Can anyone advise about a gastric band?

[Pacific]

In a bit of a quandry.

I had made up my mind to have this done. Did all my research, spoke to people who had it, etc. The only thing I was slightly concerned about was the lack of follow-up from the private hospital. There is no dietary advice or psychological care afterwards. Also, I am travelling 250 miles to get it done so any potential emergency could be a problem. I am medically qualified and have many medical friends/relatives so this is probably not a major problem.

I booked and paid for half the cost. Two days later, my GP informed me that it is just now become available on the NHS in my area.

However, they have been absolutely inundated with referrals and are prioritising people who have other pathologies, ie diabetes. I am perfectly healthy other than being morbidly obese.

My excellent GP was advising me most strongly to wait and go with the NHS but...

1. It could be months or years before I even get a consultation.

1. I may not be eligible because I am otherwise healthy.

1. I have already paid for more than half the operation which is not refundable.

1. I have psychologically got myself set to have this procedure within the next few weeks and I don't think I can bear to cancel.

Can anyone help me get my head round this decision?

I don't want advice whether to have it done or not, that decision has already been made.

Please?

Bloody typical, eh? You wait ages for a bus then two come along at once .

I think you should go with the private procedure you've already started on. You owe it to yourself after all the mental preparation, not to mention the money spent.

Undoubtedly frustrating that you could get it for 'free' but why wait? Think of how good you could be feeling about yourself so much sooner - your health and wellbeing it what counts here. And good that your GP supports you having the procedure in general.

LYM, Thanks for replying.

It's not really the thought of getting it for 'free' that is a consideration. It is the better quality of care/follow-up that the NHS procedure offers. But that is offset as you point out, by the mental preparation and money spent already.

I think that every, week, month, year that you will gain from having this op done sooner, is worth the quickest option.

I am so pleased that you are getting this done, I wish it were me! I have just been told by gp that it is no longer available on the NHS where I live so have given up the hope of ever having it done.

Good Luck

Thanx Manx!

My GP only phoned yesterday with the news about the NHS. Having slept on it, I have decided to go ahead with the private op.

I am pretty certain that I can cope with my own aftercare and I have good support.

Sorry to hear that it is no longer available for you Manxmum. Don't give up hope, these fianancial decisions change from year to year within the NHS. Also don't discount going private, my op is under £5000 although there will be a few hundred pounds expenses on top of that.

I know what you mean about aftercare with the NHS. As much as they get moaned about, plenty of countries have it far worse.

Glad you've come to a decision and looking forward to hearing about your progress on MN!

Would you really be interested? I'm quite chuffed that you want to hear about it.

I have the usual history of all morbidly obese people. I was larger than my friends at school and went on my first diet at age 17. Over the next 20 years I have tried pills, drinks, cabbage (bleugh), every club you can think of, etc. Each time I would lose a few stones but always end up putting on more than I lost.

The latest was Lighter Life which cost a fortune. I lost 4 stones then put 5 on.

In the spring of this year, I decided to go to my GP for help. I got referred to the dietician who was a size 8 patronising cow not very helpful. I found out about gastric band and decided this was my last hope.

So far, the biggest hurdle was telling my DH and negotiating 'family' money to pay for it.
I thought he would think it was selfish to spend that amount of money on myself but he is very supportive.

So, I have booked to have my op at the beginning of September.

That is the story so far. If you are interested, I will update this thread from time to time and if anyone wants to ask about it I will try to answer any questions.

Try again. Sigh.

size8patronisingcow--

Oh well, you know what I mean.

It's a huge thing to undertake, not just for yourself, but having to deal with the reactions and attitudes of those around you (not least the so-called professionals).

I'm still calling my 3-4 stones extra 'baby weight' so am interested in inspiring experiences to help me along as I try to lose it. MN is great for that.

Do try to get a refund. I bet they haven't incurred any costs or put any other patients off or lost any money because you've cancelled. The cancellation fee might be unreasonable and unlawful. Send them quite a strong letter and you might get it back. It's not like they've inserted half the band so have expended the money.

I can only add that my oldest, bestest friend had this done about 3 years ago. She was 21 stone. She is now 11stone.

The op was done private in Brussels.

LYM, it's interesting that you say that. I am a very private person and have told no-one (except three million mumsnetters ). I am travelling alone to have the operation and have arranged holiday from work for time off. I am a bit worried about the reaction at work when I start to lose weight and the gossipy women there. I suppose sooner or later it will come out what I have done and I have no idea how to deal with that.

I have'nt told my parents either. My father constantly badgers me about my weight but if you dare refuse food or leave food on your plate at their house, my father goes nuts. I am worried about having to eat tiny portions at their house too. Again, I have no idea how I can deal with my parents reaction. They will be horrified both at the expense and the upset of the status quo.

Xenia, I thought that too but I am going through with the private op now.

Tiredemma, well done your friend. I hope I am as sucessful. I have about 7 stones to lose.

Well, I had my op on Tuesday.

I had a strange reaction at work on Monday. I was flicking through a diet magazine during tea break and suddenly had a panic attack. I have never had one before so it was really frightening. However, I got over it and carried on.

