If you were me, would you go to Turkey for weight loss surgery?

[Lordofthebutterfloofs]

I know two people who have done this very recently and they are so happy with their outcome.

21 stone
36years old

Never had an op of any kind.

Sick of trying to diet

Very very tempted but rather terrified of the whole thing

Why do people think anyone who is obese has mental health issues?

I don’t see any comments like this on the dry January threads when people are trying to cut down. They’re mostly not alcoholics but consumption has crept up. Same as many overweight people. 10st is about a 1lb per month for 10 years (simplified maths), ie. 900 calories per week - not actually that much on a daily basis. How many people on this thread have got to a certain point in the year knowing 7, 10 or 14 lbs has crept on? You might decide to do an intervention but for multiple reasons others don’t/can’t. Not everyone is a food addict or suffering from a mental health condition and it might be hugely offensive to suggest someone is.

@BankOfDave thank you for saying that! I put on weight because I was happy! I met my now husband and we did so many amazing but food centric things together - and wefound so much fun in cooking new recipes or buying amazing cheese from the farmers market or going to New restaurants. 10 years of that happy overindulgence put me where I am - probably why therapy alone didn't work.

Who regulates them @maddy68?

I'm wondering this. Asked earlier on the thread about how people check the doctors' registration, and also whether they are on the relevant Specialist Register. Also how to check whether they have been subject to any investigations or supervision etc. No-one has answered (presumably because they don't know).

As for being 'highly regulated' what does that actually mean in reality?

@Throwncrumbsive seen above that you worked on a bariatric ward. I’m keen to make an informed decision about whether to proceed or not with surgery which I’ve been offered and I’m awaiting a date. My BMI is 38 and I don’t qualify for the injections as no other illness but it is shocking that I qualify for surgery. Do you have any advice? I’m worried about acid reflux / gallbladder issues, never being able to enjoy eating a meal with my family etc etc. I’m so undecided. Any advice much appreciated x

@Gymmum82i hope you don’t mind me following up on your comment above, your friend had weight loss surgery and died! I’m so scared, I’m awaiting a date and now I’m unsure whether to proceed so looking at lots of advice on these threads. Was this at a uk hospital?

@TubbyByeByewow it sounds like you had an awful time after your surgery! Do you regret the surgery? My bmi is 38 and i have no other illnesses but I’ve been offered surgery as I don’t qualify for injections, which sounds crazy to me. any advice much appreciated x

@bugaboo218im reading this thread from 2023 with interest and would appreciate any feedback from your surgery. I’m worried about having it done and wonder whether paying for the jabs would be better though I can’t afford them tbh but can’t get them on the nhs. I’m scared I will get nauseous and not being able to drink Coke Zero sounds horrific! Do you regret having it done?

@Whatthediddlyfecki wondered if you would mind sharing any side effects you suffered after surgery? I’d like as much info as I can gather to decide whether to accept surgery on the nhs. Many thanks

The only side effect I’ve had is to have lost over 14 stones and kept it off!! Honestly it’s the best thing I’ve ever done. You do have to change your lifestyle and eating habits to be successful, it’s not a magic wand…I’ve had to learn new coping mechanisms where previously I’ve used food as a crutch, and that’s been the most difficult part, and still ongoing to a degree almost 5 years later. However I remember that I just don’t want to go back to where I was pre surgery.
physically I’ve had no issues at all-I have a LOT of loose skin which I won’t be having surgically removed but that’s the only physical downside. Mentally, it takes a lot of work, but it’s been so worth it

I would recommend looking into Mounjaro first. For £4K you can be on the jabs for roughly 1 1/2 years.

Dieting is soul destroying without help, I am down 30kg now and while you have to look at your whole diet and triggers, the jabs made it easier to do it.

A friend with a similar weight to you has a gastric sleeve, did the surgery before jabs became available. He is ok with the change in lifestyle but openly admits that food became an issue, not just regarding portions but also what to eat - for life.

Good luck whatever you choose.

@Whatthediddlyfeckthis sounds amazing; did you have the sleeve? And no nausea or acid reflux? I’m terrified I will be left with awful negative effects for life - am I being ridiculous?

@carbibarbie Yes I had a sleeve, and genuinely not a single side effect-no reflux-nothing. In the early days I threw up once because I’d eaten too much, so I learned from that one!
I have some self imposed rules I follow-some might think they’re daft-such as I only eat crisps when I’m away on holiday😂but it’s what works for me and how my head works.

Ive only had the very occasional regret and that’s only in the moment when I’m really enjoying something I’m eating and wish I could have more😂

Wearing size 12/14 clothes rather than 28/30 kills any regrets though!

Wow @Whatthediddlyfeckhow congratulations ! Do you get as hungry or does surgery affect hunger hormones. I once tried mounjaro very briefly for a month before realising I couldbt afford them, and I was so sick and had the worst acid reflux, it was horrific, I’m scared it would be similar.

@carbibarbie thank you -I feel younger in my mid 50s than I did in my 30s!
I never feel physical hunger as the part of the stomach which produces the hunger hormone is removed, but head hunger can be a real thing, which can be difficult to manage sometimes. For me it always comes down to reminding myself how far I’ve come, physically and mentally, and just not wanting to go back to the person I was when I was overweight.
2 of my friends have had the surgery having seen how I’ve changed and they’ve had the same positive results