I want to hear the BAD stuff no one is talking about

[Dyson]

How is knowing what others have gone through going to inform your decision? No two experiences are the same. I think this is silly.

[lisalee]

@greenmomma Remember as you lose the weight, the toxins that were accumuated on your insides are also escaping your body. This will cause the symptoms you were experiencing. Hope this helps.

[Socaldixiegal]

I had a super easy recovery and losing weight has been pretty easy . . however, just having surgery doesn't "FIX" you. YOU and only you are still in control of what you eat. This impacts how quickly you will lose and whether you keep it off. It's not magic. You still have to make good choices. Sure, the first many months are super easy. The food demons you brought into surgery will still be there after surgery. They just may lie dormant for a while.

Just because you may not be hungry doesn't mean you may not be eating! I didn't get fat b/c I only ate when hungry.

Only real negatives for me have been developing acid reflux and now I think I've some hernia issues. But the later is caused I believe from some tearing when I began activity too soon.

Sure, you'll find little frustrations (e.g. telling waiters that yes, I enjoyed the meal, but just am full so need a to go box).

[lisalee]

@jarnols Remember the good always outweighs the bad unless you have extreme complications. The main goal is to become healthier, and that's why this surgery is performed on so many people. I read these blogs as well, but as a form of support on what to do and what not to do. I know it's good to know the good and bad before hand, but don't let that deter your decision to have the surgery if you need it. There will be a lot of naysayers like family or friends, however, I'm having my sleeve for me, regardless of what anyone says. Good luck on your journey!

[lisalee]

Great advice @socialdixiegal !

[JustWantToBeHealthyAgain]

"Sure, you'll find little frustrations (e.g. telling waiters that yes, I enjoyed the meal, but just am full so need a to go box)."

This is so true. It's sort of funny/awkward. I went out and had sushi. I only ate like 3-4 pieces of shrimp and I had to take the rest of the roll home. I actually was open with the waitress "I've had surgery and my stomach is this big *shows with hands* so I can't eat much but I assure you, I loved the meal and I'm going to love the leftovers too." She smiled.

[Lucy61]

Over a year out... I followed to a "T" my doc & NUT advise... I have not gotten sick once (stay in tune to my body and the early signs of being too full) and as my NUT said if you start feeling ill then its usually - Too Much (qty), Too Soon (to consume that type of food), or Too Fast (eating too fast). I take a single multi vitamin (since 3 months out) and all my vit levels are right in the middle of the road. I have not drank a protein shake since week 5, I get all my nutrition from food sources (75-80 % protein the balance is carb & veggie 50/50). Today I consume 5-6 oz at a sitting and I eat 5 times a day. My biggest thing I did going in and started it before surgery are my 3 lifetime rules - I use a food scale, even still today for most things that go on my plate, I eat from smaller dishes (so I don't graze thru my plate - because you can over a period of time eat more) and I weigh every single morning without fail - this is to keep the scale from going back up (I have a 5lb range that I stay within because I can control a 3lb gain and get it back off vs having 10lb creep on and I struggle to get it back off) I weighed myself daily for a year before surgery and held my weight flat. It is work - it will be for the rest of your life, the surgery helps to keep your stomach from fighting you in the battle - I don't crave food like before, but I do get hungry (hence the meals 5x a day).

[Godismyeverything]

I had my surgery 2 years ago... my fingernails still won't grow long and strong. I can only eat my food room temp or colder....I can not tolerate hot food at all no coffee tea hot chocolate nothing hot! My surgery and recover went very well. I am ok with eating cold food it really taste good to me!

[Lori C]

Hi Stefan, well I had my sleeve done back in Nov. 2013 and was fine for a week. I became very sick with a leak and thought I was dying. You wanted to hear about other things besides leaks. Well I wish I had the facts really explained to me before hand. I was told of the possible problems such as leaks less than 2% chance. I was willing to take that chance. The thing I wasn't informed on was al that happens when you have a leak. When this happened I was rushed into emergency surgery where they had to clean out my gut, drain the abcess that was formed, insert a drain and a feeding tube which I still have today. No food or drink from November. Until 2 weeks ago when I got the go ahead for clear fluids. Now I'm so much better than I was but I still need to have a procedure to fix my s
Leak. It's self contained now in what you could call a pouch. I'll have a specialist in Boston go in Endoscopicly under anesthesia to clip or sew the hole and possible fix my pyloric muscle so my stomach empties better. I was an unlucky one. Just be informed. Leaks are VERY VERY serious. Not easily fixed and take a long time. Best wishes to you and good luck on your journey.

[jarnols]

I love how with all the negative at the end you still love your sleeve and that you would obviously
do it again. Thank you for sharing

-I have to take a daily stool softener
-I have to take lots of supplements
-I have to drink a lot of water, sometimes annoying
-I have little to NO appetite. You may be wondering why this is a bad thing. It's both good/bad. I don't crave or mindless snack but I have to FORCE myself to eat sometimes, which is irritating because many times, I'd rather just not eat at all!
-Can't eat bread/pasta. A bite makes me feel like I'm going to die.
-Going out to eat is not that fun. I can't eat much and then I get bored and want to leave ASAP.
-Feeling a little isolated because I turn down outings that involve going out to eat/drink
-Had to dump a couple friends because they were not supportive, so screw 'em, don't need 'em
-Can't drink alcohol for a long time.
-My stomach is noisy and grumbly when I eat, which I dislike

Food is not enjoyable, food is not as pleasurable. Mealtime is not something I dread but I don't look forward to it either. Your love affair with food will end. Maybe you will be "just friends" with food but me and food, food is like an awkward ex-boyfriend that I need for some reason.

