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  1. #1
    Gastric Sleeve Member Skylara's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Sky
    Surgery date
    04/09/2015
    Surgeon
    Blaine Nease
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Last Activity
    01-29-2015 03:05 PM
    Location
    Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
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    Question Expectations Versus Reality

    I'm scheduled for my VSG on April 9th, and there was something I've been trying to find information on that I'm not finding in any of my handouts or on sites talking about VSG from a clinical standpoint. So it's crowdsourcing time!

    In addition to weight loss/getting healthier, my post-surgery long-term goal is threefold:
    1. Not have to calorie count anymore.
    2. Not have to weigh in obsessively every day/week/month.
    3. Be able to have a normal relationship with food.


    I'm hoping to take full advantage of the first 6-8 weeks while healing and to really focus on learning how to eat right with the sleeve (and my head, and my nutritionist) as a guide.

    If I work hard to use the first 2-3 months of healing to their fullest (along with the following months to practice what I've re-learned), are my three goals above possible at some point? Or will I always have to be hyper-aware of my calories, weight, etc?

    No experiences shared here will change my mind: I AM having surgery. I just need to make sure that I don't have unrealistic goals, which could set me back far more than a basket of Olive Garden bread ever could.

    Thanks!
    Dragonrider.
    My Weight Loss Blog: The Transformation of Olympus
    My Facebook Page: Facebook.com/SkySloderbeck


  2. Gastric Sleeve Surgery With Weight Loss Agents
  3. #2
    Gastric Sleeve Member KarenJean's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    KarenJean
    Surgery date
    12/09/2014
    Surgeon
    Dr. Loggins
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Last Activity
    03-28-2015 09:25 AM
    Location
    Maine
    Posts
    365
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    Was Thanked 58 Times in 53 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 3 Times

    Default Re: Expectations Versus Reality

    Hi Sky, good questions and goals!
    I'm a huge proponent of therapy before and after surgery. The sleeve will help you break the physical eating addiction in the first few months, but the best way to break the psychological addictions, in my opinion, is to get some professional help.
    I work with an eating disorder specialist. She's also helping me not to obsess about calories and the scale (I haven't weighed myself in almost three weeks!! It's difficult, but I'm learning to trust the process.).
    K.


  4. #3
    Gastric Sleeve Member Cnjzmom's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Julie
    Surgery date
    09/30/2014
    Surgeon
    Dr. Juarez
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Last Activity
    02-20-2017 06:42 AM
    Location
    Arizona
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    82
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    Was Thanked 29 Times in 22 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 9 Times

    Default Re: Expectations Versus Reality

    Hi Sky,
    I am about 3 1/2 months post op and am measuring calories and nutritional facts but mainly to keep myself in check and make sure I am getting what I need in. I have done fairly well with losing weight since my surgery and I have ofteb wondered myself if I will ever just be able to go through the day w/o tracking what I'm putting in my mouth. I think, yes someday I will. But for now this is what is working for me so I will continue. If I eat it, I log it. It keeps me honest and then when I am not feeling as well today I can go back and look and see what I did differently yesterday, etc.

    Another huge change I've made is not letting the scale "dictate" how I feel about my journey. I have only weighed MONTHLY (except for Dr. visits). I know from past experiences that if I weighed more often and the scale didn't act right (LOL) I could potentially sabotage myself. I'm not doing that anymore. As long as the scale is less than the previous month, which it has been, I'm happy. I didn't gain all of this weight in a few short months and I'm not going to lose it all either. This is a lifestyle change for the better for me. I have to accept ALL of me.

    As for #3 I think anyone who has an "addictive" behavior is going to have to be careful. I have learned that I can have a bite of something and be satisfied, I don't have to eat the entire thing.

    Good Luck on your journey



    Beginning weight - 388
    2 week preop diet - 374
    Day of surgery - 361
    1 month - 333
    2 months - 318
    3 months - 308
    4 months - 295
    5 months - 285
    6 months - 279
    7 months - 262
    8 months - 258
    9 months - 247
    10 months - 243
    11 months - 233
    1 year - 227.8
    13 months - 216.4
    17 months - 197

  5. #4
    Gastric Sleeve Member Ann2's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Ann2
    Surgery date
    08/18/2014
    Surgeon
    n.a.
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    Missouri
    Posts
    6,630
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    Default Re: Expectations Versus Reality

    Sky,

    I think merely wanting (no matter how hard) to "have a normal relationship with food" doesn't get you there. It's very hard work getting there. Do I think you can get there in 6-8 weeks post-op? I doubt it.

