Success Stories of the sleeve

Hi everyone! I'm new this group. I also finally met with the surgeon today after waiting for 6 months since my last appointment. (Here in Ontario- it's been quite backed up this spring they said). Because of a hernia I have next to my vertical incision from csections- the surgeon feels that the Sleeve will be the best option for me.

I had my mind set on the bypass (as that is the option they mostly do here in Ontario), and so now that I have found out I'm having the sleeve, I'm trying to wrap my brain around it.

I'm afraid it won't be as successful. Will I still lose as much? What kinds of things have you all experienced.

Help give me peace of mind =)

The decision about which surgery you have is very personal, but in general, the results are pretty much the same for both - it works as well as you work the surgery. It's hard work, and the 'magic' part of the surgery in the early days doesn't last for long.

I had VSG and had a 36.2 BMI when I had surgery. I lost 60lbs pre-op (before I ever even started the process for WLS) and have lost just over 100lbs post op. The majority of that I lost in the first 5 months and the rest in the 3 months after that.

I'm 5'7" tall and between 125-130lbs and maintaining. I won't call myself a success until I can say the same thing in another few years. But, you certainly can lose all the weight with the sleeve.

It is a great tool. It's not going to fix everything though. Like Erin said, it is still hard work. You will lose weight, but if you don't change eating habits early, then the weightloss will stop and your weight will pile back on.

Like Erin, the sleeve has worked well for me both in losing and maintaining (so far). But we have to work the tool - it isn't a magical solution. The same is true with RNY.

There is still head hunger and restriction doesn't really work for simple carbs. But again, this is true with RNY as well.

Both are excellent surgeries and your surgeon and you are best suited to determine what is best for you.

Next month will be two years since I started the process. I am a little more than 18 months out from surgery. The sleeve was very successful for me. I've lost well over 200 lbs and passed all my goals. As has already been written, where your head is at is more important that the type of surgery. There are other reasons for choosing one surgery over another, but for weight loss both are effective as long as you get your head on straight. Make up your mind to change your eating habits, and then stick with it. You will succeed.

The sleeve has been very successful for me. But mindset and making healthy changes is the most important. For me once I decided to seek help and attended initial seminars at Guelph I made my mind up to make the changes at my first Nutrition classes cut out caffeine no alcohol and followed Canada food guide religiously. I was able to lose 52 pounds in 6 months prior to surgery. I wanted the bypass however because I was on a daily aspirin surgeon said I'd need to have Sleeve but if family doctor could Eliminate the aspirin I could have RNY. I was worried about Sleeve but researched both options as it turns out family doc said I could go off aspirin by the day of surgery I had decided to go with Sleeve. I've last additional 93-94 pounds after surgery I find Sleeve tool works great at restriction and continue to work towards my goal. I truly believe lifestyle change is 60-70% accountable for weight loss and surgery 30-40%. If you stick to plan and remain committed forever you will lose the weight and meet goal.

Had 2 C-Sections with bikini line incisions (don't have a hernia) and had the sleeve done laparoscopic. Three tiny incisions - one in my belly button, one on the right, one on the left near the ribs.

I was 55 when I had my surgery. I started the process at 271.5, but was probably over 300 at my heaviest. I'm down 115.5 at this point, still losing and putting on muscle and taking off fat. I have had people who haven't seen me in the last year and a half not recognize me. I went from a 24 (which was tight) to an 8, which is getting loose.

I've taken up fencing and compete on a national level. I work out in the gym and can deadlift more than I currently weigh. I'm about 3/4 of the way to being able to do a pull up unassisted.

My team has asked me to go to the support group meetings and speak as a success story. I love my sleeve and so wish I had done this sooner. I haven't felt this good since I was in my 20s.

Best of luck.

Well congrats to you on taking the first step I know how exciting and scary it can be.

First I want to tell you having the sleeve is the best decision I ever made for myself - I am 10 years out from my surgery started the journey at around 255 surgery weight I think 230 or around there got to 130 and am currently at 140 I have maintained my weight loss up and down the 5/ 10 lbs.

it does take work I weigh myself several

times a week so as to not let the weight creep up and get out of control. I try and nip it in the butt when I see about a 3 lb gain it's so much easier to take off the 3 vs 10 or 15 and don't want my body to get comfortable hanging on to those extra pounds.

Money thing I can stress is to follow the rules I have had several friends go thru the surgery only to break the rules in the first month and well sorry to say they have all gained the weight back . I think if you follow the rules your body adjusts better and you get use to eating less and better choices the longer you stick to it the easier it becomes and a new way of life to help you keep

iff the pounds .

Hood luck on your journey I'm sure you will do great and use this board to help you thru

cheers

mo