Considering weight loss surgery, need feedback from those who've had it.

[zackly 13]

blondebomb, on 22 Feb 2015 - 10:36, said:

you have come to the right place for "Proper Education" an "Personal Experiances" ..Im not male nor a chef however being married to an Italian we do luv to eat! we do enjoy going out an he LOVES to cook! trying to make a long story short bare me: Im 51 have battled yo yo dieting an weight since I was 17. my body started falling apart in my mid 20s. I have seen countless drs, specialists, thru countless testing blah blah blah..5 yrs ago I had to quit work for the 2nd time in 2 months my body refused to cooperate. the past 12 months I had gained again 40 pds in 2 months. finally got referral to endo after putting my foot down on seeing one. my immunologists couldnt understand why no other dr I had seen would refer me to well it was bc my thyroid panel was always on the low side of the "NORMAL" gold standard range. he did as I asked ...within 2 wks I was having an in office US on thyroid, (I had been complaining for 2 yrs of trouble swollowing) low an behold goiter on side the other thyroid "dead" shrinking. the PROPER bw on thyroid panel that I had researched from mary shoman had those tests ran sure enough I ended up on the biopsy table confirmed hashis, insulin resistant. with over 25 yrs of yo yo dieting an already the past yr of slashing calories down to 500 or less still having a difficult time of the numbers dropping I was prime canidate for sleeve to be done. that was farthest from my mind even though 20 some yrs ago I did think about it yet I never dreamed my ins would pay for it. now all of a sudden I have 2 specialists sending me to the surgeon, saying the sleeve way was best no switiching of organs an getting rid of the portion of the tummy of the stomach hormones that would never shut up an down sizing the tummy from a 40 oz to 4 oz would make all the differance in the world! before I knew it I was accepted online by our hopsital over here insurance was verified immediatly an within 2 wks I had started preop classes, going thru the mental evaluations didnt have to repeat the stomach endoscopys bc my internist had already done one a yr before , had all bw done by then I was on armour thyroid an got my levels where they are approved for surgery an released by my endo to go forward with it I also had severe apnea, fibro, lupus, polymyalgia , GERD, prediabetic, insulin resistance an hashis an list goes on, I had a surgery date within 3 months from start to table! I am 7 months PO..100 pds down would I do this again? YOU BET!!! best thing I ever did besides marrying my bes friend an hes my biggest supporter an having my 2 beautful adult kids! I am 51 (I dont know if I mentioned age earlier) but I am feeling now that my life is actually starting new! If I hadnt had this surgery for the tool it provides(its not "the miracle" but a tool) I saw myself with all the health dx I had there is no doubt I would have ended up being over 300 pds more miserable an bedridden! for me I dont wish that on anyone! thats honestly UNHAPPINESS UNHEALTHY (an no one can convince me that being fat is healthy) Im sorry I was FAT an theres no other term for me I use...I refused to be delusional anylonger an just living. I actually wasnt "living" I was merely in survival mode an that term I use bc I was merely breathing an a couch potatoe. no life! now I am all of a sudden able to actually keep up with my home , I am not out of breath as bad I do get some asthma a little an my meds for my autoimmune an inflammation do flare but controlled better. I have another 40 or so pds to go to make goal I havnt broadcasted my tool yet but only to a selected few I didnt need others "UNEDUCATED" neg comments bc the majority of ppl have no clue of the facts. this was hard enough the first month especially fighting with head hunger an going thru craving with drawls that the brain an body do go thru I needed positive support around me. but to eat there own. I will eventually help others if asked. I hope I have had a positive impact an answered some questions. your at the right place. my only regret is that I didnt do this 10 or more yrs sooner! I would do it again in a heart beat regardless of what I endured the first few months!! best wishes an keep us posted!

Thanks, your story is inspirational!

[zackly 13]

I've already been eating low carb for about a year and have gained weight. My endocrinologist tells me it's difficult to lose weight taking as much insulin as I do. My wife joined me on the low carb diet and she has lost weight eating the same things as I do and she was not more than 5-10 pounds over her ideal weight.