    I've posted twice about this topic already today in pretty heartfelt fashion. So I'll just offer this link and then let you follow the other link in that comment: http://www.gastricsleeve.com/forum/t...tml#post499662

    And for the record, everyone does NOT agree with me. This is a big, highly debated, complex subject. There probably is not a single path to success. The most important thing is to know your own strengths and weaknesses and build a lifestyle that honestly, effectively responds to those.

    And there are no guarantees.

    Sorry.



    Consult: 235 lbs
    My and doc's preop diet: 216 -19 lbs
    M1 postop 205 -30
    M2 193 -42
    M3 184 -51
    M4 174 -61
    M5 167 -68
    M6 162 -73
    M7 156 -79
    M8 151 -84
    M9 148 -87
    M10 146 -89
    M11 144 -91
    M12 143 -92
    M13 142 -93
    M14 140 -95
    M15 139 -96
    M16 137 -98
    M17 135 -100

    First Surgiversary post

    Second Surgiversary post

    Third Surgiversary post

  6. #5
    Gastric Sleeve Member rockscott40's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Scott
    Surgery date
    01/06/2015
    Surgeon
    Dr.Almanza
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
    Last Activity
    09-16-2017 11:48 PM
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    kenosha, WI
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    Default Re: Expectations Versus Reality

    Like the posting......


  7. Gastric Sleeve Surgery With Weight Loss Agents
  8. #6
    sraebaer
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    Default Re: Expectations Versus Reality

    Good goals! I lost my weight and feel like I have a pretty normal relationship with food, but I do weigh myself every day, just to keep on track. I guess my biggest fear is regaining my weight. And I still love to eat, so I think it's something I will have to watch the rest of my life.

  9. #7
    Gastric Sleeve Member Skibabe's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    04/29/2014
    Surgeon
    David Schroeder
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Last Activity
    12-26-2015 07:13 PM
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    Hamilton, New Zealand
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    Default Re: Expectations Versus Reality

    I think a lot of it comes down to why you became obese in the first place. I never had what I'd term an "eating disorder", I didn't rely on food to make me feel better or anything. I simply ate far too much, hated exercise so didn't do it, and resented any diet I was on because I wanted to be able eat what I wanted. I couldn't control myself enough to diet long-term, the longest I could last was three months before I rebelled.

    I now do have a healthy diet and in fact, for me, it's been ridiculously easy. Yes, it's a big adjustment to start with, but after those first six weeks, I was settled into my new way of being. I don't get cravings like I used to - I used to eat chocolate daily, took me eight months to have it after surgery :-) I still enjoy my wine and occasionally some mac n cheese, but most of the time I eat healthily simply because that's the food i want. I don't feel denied, I feel completely at peace with my life and my relationship with food. No mental torture any more. Around the three month mark, I did have to be careful as I realised I could eat anything and had to watch that I didn't fall back into bad habits, but once I was aware of that, I conquered it. I'm now in control of what I eat, and very conscious of what I'm putting in my mouth in a way I never was before.

    I do realise though, that it can be very different for others, depending on the triggers for their obesity. I actually feel like a "normal" person now :-) Oh, and I still weigh myself daily, mainly for the buzz of seeing how little I weigh now :-))))
    1 month post op - 17.2kg/37lbs/2.7st lost
    2 months - 8.6kg/18lbs/1.37st
    3 months - 5.1kg/11lbs
    4 months - 5kg/11lbs
    5 months - 4.1kg/9lbs
    6 months - 4.5kg/9lbs
    73.1=50kg 7/12/14
    72.8kg=8st 10/12/14
    68.1=55kg,SURGEON'S GOAL!! & "normal" BMI - 20 Jan 15

    66kg=9st, MY GOAL!!! 12 Feb 2015!!!



  10. #8
    Gastric Sleeve Member CharlieFarley's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    07/08/2014
    Surgeon
    Mr Welbourn
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Last Activity
    03-02-2018 02:59 PM
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    Brit in Texas!
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    Default Re: Expectations Versus Reality

    You might end up revising goal #2... because you might find it difficult to not step on the scales.

