Coping With Regret After Undergoing Sleeve Gastrectomy

Understanding Regret After Sleeve Gastrectomy Weight Loss Surgery

Sleeve gastrectomy has become a very common bariatric surgery procedure for weight loss. However, not everyone experiences their desired outcomes and some patients express regret after undergoing this major surgery. Here is what to know about the realities of life after sleeve gastrectomy and why some people report wishing they never had this operation.

What is Sleeve Gastrectomy?

Sleeve gastrectomy, also known as gastric sleeve surgery, involves removing approximately 75% of the stomach. This leaves a smaller, banana-shaped portion called the gastric sleeve. This drastically limits the amount of food that can be consumed in one sitting.

The smaller stomach and feeling of fullness after eating much less food generally lead to significant weight loss. Sleeve surgery may be done laparoscopically and requires a 1-3 night hospital stay.

Common Reasons for Regretting Sleeve Gastrectomy

While many sleeve gastrectomy patients are highly satisfied with their results, some do report wishing they never underwent the operation. Reasons for regretting sleeve surgery include:

Lack of Promised Weight Loss

Some patients are disappointed if they do not lose as much weight as their surgeon estimated, which leads to regret about having the procedure. Reasons for less than expected weight loss can include not following the postoperative diet, stretched stomach pouch, or dilation of the gastric sleeve opening.

Weight Regain

It is possible to stretch out the gastric sleeve over time and regain weight by gradually eating more. Some patients regret the surgery if they lose weight initially but then put it back on. Maintaining sleeve results requires sticking to the recommended diet long-term.

Side Effects and Complications

Some individuals regret sleeve surgery if they develop unpleasant side effects like chronic nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, reflux, or abdominal pain after the procedure. Serious complications like leaks along the staple line also lead to regret.

Eating Difficulties

The smaller stomach pouch often makes eating challenging. Some foods may be difficult to tolerate. Patients who grow frustrated with changes in eating behavior and inability to enjoy certain foods sometimes regret having the surgery.

Psychological Effects

For some patients, losing massive amounts of weight rapidly after sleeve surgery results in body image issues, depressive symptoms, and relationship problems. These psychological effects lead to regret about undergoing the procedure.

Lack of Improvement in Health Conditions

If obesity-related conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnea do not significantly improve following bariatric surgery, patients may regret having the operation and not getting the promised health benefits.

Coping Strategies for Regret After Sleeve Gastrectomy

Feelings of regret are normal after any major, life-altering surgery. Here are some healthy ways to cope if you experience regret after undergoing sleeve gastrectomy:

Talk Openly With Your Bariatric Surgeon

Have an honest discussion with your surgeon regarding any regret you feel after the procedure. They may be able to address concerns, offer solutions for side effects, provide mental health referrals, or aid in developing revised weight loss plans.

Join a Bariatric Surgery Support Group

Speaking with others who have had sleeve gastrectomy and sharing your experiences can help process regret. Support groups allow you to gain perspective and learn tips on adjusting to post-op life.

Adjust Your Mindset

Instead of dwelling on regret, aim to cultivate a problem-solving mindset focused on achievable next steps for self-care. Adopting unrealistic expectations before surgery often fuels regret.

Focus on Success Rather Than Failures

Note any positive outcomes from surgery like improved mobility or resolution of health issues. Dwelling on isolated drawbacks that lead to regret ignores the bigger picture of what you have gained.

Get Professional Mental Health Help

If feelings of regret or depression become overwhelming, seek help from a psychologist or psychiatrist experienced in working with bariatric patients. They can provide tools to work through regret in a healthy manner.

Develop New Coping Skills

Regretting surgery because you relied on food for comfort? Work with a counselor to find new strategies like journaling, exercise, mindfulness practices, and healthy social connections.

Seeking Surgical Revision After Sleeve Gastrectomy

Some sleeve gastrectomy patients explore surgical revision if they experience profound regret or inadequate weight loss. Potential revision options include:

Conversion to Gastric Bypass

This involves dividing the small stomach pouch and attaching it to rerouted intestines. Bypass surgery tends to have greater weight loss potential than sleeve alone but also higher risks.

Duodenal Switch Procedure

This surgery leaves a sleeve-shaped stomach but also reroutes intestines and limits absorption of calories and nutrients. It typically leads to greater, more sustained weight loss than sleeve alone.

Stomach Pouch Resizing

In rare cases where pouch stretch is the issue, surgeons may attempt to resize or tighten the gastric sleeve. However, long-term durability is uncertain.

