is gastric sleeve too drastic for me?

[Gleann 2]

Hi guys, I haven't had surgery yet. I want the gastric sleeve, my mom had it done when i was a kid so I'm familiar with the life style change. I'm here because I'm afraid that getting the sleeve is too drastic for me, and that I'm just over reacting. I was officially diagnosed earlier this month (Feb 2018) with Pseudotumor cerebri, which is a condition where i have too much cerebral spinal Fluid in my head and the symptoms mimic a brain tumor. (headaches, ringing in ears, vision loss) my neurologist said that i HAVE to get my weight down or I will start to loose my sight. I also have PCOS that flares up when my weight goes above a certain point.

I'm 27, I'm 5'2", my BMI is 35.8, I weigh 196lbs right now, I weighed 205lbs in November and since then i have been desperately trying to loose weight (5 days a week at gym, dieting), Ive always had issues keeping my weight down. I'm athletic and working out isn't a problem for me, its my eating. I'm more interested in the fact that the surgery will decrease the hormones in my stomach that trigger hunger, but the reduction in size of my stomach is great too. I want this surgery because I know that the vomiting will keep me in check with my eating and the weight loss will keep me from loosing my sight. I want this now when I'm young and haven't lost any of my vision, but again I'm afraid Ill be viewed as someone looking for an "easy way out". I've researched gastric sleeve and i KNOW its not an easy way out, I want something that will help me long term keep my eating in check so that my weight doesn't go way up and threaten my sight ever again. I have a consult with a surgeon in a few weeks.

am i over reacting? should i just continue with my gym and diet regimen? or should I go for it?

I have done a great deal of research on the gastric sleeve. i do not want a band, i do not want a bypass, i just want the sleeve.

thanks in advance guys!

[Newlif 3]

Hello,

i had the gastric sleeve done in November and I absolutely love it! I have no regrets at all. It has helped me with my pcos. Thankfully, I have no side effects. I say do it! You can loose weight and it will help you with your pcos. Possibly with the other health issues. Good luck

[Catherine Keegan 14]

Obviously I am not a doctor so I cannot day if it's too drastic. I have been sleeved and I really feel glad that I was. My bmi was 39 and I'm 5 foot 7. But for me the sleeve took the will power out of the equation and gave me back control over what I put in my mouth.

I too have a few health problems that were starting to present and consultants just said oh if your weight was under control oh things would be better if you were lighter and I couldn't face another appointment without doing something lasting to improve the situation.

In summary, check the research. Also listen to Reger Cortells podcast the weight loss surgery podcast and you ( I promise) will get the answer you need. I went into the surgery fully informed and confident in my decision.

Best wishes to you and best wishes for your health. You sound like a strong and sensible person. I hope everything works out for you.

Catherine x

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[GassyGurl 428]

I'm 5'2" and I was 195 lbs. Had the sleeve in August and now I'm down to 140! It's amazing how much better I feel, and it was totally worth it. I spent the last 20 years feeling like a failure. It hasn't been easy, and it will be a lifelong battle, but now I have hope that I didn't have before. Oh, and no more comorbidities for me!

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[BrandiceLeSha 101]

5'3..234 pounds.. sleeved June 28th and now I'm 145 pounds.. So I'm loving my sleeve. I too had mine for health problems. Mostly for my bad back..I need a fourth surgery but doctor trying to buy me time so I don't run out of levels to fix. You give some to get some. You sound like you're familiar with what you have to give with the sleeve. So, you've got to just weigh the pros and cons. And make the decision for yourself. If I had listened to some of my family, I never would've had my surgery. Now, I have them wanting surgery or amazed by my results. I'm not saying ignore doctor advice, but take friend and family opinions lightly. It's your health, so you just weigh out what's best for you and enjoy your decision either way. Congrats and good luck regardless of your choice in bettering your health and lifestyle!

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[TexasMommy80 297]

I am 37 and have a BMI of 38. I have severe osteoarthritis and have already had a TKR in my left knee. When I was younger (and heavier at the time) I had pseudotumor. I felt terrible and like you, my vision began to diminish. I actually began to lose my peripheral vision and had to go to month appointments to keep measuring it. I weighed 269 at that time (5'6) and went to a weight loss seminar for the lap band. At that time, I decided against the lap band and started jogging, which I fell in love with. My weight dropped and my psuedotumor went away.

Now that I have a TKR, I cannot jog anymore and my weight has increased to 235. I am now in the process of getting the sleeve. I also think that my pseudotumor may be back, but since I know that losing weight will take care of that issue, I am holding off on medical attention. Remember that pseudotumor can be very damaging to your sight, and it is worse for some than others. It is definitely something to consider as we will always be prone to it at higher weights.

[elforman 234]

9 hours ago, Gleann said:

I'm more interested in the fact that the surgery will decrease the hormones in my stomach that trigger hunger, but the reduction in size of my stomach is great too. I want this surgery because I know that the vomiting will keep me in check with my eating and the weight loss will keep me from loosing my sight.

