Gastric bypass on the cheap...

[hungryhippo90]

Posting here for traffic. After a particular shit time, I'm sat with a pen and paper, writing out goals for next year. So I've a few things to look towards in the coming year.

The biggest thing that would make me happiest is having a gastric bypass. I have always had issues with food. As a child I couldn't stop myself. I reached the age of 13-14 and started using anorexic techniques to not eat or severely restrict my diet

[Gingernaut]

Please. Don't do cheap. FGS.

www.privatehealth.co.uk/conditions-and-treatments/gastric-bypass/costs/

[lovelearning]

trying to find somewhere to get the bypass done cheaply

OP: Could you not have it done on the NHS?

[Reality16]

Spend the money on getting some help with your fitness and nutrition. Change your habits. A bypass is not a solution and certainly won't met you any happier. Being a smaller size but not being able to eat normally isn't all it's cracked up to be. Agree with the above, seek help from the GP

[WorraLiberty]

I think the money might be better spent on therapy tbh.

Whatever problems MH you have, won't necessarily disappear if you get a gastric band.

You may end up slimmer but with the same MH problems that will then manifest themselves in a different way, if that makes sense?

[lovelearning]

A bypass is not a solution and certainly won't met you any happier.

The current success rate for bypass surgery is 95 to 98 percent, and patient satisfaction is high.

[Idefix]

Op unless you are 6ft tall you will fulfill the criteria for weightloss surgery on the nhs. Go to your gp in the new year and ask for a well woman checkup and ask about a referral to a dietician (the route may be different in your area).

Good luck op.

[stumblymonkey]

TBH the issue sounds more psychological and a gastric bypass won't help with that.

I know someone who has put the majority of weight they lost post-bypass back on again as they didn't fix their underlying issues around food and just ate the same foods but liquidised or in small bites.

Have you ever had any counselling for your food issues? Surely that's worth trying before major surgery?

[hungryhippo90]

Thanks all, I get that. I know that it won't make problems disappear, I'm just so fed up of going on a new diet, letting myself down and then feeling so demoralised by it that I promise myself no more diets until I feel I can really do better, then doing it all again when I think about my blood pressure. It was scary high last January, with diet changes for two months it was within the normal range. I then stopped eating healthily again. I do really worry about my health. I know I look awful because I'm so big. I get told how big I am by people, which makes me feel ashamed.
I promise myself I will do better, but I made my way through a family sized packet of crisps from m&s despite the fact I have access to vegetables. They are in the fridge!

I just think that being able to eat a far smaller amount will make a big difference. Even if I can't get to grips with a decent, healthy eating plan. I know what I should be eating.

[pklme]

My DFamily member had a gastric band. Nearly died, perforated something. Now back at original weight.

[DJBaggySmalls]

Do yourself a favour and have cognitive behaviour therapy, work on your food issues. The band wont take them away.
If the NHS wont do an operation on you, theres usually a good reason for that.

[Idefix]

I wasn't a fan of this type of intervention but have been swayed by the stats too lovelearning
Naturally it can't cure mh problems but is probably the only way the op will be able to significantly make beneficial changes to her long term physical health. Whilst it doesn't cure/treat mh it does improve emotional wellbeing from what I have read.

[Sirzy]

I have no issue with gastric bands (done properly) BUT from what you have said I don't necessarily think that is the best route for you. Sounds like you would benefit from some sort of counselling to help tackle the deeper issues. It seems (and I am sorry if I am wrong) that your weight is a symptom not the problem? (If that makes sense)

Make an appointment with your gp to discuss things and take it from there.

Good luck.

[hungryhippo90]

Idefix! Great idea! Thank you! I'm also a mere 5"4 which makes me (I'm ashamed to say) 11 stone over weight.

The drs have told me that I don't fit criteria not having diabetes or any other co moribidity, they also don't think I've tried enough. I've been on the Cambridge diet. Paleo, WW, SW, carb free. Low carb. Calorie counting and juicing.

I have worked through a self help book for dealing with addictions. Same strategies that my dad works through with alcoholics.. not sure if I did it properly but it didn't particularly help me.