Miss Mac, on 22 Feb 2015 - 11:29, said:

You will just have a new motivation to get creative in the kitchen. We all don't need nearly as much food as we used to eat. Just change the formula to way more Protein and way less carbs. Dessert is an apple instead of apple pie a la mode. The stomach adjusts fairly quickly. It is the head game that is the crazy maker. So much of our eating is habit and timing rather than necessity. Put on your creative hat and you will be fine. Once you actually start to feel better internally, you may become a low carb evangelist.

[zackly 13]

stanpry,, you've addressed my main area of concern when you wrote "Temptation is always present. It's up to you to resist.". I can and do eat low carb (less than 100 grams daily) but I still manage to probably eat 3,000 calories per day, minimum from the other two food groups. If the sleeve greatly reduces hunger why is there temptation to go to the Dairy Queen and eat milk shakes? I only eat when I'm hungry. I'm hoping this surgery will alleviate my extreme hunger. And the surgeon mentioned post-operative support groups. Are there a percentage of people who remain hungry for more calories than they need even after surgery? I would sign on the dotted line to take a "magic pill" that made eating unnecessary. It's late in the game for me. I need to make changes or I will suffer dire health consequences.

stanpry, on 22 Feb 2015 - 13:09, said:

I will speak only of my own results. I had Lap Band surgery 1 year ago. I lost 84 lbs in 6 months. I don't know if this is typical or not. I had 1 fill after surgery. If you are looking for a magic pill that allows you to eat what you want you haven't found it. Any of these surgeries are just tools to help you meet your objective (weight loss). You can beat any of these surgeries. Have a milk shake. Eat candy, cake, ice cream, foods high in carbs. I eat out once or twice a week. I research what I will order before I leave the house. Temptation is always present. It's up to you to resist. Losing weight will improve your life. In my case best choice that I could have made. Take your time. Research your options. I took years to make a decision. I have no regreats. Best of luck in any decision that you make.

[zackly 13]

That's encouraging. Thank you very much!

jenn1, on 22 Feb 2015 - 13:23, said:

@@zackly

My surgeon suggested the sleeve because I'm a type one diabetic. I was prescribed Lantus and Novalog. I'm now Off Lantus and hardly using the Novalog. I rarely have high blood sugar levels. I now have low blood sugars. With the sleeve I'm still able to have sugar with no dumping syndrome. It helps when the lows hit I can use my glucose tablets.

food is still a wonderful part of my life. Love that hunger does not overwhelm me. I can enjoy people around me. Check out the world according to egg face and inside karens kitchen ( Bariatic tab) to see that food is actually still amazing after surgery.

Enjoy you're research. I hope you find what is right for you.

[zackly 13]

I go for my initial consult next week. I will ask about all my options including the duodenal switch that I just heard about. The though of going to a restaurant and just drinking some wine (if allowed?) and eating a small plate or two and being satisfied is very appealing!

allielee, on 22 Feb 2015 - 16:54, said:

I am a foodie.. I was banded in 2008 and was a success story.. Kept all my weight off for 6 years until my band eroded. I struggled with food with my band. I didn't tolerate meats or veggies very well but could eat a sleeve of Oreos.. I worked hard to make my band work. I had to work my butt off but I kept the weight off. I did throw up a lot with the band.. In May I was revised from band to bypass and damn I wish I had the bypass first! I love it. I eat whatever I want just tiny portions. I haven't thrown up once and honestly I'm healthier now than I have ever been! I have had no issues with Vitamin deficiency. I take the same Vitamins I did with my band but my numbers are better now! I didn't even consider the sleeve after my doc said a lot of the initial people sleeved are coming back to be revised to bypass. I was self pay for both so I didn't even consider the sleeve. Bypass helps me stay in control but I get to enjoy all foods! I love to cook.. I just don't really feel hunger but can enjoy the food I do make and eat..Feel free to msg me with any questions.

[zackly 13]

Bob- Congratulations on your weight loss! That is a concern of mine too. So much of my identity and good feeling about myself comes from the fact that I have a reputation as an excellent cook. Will I lose interest in food & cooking? In retirement, I've loved making nice meals for my wife and I. My decision will impact her too.

I wrote a very similar post (about food professional, "part of my identity," etc) back in the fall when I was researching.

