I self funded a gastric band 10 years ago. AMA

[GastricBland]

I wasn't actually that big (BMI 33) but I was miserable. My weight was hindering normal life.

I had the op, lost weight and it changed everything for the better. I think it was about £5.

I am now an endurance runner. Funnily enough the fueling side of running is still tricky!

Anyway AMA (and no - I have never liquidised a Mars bar!)

Did you tell that what things you wanted them to play or did they have a 'standard set' which they performed?

D'oh. Self funded the 'operation' and it cost much more than a fiver too!

How does it affect your day to day life now? I understand you have to take vitamins and it can affect your eating with vomiting frequently?

I had one 5 months ago. Was it an immediate switch for you?

I'm still struggling with sweet things and compulsive eating. Though I was a lot bigger than you. BMI 42 at the time of Op

How does it affect your day to day life now? I understand you have to take vitamins and it can affect your eating with vomiting frequently?

It affects it minimally. You wouldn't really notice unless I had a massive bowl of pasta in front of me. There are some foods I avoid because I wouldn't be able to tolerate them but basically it's just smaller portions.

I'm now vegetarian so I have the b12 spray. I also take spatone iron daily and vitamin D. I think I'd need all of those without the band tbh. They're all for energy/mood and SAD/ bone health.

*I had one 5 months ago. Was it an immediate switch for you?

I'm still struggling with sweet things and compulsive eating. Though I was a lot bigger than you. BMI 42 at the time of Op*

Not really an immediate switch in terms of weight loss iirc. It was quite gradual and took a few adjustments to get right.

I have a real sweet tooth and have to still think about balanced meals. I definitely have a problematic relationship with food but the band is adjusted so I can't overeat.

How do you think it differs from going on a diet in terms of having to have self control?

@SilverHairedCat

How do you think it differs from going on a diet in terms of having to have self control?

I tried every single diet. I was always on a diet. I tried everything. I couldn't stick to it. I'd get hungry. Like a drug addict I'd fall off the wagon.

When I get hungry now I just have a small portion of something to fill me up (although I'm much better at meal planning). I don't binge. I don't carry on eating after I'm full.

I'd just throw up. It's horrible.

Thank you. I have an acquaintance who has one, and I'm not seeing any difference in terms of her quality of diet (albeit a smaller portions) and she's drinking lots of alcohol on nights out which seems a bit pointless to me.

I've tried every diet too, and am still 9stone overweight, but given the significant amount of self control you still need, I'm not sure it's the right move for me.

Do you get MH support? Food counselling?

Yes there was a dietician but tbh wasn't massively helpful to me.

Your friend might need an adjustment. A fill to make it tighter? This restricts the amount you can eat.

I am not advocating for it, but the self control is sort of the point.

I physically could not overeat now. I could not physically eat a whole sandwich in one go. I wouldn't actually be able to swallow. It would bounce (sorry).

But no there wasn't any mental health support.

I never felt I needed it actually.

Thank you for giving us information on this.

How much was it and where did you have it done?

Had it done in Guildford. I think it was about £5k and that included some after care. Maybe 2 years? So adjustments and dietician.

How much weight have you lost? How long do you think it will take you to lose everything you need to lose? Had you been a yo-yo dieter beforehand?

It's around 10/11k in UK now.

I had mine in Turkey.

@HollowTalk

How much weight have you lost? How long do you think it will take you to lose everything you need to lose? Had you been a yo-yo dieter beforehand?

I lost about 5 stone.

Yes terrible yo-yo dieter beforehand. For years and years.

Oh and no I'm not planning on losing any more! I've been this weight for about 8 years I think.

I had it loosened when I got accidentally pregnant but after a miscarriage had it tightened up again - can't really remember the timescales but wasn't planning on more kids. Dh got the snip.

So I put on some weight while it was loose (I ate for England) and then lost it again easily when the restriction was back.

I recently lost 5 stone after years of yo yo dieting. I had lost between 3-4 before twice but always put it back on. Have kept it off well over a year now so I think I’ll stay this way now. However… my cousin just had a bypass and it made me think about how her choices would be affected.

Say we both go to a BBQ/restaurant etc and I’d eat whatever I chose, I could pick literally anything, but she would have to have what her stomach allowed her. Do you feel restricted on choice ever and wish you’d done it a different way to allow for a little or what you fancy here and there?