I forgot to add, I hope you like leftovers because that's 60% of what I eat everyday. Just leftovers.

Looking older can be a negative. I look younger now that I've lost weight but I am 24 and much of my skin hasn't sagged...yet.

I love my sleeve!

[jarnols]

I love your 3 rules thank you so much for sharing some tips.

Over a year out... I followed to a "T" my doc & NUT advise... I have not gotten sick once (stay in tune to my body and the early signs of being too full) and as my NUT said if you start feeling ill then its usually - Too Much (qty), Too Soon (to consume that type of food), or Too Fast (eating too fast). I take a single multi vitamin (since 3 months out) and all my vit levels are right in the middle of the road. I have not drank a protein shake since week 5, I get all my nutrition from food sources (75-80 % protein the balance is carb & veggie 50/50). Today I consume 5-6 oz at a sitting and I eat 5 times a day. My biggest thing I did going in and started it before surgery are my 3 lifetime rules - I use a food scale, even still today for most things that go on my plate, I eat from smaller dishes (so I don't graze thru my plate - because you can over a period of time eat more) and I weigh every single morning without fail - this is to keep the scale from going back up (I have a 5lb range that I stay within because I can control a 3lb gain and get it back off vs having 10lb creep on and I struggle to get it back off) I weighed myself daily for a year before surgery and held my weight flat. It is work - it will be for the rest of your life, the surgery helps to keep your stomach from fighting you in the battle - I don't crave food like before, but I do get hungry (hence the meals 5x a day).

[jarnols]

OmG WOW.. First off I sure hope you are on the up side in the recovery process. How did you know you had a leak? When they fixed your leak it sounds like they where able to keep your stomach, is this correct?? Your feeding tube is that for life or until your 100% better? Looking back would you do anything different or not do at all? My last question did you have surgery in the US? How many had the doctor reformed? There is a reason why I ask. Thank you THANK YOU for sharing your story.... Steph

Hi Stefan, well I had my sleeve done back in Nov. 2013 and was fine for a week. I became very sick with a leak and thought I was dying. You wanted to hear about other things besides leaks. Well I wish I had the facts really explained to me before hand. I was told of the possible problems such as leaks less than 2% chance. I was willing to take that chance. The thing I wasn't informed on was al that happens when you have a leak. When this happened I was rushed into emergency surgery where they had to clean out my gut, drain the abcess that was formed, insert a drain and a feeding tube which I still have today. No food or drink from November. Until 2 weeks ago when I got the go ahead for clear fluids. Now I'm so much better than I was but I still need to have a procedure to fix my s
Leak. It's self contained now in what you could call a pouch. I'll have a specialist in Boston go in Endoscopicly under anesthesia to clip or sew the hole and possible fix my pyloric muscle so my stomach empties better. I was an unlucky one. Just be informed. Leaks are VERY VERY serious. Not easily fixed and take a long time. Best wishes to you and good luck on your journey.

[jarnols]

I take it that your bad breath and stink-i-ness has gone away? Besides a leak the bad breath is one of my fears. Mainly cause I work in close contact with people. Are you so far happy with your out come? Thank you for your input.

Bad stuff - my breath and body absolutely stunk for a couple weeks after surgery. Not sure if it was from the gas they pumped in, the anasthesia or what, but it was nasty. I also, on occassion, actually miss "eating", although I recognize it as mental desire, not physical. The negativity of others, both on this board, and in real life can be a drag. You must be mentally strong within yourself to be able to deflect it. You will look older. Fat smooths wrinkles. When you loose weight, the wrinkles and sagging skin can age you. Enough?

[jarnols]

That is your option ..that is silly??? For me knowledge is power. I can read all the stuff the doctor has told me or paper work they have handed me, but I personally feel nothing is better than real people sharing real experiences giving real helpful tips so I can be prepared for a life decision that I have to make.. Just from my post I did not realize that bad breath is a side effect and that I may have to take a stool softer or gas x for a while for the rest of my life (I also learn a few other things). Sure it may not be my experience ,cause yes no two experiences are the same. But for me its not silly, I am just really wanting to be inform Thank you for your feedback and again your in tiled to what you think.

How is knowing what others have gone through going to inform your decision? No two experiences are the same. I think this is silly.

[Lori C]

Hi Stef,
Yes my surgery was done in the United States. I have seen a specialist in Boston and he assured me that my surgeon did his job and that I was a misfortunate one who suffered complications. Anyway, I had my sleeve done and 80% of my stomach was removed. My leak happened during surgery and "they put a few extra stitches in" and sent me home. I had a pain in my left shoulder and was told keep moving and breathing deep because they thought it was gas from the surgery. After several days I couldn't sleep I tried heating pads, hot water bottle and the pain remained. About 10 days had passed and I couldn't drink enough to feel well. I asked my daughter to take me to the ER thinking I was dehydrated and would feel better after getting some fluids. But when I got there I have a 102.5 temp. and pneumonia. They transferred me by ambulance to the original hospital that did the surgery..after a CTscan they saw the leak & an abscess. They rushed my into surgery that night. The feeding tube is temporary. It's been about 3 months now and I was just told yesterday that if I could get 60g of protein a day I will have my j-tube removed on Friday! Best news yet. I do still have the issue with the leak self containing itself in a pouch so I'm scheduled to have this repaired in 2 weeks. I'm hoping and praying that I will be back to "normal" after this. I have been out of work since Nov. and really need to get back. If you work, make sure you fill out papers for FMLA. I did this and I'm using short term diss. Just be prepared. Have back up help.
Yes I think I would do this again.. Good luck, chances are you'll be just fine