm glad to help!

[automatic 6]

I am 35 years old, and I had the sleeve done on March 5th.

When I went in to the program (October 31, 2014), my weight was 529lbs. When I started the four week pre-op diet (Feb. 5, 2015), I was 517. On surgery day I was 480 and today, a week and a half later I am 467.

An astonishing loss in a relatively short period of time, and is (according to my surgeon) not the norm. I am thrilled, though.

I have had zero complications. No nausea, no vomiting, no cramping and most of all, no pain. I was completely off of the narcotic pain killers within 36 hours of surgery, and have been able to take in every last bit of liquids and Protein that my surgeon requests.

I consider myself very fortunate that I have had no difficulty compared to others. I firmly believe that recovery is 20% physical and 80% mental, or at least it has been for me. If you get in to the mindset that VSG is a tool that you will be able to use to get healthy and to lead a much longer, fuller life, then you will not only be able to do it, but to succeed.

VSG has been one of the best decisions I have ever made.

Good luck to you.