The experiences of a young sleever

[Lady-Lazarus 14]

Hello everyone!

This is my first post on the forums. I thought I’d share my experiences as a young person who has undergone the sleeve procedure. I figure it might help people in a similar situation or... just like to read these stories, I guess?

Let’s start with some stats? I’m from Australia, I’m 22 years old, 165cm, and currently 72kg! My highest weight was 98kg, my surgery weight was 94kg, and my goal is 60kg. So, I’ve lost 26kg since beginning my journey! Wahoo!

I suffer from several mental health conditions, including severe depression (including many suicidal thoughts), anxiety, and Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Although I still struggle daily with these issues, my weight loss and lifestyle “redesign” have drastically helped improve my mental wellbeing as well as my physical.

My obesity did not particularly come from being unable to control my eating or eating fatty food. I did my best to conscientiously monitor my diet and make sure I was getting plenty of veggies, fruit, and Protein. I was moderately active, going for daily walks, and briskly walking to and from work every day. My family was obese - my parents, and my younger brother. I say “was”, as both my mum and my dad had the sleeve done before I did! So I, luckily, knew exactly what to expect, and had very personalised support. Both of them are extremely healthy now and have lost heaps of weight. I was able to get my surgery due to my family history of obesity, and my inability to lose weight, no matter how much exercise I did or how much I dieted... which had been the case since my teenage years.

Anyway, let’s start from the beginning.

For three-ish weeks prior to my surgery, I was on the dreaded VLCD. And absolutely hated every minute of it. I thought, “I’m eating like I’ve already got the sleeve! I’m f**king hungry!” - my poor partner had to put up with an absolute rage monster. The hanger was real. I was allergic to the OptiSlim shakes, which was replacing two of my meals, so I went on an alternative whey Protein Powder, which would have tasted good... if I could have had it with milk. (Protein powder made on Water is nasty, and nothing will ever change my mind on that, lol!) I was restricted to roughly 800-900 calories a day. My dinner was a little bit of protein and veggies, which I didn’t mind. But boy, I missed having “real” food. On the day before surgery, I admittedly cheated and had a “last meal”... a delicious rare steak, pan fried veggies, and a bit of mash. Do I regret it? Nah. It was a damn good steak!

I was sleeved on the 20th of July, 2018. I was nervous as hell and cried my eyes out in the ready room as they were preparing to take me into the theatre... I am terrified of surgery and needles, and I’ve never liked hospitals. This was basically my worst nightmare. But, the surgery went off without a hitch. I woke up a few hours later, feeling groggy and weird. I slept on and off for a time. My parents and boyfriend were waiting for me in my room at the ward. However, as soon as the anaesthetic wore off, all hell broke loose. Let me clarify, this was the first surgery I’d ever had in my life. I’ve never even broken a bone. My parents had very different experiences to what I did during my recovery. I had no idea what would really come to pass.

I felt the most excruciating pain I’ve ever experienced in my life. I think it might have been the gas, I’m not sure - all I remember was that it was the kind of pain that made you wish for death. I was literally screaming in pain, trying not to twist around to aggravate it more. I was so nauseated, so sick, literally the worst I’ve ever felt. Worse than gastro or a stomach bug. I started dry heaving/retching with such force that my body would convulse forward. My body wanted to throw up, but there was nothing there. My mum had to hold me as I shook and heaved. My poor delicate stomach that had just been cut and sewn up did not like constricting in this manner, which only added to the pain. It was around 10pm at this point, and I was begging the nurses for morphine, but got none. I was only given a light painkiller that did nothing to help me. They refused to give me any more relief (the doctor would later find out, and the nurses got their heads ripped off for it. It was safe to give me more but the nurses thought they knew better than my doctor). By this point it was 10pm, and my parents and my partner were forced to leave by the hospital staff, as visiting hours had finished nearly 2 hours ago. I was alone, I was terrified, and in the worst pain I’d ever felt. I cried the entire first night I was in hospital because no one would help me, no one would give me any pain relief. I was in agony until the sun came up and they finally gave me some more of the light pain killers (nurofen), which only barely filled the edge. I suffered bad pain for most of my stay. My mum found out about the lack of painkillers, told the doctor and the hospital, and from that point on, I was able to get morphine for the pain. It got rid of it, and helped me sleep, which I desperately needed. I was in hospital for roughly 4 days.

