What to expect

Just a couple of questions for those who have undergone the sleeve surgery. First, if I'm 5'7 and 265 lbs should I expect to have lots of excess skin? Second, I'm worried about certain restrictions. Can I ever eat, say, a burger? if not, how were you able to get over this disappointment?

Thanks!

I would guess that you won't have too much excess skin, but it varies so much individually.  I am 5'7" and I lost 225 pounds.  I had a huge amount of excess skin on my abdomen, but the rest of my body tightened up over time by itself.  I did have a tummy tuck to take care of the belly, and I am so glad I did.  It made a huge difference to how I feel about my body.

I find I can eat anything occasionally.  Its just amazingly easy to regain weight, so I have to be diligent on watching what I eat, and  control the "cheating" so it doesn't get out of hand.  But, that being said,  you don't have to give up anything forever. 

Best of luck with your weight loss journey.

Carol

 

On skin removal - you might end up wanting it, but you probably wont need it.  

I was 290 at my highest and 5'10 so we have about the same starting BMI.  I am athletic and have a larger bone structure - so I would never get to super tiny.  At my smallest I was 165 and too skinny -- I only got that skinny after the flu and was size 8.  Size 10/12 is my happy size and like 175-185 in lbs. Just to give you an idea of my body type for reference of skin.  

I had excess skin.  I lost all my weight in ~6 months.  I did not need skin removal surgery at all.  While I had excess skin it did not fold over.  I had plastic surgery strictly due to vanity.  My guess is at your size you probably would not need to have skin removal, but you might want it.  If you have a much smaller bone structure and want to get to 120 /130 then you might have much more skin and fall more into the 'need' category.  

 

On eating a burger.  I'm 3 years out and I can have anything I want.  I would feel absolutely sick if I ate an entire big burger, but I could probably force it down.  

My huband had srugery a week and a half ago and he is struggling hard with not beign able to eat meat.  But he will survive the little more time he needs to.  After about a month - 6 weeks you really are able to eat anything -- but the choices you make dictate how successful you will be with the long term weight loss.

 

Thanks so much for your replies! Very helpful.

Do expect the extra skin - it just is what it is, and no magic lotion potion or cream to prevent it or treat it. Burgers will happen again, but it will take time.  I'm 11 years out from DS (we also have sleeve stomachs, with extra changes to metabolism).  Ground meat was challenging for a while, but I can do half of a burger as designed, then dissect it for meat and cheese with the remaining space in my stomach.