Jeanine is 35 years old, a single mother and has a big problem.
“I currently weigh 106 kilos and suffer a lot because of it. When I look in the mirror, I feel bad. I find what I see disgusting.”
Jeanine
Hope gastric sleeve surgery: finally lose weight
Jeanine’s wish and hope: She finally wants to lose weight and a stomach reduction could change everything! But sleeve gastrectomy is a serious procedure and, as with all operations, there is a risk of serious complications. Janine knows that.
“It’s anything but certain that everything will turn out the way I hope. Of course I’m worried: I know that after a few weeks and months there could be severe hair loss, that the skin could possibly sag, that it There are risks during the operation. I’m still thinking about it. Should I really do it?”
Jeanine
Obesity help: Ways out of obesity and isolation
People who are severely overweight often struggle with stress, pain and shame; a dangerous mixture that makes life changes impossible. Sabine and Axel Hacker know that they quickly become socially isolated the Obesity Aid Munich eV. from my own experience. Nobody wants to be exposed to the judgmental looks of others in the long term. Jeanine is also grateful to be able to get out of isolation thanks to the club. The Obesity Aid has sports activities in its program such as aqua aerobics – in a protected setting.
“Most people don’t want to go into the water for years – sometimes they come and can’t swim well. And that’s why we rented the swimming pool for ourselves so that you don’t have to be afraid of strangers staring at you.”
Sabine Hacker, Obesity Aid Munich eV
Lose weight, but how?
But there is a big problem that Jeanine also knows.
“You can’t just lose weight with exercise, that doesn’t work. I know that I’m less overweight than some others. I’ve often heard this: ‘You’re not that fat, you don’t need surgery, you can do it.’ That’s easy without…’. But everyone has their own level of suffering and for me it’s just the point where I have to do something.”
Jeanine
Surgery and alternative weight loss injection
Many people with obesity have tried many things to lose weight and keep it off permanently. These include, for example, courses lasting several months to change your lifestyle. Many now use medication, such as the weight loss injection that has been available for a few years. The active ingredients have been approved for the treatment of diabetes and, more recently, for weight loss in obesity patients.
Lose weight with the weight loss injection
The weight loss injection is now available with various preparations. They are all based on a similar principle; they block certain receptors. This suppresses appetite and the feeling of hunger, and the feeling of satiety occurs earlier. Up to 20 percent of body weight can be lost with comparatively few side effects such as nausea. But: Health insurance companies have so far only covered the costs for diabetes patients. People with obesity have to pay for the active ingredients themselves. Another disadvantage: If the medication is stopped, the weight-reducing effect also disappears. Research is still ongoing into whether and how people can still maintain their weight with special programs after stopping medication.
“Well, I know I could probably do it with the weight-loss injection. But I don’t have the money for it, I’m a single mother. So it’s not for me, although of course I talked to my doctor about it.”
Jeanine
Sleeve gastrectomy: possible with BMI over 40 or with previous illnesses over 35
Actually, with a body weight of 106 kilograms and a body mass index, or BMI, of 36, she is not an emergency. According to the guidelines, a BMI of over 40 is usually required. The fact that such an operation is still possible for her is due to a previous sports accident. Because of health problems, surgery is possible with a BMI of 35 or more.
“I used to jump on trampolines competitively. And then once I hyperextended. Then my lower leg went through the back of the knee – the artery and all the ligaments were torn. Originally they wanted to take my leg off. The more weight I have, the more pain I have in my joints.”
Jeanine
Sleeve gastrectomy: pros and cons
Im Center for Obesity and Metabolic Surgery at Lubos Kliniken In Munich, Jeanine had a preparatory meeting for the possible operation with Dr. Philipp Kahle. He explains the surgical technique to her. The risks are also discussed. Anyone who wants a stomach reduction operation must first complete a heart and lung check, as well as a gastroscopy. A nutritional protocol and sporting activities are also a prerequisite for this. The main risks of surgery include abdominal infections. The most dangerous complication is thrombosis with pulmonary embolism. The visit to the clinic has an impact on Jeanine.
“This ‘What happens if…’ concerns me quite a bit in retrospect. There’s a lot going on in my head at the moment: Is the decision right or not?”
Jeanine
OP and then? – Gaining weight after the honeymoon?
Nicole had her operation several years ago. Jeanine, who is scheduled to have surgery in three weeks, wants to know how she is feeling after such a long time and how her eating is going. At the beginning she had to puree everything, but in the end she was able to eat everything. If you have a longer operation, a lot of things become easier again, which isn’t so easy after the operation, says Nicole. But there are also dangers.
“I first lost weight from 156 kilograms down to around 93. There’s this honeymoon phase that lasts about a year and a half, when the weight loss happens on its own and you’ll feel great. When the honeymoon is over – and that is suddenly over – boom, you get up and the honeymoon is over – and then the same thing starts happening as before the operation.
Then strokes of fate struck me and as a result I gradually started to gain weight again. I buried my head in the sand, I was ashamed, and I felt like a total failure.”
Nicole
Nicole’s level of suffering is now very high again. She simply cannot manage to maintain her weight and has therefore decided to have a second operation. Giving up is not an option for them. One basic problem remains for patients after the operation: the issue of food.
“I always like to compare it with addiction or alcoholism. The disadvantage is: you can try to ignore everything that has to do with drugs or alcohol from your life. But you can’t ignore food from your life, you have to eat. And that makes it doubly difficult. And you also have to be clear: food will be your topic for the rest of your life. You will never say, “I’m cured.”
Nicole
After the operation: start into a different life
Jeanine is determined to have the operation. The procedure goes without any problems. Dr. Philipp Kahle, who operated on her, is satisfied and confident that Jeanine will be able to enter a different life.
“It went great, there were no problems. She will now lose weight thanks to the gastric sleeve. I always hate to say ‘new life’, but it will do a lot for her.”
Dr. med. Philipp Kahle, Center for Obesity and Metabolic Surgery, Dr. Lubos Clinic Munich
“I still feel a bit tired, but quite well and have no pain. I’m looking forward to being discharged and going home. And: I don’t feel hungry at all. So this feeling of being satisfied, not being hungry, nothing Having to eat is pretty awesome! It just feels like I’m stuffed.”
Jeanine
Because she is still in the liquid phase, Jeanine is initially only allowed to eat liquid and creamy foods. After two months, she also dares to do something new: she goes to the Obesity Help Zumba course for the first time.
“Twenty-two and a half kilos are now gone. Before, I couldn’t do sports like Zumba with my knee. I’m really excited to see how it goes.”
Jeanine
She also talks to Sabine Hacker about the topic of skin. If you lose weight quickly and a lot at once, it is difficult for the skin to recover. Many people therefore also rely on surgical skin tightening.
“For example, I’ve had a makeover. I’ve lost 130 kilograms. You can imagine, there was nothing left where it belonged…
But Janine’s arms are now narrower than mine after the operation. I don’t think she’ll have a problem with that. That’s great!”
Sabine Hacker, Obesity Aid Munich eV
“So far I don’t have any pain, that’s great. – I’m very happy that I took the path that I did, that I decided to have the sleeve gastrectomy. I’m super happy with it. I’m doing well physically and mentally much better! I’m much more open, more self-confident and go through the world completely differently.”
Jeanine
