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Original poster

I've lost 20lbs in 17 days

81 replies

VsgKitt · 14/08/2021 13:31

And am over the moon. Had a gastric sleeve after 15 years of weight issues.

Am just amazed at the difference already in my body.

Hard work but I already know its going to be worth it.

OP posts:
trebelclef · 15/08/2021 20:31

With regard to the excess skin, exercise does not help....Skin once it has been stretched to a certain point does not ping back, it is like inflating and deflating a balloon.

I did not give a stuff about sagging skin. I had the op done for health reasons not cosmetic reasons, and swore it was the last surgery I'd ever have. However, a couple of years down the line I felt differently, and I have now had the cosmetic surgery I didn't think I'd want. A lot of that for me was that as I lost weight I started to feel so much better about myself, and I felt I deserved it.

Conversely, some other women in my group who were set from the very start on having a 'mummy makeover' (boobs and stomach) or similar decided not to have any done as they felt they didn't want to put themselves through anything else.

I think you just don't know how you are going to feel about it until you get there.,,,

cricketball · 15/08/2021 20:35

I agree that this should be done on the NHS. It would save the country hundreds of thousands.

I'm surprised that someone a size 16 qualified for having it done though.

I also think that the NHS should have nursing homes too - far cheaper for those in hospital who just need rehabilitation than them taking up a hospital bed.

CiaoForNiao · 15/08/2021 20:52

Wow congratulations OP that's amazing!

How much fluid can you have? I get migraines if I'm dehydrated so I'm curious how that works.

And a big ODFOD to the PP who mentioned fat people eating every thing in sight. Maybe you want my past and therefore my MH issues that lead to an unhealthy relationship with food/meds that cause weight gain meaning I'm approx 10st overweight.

Original poster
VsgKitt · 15/08/2021 20:55

I'm drinking about 1 litre of water right now but I should be drinking 1.5.

OP posts:
Saggybaggyaggy · 15/08/2021 21:05

Everything @trebelclef said!

My username sums my weight loss up. 11 stone down and naked I am saggy and baggy. Look absolutely banging in clothes though! 🤣

IceLace100 · 15/08/2021 21:06

I'm surprised that someone a size 16 qualified for having it done though.

Yes I was also thinking this. Unless they were very very short.

Saggybaggyaggy · 15/08/2021 21:07

And yes exercise does fuck all re the loose skin. I workout and lift weights and can feel my muscles and the difference. Sadly it can't be seen but I don't care. I am healthier and stronger and fitter.

trebelclef · 15/08/2021 21:13

Grin @Saggybaggyaggy

Original poster
VsgKitt · 15/08/2021 21:23

I find the size 16 thing hard to believe as you have to have a BMI of 40+ or 35 with 2 Obesity related illnesses.

OP posts:
Original poster
VsgKitt · 15/08/2021 21:24

Unless it was done privately?

OP posts:
Original poster
VsgKitt · 20/08/2021 16:51

Thought I would update. 3 weeks 2 days post op.

I've lost 20lbs in 17 days
OP posts:
JessieOh · 20/08/2021 17:03

Amazing!
Well done.
Can I ask if the surgery was keyhole? And what was the recovery from the op like?

IceLace100 · 20/08/2021 17:11

Wow your stomach looks dramatically different!

HurryOnHome · 20/08/2021 17:14

[quote trebelclef]@Muchmorethan I feel passionately that the NHS should fund obesity surgery for three reasons.

  1. It saves the NHS a lot of money that can then be used for other patients. The NHS's own figures suggest the cost of the surgery is saved on average, 18 months after the operation. This is because conditions such as type 2 diabetes are cured instantly with surgery and these are incredibly costly long term conditions otherwise.
  1. People suffering from morbid obesity are literally suffering. It is an awful way to live. There are few areas of life that are not impacted negatively by morbid obesity. This surgery can end that suffering.
  1. If patients with morbid obesity lose weight by other means, such as diet or exercise regiemes, the body has a physiological response to drastic weight loss that means the chances of this loss being maintained is very, very small. The body literally lowers its metabolic weight in order to 'save' calories to increase body fat even in individuals eating low amounts of calories. A 5 foot 5 inch woman who loses 10 stone, has a basal metabolic rate that is, on average, 500 calories a day less than a 5 foot 5 inch woman of the same weight who has not been overweight. This means it is virtually impossible for a morbidly obese person to maintain a low weight without surgery.[/quote]
Why does (3) not happen if you have a gastric sleeve? Surely it's the same as losing weight through eating less? (Asking with genuine interest, not to be arsey!)?
Nobloat21 · 20/08/2021 17:27

Well done op! Looking great!

trebelclef · 20/08/2021 17:31

3 does not happen (as much) because in a gastric sleeve operation the Ghrelin level in the body is reduced by approx 80% because this hormone is mainly produced in the area of the stomach that is removed. Ghrelin is the main hormone driving hunger levels. Someone who has to eat less, for the rest of their lives, has a much easier time of it if their stomach is smaller so they feel fuller on less, and they are less hungry to eat all the time.

trebelclef · 20/08/2021 17:33

Sorry, I've worded that explanation badly, what I mean is, 3 does still happen, the post operative patient does need to eat less than someone who has never been morbidly obese to maintain a weight loss, but feeling a lot less hungry all the time, and feeling fuller faster, both help to achieve this.

trebelclef · 20/08/2021 17:34

Looking brilliant @Vsgkitt

Original poster
VsgKitt · 20/08/2021 17:47

@JessieOh

Amazing! Well done. Can I ask if the surgery was keyhole? And what was the recovery from the op like?
Yes, keyhole. Recovery was OK. When I woke up I was given IV painkillers. They get you up walking after being awake an hour or two. Lots of people have gas pain from the abdomen being inflated for surgery. I was very lucky in that I didn't experience that. The pain was bearable though I did sleep most after my painkillers. I think my surgery was worse than standard as I had my gallbladder out at the same time. 80% of my pain was in the gallbladder area.

The first few days I felt breathless (they give you breathing exercises to do which I stupidly didn't)
By day 4 I was doing a 9 hour journey with 4 hour flight to get home and it was no where near as bad as I expected.

3 weeks out I feel 90% normal (but I had an issue with one of my incisions so that is still slightly tender, my other 4 are healed)

OP posts:
Violinist64 · 20/08/2021 18:25

Congratulations. These operations are literally life savers. Hopefully you will continue to go onwards and downwards!

Original poster
VsgKitt · 20/08/2021 18:35

Thankyou so much

OP posts:
itsgettingwierd · 20/08/2021 18:43

Wow you look amazing.

Such a difference.

You must be so pleased Grin

Original poster
VsgKitt · 20/08/2021 19:35

I feel better mentally. Not sure I've lost enough yet to really feel differently.

OP posts:
lking679 · 20/08/2021 19:44

Wow that’s great! Hoping in future there will be a much better understanding of appetite, overeating and obesity and those who need it can get the right treatment. Good luck to you!!

JessieOh · 21/08/2021 01:02

Thank you for answering. I hope the remaining 10% recovery happens soon for you.
Must feel so exciting to see the huge change already, and to imagine your new improved future. Good luck with it all. Smile