Then, I finally got the all clear to go home. There were no leaks, my stomach was healing, the pain had mostly gone. I was onto a liquid diet for 2 weeks, then onto puréed food, then soft food, and after about a month, I could eat solid food again. Let me tell you. I hated absolutely every minute of it. Many people say that you don’t feel hunger for weeks or even months after you get the sleeve. Guess what? Not true. At least not in my case. I was *hungry*; pretty much as soon as I left hospital, my appetite kicked in. Although I stuck to the liquid diet (was too scared to push it), liquids didn’t feel filling. I would get hungry. I started my puréed diet early because I was hungry all the time... and it was fine, my sleeved actually adjusted brilliantly to the transitions, for the most part. Until the dreaded third week. Something happened. My sleeve did a complete flip on me and I could not even keep water down. I was constantly vomiting, couldn’t eat anything and could barely drink. I became dangerously dehydrated. I began to pass out because of it. My mum forced me back into hospital and I was put on a bore IV (one of the really big ones... scary!) and given IV liquids. I was diagnosed with severe dehydration (was not too far off organ damage apparently) and kept in for 2 days so they could rehydrate and monitor me. I felt much better after the short stay, and could keep food down again once I was rehydrated. I’d fully recovered and they let me go home.

After that, it was just learning to gauge my stomach, how much I could handle, and what I could and couldn’t eat anymore. My metabolism has now tripled - I burn through my small portions very quickly, and I have to eat regular small, healthy things to keep up with it. Grazing, basically. My metabolism has never been this fast in my life. I’m doing really well now, and can eat most things comfortably... except rice. Rice is the enemy of a tiny stomach. The expansion bloody hurts, let me tell you that. I seem to be able to eat a sh*tload of bread and Pasta, which seems abnormal. I try to avoid carbs nowadays, but on the occasions I do eat them, I can eat amounts that would shock most sleevers. I don’t know where it goes honestly. Maybe the doctor put a pocket dimension just for pasta in my belly?

Anyway, sorry for the super long post! Feel free to ask me anything, I’m happy to answer/help. Shout out if you’re a young sleeved person too!

[GreenTealael 25,339]

🎉 Congrats 🎉

[Jazzy1125 1,010]

congrats

[kristen.bee 10]

congrats!!

we're the same age! super great to see someone else my age who had the surgery done, i've been a bit worried about having it at my age. my mom also had wls years ago! i had a "last meal" the night before i started my pre-op liquid diet, too -- homemade chicken nuggets and mashed caulflower. and it was HEAVENLY omggg

i'm so sorry you had so much pain after the surgery :( i had almost none tbh, i was mostly just uncomfortable for the first few days. i even stopped taking pain meds on my second day in the hospital!

i'm glad i'm not the only one whose appetite came back so soon after surgery!! mine never really went away, unfortunately :( i'm almost 6 months out, and i avoid snacking as much as possible!! i have a reusable water bottle that holds 25 oz of liquid, and i usually eat only after i've finished drinking one, and i drink five a day!

i made the mistake of trying bread once and NEVER AGAIN omg, it makes me SUPER uncomfortable! i don't have any issues with rice, though! and i haven't had any Pasta since surgery 😭 it used to be my fav food so i'm missing it!! i've had some amazing veggie pasta, though!!

sorry for the rambly post, i was just so super excited to see someone with so many similarities! hope things continue to go well for you!!

[QuakerOat8 0]

@Lady-Lazarus Thanks for sharing! My surgery is in under 2 weeks and I'm getting pretty nervous. What has your experience with loose skin been so far? I'm terrified of getting it, but hoping because I'm young it might not happen...

[Lady-Lazarus 14]

On 11/29/2018 at 4:13 PM, QuakerOat8 said:

@Lady-Lazarus Thanks for sharing! My surgery is in under 2 weeks and I'm getting pretty nervous. What has your experience with loose skin been so far? I'm terrified of getting it, but hoping because I'm young it might not happen...

I’ve had no issues at all with loose skin so far - everything is just trimming up and flattening out and looks “natural” (although I dislike using the word, everyone’s body is natural and sometimes it’s just up to genetics). Mind you, I’ve been pretty lucky with fat distribution on my body. Even at my largest I had a very hourglass figure with little belly fat, no full “rolls” so to speak - so I may not be the best one to answer this. My fat was mostly concentrated on my thighs and hips, a bit on my back too. What fat I did have on my belly is all but gone now, my stomach is almost flat and quite taut from a skin perspective.

From what my doctor told me it is dependant on an individual’s skin elasticity and body makeup. He did say that younger people in general were better for skin recovery than older individuals? Also, doing strength training and weights helps with loose skin and toning your body, so this can help if it’s something you’re worried about!

