Can I really do this..? More than half my body weight to lose

[xxjosettexx 72]

Hi all,

I am 19, I'm having my sleeve surgery on the 23rd of June, and I am starting out at 346 pounds and 5'11" tall. I am on day 5 of liquids and I am now at 337. My goal weight is 165. I just worry that I'm not going to be able to lose 180 pounds... More than half my body weight. My surgeon told me that with the sleeve it won't be a realistic expectation for me to reach under 200 pounds, and right now I'm freaking out About that. My surgeon believes that I should have chosen bypass, but the thought of having a permanent sugar aversion for life sounds awful, and I don't consume dairy or sweets anyways. (I know I know, bad reason to not consider the bypass.. But I'd like to enjoy cake at my wedding, etc)

So I guess my questions for you guys are: Do you feel that the sleeve was worth it? Did you reach you goal? If you had to do it again would you choose bypass or stick with the sleeve? Starting weight? Goal/current weight? And how many months out? And most importantly, when did you realize that you could do this?

I know this is a lot of questions, but my anxiety is starting to set in. I know that I'm ready to make this change, but I want to get it right, since I didn't the first time (lap band), and whatever I choose now is what I'll have to live with for 50+ years.

Thanks for your comments,

Sincerely,

Josie

Edited June 14, 2015 by xxjosettexx

[davidncara@sbcglobal.net 9]

The preop diet is hard! I questioned myself a lot during those 2 weeks! After surgery it is tons easier! I am never hungry. Like ever. I have to force myself to get the Protein and adequate nutrition in. I love my sleeve. Best decision I've made, I just wish I would've had it sooner!

Preop 263

Current 230

I will be 4 weeks post op tomorrow

Good luck!

[livvsmum 2,369]

My starting weight was 278, 1st goal was 145 (reached at 10 months post op) & current weight is 124 (reached about 3 weeks ago). This (125) was my "dream goal" that I never thought would be attainable but I've lost over 155 pounds, which is more than 1/2 my body weight in 20 months.

You should check out my blog (linked below). I started it at my first pre-op appt (about 9 months pre-op) & update it still now. It will definitely answer your questions like was it worth it (a million time YES) & would you have the bypass instead (no).

Hope that helps

And YES!! You really can do this!

[Miss Mac 6,262]

I am not exactly in your position, but at 5'4" and 235 pounds, I had 100 pounds to lose. I am a slow loser and will hit my 18 month mark on the 23rd, so I am almost to goal. Having that extra 100 pounds was like wearing a two month old colt for a belt.

When I lost the first 30 pounds, I was already feeling benefits from the surgery. I could walk easier and stand up straighter. At fifty pounds down, my bed was starting to feel bigger and exercise seemed like something to do rather than something to avoid. Now that I am almost there, my insides feel better; I actually feel healthier.

If you wanted to lose 150 pounds, that would be a colt and twin toddlers!

If you wanted to lose 175 pounds, that would be a colt and a full-grown Irish Setter!

If you wanted to lose 185 pounds, that would be a colt, a bale of hay and a medium sized microwave!

Whatever amount of weight you lose, you will be ahead of the game and healthier for it. Just think - if you can lose 150 pounds, the you will be a 200 pound person who wants to lose 35 pounds. If you can lose 150, what's another 35 over time? Hitting 200 doesn't mean that you have to stay that way forever. Anyway, losing 150 pounds, plus floppity skin removal (panniculectomy) and a Tummy Tuck will put you close to your goal.

Congratulations that you have decided to take this step early on. I lived my whole adult life hidden inside another person's miserable body, and it took a stroke to get my attention. Think of your sleeve as a gift instead of a burden. Your quality of life will be so much better for you. Hugs from Miss Mac in Chicago.

And contrary to what Christen Cavaleri (actress and wife of Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler) says, Chicago is a great place to live.

[sweetie716 270]

I started out at 331, and six months post op I'm at 185. I have about 20 more pounds to go before I hit the "half my former size" goal, but it seems to be going well. My surgeon said that at 207 pounds I would be at the average success level for the sleeve. I've just kept on going and I plan to keep on. My ultimate goal is about 140, but 150 will put me at the normal bmi range. I think there are plenty of people on here who have lost 90-100% of their excess weight and I hope to join them. Good luck!

ETA: I had lost 50 pounds preop, I didn't lose all that in just 6 months.

