I just got approved for the Gastric Sleeve by my insurance company. I have been working for a year to get approved, but now Im scared. Am I going to be able to eat with out vomiting? What can I eat? How much pain is really involved? What about the risks of surgery? I need feedback from real people! Help.

 You should come over to the VSG board - there are a lot of helpful people and lots of information.

My experience: I can and do eat without vomiting.  I have vomited 3 times - twice from my chewable multivitamins, once from over eating without knowing it.  

After you are healed, you can eat anything.  Doesn't mean you should, by any means.  To be successful and healthy - protein should always be first!  

Pain - I didn't have that much at all really.  I was home the day after, I had liquid vicodin that I only used for like 2.5 days max - if that.  

Risks are the same for most surgeries.  Here you also have the risk of a leak.  Your surgeon should be testing that before you leave the hospital.  A stricture is a risk - honestly I don't know much about them.  

Again - come check out the VSG board - there are a ton of people - and most all of them are happy to share their experiences.  

Good luck on your surgery. 

Thank you! Your resonse really helps. 

Congratulations!  Yes, you can eat without vomiting!  I rarely vomit and only do when I eat too fast or too much (you learn your limits and it won't happen).  For the tmi part, vomitting is much less gross now as it is much less violent, is more like a burp with food and it tastes the same coming back up ie, no bile.  Still no fun, but ok!  There is no real reason to vomit more than usual.  You will be able to eat whatever you want, at least I can.  If I want to maintain or lose, I make good choices, high protein, low carbon.  Pain?  All surgeries will cause some discomfort.  I have had several surgeries and didn't find this one difficult at all.  I was back to my desk job in 1 week with no problem.  As for risks, I believe they are pretty low compared to some other surgeries, but all surgeries carry risks. Not having surgery also poses risks.  Do you have any comorbities now?  They will likely get worse or appear if you don't have surgery (or at least lose a lot of weight).

Relax!  You can do this and you will love your VSG!

Im sure I will love it! Thanks.

 it's normal to be scared, surgery is major. keep in mind there are always risks including the risk of staying obese without surgery!

Very true

Congrats on your approval! I had RNY but I just wanted to say good luck and I hope your weight loss surgery experience is as wonderful as mine has been.

6 years and I would do it again in a nano-second.

Best wishes!
~Michelle "Shelly"

Thank you!

You SHOULD be scared---being scared means you really DO know what you're getting into. Major surgery should scare anyone.

But of all possible forms of WLS, the Sleeve is the most benign. It's really very simple, and has a very low chance of complications.

What can you eat? Well, once you've completely healed---anything you can eat now. That doesn't mean you really SHOULD, but---you CAN. The whole idea of WLS is to change your eating habits, and, seriously, the Sleeve is the form of WLS that does the least to FORCE changes on you. It will most certainly force to to eat LESS per sitting---but it will allow you to eat anything you choose. Do NOT get the Sleeve if you think you need the 'food police' to make choices for you, 'cause the Sleeve won't do that.

The Sleeve should NEVER make you vomit---unless, of course, you gorge yourself. The Sleeve just makes your stomach smaller. Unlike the RNY/gastric bypass, the Sleeve still keeps all normal stomach function---it just doesn't hold much food. It's like a diet, but largely without hunger.

Pain---you betcha. The Sleeve, like all WLS, is MAJOR SURGERY. IT HURTS. That's why they give you really good drugs afterwards. (*grin*)

My DS was my very-first surgery ever, and mine was done open. I had mentally prepared myself for it to hurt like being beat with a big stick.

It didn't.

It did hurt, but---I've hurt myself worse, accidentally. (And probably will again, since I like to climb things and, now, I'm skinny enough to climb really TALL things. *grin*)

Very reasurring and infomative, I apprietiate that thank you. What exactly do you climb?

Congrats!  

Come join us on the vsg board :)

 I think it's totally appropriate to be scared, my surgery was May 31st and Im having major complications. No one ever mentioned the chance of esophageal abscess but yet that's what I'm recovering from! So not fun!

Are abscesses common? I was not told about this either!

 Apparently when they say infections it covers them everywhere! 
I plan on discussing the same with my GI Nutrition education team next week. 

 I know exactly how you feel. I was both scared and excited at the same time. I can honestly say for me that it was the best decission that I have ever made. My only suggestion is to read up on the surgery so you are prepared. I sugges the following titles for you:

1. Weight Loss Surgery For Dummies

2. Before & After, Revised Edition: Living and Eating Well After Weight-Loss Surgery