I own two restaurants, and while I'm not FAMOUS-famous, I am more famous than most chefs. I was worried about people not being able to identify with me, and, more importantly, feeling like I couldn't identify with myself if I had the surgery done.

I am 2 months out, and down 58 pounds. The hardest part of any of it was deciding to do it despite my concerns about how my identity would change.

I'm not the kind of guy who tries to sell his religion, but from my POV you and I have very similar stories, and WLS (sleeve) was absolutely the right thing for me to do.

[k9nana 50]

@@A2artgrl I really can relate to your post. In about 9 days I will be on my way. My VSG surgery is going to happen on the 3rd. of March.

When I started this research in July 2014 I went to every support group meeting I could find including 2 dr. seminars. I still attend 2 support groups a month.

I was instructed to lose 10 pounds by my next dr. visit, well I lost the pounds + more and feel really great but I know what will happen. I always gain it back because i just give up. My quandary is....... I think that I'm getting scared and wonder if I should keep plugging away losing on my own....... only to know that I will fail as I always do. Being 65 this is my last chance to get healthy to be around for a long time ...... I hope.

Anyway your post gives me the courage to go forward and to know that I'm not the only one that had second thoughts.

[snarkychef 4]

I am a professional chef with two restaurants, so I understand exactly where you are coming from. I only really need to lose 60-ish pounds to be at my ideal weight, having lost 50 lbs on my own before getting my surgery. My primary goal was to resolve blood sugar issues, which were actually getting worse with my weight loss. I chose to have a duodenal switch with a single anastomosis because of the larger stomach, which allows you to eat much more normally than other procedures. It also has the advantage of almost immediately resolving blood sugar and cholesterol issues. Since I was never "super obese", I liked the fact that the single anastomosis operation leaves a longer common channel, reducing long term malnutrition issues. Good luck with whatever you choose.

[Bandista 7,466]

Hi there and congratulations on deciding to get healthy. I am so happy to have chosen weight loss surgery. I am 53 and had never been an overnight patient in a hospital before. I chose the band because it is less drastic and, if necessary I could always go to something else later if needed. I did not want part of my stomach cut out. LapBand requires a lot of followup in the first year and many surgeons are not up for that kind of patient contact. I love my band. It is all about dimming the appetite (some links below in my signature). I can and do eat whatever I want, just in small quantities at appropriate intervals. Cooking is a big part of my life. We have a lot of dinner parties and go out to eat frequently. And I drink. Wine but also cocktails. Tonight I made chicken with a spicy peanut sauce, cilantro, etc. and a goat cheese Asian pear tart for dessert. I make my own stock and love sauces. It is an amazing thing to have the appetite monster off of my back and to be able to really enjoy whatever I'm having without just wanting more, more, more. Satiety is a beautiful thing. Sorry, rambling here (woken by snow plow and can't get back to sleep). Good luck as you research all your options.

[Sharpie 3,306]

I had lapband and couldn't be happier. the lapband indeed diminishes your appetite. I have not had any problems. I did not want major surgery such as bypass, had a good friend die after bypass surgery . did not want to lose 80% of my stomach just in case I needed nutrition to survive cancer or anything. do your research and discuss all of your options before you have a major surgery. All weight loss surgeries come with risks. You have to chose which would be best for you. I am thankful I chose the band but it is not easy if you cannot comply with the rules.

[mae7365 372]

I had the sleeve Nov 2014 and I am so happy with the decision I made. I decided on gastric sleeve vs. bypass because gastric sleeve patients don't have the malabsorption issues associated with bypass and my surgeon won't even do lap bands anymore due to the high failure rate.

My pre-op weight gain was directly related to my over-eating. But not eating too much at meals, rather eating 2-3 candy bars along with a bag of chips and three scoops of ice cream every night after my family went to bed. Call it binge eating, grazing whatever, it was my way of feeling comfort.

Now, post-op, I have control of my head and what I put in my mouth. I haven't felt real "hunger" since surgery, so I eat to live. I still get the late night cravings to eat junk because I'm bored, but I usually just eat a Protein bar while watching TV after the family goes to bed. Plus, eating really sweet foods before bed gives me terrible acid reflux during the night and that is a constant reminder that junk food and boredom eating should not mix.