This is really interesting, a very close family member is having one. Their diet is bad. They over eat to make them self feel better.

How long did. it take you to lose the five stone?
Can you eat spicy food?
Would you be able to sit and eat a a tub of ice cream?
Was it painful?
What was your recovery like? ( they will most likely stay with me during this)
Was it a big operation?
Does it last for life?
Have you found ways to cheat it?
Howdy they do the adjustments
Did you tell people you were having it done?

Sorry for all the questions! But thank you for you AMA!

@SisterAgatha

I recently lost 5 stone after years of yo yo dieting. I had lost between 3-4 before twice but always put it back on. Have kept it off well over a year now so I think I’ll stay this way now. However… my cousin just had a bypass and it made me think about how her choices would be affected.

Say we both go to a BBQ/restaurant etc and I’d eat whatever I chose, I could pick literally anything, but she would have to have what her stomach allowed her. Do you feel restricted on choice ever and wish you’d done it a different way to allow for a little or what you fancy here and there?

That's awesome. Well done!

No I hate the cliche but there is no food that I want enough.

I think if I did it now then a sleeve would be better but I honestly know very little. I had no problems or complications so had no reason to think about 'what ifs'

You're right at a BBQ for example I would have some coleslaw, salad and a veggie sausage I guess? No pasta or potato salad and no bun/roll. My portion would match that of a 5yo but I'd feel like I had a Christmas dinner.

How long did. it take you to lose the five stone? I think it was about 18 months.

Can you eat spicy food? Yes!

Would you be able to sit and eat a a tub of ice cream? Hmm no. I'd feel full after a portion. Especially if there were pieces of more solid filling like chocolate chips, honeycomb or wafer.

Was it painful? The worst bit was shoulder tip pain from the anesthetic. It was keyhole surgery with dissolvable stitches.

What was your recovery like? ( they will most likely stay with me during this). I stayed in hospital overnight and was walking etc the next day. I think I rushed it a bit. I was lucky not to have problems. I went out on my bike the next day.

Was it a big operation? Yes. I did think long and hard about it. I've had 2 c sections though and they were way worse!

Does it last for life? Yes. I wouldn't do a temporary thing like a balloon.

Have you found ways to cheat it? No

Howdy they do the adjustments. I'm typing on my phone and I can't link. If you google you'll have a good visual. It's a saline injection into a port basically.

Did you tell people you were having it done? No. Nobody except my husband! Nobody knows even now.

You're right at a BBQ for example I would have some coleslaw, salad and a veggie sausage I guess? No pasta or potato salad and no bun/roll. My portion would match that of a 5yo but I'd feel like I had a Christmas dinner.

How weird - I would choose exactly the same thing (I’m low carb) and probably just bulk it up with more salad. So outwardly the result is the same, but if I fancied a halloumi slice or whatever I’d just offset it later. It just seems a shame she can’t have that choice (Although I guess maybe her diet will change from how it is now, she’s 4 weeks post)

Well done to you too on the loss. I honestly feel like you picked a harder road because of that “I can’t ever have that food again” element and I couldn’t do it x

@GastricBland

How long did. it take you to lose the five stone? I think it was about 18 months.

Can you eat spicy food? Yes!

Would you be able to sit and eat a a tub of ice cream? Hmm no. I'd feel full after a portion. Especially if there were pieces of more solid filling like chocolate chips, honeycomb or wafer.

Was it painful? The worst bit was shoulder tip pain from the anesthetic. It was keyhole surgery with dissolvable stitches.

What was your recovery like? ( they will most likely stay with me during this). I stayed in hospital overnight and was walking etc the next day. I think I rushed it a bit. I was lucky not to have problems. I went out on my bike the next day.

Was it a big operation? Yes. I did think long and hard about it. I've had 2 c sections though and they were way worse!

Does it last for life? Yes. I wouldn't do a temporary thing like a balloon.

Have you found ways to cheat it? No

Howdy they do the adjustments. I'm typing on my phone and I can't link. If you google you'll have a good visual. It's a saline injection into a port basically.

Did you tell people you were having it done? No. Nobody except my husband! Nobody knows even now.

Thank you for your response. And good on you

I'm overweight but not mahoosively so. BMI of 28. Could someone like me get it done anywhere, for vanity reasons rather than health reasons? I remember Sharon of Sharon and Ozzie fame got it done and she wasn't that fat. She looked so much better afterwards though.