I used to weigh 31 stone (196kg)

[Sleeved111]

I now weigh half that thanks to weight loss surgery.

Ask me anything, about being fat, the surgery or whatever else..

Your diet is terrible
I'm aware and yes, I have tried foods prepared in various ways.

When you were at your heaviest, how did your dh feel about your weight? Did it affect your relationship in any way?
DH was extremely worried about my weight and stopped finding me attractive. The weight + PND made our relationship pretty crap.

Congratulations on taking action.

I do think a specialist speech and language therapist might be able to help you with the texture problem. Tricky though as this is usually a problem for younger people, you might need to see a paediatric SALT. But maybe most likely a psychologist specialising in phobias

Did your weight cause you 'I cants'?

Yes. I couldn't fit in the bath, a bath sheet towel wouldn't fit around me, couldn't sit on a lot of chairs, struggled to tie shoelaces, sit on a single seat space on a bus, anything active, struggled to sit on the floor and get back up etc.

Hi op.

Have you thought about a phychiatrist? To unpick your food issues? I'm not sure a dietician is the right person, as you said it's not you don't know how to eat healthy, it's you can't bring yourself to. I'd do that over a hypnotist.

Are you vegetarian? Do you take supplements? Your diet is basically sugar, fat and carbs, with a little protein from the cheese. I'm surprised you're not constantly craving a sugar fix, tired and hungry. and are not diabetic or pre diabetic if I'm honest.

Congratulations on taking action

Thank you, it was a big decision but one I'm very glad I made.

I'm not sure if it is a phobia, I've always had issues with clothing/light/noise too though so I'm pretty confident it all must be related. Getting help from the GP is like attempting to draw blood from a stone. I shall keep trying!

Have you put any weight back on? I went down to 13 stones at my lowest but have put two back on. To lose weight I have to eat 1200 calories or lower no matter how much exercise I do. I would have the op again in a heart beat as two stone is more achievable now than the 12 I lost.

Are you vegetarian? Do you take supplements? Your diet is basically sugar, fat and carbs, with a little protein from the cheese. I'm surprised you're not constantly craving a sugar fix, tired and hungry. and are not diabetic or pre diabetic if I'm honest

I'm not vegetarian I just don't like the textures of any meat. I don't crave foods anymore.
Im suprised I don't have health issues because of my diet too.

I've seen psychiatrists (I have a mental illness) and they've never had anything to offer in the way of help for the diet issue, quite dismissive of it.

I've never gained weight back, it stalled for about a year as I was having MH medication adjusted but since then I've been slowly losing weight again.
How tall are you @stayingaliveisawayoflife? I'm 5'9 and have a very busy job, I'm also very active (usually) on my days off.
You've done fantastic anyway! Have you tried doing the "reset" diet? it's the milk and yogurt diet you do for two weeks before surgery, people say it helps them fever back on track with weight loss.

I'm only 5ft 3. I also have PCOS so weight gain is going to be a problem even after surgery. I am always envious of people who can keep it off without restricting calories hugely!

Have you any recommendations for a surgeon ?

Have you any recommendations for a surgeon ?

I had mine done by Mr Roger Ackroyed at the Claremont hospital in Sheffield. A colleague had hers done by him too.

Well you really have done well stayingaliveisawayoflife.

Do you feel healthy? Your diet now is still so unhealthy. I think I'd feel like shit eating that.

My knowledge of this surgery is purely through TV and newspapers so I apologise for any offence I may inadvertently cause.

*In every article or TV show, without a single exception, the person always says "I've tried every diet over the years and not one has ever worked. I can't lose the weight by dieting".
But then they always have to lose 5stone or so before the surgeon will agree to operate and lo and behold, when then have that incentive, they manage to lose that weight.

So if you can lose the weight to be eligible for the operation, why can't you just keep doing what you're doing and lose more the natural way?

*You say your husband did not find you attractive when big. But what is his honest opinion of you naked these days with the loose skin etc?

@zoobincan do you mind me asking why you can’t travel on the Caledonian sleeper? My husband and I have tickets booked, and now I’m panicking as he’s 24 stone... is there a weight limit or something? I never saw it mentioned anywhere...

Thank you OP , this is a private hospital , did you have to pay for it to be performed? Also would you recommend him as a surgeon , was he very good and was he/the hospital/team good for after care ? If you did pay how much was it please? Thank you

Did you have the op on the nhs? Did you have to ask for it or did they offer it you?

@zoobincan do you mind me asking why you can’t travel on the Caledonian sleeper? My husband and I have tickets booked, and now I’m panicking as he’s 24 stone... is there a weight limit or something?

I think the op means that they can’t travel on the upper bunk as they are not physically able to climb up , like in a bunk bed.

I’m guessing you and your husband have booked a double bed ? Or if it’s a cabin with two single beds, you will be able to use the upper one.

I’m not sure if he will be particularly comfortable in the single bed, they are quite narrow, he may find it hard to turn over.

I had mine on the nhs around six years ago. I lived a relatively healthy life, went to the gym three days a week, didn't smoke or drink, my blood pressure was fine and I didn't have diabetes. I was just morbidly obese with a five year life expectancy!

I did lose two stone before the op and the rest after. I now run or walk 5k every day and am as physically active as possible.
I find it very hard to stick to under 1200 calories so am going to try protein shakes for breakfast to see if that helps. I am so much healthier even if I am still obese.

Some fruits and vegetables can be prepared to have the same texture as pasta and chips - how do you get on with those ?

What are you doing to help yourself with your food issues ? Because if it’s been 4 years since your surgery and you’ve had no psychological / psychiatric / PAM help in 4 years of asking , I think you have to accept that you are unlikely to get it now.

I honestly think you have to look to some self help. Because you are still risking your health, you are at high risk of metabolic disease, cancers, heart disease etc. As you probably know.

It will also be badly affecting your energy levels and quality of life.

It seems a shame to have had this major surgery and still have poor health and risking more in your 50s.

I’m not saying it’s easy. It’s not easy for anyone to change their diet completely , whether they are 10 stone or 30 stone.

I’m sorry if this sounds harsh. But you need to take responsibility for addressing your diet and not wait for the NHS to do it for you.

Can I ask you more about your issues with food as I too have issues with texture smell and even sight of food so have a very very restricted diet. I'm just about to go and get counselling about in fact

How about fruit juices or smoothies? Or using passata to make a pasta sauce (this counts as one of your five a day). Making chips from sweet potato instead of normal potatoes would count as well.

I do hope you get some further help as you are unfortunately at risk of further health problems due to your diet.

Do you feel healthy? Your diet now is still so unhealthy. I think I'd feel like shit eating that.

It's hard to say, I don't really have anything to compare it with as I've never had the best diet.

So if you can lose the weight to be eligible for the operation, why can't you just keep doing what you're doing and lose more the natural way?

Most people when they've done diets have lost weight, the trouble is they can't sustain it.
You must see how much easier it is to lose weight when your stomach has been reduced to the size of a banana (or egg cup for bypass patients) and the production of the hunger hormone reduced? The rapid weight loss means we can exercise in a more effective way sooner. The goal of surgery is a great motivator too.

Without surgery the long term chances of keeping weight loss off is extremely low.

How long did you stay in hospital?

How long was it till you could walk around normally (from surgery , not because of the weight)

I'm genuinely appalled at any doctor who would give surgery like this to someone who can't eat meat, vegetables or fruit and dismiss it. The surgery was without doubt life saving, and required, but good god you'd think they would at least try to help and support you with your eating disorder op.