[itsbetterthanabox]

The op will not get surgery on the NHS. She's far too light.
Honestly doing it cheap is mad though OP.
What makes you want a bypass rather than a band? Much less risk.

[hungryhippo90]

You are all right, it is a symptom of a larger issue, I am working on the deeper issues. I've spent much of my life in counselling, and I am even trying to (not always successfully!) leave my plate when I have had enough instead of ploughing through food that I'd eat because it was there!
I just think that it may have by this point contributed to the vicious circle..

.. I am fat because I'm depressed, I'm depressed because I'm fat and it's ruining my physical health type of thing.

I want to take control, and get myself back if that makes any sense at all.

[ageingrunner]

You could have a look for a book called Brain over Binge. It's by Kathryn Hansen. She had a similar history of anorexia, then binge eating. She managed to work out a way of breaking the habit. Really simple and the book is well written and evidence-based. Sorry I don't know about gastric bands etc but just thought it might help you and he worth a try.

[ageingrunner]

Just read your last post op. Interestingly, the book I mentioned doesn't require you to sort your problems out before you are able to stop bingeing, which is another reason to recommend it. Lots of reviews on Amazon too. I don't work for her or anything btw

[hungryhippo90]

It'sbetterthanabox two reasons for bypass over a band.

People who have the band lose less weight, I'd like (maybe naive thinking I might get there!) to have a BMI of 25 I want to reach the point where my weight doesn't put me at a higher risk of health issues.

Reason 2, I can't see myself ever being able to control my eating habits and the difference in cost between the 2 isn't that much, when one will last a few years and the other is for life it seems to make sense to go for the bypass.


I do agree with you all though, cheaply is stupid! I did wonder if the prices varied much through the country...or other variable factors that I've not thought of really!

[RJnomore1]

Op I was in hospital a few years back and a woman who had had a private gastric band was in my ward. She was there because she hadn't dealt with the emotional issues she has with food and thought that band would be a magic solution to her weight. In reality she just still kept eating until she was sick and in terrible pain and had been hospitalised several times due to it and they were now at the stage they thought they might have to remove the band before she burst something.

I agree that you need to deal with your relationship with food rather than go down this route at the moment. I know it's easier said than done though.

[Reality16]

The current success rate for bypass surgery is 95 to 98 percent, and patient satisfaction is high. I would be interested to hear more about the patient satisfaction being high. Is it high long term or a few weeks/months post op? Is it high for operation success as in losing weight only or do the figures (if you have any) include the mental effects overall? What about not being able to eat normally? Do people cite they are satisfied with everything even though they are physically prevented from eating a lot?

[RJnomore1]

Sorry I see you want a bypass but the principle remains.

[hungryhippo90]

Ageingrunner- thank you so much! I will order that as soon as I can find it. I'm quite serious about doing every last thing I can before having the operation. Because let's face it. I'd prefer to not have to rely on an operation that will make it hard for me to enjoy even a simple meal. I love food. If I could enjoy food like a normal person that would be amazing!

[redexpat]

Ive read that there is a hypnosis gastric band. You download the app, I think it costs £5, and listen to the audio hypnosis everyday. Might be worth a shot?

[hungryhippo90]

Rjnomore.ive never even given it a thought that I could be that woman. I could. For all I know, it wouldn't stop the cycle, I could end up liquidising McDonald's and or, eating every three hours.., it could essentially do nothing but cause extra health issues. I like to hope not! But it's possible isn't it.

[HopelesslydevotedtoGu]

OP, just wondering what exercise you've done previously? I comfort eat and eat when bored, and I've found regular exercise helps me more than diets. I think I get endorphins from the exercise which stop me wanting to eat so much. Also I like seeing my body get stronger and thinking of my body as a functional machine that can lift things and move, and that I can make is stronger, rather than something to be ashamed off, to shrink away.

I have a weekly personal trainer come to my house with a focus on stretching and building up all body strength (not 'muscley' but all over toning). No running! I've noticed an improvement within 6 weeks and my diet has improved without a conscious effort from me.

Just wondering if you had tried this.