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5 FAQ’S about Living with a Gastric Sleeve

The following answers are just my experience with life after the procedure.  I don’t know anyone else that’s had the procedure so it’s hard to compare experiences.  This information does not replace medical advice, it’s merely my experience and if you’re considering the procedure you should talk to your medical provider and follow their advice.

When did I have the procedure

In December 2009 I opted to have a gastric sleeve operation performed.  It wasn’t a spur of the moment decision, in fact it took me over a year to make the decision.  But it’s proved to be one of the best decisions I ever made.

For those who’ve not heard of the procedure before it’s where a surgeon removes 80% of your stomach and leaves behind a tube of stomach.  Unlike the Lap Band it’s irreversible.  Which means that it’s about a life long commitment.

When I tell people about having had the procedure the news is met with a variety of reactions, but the predominant one is of curiosity.  So in an attempt to help answer some of those questions I thought I’d put together a list of questions and responses.  If you have anything else you’d like to know leave me a comment and I’ll be more than happy to answer them.  Who knows I may even collect them up and do another post!

1. What can you eat?

I can eat whatever my heart desires; just not in big proportions.  Unlike the Lap Band the stomach isn’t restricted so there’s nothing for food to get caught on.  Of course I couldn’t eat anything straight away I had to build up to it over a period of six weeks post surgery.

There’s been some significant changes to the food that I do eat.  Prior to the surgery I was addicted to hot chips, after the surgery I really don’t enjoy them any more.  I used to be a big milk drinker, now milk products make me sick.  It was worse just after the surgery.  I would have a mouthful of milk and I’d be sick.  Now I can eat some cheese and it’s not a big deal.

I can eat bread, pasta and rice.  I used to eat a lot of pasta prior to the surgery, now I don’t eat nearly as much as I used to.  It’s just too heavy and fills me up too quickly.  I tend to eat more rice now as I get a decent size portion before I feel full.

I can eat all meats, it’s just I can no longer eat a Hog’s Breath steak.

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