eating and Gastrik sleeve

Question
My question is I haven't smoked for over 4 years I have been constantly eating. I think I am replacing food for cigarettes ! Preparing for surgery I have trouble with my picking on food all day.Will my having the sleeve Cure my eating habit ? Also how will my not eating properly prior to surgery affect my post op surgery  Thank  you  

Answer
Hi Loraine:

The sleeve should help your grazing throughout the day in two ways. First by the reduction of one of the hunger hormones, ghrelin.  In the immediate post-op phase, you may not feel hungry at all.  You'll actually have to remind yourself to eat.  This may disappete to some degree, but most people who have the Sleeve Gastrectomy do not experience hunger at any level that they did prior to surgery.  They're satisfied much more quickly as well.  Secondly, the limited volume of your new stomach will limit eating as well.  It is possible to out-eat any bariatric surgery, so you do need to be somewhat cautious.  When snacking, try and go for a protein rich and fiber-rich food at each meal (after the post-op liquids and mushees phase).  An example would be a cheese stick and half an apple.  Then if you still want something which is more unhealthful, eat it after that.  

Not eating properly prior to surgery is pretty much the norm. :) However, if your surgeon has put you on a pre-op liquid diet prior to surgery, you really need to do your best to stick with it--especially the day or two before surgery.  If you are having trouble sticking to a pre-op diet, and still have a few weeks or months to go, try working with your surgeon's nutritionist.  Many chose liquids such as protein shakes simply because they are easier, but if it's not working for you, the RD will usually offer alternatives...such as yogurt, salad, lean proteins, etc.  

I've seen some people with some pretty bad eating habits pre-surgery, and even they have done well with the sleeve.  Don't worry.  It may be tough to imagine what not being hungry is like... but the absence of ghrelin truly is remarkable.  The Sleeve is not just a restrictive operation like the Lap-Band, it also has a hormone component which truly does make a difference.

Good luck,
Karla

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