I see many pre-op patients at my monthly support group. They are either waiting for surgical approval or just getting feedback from those of us who have had WLS. It's a great forum for face-to-face conversations about options. I doubt you'll find one person who says they are sorry they made the decision to have surgery. Benefits clearly out weigh any pre-surgery food passions.

[Beni 1,484]

I had the same concerns because I am a foodie all the way to Michelin 3 stars. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to enjoy life. Not so. I can eat anything I want in smaller quantities. Not right after surgery but after 3 months I feel normal. For the first 2 months I didn't have hunger at all. Now my hunger is a kitten compared to the lion it was before surgery. I can even eat desert if I only take a bite or two. The interesting thing is just that bite or two is completely and totally satisfying. I don't want another bite. Never did I imagine such a thing was possible. Before surgery the only reason I couldn't eat another bite was because I was full to the max but within a short amount of time I would have another serving. Not so now. It is awesome to be free of the never ending hunger.

I had the bypass and from my research it is the surgery with the best prognosis for diabetes reversal. I was pre-diabetic, taking meds and on the verge of needing insulin shots. By the time I went home from the hospital 2 days after surgery my blood sugar was normal. At the 3 month blood work check up, my sugar levels are right in the middle of the normal range. I am cured!

I have also lost 71 pounds. A miracle!

Edited February 23, 2015 by Beni

[Ginger Snaps 1,323]

I had bypass 8-9 months ago and couldn't be happier. Which surgery to have is a personal decision you should make with your doctor taking into account your specific medical history. Don't let fear be the deciding factor... I had bypass and LOVE my decision. Sure, my intestines were "rearranged" but they work great and I feel wonderful. I don't see bypass as any more radical than removing half your stomach with the sleeve surgery.

I wasn't a foodie before, so I didn't worry about losing my appetite or not having "fun" with food anymore. But, I can say I'm pickier now and go for the better stuff since I can only eat a little of it. And almost no carbs, so I'm always reading the menu picking out the best-sounding Proteins.

The surgery did affect my appetite... I don't really have one much anymore but that's working great for me. I eat more by the schedule but never feel "ravenous" or desperate for food. Some people have stomach issues and can't tolerate certain foods anymore but I can eat any Proteins I want. Carb-heavy foods will make me dump, so I avoid them.

Of course bariatric surgeons push bariatric surgery -- one, they believe in it or they wouldn't have specialized in that area and two, they see it works. But if the doctor feels pushy, I'd shop around. For me, I left that first appointment feeling like there was finally hope for me to drop the weight and this guy was gonna help me do that. And he did.

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

I am 3 years post sleeve (I was a revision from lapband). I think I actually enjoy food MORE now than I did before. I value it, I enjoy each taste, I only eat good stuff, no room in my life for junky low quality food (unless I am really desparate!).

I think a foodie type person can be successful with WLS if you value the sip of something fine & devine over the buffet of something "so-So".

Having said that, I have made lifestyle choices to not hang with people that are super food motivated. I dated someone for 3-4 months who was really into eating and cooking - actually pretty healthy foods, but I STILL gained a bit of weight. Problem I have is I just need so little... it is hard for me to be that constant mode of planning, preparing and eating food only to repeat again soon. For me, it is easier to de-emphasize food, but I admit I love fine dining - I just like it at a restaurant, not too often and the best restaurants have epic appetizers because that is the size of meal I need.

[MisforMimi 760]

There was a chef in my support group at the hospital where I had the surgery. She was down 70-80 pounds and was very happy with her sleeve. She said that she still fussed over food, needed it to be perfect etc etc. She said that it just helped her not consume so much food in the volumes she previously could and she loves exploring her other hobbies outside of food. I'm definitely a foodie. I know I chose bypass because I wanted a greater chance of resolution of pre-diabetes and high blood pressure. I've also heard people generalize the surgeries into 2 camps. Sleeve for overeater's and bypass for folks with metabolic issues. I can truly say that at 38 I was ready to give up my illustrious affair with sugar and I wanted the surgery that would best aid me in that resolution. Ultimately its up to you and your soon-to-be surgeon. Congratulations, welcome and good luck!