[Lady-Lazarus 14]

On 11/29/2018 at 2:20 PM, kristen.bee said:

congrats!!

we're the same age! super great to see someone else my age who had the surgery done, i've been a bit worried about having it at my age. my mom also had wls years ago! i had a "last meal" the night before i started my pre-op liquid diet, too -- homemade chicken nuggets and mashed caulflower. and it was HEAVENLY omggg

i'm so sorry you had so much pain after the surgery i had almost none tbh, i was mostly just uncomfortable for the first few days. i even stopped taking pain meds on my second day in the hospital!

i'm glad i'm not the only one whose appetite came back so soon after surgery!! mine never really went away, unfortunately i'm almost 6 months out, and i avoid snacking as much as possible!! i have a reusable Water bottle that holds 25 oz of liquid, and i usually eat only after i've finished drinking one, and i drink five a day!

i made the mistake of trying bread once and NEVER AGAIN omg, it makes me SUPER uncomfortable! i don't have any issues with rice, though! and i haven't had any Pasta since surgery 😭 it used to be my fav food so i'm missing it!! i've had some amazing veggie Pasta, though!!

sorry for the rambly post, i was just so super excited to see someone with so many similarities! hope things continue to go well for you!!

Thank you so much!! I hope all goes well for you too! It’s always interesting to hear what foods people can tolerate afterwards, it’s such a varied thing. My dad can eat anything, but mum can’t handle any kind of heavy carb. I guess it’s just luck of the draw? 😂

I also try to get in as much Water as I possibly can! My go to Snacks are usually either waterthin crackers and about a matchbox sized amount of sharp Edam cheese, yoghurt, capsicum slices, or some fruit salad. I figure as long as I’m keeping up the water and making sure the snacks meet my nutrition macros, I’m doing alright. 😛 And hell yes to veggie pasta, I love spaghetti squash and zucchini noodles. I often make those if I’m looking for a lighter alternative to traditional pasta noodles. I also try to make my own noodles from scratch when I can, as they cook faster and can be less starchy.

I’m glad you didn’t have to put up with much pain! I wouldn’t wish my crappy experience on anyone. I guess it’s not really something you can predict though, we’re all so different.

Wishing you all the best on your wls journey!! ❤️

[HannahRB 24]

Its nice to see other younger sleevers! Im 20, and starting liquid diet today. How did the whole process affect your mental state? Also are you on any medications for Anxiety? (I am and wondering how this will affect how my medication and coping) Im glad youre over the crazy part of your surgery and best wishes going forward

[Lady-Lazarus 14]

20 hours ago, HannahRB said:

Its nice to see other younger sleevers! Im 20, and starting liquid diet today. How did the whole process affect your mental state? Also are you on any medications for Anxiety? (I am and wondering how this will affect how my medication and coping) Im glad youre over the crazy part of your surgery and best wishes going forward

Good luck with your liquid diet! For me I found it (the pre/ VLCD and post op liquid diets) to be the hardest part, because I didn’t lose my appetite after surgery, But it really does go by before you know it.

I’m not on any meds for my anxiety/depression - the treatment I undergo for anxiety has been cognitive behavioural therapy, so I didn’t have any clashes or issues with meds there.

To be completely honest my mental state in the lead up to surgery and during the recovery process was pretty bad, I didn’t cope particularly well. I had some issues going on in my personal life in the few weeks before my surgery, which stressed me out, plus the stress of the upcoming surgery itself, and the struggle with the diet. The amount of pain and constant discomfort I was in during the recovery one hundred percent gave me buyer’s remorse for ever getting the surgery in the first place. I was a wreck, I was sick of being in pain, I was sick of being hungry but not really being able to eat, the issues in my personal life were ongoing. My depression and anxiety had gotten absolutely worse and I found myself crying most days for the month after surgery wishing I’d never gotten the sleeve.

I’m about four months post op now, and those feelings have gone away. It took a lot of time, but seeing all the progress I’d made, the confidence I’ve gained, and the fact I can eat normal food with practically no problems (now anyway haha) has helped. I don’t regret getting my sleeve anymore and my life is going great!

All the best for your journey ahead!

[HannahRB 24]

Thanks I'm trying to study for tests and finals and my head is killing me i just got an abcess removed and had stitches on friday so i cant take blood thinners >.> hoping my headache subsides soon thanks for being honest. I know its going to be bad mentally for me for awhile but it cant be worse than what i already deal with lol.