Portion Size

[Kanuck01]

I'm still in the process of deciding if the glastric sleeve is right for me. I went to my doctor last week to discuss my options. He warned me that other patients he had regretted the surgery. He stated that most could only eat extremely small portions and were nauseous after meals. This has really changed my mind and I'm looking for some more answers.

[Kindle]

So is he urging you to have bypass instead, or no WLS at all? What does he consider "extremely small portions"? I eat anywhere from 4-8oz per meal as well as several snacks/day. I'm quite satisfied with the portions I can eat, I have never ever been nauseous, and have never regretted my surgery for a second. Is this doctor your surgeon or PCP? If it's a surgeon, definitely look for another one with a better track record. If it's your PCP, find out where his patients are having surgery and don't go there. Are there bariatric seminars or support groups you could attend to get first hand info from real patients, not just hearsay from a non-supportive doctor? What he describes is certainly not the norm for post VSG patients. If it were, no one would be having problems with regain. We'd all be undernourished and puking all day.

[kleb42]

Ive never felt nauseous once...I do eat smaller portions, but that's how you lose weight

[Bufflehead]

I also eat smaller portions than I used to, but I consider them normal size portions for a healthy person. I have never been nauseated after eating except once early on when I accidentally mis-measured my food and ate too much. I'm 3.5 years post-op, down over 200 lbs, and have never regretted this decision even for a second.
I agree with Kindle -- your doctor sounds misinformed and possibly biased. Get a second opinion at least.

[ghost_ryder]

As a guy who loved big portions, I can say how nice it is to be able to eat like a normal person. You may miss certain types of food but that only leads to bigger weight loss. I miss pizza but I also know that the calories and carbs are not worth the taste. To echo what was said above find the best people to support YOUR health not their beliefs.

[lorylynch]

With the gastric sleeve the only thing changed is the size of your stomach! it is the best decision i have ever made!
I was nasuea the first week after that ...nothing, no reflux, just eating like a normal person!
And yes I eat small portions several times a day.
best decision
best wishes
Lory

[RehabNurse]

I will preface this by saying that I am 19 months post-operative. Here are examples of what I can eat at one meal.

1. A chicken thigh, a chicken drumstick, and half a cup of steamed vegetables.
2. A large slice of pizza and half a cup of chef salad.
3. Two salmon patties and half a cup of veggies or salad.
4. A four-inch sub sandwich and half a cup of veggies or salad.
5. A small cheeseburger and half a cup of veggies or salad.
6. Two tuna patties and half a cup of veggies or salad.

My sleeved stomach's capacity is about 8 ounces, which is very generous. Prior to the sleeve, I estimate my capacity was 40 to 48 ounces. As you can see from the examples I provided, I eat generously while maintaining my body weight. I have never experienced nausea or vomiting after my meals.

In other words, your doctor is an idiot who lacks sufficient information to advise anyone on sleeve gastrectomy surgery.

[Sandra3]

First you should inform yourself about the procedure, read about the surgery and other options (by pass, balloon). There's good books on the subject. Then pick a good surgeon , someone who performed more than 2000 surgeries. Meet the surgeon and disclose every tiny details about your health, that's important.

I met my surgeon on September 2014 and had surgery on January 2016. Before surgery I stayed two full days in hospital because my surgeon wanted to redo all my tests and have me under observation.
I did vomit for three days non stop post-op, and was nauseous for about six months.
But because I met my surgeon several times and I did have many tests, exams, he did warn me that it could happen to me, he knew my health history really well and I am "the" complicated patient. I always have issues with anesthesia and since I was very sick during all my pregnancies, my surgeon did say I could be nauseous post-op for several months. Our stomach produces many hormones, not just the ghrelin, and at this point of research it's not well documented the why and how...but I had the profile and my doc was right.... It was not a walk in the park everyday, but it got better.

Having bariatric surgery is today the only way to really lose weight and regain your health. That was my conclusions when I was reading all the studies about how diets don't work for obese people. At some point our metabolism has gone too far....numbers and studies do show that bariatric surgery is the best option.

I picked the sleeve because I didn't want' to have a by pass, I already have anemia and that would not be a surgery I would have considered because of the malabsorption. My surgeon did agree with my choice, and he added that actually with my life style (we move from one country to an other every 3/4 years) in many countries I wouldn't be able to find the required after care or just the vitamin injections I would need.

Now, let's be clear. The sleeve is not an other diet. It's a new way of life. Yes we eat less, that's the point. Restriction does help to lose weight, but making the right food choice is also compulsory to get a good result and be in good health. Small quantity, but only high quality!

That's why we meet the psychiatrist during the process to make sure that we are suited for the surgery: for example patient with food addiction are supposed to get counseling before the surgery or they are not approved.
The nutritionist will teach what to eat and the quantities...

Anyway...it's a long process, take your time, but the most important is to find a good doctor who knows what he is talking about. Ask him questions.

I started with a BMI over 50. My health was getting worth each year. I don't think I would have reached retirement. I did try so many diets for 20 years, my longest was one year, I regain 2/3 of the weight and at that point I knew the sleeve was my last chance.
For the past months I feel better, no more pain all day, I can walk 5 miles and not feel like I'm dying at the end of the road.
I feel so much better, not being tired all day do change everything.
I have no regret, never did! the sleeve probably saved my life!
I am not at goal yet, hopefully in a few months, but I will do what's necessary to get there and continue to improve my health!

Good luck and take care.

[Lisa73me]

Thanks everyone! I love this forum!!!!

[kenson]

I definitely eat smaller meals--that's what happens when your stomach is reduced to the size of a banana However, I've never felt nauseous after a meal, and I have zero regrets!

[KariVSG]

Portion size is the whole thing. How else do you expect to lose weight. I had my surgery on the 8th and i am having a difficult time keeping anything down. Today I did keep a small amount of mashed potatoes down, and it felt so nice. But now i feel uncomfortable. But it will pass.

[KariVSG]

Portion size is the whole thing. How else do you expect to lose weight. I had my surgery on the 8th and i am having a difficult time keeping anything down. Today I did keep a small amount of mashed potatoes down, and it felt so nice. But now i feel uncomfortable. But it will pass.

[Pam G]

the whole point of VSG is to make the stomach smaller so you can't eat as much. What the heck does he THINK it's supposed to do...duh.

And sure, a lot of people are nauseated at the beginning....they're taking pain medication, which causes nausea and constipation.

[elle77]

I had some difficulty in the beginning, but it DOES pass. Everyone is different and its a REALLLLY good idea to do your homework. I would definitely get another surgeon. Sorry but he sounds uninformed. They are supposed to guide you an make you feel comfortable. I'm 20 days Post-op now and I feel way better than I did the day before. Every day gets easier and I'm glad I made this decision.

[Pam G]

I'm still in the process of deciding if the glastric sleeve is right for me. I went to my doctor last week to discuss my options. He warned me that other patients he had regretted the surgery. He stated that most could only eat extremely small portions and were nauseous after meals. This has really changed my mind and I'm looking for some more answers.

doesn't sound like a surgeon talking, at all. Why would a surgeon turn down a quick, simple procedure that he can make BIG bucks off of? This must have been your PCP?