I was admitted to hospital early on Tuesday morning and had the op about lunchtime. The anaesthetic cleared quickly but I was very sore for about 2 hours, then the pain lifted and became just a dull ache.

So here I am on Thursday, I drove home myself and so far have managed to do lots of housework this morning so would say I am well recovered.

And the best bit is that I have already lost 7lb due to the pre-op diet and starving for the op itself.

I am now only allowed fluids for the next two weeks and I don't feel hungry at all. I keep burping and farting though!

I will update this thread from time to time but please post a few replies if anyone is interested enough.

Thank you batters.

I shall watch for your progress reports also.

Well done for having it done, you are very brave

Best of luck!

Hi Pacific.... Well done you.... How are you getting on with it?
I'm due to have my op on the 17th of this month (bricking it emoticon) and I've discovered an amazing site called WLSinfo, have you heard of it? I must admit it cost £15 to join fully but its a mine of information and the people on there have all had bariatric surgery of one kind or another and give you so much support and advice. I'd say joining was one of the best decisions I've made apart from deciding to have surgery...... lol
If you decide to have a look, say Hi, I've got the same name as on mumsnet.... Beelliesebub

Hi Beelliesebub. Sorry I have taken so long to reply, I have just noticed your post.

I had a look at that website several years ago but for some reason they have now blocked me. I go on UKGastricBand.co.uk which is free. I am also called 'Pacific' on there too.

I am now 13 days post-op and feel absolutely great. I am going back to work tomorrow. I had hoped to return to work sooner but my job is very physical and I really did not think I was fit before at least 10 days post-op.I have lost about a stone already.

I had terrible post-op wind, which was the only thing preventing me returning to work. I had no operation pain or skin pain and otherwise recovered really quickly. But the wind....oh! It gurgled and bubbled and blew-up my abdomen and I just couldn't shift it. Finally I found a pharmacist who had come across this before. She recommended Windeze gel capsules and reassured me that they were small enough to go through the band despite the liquid diet. They worked a treat and I have had no problems since.

Where are you having your band? Are you with THG or WGA? There are a lot of moans about them on the websites, but I have no complaints at all.

Good luck with your op. As I say, I recovered really well so just take it easy for at least a week and you will be fine.

Please join the website I mentioned, then we can make direct contact.

Beelliesebub, if you happen to read this before you go for your operation, I wish you all the best.

Please let me know how you get on

wow a stone already! glad its all going so well

Hi guys - thinking seriously about having a gastric band fitted but have numerous questions

1. i really dont want to tell work about it - am very concerned about their reaction (i think people will think i'm vain - i'm just so miserable being so large 5ft 2 14st 7 size 20/22 )

2.i will need time off work -if its elective surgery will i still get paid - thought i could take a week off holiday but will i have to take unpaid leave?

1. still concerned that i will have an healthy relationship with food.
2. the cost 7600 but with 2 years aftercare with Nuffield hospitals!!!

loads more questions but will go on uk gastricband site as well. will be intrested in how Pacific and Beelliesebub have got on.

Hi Strugstu. I have just noticed that you posted looking for advice an I hope you see this reply.

I didn't tell anyone at work until well after the op. I was noticably losing weight and people were asking about it. I then came out of the closet and admitted what I had done. All my colleagues were interested and somewhat in awe but all were positive and supportive. At the end of the day, it is your body, your choice and your decision and no-one else's business.

I work for the NHS. My op was performed during a week's holiday. I had to take the following week off as I was not well enough to go back to work and simply said I had a laparoscopic investigation. Your medical history is confidential and you are not obliged to discuss it with your employer.

I have now lost 2 1/2 stones. I still have a 'healthy' relationship with food but I only eat small amounts of everything. I will have one crisp, one square of chocolate and my meals are small enough to fit on a tea plate.

Please look a bit further than Nuffield. They provide a lot of aftercare which is what you are paying for but it is a lot cheaper with THG/WGA or contact Dr Chris DeBrunne and go to Belgium. Don't believe everything on UKGastricband. I had my op with THG and I have no complaints whatsoever. I have been paying Dr DeBrunne for aftercare as I have needed it.

If you would like a personal chat with me, go on the UKGastricband website and post me directly. I am called Pacific there too.

Best wishes. HTH

Hi! I am frightened.. I have booked for a gastric band with THG next week! I really want the surgery, but I don't know whether it is better to go for the full package £6950 or the reduced package £4950. For all those who have had it done, is the 12 months aftercare worth the extra £2000? I's welcome any advice.
Ta
Sabria

Hi Sabria. I bought the basic package and then have been having fills locally with another company. THG often get slated, but I had no problems whatsoever with them. The care I received was very competent. I think some people expect the nursing care to be gushing as you are paying privatly but this is not the case.

Are you going to Dolan Park? I was very happy with my treatment and aftercare up to the post-op x-ray.

Don't be frightened. The op is very quick and non-traumatic. As I said earlier in the thread, I drove back to Edinburgh the following day.

I have now lost over 2 1/2 stones of the 8 I need to lose.