Just some unsolicited advice: There is a psychiatric examination required as part of the process where they make sure that you understand everything you'll be going through and you are emotionally stable enough for the drastic lifestyle change it will require. Not everyone will experience vomiting and you don't want them to think that you feel aversion to vomiting is something that will help keep you on track in your recovery. You've already got your other medical conditions as motivation to lose the weight and keep it off, so stick with that in discussions.

[LOWBMIVSGCanada 3]

16 hours ago, Gleann said:

Hi guys, I haven't had surgery yet. I want the gastric sleeve, my mom had it done when i was a kid so I'm familiar with the life style change. I'm here because I'm afraid that getting the sleeve is too drastic for me, and that I'm just over reacting. I was officially diagnosed earlier this month (Feb 2018) with Pseudotumor cerebri, which is a condition where i have too much cerebral spinal Fluid in my head and the symptoms mimic a brain tumor. (headaches, ringing in ears, vision loss) my neurologist said that i HAVE to get my weight down or I will start to loose my sight. I also have PCOS that flares up when my weight goes above a certain point.

I'm 27, I'm 5'2", my BMI is 35.8, I weigh 196lbs right now, I weighed 205lbs in November and since then i have been desperately trying to loose weight (5 days a week at gym, dieting), Ive always had issues keeping my weight down. I'm athletic and working out isn't a problem for me, its my eating. I'm more interested in the fact that the surgery will decrease the hormones in my stomach that trigger hunger, but the reduction in size of my stomach is great too. I want this surgery because I know that the vomiting will keep me in check with my eating and the weight loss will keep me from loosing my sight. I want this now when I'm young and haven't lost any of my vision, but again I'm afraid Ill be viewed as someone looking for an "easy way out". I've researched gastric sleeve and i KNOW its not an easy way out, I want something that will help me long term keep my eating in check so that my weight doesn't go way up and threaten my sight ever again. I have a consult with a surgeon in a few weeks.

am i over reacting? should i just continue with my gym and diet regimen? or should I go for it?

I have done a great deal of research on the gastric sleeve. i do not want a band, i do not want a bypass, i just want the sleeve.

thanks in advance guys!

You have class two obesity, sleeve is not drastic, its realistic.

[meli81 119]

Hey same here 5’1 192 36 Years of age but I have diabetes 2 and I’m going in March 2

[Apple203 1,314]

want to share this:

Table below is fantastic!

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3744630/table/T2/

[Changing4me1 83]

I'm 5'2" and I was 195 lbs. Had the sleeve in August and now I'm down to 140! It's amazing how much better I feel, and it was totally worth it. I spent the last 20 years feeling like a failure. It hasn't been easy, and it will be a lifelong battle, but now I have hope that I didn't have before. Oh, and no more comorbidities for me!

Sent from my XT1254 using BariatricPal mobile app

This is similar to mine I was banded 10 years but do to malfunction have revision on 13th I am starting my journey at 180

[Stacy160 201]

I think it's fantastic that you're looking into doing this now. Taking the bull by the horns, attacking your medical issues now, rather than 20 miserable years down the road.

Your BMI might not place you square in the morbidly obese range, but with your comorbidities, I'd say you stand a great chance of getting your insurance to cover it. You may have to fight and appeal, but it'll be worth it. Good luck!

[abefroman329 704]

It’s drastic, and hindsight being 20/20, I would have chosen another way to lose the weight, but I was out of options at that point. Janumet was keeping my type II diabetes at bay and had been for the previous 3 years, but once that stopped working, I would have had to go on insulin. Also, we are having our first baby in July, and I’m already noticing it’s easier to babysit our 3-month old niece while being able to do things like stand up while holding her from a sitting position without having to hold on to anything (let alone trying to chase a toddler around all day when I was getting winded climbing two flights of stairs).

Have you tried prescription weight loss medications? I had a lot of luck with Saxenda until it stopped suppressing my appetite. Your primary may be able to recommend an obesity specialist.

[kakatlady612 1,053]

Congratulations Abe! Whether it turns out to be a Abe Jr or an Abra it will be a lucky baby to have you for its daddy. I know you WILL give the same commitment to fatherhood that you have given to your weight loss journey. Baby will be getting a healthier, fitter and more fun to be around Daddy. Praying for a smooth safe delivery when the time comes!

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[TexasMommy80 297]

I’ve had some of the same concerns lately, but I have been researching and it has only reinforced my decision. You have to understand that you will have a lot of restriction at first, and you likely to feel temporary regret. But I have been focusing on stories from people that are a year out and more. It’s all about eating smart and Portion Control. I have seen many people who eat healthy yet allow themselves a treat here and there. In fact, my NUT says that is the goal, to eat a sensible diet that is maintainable for life. If your family has pizza for dinner, how great would it be to be satisfied with one piece instead of three? How great would it be to have cravings for healthy food instead of sugar or fried foods? Yes, you can’t eat the same portions that you used to, but why would I want to do that? That is why I am 235 pounds right now. I remind myself of this each day.


Age: 37
Height: 5’6
BMI: 37
SW: 241
GW: 150-160
MFP: Fit4LifeAR