Rayner’s Gastric Sleeve Journey

Rayner’s story

A newfound sense of hope, health, and happiness

Before sleeve surgery, Rayner had tried nearly everything to lose weight: the latest fad diet or gym sessions would work for a short period of time. Frustratingly, though, he always found himself regaining any weight he’d lost.

“I felt as though I was constantly battling my obesity.”

Rayner, a chef, weighed 341 lbs before surgery. He learned about bariatric surgery from friends and chose 360 Sleeve after reading its reviews. Within eight months of having gastric sleeve surgery, Rayner had already lost over 100 lbs.

“Now, I look in the mirror and say ‘Wow!’”

Individual results vary. This is one patient’s experience, not a promise of yours: your surgeon talks you through what to expect at a free consultation.

What to know

The topic behind Rayner’s journey, in general terms: what usually matters, what your surgeon looks at and questions worth asking.

Eating in stages

Your stomach needs time to heal, so textures come back step by step. A typical plan:

• Clear fluids, days 1 to 2.
• Full fluids, days 3 to 13.
• Puréed foods, weeks 2 to 3.
• Soft foods, weeks 4 to 6.
• Regular textures, from week 7.

Your dietitian tells you when to move on. Every day you aim for about 60 to 80 g of protein, about 8 cups of fluid, and vitamins for life.

Moderation, not bans

A bariatric eating plan is not a fad diet. There is no list of foods you can never eat again. What changes is how much, how fast and in what order:

• Small plates and planned portions.
• Protein first, then vegetables, then the rest.
• Slow eating, small bites, chewing well.
• Fluids between meals, not with them.

Some things are best kept small or rare: sugary and fizzy drinks, alcohol, and foods that are easy to graze on. Some textures, such as soft bread, rice or tough meat, can feel heavy at first. Your dietitian helps you work out what suits you.

The first months

On average, people lose about 60% to 70% of their excess weight within 12 to 18 months after a sleeve. It is usually fastest in the first 6 months, often 1 to 2 lb a week after the early weeks, with short stalls along the way. These are averages from studies, not a promise.

Questions to ask

• What will a normal day of eating look like once the stages are done?
• How do I eat out or cook for my family?
• Which vitamins do I need, and for how long?
• What should I do if my portions start to grow?