Gastric Sleeve Regrets: Reasons & Solutions

Morbid obesity is a serious issue that affects many people and could wreak havoc on their health. Although bariatric surgeries such as sleeve gastrectomy or gastric sleeve can combat this issue, there are many cases of “gastric sleeve regrets” that attracted a lot of attention lately.

Recent statistics and studies show that the number of bariatric procedures performed each year has increased significantly over the past decade, especially in the United States.

They also describe gastric sleeve in Turkey as being safe with better outcomes compared to other types of general surgeries. However, as the demand for these procedures increases, there may also be an increase in the number of patients experiencing complications and undesirable feelings after the surgery.

Do Gastric Sleeve Regrets Really Occur?

While there is a good number of studies that have investigated the quality of life, weight loss, and other aspects of life following obesity surgery in Turkey, the number of studies that have investigated the matter of “regrating the surgery” is still very low, particularly among those who experienced complications during or after the surgery. A recent study tried to investigate whether patients could regret having gastric sleeve after 5 years, and the researchers concluded that patients generally don regret having the procedure.

In a study published in 2022, researchers tried to measure and compare two groups of patients who underwent the surgery. They didn’t find a significant regret feeling between the two groups, but patients usually feel concerned about complications that could occur after the surgery and the weight loss they were expecting.

Obviously, gastric sleeve regrets do occur, at least in a few cases. The reasons usually involve worries about the potential complications and the number of pounds the patients first intended to lose through the procedure. In any case, the surgery remains safe and effective for most people. The level of patient satisfaction is very high according to studies too.

Reasons Behind Gastric Sleeve Regrets

The reasons behind the feelings of regret and frustration among some patients after undergoing gastric sleeve surgery can be boiled down into the following:

Dietary Changes

Many patients may experience disinterest in food after gastric sleeve surgery. The desire to enjoy eating may still be present but because the stomach is smaller now, you’ll feel satisfied quickly after eating your favorite meals. This may make you feel frustrated, especially if you were addicted to food before the surgery.

Excess Skin

Another common source of regret after the surgery is the presence of excess, saggy skin as the body loses weight quickly. Depending on the rhythm of your weight loss, age, and skin elasticity, excess skin may become noticeable in different areas of your body, including the chest, shoulders, arms, stomach, back, and thighs. Thankfully, there are different types of body sculpting procedures that can eliminate excess skin and help your body get back to normal.

Body Dysmorphia

Your brain may take some time to adjust to the new body image and contours after weight loss. Body dysmorphia refers to the excessive focus on flaws and irregularities of the body parts. Unfortunately, some patients develop this issue after gastric sleeve, causing a great deal of disappointment.

Hair Loss

Rapid weight loss after gastric sleeve can cause hair loss, which typically occurs during the first year following the surgery. Physiologically, your body becomes stressed as it adapts to fast hormonal changes. While hair loss is temporary, it can be frustrating and lead to great regret, especially among women.

Gastric Bypass Preference

Gastric sleeve surgery may not meet the expectations of everyone, and some may regret not choosing gastric bypass in the first place. This may be because of the development of acid reflux or GERD after gastric sleeve or because of the low pace of weight loss.

Unrealistic Expectations

For starters, many patients may have unrealistic expectations about the gastric sleeve. People often jump on board and start looking for cheap gastric sleeves after hearing or watching reports about the incredible transformation the surgery can bring. However, the reality isn’t always straightforward, and many could fall victim to their unrealistic expectations and dreams. For best results, it’s important to stick to a post-op diet and exercise plan.

Extra Efforts

Gastric sleeve surgery requires a lot of preparations before the surgery and new lifestyle modifications after the surgery. In other words, you must bring extra effort to the table to help your body adjust to the new life after the surgery. The surgery is a life-changing experience and if one isn’t ready to make permanent changes in their life, it may not be successful.

Gastric Sleeve Regrets in the Mainstream Media

The alleged stories about complications or negative outcomes experienced by patients after gastric sleeve are spread on different websites and news sources. The reports commonly focus on deaths, infections, nutrient deficiencies, and other serious issues that have occurred because of the surgery.

