The one thing I wish I'd known is....

Hey Pollyanna,  I am sorry to hear you have been struggling with this.  It surprised me that you said raw veggies as that is something that goes down really well for me and I eat them all the time.  I also don't have any problems with whole grains or high fibre foods.  Whilst I know we are all different and I have heard that we can develop lactose or other food intolerances after the sleeve, I had not heard that there could be digestive issues either.  I just assumed that smaller tummy and smaller food portions would even each other out.

I know this is probably a bit simplistic (but I believe gut flora is a huge thing that hasn't quite reached it's full understanding in the scientific arena, however, it seems to be becoming more to the forefront these days), I was drinking a Yakult or 2 every day during the first couple of months and I wonder if something like this might help with your digestive issues too (or a probiotic capsule etc.).  Also, have you tried digestive enzymes? My mum who hasn't been sleeved uses these for her digestive issues.

I think if I were you I would take it further (if you haven't already) and see if there are anything doctors (or maybe a naturopath) can find that might help to alleviate the problem.  

Sorry if you've heard all this before but I thought just in case I'd write a few ideas.

Best wishes,

Thanks Pollyanna for your very honest view - appreciated and it has given me a lot to ponder :-)

I wish I'd fully understood the impact of removing your stomach from the digestive process. Everyone I saw prior to surgery glossed over this, and in fairness I didn't read anything where it was addressed properly. I just don't think that it is easy to understand until you've had the surgery but it's not just a smaller stomach you are now relying on your intestine to work a lot harder and to take on food in a less 'prepared' state so it means that there are foods that you cannot comfortably eat especially raw vegetables, some whole grains and high fibre products that will give you uncomfortable and painful digestive problems. If I had known this I really wonder if I would have gone ahead. I wonder if there will be problems in the future for people with sleeves - I mean in ten years time. And yes, even though I've lost a lot of weight, I wouldn't recommend this to other people unless they had existing health issues as a result of their weight. And yes, if I could turn back the clock I would.

I was sleeved only a week ago. I did tell people because I want them to know and support me - my work colleagues have been fantastic not a single bad word. The only thing they expressed was that I was not *heavy* enough with a BMI of 34 (with co-morbidities).

I am afraid of failing. Of being on a terrible weight see saw for the rest of my life.

The fear of long term failure is stronger than I expected. I guess it is easy to have that fear after a lifetime of failure on the weight front. I also fear the reaction of people if I do fail after having the op. The other thing I was unprepared for was how much it has affected my wife. She was more greatly stressed than me about the possibility of things going wrong in the op and she is very protective of me post-op, not wanting me to do anything much at all, in case it causes me some complication, even though I am 5 weeks post op.

I spoke to my GP who is a lovely, supportive man and he referred me to her. Only had one session so far which was basically a fact finding mission but I feel really hopeful she's is going to be able to help me.

Thanks ladies. Gaining weight again once I've hit my target is a huge fear for me and has sadly been the story of my life with every other diet I have tried.  A Psychologist is not part of my package and I think it's brilliant advice to have some external support at the ready to help tackle some of my demons that have contributed to my eating disorder.  Can I ask how you found your Psychologist QQ?  Was it through GP referral, recommendation, research or somewhere else?

Similar to jo, I was unaware of the prevalence of gaining weight further down the track. I'd read about the possibility of stretching the sleeve but I didn't realise how common it is. I've started with a psychologist to work on my relationship with food so hopefully it won't be an issue but I do know that I'm going t need to practice vigilance if I want this to be a long term solution.

I didn't know you could put weight back on until after the sleeve . I was about a month after my sleeve shopping in Autograph and I was talking to the shop assistant about the sleeve, she said Ahhh yes I had it four years ago. My mouth was hanging open I am sure cause she was my size (one month after the sleeve so around 120kg). She figured my shocked face and gave me the advice for after 9 months to watch it cause you can stretch your tummy again. She said make sure you don't drink with meals (things we know but am sure we still do sometimes) don't eat crap etc... Make sure you make the most of those first 9 months to totally change your life around :) it was wonderful advice and I still follow it. Jo

I haven't been sleeved yet, but I found this youtube channel and she has a great 10 things she wishes video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIW52dpbMfM

Hi everybody,

I am due to have my sleeve is about three weeks and have been busy getting lots of tips from this site and beyond in preparation for the pre op diet, surgery and recovery.  This site is a wealth of information and everyone is so fantastic at sharing their stories - both the good and the not so good - thank you.

The one question I have for anybody who has had the sleeve is "What is the one thing (or more than one) that you wish you had known prior to having the surgery"?

Thanks in advance and I really look forward to receiving some of your feedback and advice :-)

Shan.