    Success is addictive!



    As for the others... I've never been a calorie counter, which might be part of why I had a weight problem to start with. Having surgery hasn't changed that - it is simply undeniable that I consume a tiny fraction of the calories I used to.

    A normal relationship with food? That's not so easy for me to answer. I don't eat very much whether I'm at home or out to dinner - but at a restaurant I'm happy to order anything I want and leave the excess on the plate at the end. Is that "normal"?!*



    * Rhetorical question! I'm happy with that situation - it isn't anything I'm looking to change!

    Male, age 46, 6'1" tall. Starting BMI was 39 at 2 weeks pre-op. My weight loss chart.
    BMI=35 at 3 weeks post-op! BMI=30 at 15 weeks post-op! BMI=25 at 9 months post-op!
    Reached ultimate goal within 5 months of surgery: free of all prescription medicines! My blog.

  11. #9
    Gastric Sleeve Member Skylara's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Sky
    Surgery date
    04/09/2015
    Surgeon
    Blaine Nease
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Last Activity
    01-29-2015 03:05 PM
    Location
    Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
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    Default Re: Expectations Versus Reality

    Thanks for the responses, everyone!

    Ann2: I definitely don't think I'll get there in 6-8 weeks. The mention of 6-8 weeks was the healing time and using that to my full advantage to re-learn how to eat. I know it will be a long road.

    Skibabe: I became overweight from a love affair with fast food, bread, soda, and lack of activity (which started once I got too big to enjoy activity - before that, I LOVED just going out and hiking, or biking, or walking, or jetskiing). I became overweight from boredom eating as well. Your experience sounds like the kind of experience I hope for - but I know everyone is different and I need to understand that it may be super hard, especially since I have a lifetime of bad eating habits.

    CharlieFarley: LOL - If I end up having that kind of "problem," I'd be happy with stepping on the scale all of the time.

    Thanks for the feedback, everyone! It's heartening to know that it's possible to have a more normal relationship with food after surgery. Fingers cross that it happens for me too.
    Dragonrider.
    My Weight Loss Blog: The Transformation of Olympus
    My Facebook Page: Facebook.com/SkySloderbeck


  12. #10
    sraebaer
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    Default Re: Expectations Versus Reality

    Great goals! I always follow the "rules" of protein first, then veggies if room, then other things, and have never counted anything. Works for me and I feel and look normal.

  13. #11
    Gastric Sleeve Member Skylara's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Sky
    Surgery date
    04/09/2015
    Surgeon
    Blaine Nease
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Last Activity
    01-29-2015 03:05 PM
    Location
    Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
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    6
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    Default Re: Expectations Versus Reality

    This is the part I'm most looking forward to,Sraebaer! I could eat an entire dinner of chicken or fish and be happy. Or bacon. Lots and lots of bacon. lol
    Dragonrider.
    My Weight Loss Blog: The Transformation of Olympus
    My Facebook Page: Facebook.com/SkySloderbeck


  14. #12
    Gastric Sleeve Member Nailsinthecityy_VSG's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    07/14/2014
    Surgeon
    Dr. Mark Cavaretta, MD
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Last Activity
    07-13-2015 11:40 AM
    Location
    Buffalo NY
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    Default Re: Expectations Versus Reality

    Welcome!
    Keep in mind, you're body will react much differently to food after the surgery. Things you enjoyed before might not taste right; you might crave foods you never cared for before. Some foods your body might straight up reject.
    After my surgery, everything tasted sickeningly sweet to me, even my favorite Greek yogurt. I can't even begin to tell you how many foods my body has rejected over the last 6 months - ground beef, steak, eggs, bananas, anything breaded, anything greasy.... the list goes on.
    So, will you ever have a "normal" relationship with food? It depends on your definition of normal. You may become accustomed to your new lifestyle, and learn to avoid the foods that your body doesn't like /aren't conducive to weight loss. If you can do that, you won't need to count calories. Granted, you'll probably still have to check labels for carbs and such, but I feel people should do that as a whole anyways.
    As far as the scale goes, I have no good answer bc I'm a big time scale hopper. I weigh myself everyday. Maybe once I reach goal I'll calm down.
    Good luck!



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