For instance, the New York Post also published an article on their website in 2020 about a mom of 4 who developed anorexia following gastric sleeve. The mom suffered from fever and severe abdominal pain during the weeks following the surgery.

When it comes to stories of regrets and frustrations after gastric sleeve, a quick Google search can reveal a lot of news reports that have shed light on the subject, especially regarding malpractice cases and gastric sleeve abroad.

Recently, the BBC published an article on their website about different women who returned to their hometowns with sepsis, internal leaks, and deep frustrations after having gastric sleeve abroad. Some of these women declared that they regretted having the surgery and it was their worst experience in life.

Another recent report from WLOX mentioned the tragic case of two Mississippi women who traveled abroad to Mexico to have a gastric sleeve and returned home with coffins. This sad story and other similar accounts have caused great concern among the public.

Solutions to Gastric Sleeve Regrets

There are many tips and suggestions that can help you avoid regrets and disappointments after gastric sleeve surgery, including:

Take the Right Decision

Make your decision to have gastric sleeve surgery after researching and asking all the questions you have. Discuss all aspects with an expert surgeon and get a second opinion. This is crucial for people who intend to undergo gastric sleeve abroad.

Be Committed and Disciplined

Commit to your weight loss journey from the start.  Without commitment, you may not be able to reach your weight loss goals even if the surgery went perfectly.

Pay Attention to Diet

Start a healthy diet and get used to light exercises as recommended by your surgeon before and after the surgery. A good diet is essential to guarantee the best weight loss results in the long term.

Be Positive and Confident

Feeling positive and content is an internal feeling. Approach the surgical procedure with a positive attitude and confidence and remember you’re not the first person to have the procedure.

Visit Your Surgeon

Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments with your surgeon and report any complication or abnormality you’re witnessing following the procedure. This includes sudden pain, fevers, bleeding, scars, site leaks.

Take Your Medications

Don’t ignore your prescribed medications after the surgery. Take any prescribed medications and nutritional supplements as directed. This helps you recover quickly and return to your normal daily activities.

Preventing Gastric Sleeve Regrets

Choosing a skilled surgeon or respected clinic is the main step to preventing post-operative regrets in the first place. A good surgeon will guide, support, and help you to achieve your goals and minimize the likelihood of failure and frustration. Ask your surgeon about the regrets of others who have undergone this surgery. This alone can prevent gastric sleeve regrets in many cases.

Furthermore, making the decision to have gastric sleeve surgery with thoughtful consideration, dedication, and realistic expectations can prevent regrets. Indeed, the only regret you may feel is the regret of not having the surgery sooner. Life is valuable and you deserve to live it in a healthy and joyful way.

Every moment counts, and gastric sleeve surgery is a medical procedure that can help you battle obesity and win the war against all its associated diseases. With a strong determination and willingness to succeed, regrets will not be an issue in this journey.

Gastric Sleeve Alternatives

Reading about gastric sleeve regrets and unfortunate cases may affect your perception and make you less comfortable about having the surgery. Fortunately, there are other weight loss procedures that you can consider instead of gastric sleeve:

• Gastric bypass: This surgery limits the amount of food that can be consumed and reduces the absorption of calories. Gastric bypass takes the gastric sleeve a step further to make you able to lose more weight in a relatively short time. However, it has its own complications and potential regrets.
• Gastric band: This is one of the popular weight loss procedures. Your surgeon places an adjustable band around the upper stomach to create a small pouch that limits the amount of food that can be consumed.
• Gastric balloon: This is a non-surgical weight loss method that involves inserting a deflated balloon into the stomach via the mouth. It is then inflated with a sterile saline solution to take up more space in your stomach, reducing the amount of food that can be consumed. However, it’s a temporary solution that only lasts for six months.

The Bottom Line

Feeling disappointed or discouraged after a gastric sleeve isn’t common among patients, but it may occur for a variety of reasons and factors that can be dealt with through different means.

International Clinics in Turkey is one of the leading providers of gastric sleeve worldwide. Thousands of Europeans, Americans, and Asians visit the clinics each year to receive affordable, safe gastric sleeve and gastric bypass procedures. You can reach us immediately using the button below.