Considering Gastric Sleeve: Would you do it again? Risks?

Hello @abonilla and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Understanding your risks is important in any procedure!

I want to bring in members @jeanene @grandmar @elkcg who have mentioned either having had the procedure done or interested in considering it and may have some information to share from their perspective that will help you.

While we wait for other members to join, I wanted to pass along a couple of resources you may find helpful.

- Sleeve Gastrectomy:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/sleeve-gastrectomy/about/pac-20385183
- Understanding how the endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty procedure works:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/non-surgical-weight-management-program/newsfeed-post/diagrams-and-images-to-help-understand-the-endoscopic-sleeve-gastroplasty-procedure/
You said you are ready for this procedure. Have you met with your doctor to discuss this already?

@abonilla
Hello and welcome!
I was sleeved almost 5 years ago at the age of 61!
Before having the procedure, I researched the different surgeons in my area and read everything about them and the programs.
In MY opinion it is VERY important to go to a place that offers an ENTIRE program since there is more to weight loss surgery than just the surgery itself.
I lost 90 lbs. which is a bit less than I hoped for and have since regained between 10-15 lbs. which I am working hard to take off.
Please know that there weight loss surgery is NOT a quick fix.
It takes lots of dedication and hard work and a lifetime of changes.
Yes, you will lose weight without a doubt, but if you fall back into your bad habits, you WILL gain the weight back and possibly more.
I felt VERY comfortable and safe having this surgery.
My health was going down hill....high blood pressure, uncontrollable triglycerides, sore joints, pre-diabetic...
All of these conditions resolved after losing weight.
So yes, I am HAPPY each day that I did the surgery and would do it again in a heartbeat.
Again, I suggest you do your research and join a variety of support groups to talk to those who are in the process of preparing for surgery, has had surgery recently and who are years out.
Best of luck!!!

Gradma R , I had a gastric bypass done in 1990. This was one of the first procedures they were doing . Now 30 years later, and I tried to eat healthy, work out and all the above . One thing is what kind of genes you have , If you have good genes, we'll thats a plus . Next after the surgery, keep a routine , have your labs done every 4 to 6 months . Get a bike ,or walk, every day. Some days I wish I never took the easy way out . I was 25 ,290 pounds,I still cant eat a full plate of food .I cant go # 2 more than 2 times a week .I keep up with my Dr every chance I can .The main idea is to eat the rite foods so you keep the muscle up in your body and don't shrivel up . Keep an eye on your iron . Well I could go on and on , good luck to ya research the Dr. ask questions .
Good Luck
Glass guy

How much did you lose? Did you keep it off? I’m 69 and thinking about having the surgery. I just had hernia surgery a few days ago. I’ve had three doctors tell me if I don’t lose weight I’m going to die. I don’t eat because I’m hungry. I eat because it taste good. I have all the same problems you had. I also had a heart ablation last year. I don’t do surgeries well. Any advice you could give me would be highly appreciated.

Hi all, did you know that the Advanced Weight Management Program now has its own Connect blog? This is meant for patients pursuing or maintaining weight management - everything from lifestyle through bariatric surgery.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/weight-management-1/
Let me know if there are any topics you'd like me to point you in the direction of, or suggestions for future posts!

@diane69
Hi Diane,
I am so glad you reached out. Having surgery is scary, no doubt, especially when you know it is a matter of life or death!!!!
I wasn't quite at that stage, but my body was telling me loud and clear that it was not happy with me and I'd better do something or the attack will be worse!
I tried all sorts of diets but the weight just kept on coming.
Like you, I ate because I LOVE food, not necessarily because of hunger.
Besides all the ailments, I also don't respond well to surgery. I become tachacardic and I have a hard time waking up from anesthesia.
That being said, I did see a therapist (not related to weight loss surgery) and when I knew I was having surgery, he helped me to prepare mentally. It was a great thing!

Weight loss surgery (WLS) is NOT an easy way out. It is a lot of work that starts before you ever hit the operating table and goes on a life time.

As I said, I was 61 when I had surgery nearly 5 years ago. I was hoping to lose 100 lbs. + but I loss 90 lbs. Not too bad and lots of issues resolved very quickly. However, I've gained back between 10-15 lbs. This is NOT unusual. Most people will gain back something. I forget what the % of weight gain is. It is also common for people to gain back all or most of their weight within 5-10 years.

You see, the first year to 1-1/2 yrs. you lose weight pretty easily. After that, you have to work harder at it to maintain or to keep the gain down.

My advice is to go to a free informational session that is closest to your home. Then, if you like what you hear, RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH not just a surgeon, but a weight loss surgery program that offers nutritional and emotional counseling as well as yearly follow ups to make sure everything is going well. After that, go to their informational session. Told you the work starts way before you get on the table.

Truth is, if you are not ready or not willing to do the work, WLS WILL FAIL within the first couple of years.

Good luck!
If I can answer any questions, I'll be happy to!
Ronnie

@diane69 , your comment about eating because it taste good sounds so familiar. That was one of my problems.
I use a mine game, the first bite taste great, 2nd bite also, but then after few bites ask your self is it worth it. Sort of a version of portion control. It is risky because you have to be able to stop and not eat entire serving.

This method works for me when I am craving something, I know only a very small portion will satisfy desire, so put very little on plate and rarely finish everything on plate.

It takes will power, but everything does.

I had gastric bypass over 10 years ago and lost weight first year, then slowly gained. I also had problems with low iron which lead to fatigue. I have my weight back under control and now actually at my lowest weight for last 20 years.

One thing that has helped is going back and meeting with someone from team that did my surgery. They were great help with advice. I now do a annually check in with someone at Mayo endocrinology department.

Laurie

If you are healthy enough, go for it. I had the RNY bypass as I had too much damage to qualify for sleeve. My friends lost imminence amounts of weight with sleeve. Nothing like the sweet taste of being normal weight when heavy all your life Good luck

Forgot to mention I was 62 when I had bypass. Some of my friends were older Once you start losing weight, you will change your habits slowly. The mentality of Losing weight right after WLS becomes addictive and it gets easier to reject fattening foods
Also, you loose taste for high carb foods

Thanks for the advice. I will try that. I also have low iron. I just had a hernia surgery last week. It’s been 7 days and it was so painful I don’t think I could survive the bariatric surgery.