AIBU to consider bariatric surgery

[MrsJackSpratt]

I need to lose a lot of weight. A LOT of weight. A combination of over eating and chronic illness and now lockdown has led to my weight spiralling out of control.

I need surgery for the chronic illness, but need to lose around 8 stone in order to have it. I've also recently started to become really scared about survival rates of things like covid at this weight.

Last time I lost any significant weight was around 5 years ago. The only thing that worked was carb free, low fat and 800 calories a day. I lost 3 stone in 5 months like that. But I was miserable. I have tried meal replacement diets but they all taste like shit (I don't have a sweet tooth and detest milkshakes for a start). I tried 5:2 and lost small amounts of weight. I tried orlistat and didn't lose weight.

I want help. I need help. GP offered "lifestyle classes" that only meet during my working hours. I can have support at local council gym on "exercise by referral", but again, only during working hours. GP suggested considering bariatric surgery. But, with a chronic illness that was caused by surgery, more surgery for something else really scares me. The side effects of gastric sleeve really scare me - but is gastric banding worth while?

I'd really be keen to hear any experiences

Hi OP.

Pop over to the Weight Loss Chat section there's loads of us currently going through this. From pre op to post op.

I'm a week out from a sleeve.

There is a lot to consider. It is not the wash way out its portrayed to be. Feel free to PM me.

Easy way not wash way!

Depending on where you live and the healthcare system, some people get benefit from the injectables that have relatively recently become licensed for weight loss in some circumstances and were developed for diabetes treatment. A few suitable patients have lost several stone relatively quickly. Good luck.

The only thing that worked was carb free, low fat and 800 calories a day.

Bariatric patients have a considerably more restrictive diet than this, or even any of the other methods you've tried -- if you can't maintain what was working, bariatric surgery may not be for you until you can really unpick what's driving you to eat. If you were miserable on this, it stands to reason that the restrictions post-op aren't going to be much better for you to manage and messing those up could considerably impact your health.

I have had a gastric band. I am really happy with it. I’ve lost 4 stone in 8 months. However, if I had had more to lose and I could have afforded it or been offered on the nhs I would have gone for sleeve or bypass. With the band, you can expect to lose 50% of excess weight. So if you are 10 stone overweight, you can lose around 5. Of course some people lose more. I would think very carefully about the sleeve, you need something permanent- this is the rest of your life. I love my band and it was right for you but it isn’t for everyone. Good luck!

If you don't like meal replacements or tracking etc just eat clean and no carby things. And don't eat anything that isn't on your list.

Meat
Poultry
Fish
Cheese
Eggs
Natural yoghurt
Salad
Non root vegetables
Berries and low carb fruit.
Nuts and seeds.

It's my understanding (and I am happy to be corrected) that you need to lose weight before bariatric surgery anyway to show that you can control your eating. You won't be able to continue eating the way you do now after surgey.

Have a look at why we eat (too much) by Dr Jenkinson who is a bariatric surgeon who has reseached why diets don't work except short term and what to do about it. His findings will help whether you go ahead with the surgery or not.
(Spoiler: less sugar and wheat; switch to olive oil and butter instead of veg oil; don't restrict calories or your body thinks you are starving and you hold onto fat).

@3Britnee

If you don't like meal replacements or tracking etc just eat clean and no carby things. And don't eat anything that isn't on your list.

Meat
Poultry
Fish
Cheese
Eggs
Natural yoghurt
Salad
Non root vegetables
Berries and low carb fruit.
Nuts and seeds.

Brilliant! I bet she's never thought of that!

@Love51

I second that book. It was a very interesting read!

I think before people truly think of bariatric surgery they've probably exhausted all efforts. That was definitley true for me.

I read a review/excerpt, a while ago, of Jeni Murray’s book about weight, dieting and bariatric surgery. She’s a good journalist and she’s had the surgery, so if I were considering it myself I’d buy her book.

Make sure you do some research before you go in

From my limited experience (watching documentaries) it's not just weight loss it's for people at serious risk of death in say 5ys.

There's things you can never eat again and you have to commit to these dietary changes for life

@3Britnee Maybe this isn’t the thread for you if your reserves of politeness and empathy are so depleted?

I had it 3 weeks ago. It is tough. Anyone who says it is the easy way out has no idea.

I had a mini bypass.

good luck OP, I'd get the bypass 🎉

I can’t believe you can only have NHS help in working hours! That‘s total batshittery.

Say what now @VladmirsPoutine ?

OP would you consider a gastric balloon? I had it inserted this day last week. I chose this because I didn't want a permanent change and it can be removed. I have the 12 month one and there is no surgery required and I had sedation only.

The first 4/5 days were not good. But I'm on day 7 and I am currently on liquids only for another 7 days before moving onto soft food. Its a tool only but I was in the right frame of mind and ready for it. I needed to lose 8 stone. A week of no food/dehydration means I now have 7 stone to go.

Come on @VladmirsPoutine if you’re going to randomly swear at me, at least explain why. That was totally peculiar.

A high percentage of people that bands - balloons put the weight back on and more within a few years of having it removed
The Sleave is permanent but if you don’t charge way you eat you can still put the weight back on
There is often what is known as the golden moment - 6-18 -2 years months where you lose weight and it stays off .
After this time it’s very easy to put it the weight back on .
Several people I know have all put on weight after 18- months -2 years of having a gastric sleeve .bypass

I had a sleeve but I wasn’t massively overweight but had struggled with weight all my life probably only about 25 -30 lbs overweight but I had mine done privately abroad .
I’m am also diabetic so have been prescribed omeprezic - I’ve lost another 15 lbs since end of Feb without even trying to lose weight

In my experience and of my friends who have had gastric surgery the last half a stone is always the hardest to loose 😂

Plus you may lose the weight but you may have to deal with really terrible loose skin - on a FB group I’m a member of a lot of people who have had lost in excess of 6stone have mentioned the loose skin is as bad as being overweight and is another problem to deal with as it’s will only be solved by expensive corrective surgery .
However the younger you are the better chance you have of not having lose skin
My friend ( male ) lost 8 stone in about 7 months a few years ago - kept it off and had no loose skin
Women though seem to suffer worse from loose skin - from what I can gather from my groups that I’m on

Oh and I can eat pretty much whatever I want . Only thing I can’t “stomach “😂 is eggs which I used to love but they just make me feel sick .
I can still drink Diet Coke my tolerance to booze is now terrible 1 glass of wine and I’m anyone’s - a really cheap date 😂
I can’t eat bread anymore so I tend to eat pitta bread
Also you have to take vitamins for life and tablets aren’t any good as you will find you can’t absorb them any more
So B12 either as an injection or as a spray
Iron as liquid

I lost 3 stone in 5 months like that. But I was miserable

I do understand what you mean OP but are you not miserable now? You can be dangerously overweight and miserable or slim enough to have vital surgery and miserable from the sounds of it? I know that sounds flippant but I don't think there is a way out of this without seriously restricting what you eat.

As PP have explained, if you have bariatric surgery, your diet will be far more restricted. I really hope you find a positive outcome

For those who have had the sleeve or bypass, can you please tell us a bit about how your life has changed and if you think it was worth it? I'm seriously considering going privately.