Reversal Surgery

Full reversal surgery to restore normal stomach anatomy is possible but very rarely indicated. The risks usually outweigh potential benefits.

Questions to Consider Before Revisions After Sleeve Surgery

Thorough self-reflection, discussion with your bariatric team, and addressing any underlying psychological factors are imperative before attempting surgical revisions after sleeve gastrectomy due to regret. Important questions to consider include:

Have You Fully Complied With Post-Op Guidelines?

Revisions should only be considered after honest assessment of whether you have strictly followed the recommended postoperative diet and lifestyle changes. Surgery alone does not equate to success.

What Caused Your Weight Regain?

Identify factors like pouch stretch due to poor eating habits, physiological adaptation, or lack of exercise/activity before seeking revisions. Non-surgical solutions may be appropriate.

Is Your Regret Temporary or Chronic?

Acute regret immediately after surgery is normal. But consistent, unrelenting regret that persists even after following guidelines warrants evaluation before reoperation.

Are You Mentally Prepared?

Revisions can seem like an easy fix for regret but involve intensive recovery periods. Ensure you have social support, psychological readiness, and realistic expectations before pursuing additional surgery.

Have You Addressed Any Disordered Eating?

Problems like binge eating, emotional eating, and night eating that contributed to initial weight issues may remain untreated. Further surgery rarely fixes these without mental health support.

Seeking Non-Surgical Options Before Revisions

Working to maximize the results of your original sleeve surgery through non-surgical methods is strongly encouraged before attempting revisions due to regret. Non-surgical options to consider include:

Customizing Your Eating Plan

Work with your dietitian to tailor meal plans that provide satiety while minimizing undesirable side effects that fuel regret about the surgery.

Participating in Therapy

Counseling helps address thought distortions, unrealistic expectations, and maladaptive behaviors that contribute to regretting having sleeve surgery.

Adding Physical Activity

Increasing exercise helps boost metabolism and fat burning to augment sleeve surgery weight loss results. This enhances longevity of the initial procedure.

Exploring Medications

Certain medications can assist with issues like acid reflux, nausea, or chronic pain that lead to regret. Always consult your bariatric team before starting new medications.

Considering Endoscopic Procedures

Some endoscopic interventions like stents or sutures may reduce dilation of the gastric sleeve opening responsible for weight regain without full revision surgery.

When Revisions May Be Appropriate After Sleeve Gastrectomy

Despite best efforts, a small subset of sleeve patients experience profound, unrelenting regret and inadequate weight loss over the long-term. In these selective cases, surgical revisions may be appropriate after thorough multidisciplinary evaluation reveals:

No Anatomical Explanation for Poor Outcomes

If testing rules out sleeve dilation, large pouches, or physical defects that contributed to weight regain, alternatives like bypass or duodenal switch may be reasonable.

Full Commitment to Diet and Lifestyle Changes

Patients must demonstrate adherence to post-op guidelines for at least 12-18 months following initial sleeve surgery before being considered for revisions.

No Untreated Mental Health Disorders

Conditions like binge eating, depression, distorted body image, or addiction issues need full assessment and stabilization before revision surgery.

Realistic Expectations of Results

Additional procedures may improve but not resolve all regret. Intensive counseling helps establish insight into benefits versus potential complications.

Appropriate Surgical Candidate

Factors like age, bone density, cardio-pulmonary function, and history of thromboembolism help determine if patients can safely tolerate revision procedures which carry greater risks.

Making Peace With Sleeve Gastrectomy Results

The majority of sleeve patients do not opt for, require, or even qualify for surgical revisions. Many are able to achieve long-term weight loss success and make peace with their sleeve surgery results through:

Continuous Medical Follow-Up

Seeing your bariatric team regularly allows for monitoring of results and quickly addressing any issues leading to regret.

Participating in Support Groups

Forging connections with those who have encountered similar struggles helps provide perspective and ideas for self-care while adjusting to life after sleeve surgery.

Accepting Some Regain

Experiencing some weight regain and fluctuations is normal. Having unrealistic expectations of maintaining maximum weight loss indefinitely often causes regret.

Focusing on Non-Scale Victories

Paying attention to improved mobility, reduced joint pain, and other health gains can help overcome regret related solely to the number on the scale.

Being Kind to Yourself

Bariatric surgery is not a quick fix. Be patient, speak supportively to yourself, and celebrate small achievements to avoid spiraling into regret.

While sleeve gastrectomy may not result in perfect weight outcomes for every patient, avoiding extreme regret over normal ups and downs is key to long-term success. Support from providers, friends, family, and other patients can help anyone make peace with their sleeve surgery results.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.