I am a gastric sleeve failure

[scliftonw 0]

It has been 4 years since my surgery. I needed to lose at least 100 lbs I lost about 40 lbs then never lost anymore. I got so depressed about it and felt like such a failure that I finally quit trying so hard and eventually quit trying at all. Of course I have put the 40 lbs back on. I am sure my sleeve is stretched out now. I am considering having gastric bypass now.. Any suggestions? I feel like such a failure.

Edited January 13, 2016 by scliftonw

[4MRB4PHOTO 3,900]

You're not a failure. You want to do something about your excess weight and successfully did.

Try going back to basics. Journal your Protein, Water, exercise, food and quantities.

Measure your portions for the higher calorie items, eat slowly and chew each small bite many times.

Plus all of the other efforts you use to put in when you successfully lost that weight.

Stay positive. You can do it again!

Edited January 13, 2016 by 4MRB4PHOTO

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

You are still asking for help so you haven't failed. Whether or not you fail to reach your goal YOU are not a failure.

If you gave up trying (which to me means you stopped following your program) what makes you think you would have more success with a bypass? When you hit a stall with the bypass, if you stop following your program, the same thing would happen unless you do something different.

I would suggest that you make an appointment with your NUT today to talk about your goals and go back to basics.

Follow your program.

Track your food.

Avoid starches.

Reach your Protein and Fluid target every day.

Take your Vitamins and supplements as instructed.

And, exercise.

You get to decide whether or not you are committed to losing weight.

I would also suggest you make an appointment with a counselor or therapist. See if the therapist who originally cleared you for surgery can see you or refer you to someone.

You can do this!

Embrace the Stall!

http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

[JamieLogical 8,708]

I agree with everything @@Inner Surfer Girl said. You need to go back to the basics and see if there is any chance that you can make the tool you have work for you. If it can't then you need to evaluate why that is and whether or not the results with RNY will be any different.

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

It sounds like you have some (un-named) issues that would prevent a second WLS also being a success -- when "success" is defined as losing all your excess weight and maintaining your weight loss.

Prior to a second WLS are you considering therapy or to change your living circumstances in ways that will remove current barriers to your future success?

[scliftonw 0]

What exactly are you implying by saying (un-named) issues

[lmm300missouri 95]

I have read a few times the sleeve failed, several times the sleeve needed adjusted. Don't use it as an excuse, but it may have happened to you. My after surgery specialist md says you still have to have more calories burned than you take in-with surgery or not. But he also has told me over and over again if I find I'm slipping or finding it coming back on he can help.

I agree start with the Liquid Protein diet and after a day or so see if your sleeve is back working.

We all believe you can get back on track and make it to your goal!

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

What exactly are you implying by saying (un-named) issues

Obviously I don't know what your "issues" are, if any.

But given your "failure" (as you defined it), I assumed you had found a way to eat around your WLS. That could have been a lack of personal commitment to your own goals, living circumstances (or family members) who sabotaged your WLS compliance, a binge eating or some other eating disorder, depression or other mental health issues (diagnosed or not) or medicines that sabotaged your eating behavior or your metabolism, etc. Or perhaps a trauma you suffered before or after your WLS that made it too difficult for you to comply with your surgeon's instructions.

My thinking was that those things could sabotage a second WLS for you if they were unaddressed prior to (or in conjunction with) a second WLS.

[pinkbunies 359]

So is it possible to stretch your sleeve and start eating more food?

[JamieLogical 8,708]

So is it possible to stretch your sleeve and start eating more food?

The science is still out on that one. The general medical consensus seems to be that, yes you CAN stretch your sleeve, but never back to anywhere near its original size. So it is still there, offering restriction. The trouble some people run into is eating "around" their sleeve by doing things like eating and drinking at the same time, drinking their calories, eating "slider" foods, or grazing throughout the day so their sleeve never has a chance to become completely full.

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

You don't even have to stretch your sleeve to eat more food. You could just graze all day on "slider foods" highly processed foods that don't require a lot of digestion / breakdown in the stomach -- foods like Cookies, crackers, chips, cake, candy, ice cream, potatoes (starchy and sugary and fat-laden foods). They're called "sliders" because they slide on right through the stomach easily leaving room for more sliders.

And/or you could just drink high-calorie drinks all day, which the sleeve wouldn't resist at all.

Or all of the above.

I've seen people put all their weight back just drinking sweet tea or Mountain Dew. Not kidding.

[Babbs 14,681]

So is it possible to stretch your sleeve and start eating more food?

No. Sleeves don't really stretch. The stretchy part, or fundus, was removed during surgery. It would take years of grossly overeating to the point of vomiting to actually stretch it enough to where you're eating significantly enough to cause weight gain.

Can the sleeve relax and complete healing over time allowing more food to be eaten? Absolutely.That's why it's important for us not to just count on sleeve restriction and pay more attention to what we are eating for when that time comes.

And to the OP:

You can have 10 different weight loss surgeries, but the fact of the matter is if your head isn't in the game, NONE of them will work. Like Ann said, look inside and try to figure out what caused you to not succeed before, and then figure out the steps it will take to help you become successful whether you decide on revision surgery or give this one antother go. Your sleeve hasn't changed, it's just waiting for you to.

[pinkbunies 359]

I noticed when I stopped working out as much I felt like I was gaining weight, though I'm not. My Physical Trainer keeps telling me I'm not eating enough. I've worried to death about my sleeve being stretched but I can't seem to find a clear answer on this. I am able to eat more but I'm over 1 year post surgery. I still feel the restriction and I also drink liquids when I eat. :-/

[JamieLogical 8,708]

I also drink liquids when I eat. :-/

Why in the world do you do that? I'mnot trying to be mean or anything. I am genuinely curious. This was one of the easier changes for me to stick to one I got used to it after the first month or two back on solid foods.

[Cape Crooner 589]

To the OP... What do you eat/drink all day, do you do anything for exercise?