Edited June 14, 2015 by sweetie716

[*Lexie* 1,486]

I've wavered back and forth on whether I wish I would have had bypass. Mostly because I'm a slow loser and an impatient person (not a good combination). Keep in mind, you can still get dumping syndrome with the sleeve. I have issues with fried foods, spicy foods, dairy and anything too rich (sweet) or if I eat too fast or a bite too much. The sleeve does not necessarily equal the easy way vs the bypass. I know people with the bypass with a lot less issues than I've had. While the sweets can be a factor, it should not be the only factor you use when deciding on which surgery is best for you. I encourage you to go to the bypass forums and ask them questions too. Of course in the sleeve forums, we're going to all say how fabulous it is.

That being said, I'm glad I got the sleeve. I'm 8 months out and I've lost 80lbs. I have around 30 to go. I do think you can lose this weight. It felt impossible for all of us in the beginning. But if you put your head down and focus on 10lbs at a time, you'll be amazed at how far you've come at 6 months, 9 months, etc.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

My weight was over 400 when I stared. I knew going in this was for the long haul . I'm 9mths and nearly 100lbs down with no preop diet. I think it's entirely possible., it just takes commitment .

[Bufflehead 6,358]

You can do it! I've lost about 180 lbs and have approximately 30 lbs to go. I am still losing without much trouble (after a bit of a Detour through some months of eating horribly -- but now I am back on track and doing well. I will get to my goal this fall or possibly even late summer.

[IcanMakeit 1,318]

I am 13 months out from my vertical sleeve surgery and my surgeon recently commented that I have lost over 120% of my excess weight (from 244 down to 110). I think the statistics that lead surgeons to believe that the gastric bypass was more efficacious than the sleeve were from studies that looked at one year to 18 months results. At two years, the stats for both surgeries are about the same. Don't make your decision based on estimates of possible weight loss. Either WLS can be successful if you follow your surgeon's instructions and either can fail due to noncompliance with the bariatric program. If you decide that you are willing to make the lifelong changes that WLS requires, choose the type of surgery based on the one you believe will do the most to improve your long term health and the least to harm it. For me, that was VSG. For someone else, it might be GB.

[shellyd88 463]

@@xxjosettexx hi you absolutely can lose what u need to with a sleeve I was over a hundred lbs more than you and I'm 3.5 months post op I've lost nearly 100 lbs some surgeons try to push GB instead of sleeve it's your decision not theirs remember that best of luck

[no onions 258]

@@xxjosettexx You can do it! And I'm going to do it too.

[CheleLynn45 615]

I am pretty confident you can do it!!

I started at 314, lost 9.5lbs on my pre-op (which was only one week and not very retricted) I am now down 105lbs in 7 1/2 months. I think it is very doable to lose half your body weight, but you have to be committed and do what needs to be done.

I just had ventral hernia surgery last Friday and I cannot wait to get my drain out and get back to my routine. I am still eating properly and getting in my Protein while I am down. I am not going to ruin all the hard work I have accomplished.

Good Luck with your journey and the decisions you make!!!

[xxjosettexx 72]

Thank you guys for all of your supportive words, I am just mainly worried about not reaching my goals, all of you guys are doing so fabulously well, this renews a lot of hope for my surgery. I have family friends (a mom and all 3 kids) that have had bypass 10+ years ago, and their results have been a mixed bag as far as success goes, but they all wish that sleeve or even the band was an option when they started.

Hearing about the successes that you all have had is so inspiring, thank you all (:

[scarlep 68]

Wow amazing!!!hope to lose as much as you

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

Thank you guys for all of your supportive words, I am just mainly worried about not reaching my goals, all of you guys are doing so fabulously well, this renews a lot of hope for my surgery. I have family friends (a mom and all 3 kids) that have had bypass 10+ years ago, and their results have been a mixed bag as far as success goes, but they all wish that sleeve or even the band was an option when they started.

Hearing about the successes that you all have had is so inspiring, thank you all (:

I find it helpful not to look at a specific number as a goal. For me the goal is wellness. That means eating right and exercise. It doesn't mean restriction, deprivation or dieting. I plan for occasions where their will be cake or ice cream. I plan for movie nights. I make room in my life for a well rounded menu. I don't ever think in terms of cheat meals or diets. I approach every day trying to do better. I'm always on the lookout for new things to do and try.