I've been offered gastric bypass....

[CherryPie3]

And I'm scared stiff!!

I went to the doctors last week with some minor chest pains and also to find out if I could be referred to a dietician to help me shed some flab.

He said the pains are nothing to worry about but my weight is a problem. I weigh about 19st (I know I know...) and my bmi is 41. In my family there is a history of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease and me being hugely overweight puts me in a high risk category (apparently). I'm 26y old, I have 3 beautiful children and I want to be here for them as they grow up - I do not want to end up in a box!!! My dad had his first (of 4) heart attacks aged 39. He had to have lots of surgery and still had 3 more heart attacks, the last one killed him on 2008. He was 68.

I have been overweight most of my life, at age 12 I was a ladies dress size 14. I have been on the slimming world diet for so long I barely remember how to eat 'normally'.

What do I do? What would you do? I'm scared to death of surgery as I saw my dad go through so much of it.

:(

CheeryPie3 i've got two colleagues who have had it, both are half the size they were. From my observation of them I think the best chance of success lies in using it as a catalyst to change the way you eat and live, no point in just eating tiny portions of carbs for your new tinier stomach.

Maybe try changing how you eat first if you are really not sure, all these drastic diets will do you no good, Cambridge etc. The thought of you living on a Slimming World plan makes me rather sad too.

I speak as someone who has managed to lose 1/3rd of bodyweight by not being so bloody greedy.

Hey cherrypie I would go for it personally, as you said, they wouldn't suggest an operation that is going to cost the NHS thousands if they didn't think you needed it, from the family history I would say you are quite high risk to develop health issues if your BMI stays high and you obviously want to be around for the children and do loads of stuff with them, so I say go for it, but ask lots of questions and go into it with your eyes open that it will still be hard work!

cherrypie good luck in whatever you decide, once again I am really sorry if I offended you, was just trying to be objective and supportive. I appreciate the apology.

In terms of the lunch, the tuna was just one example other low calorie sandwich fillings for me are sliced turkey breast with salsa or smoked salmon with 5% cream cheese.

Obviously don't eat chicken every night either, my dinners generally are:

• poached salmon with steamed veggies, small carbs
• cod/haddock baked in oven with chopped tomatoes & vegetables (eg courgette, onion, mushrooms, peppers)
• extra lean mince (could be chicken or turkey mince) bulked out with loads of veggies and choppped tomatoes poured over chopped up cauliflower OR topped with mashed celeriac.

However one thing that I have found since I have been doing this diet is how small the portions are, eg chicken, meat, fish limited to 100g if having carbs or maybe 130-150g if no carbs and just veggies.

Hi everyone :)

Right. Here is what I have (provisionally) decided.

Thanks again to everyone who has replied! I have so many questions for the nurse tomorrow!! And will be armed with the wisdom of you mn'ers :)

The waiting list is 2yrs, so I think I will request to be placed on the waiting list, and still ask about ww subscription as I didn't know you could do that until this thread! I can remove myself from the waiting list at anytime so it won't hurt anything by being on there. I would much rather lose the weight without surgery and will give it my best shot.

I will report back after my appointment tomorrow.

:)

I am on the waiting list for one. YOu have to go to a funding comittee (well your go does) - it's not a simple fix at all, but a tool for you to use to get your life back on track. You will lose your excess weight, or the bulk of it, and durung that time, you have to eat protein first, then veg then carbs.

The ting about stretching back is a possibility bu very low, the stomach goes from being the size of 2 loosley clenched fists to being the size of your thumb.
Before you are accepted for it, you will have to see a dietician and psychologist, then once the hospital accept you (once you have funding) you do it again. It's alight at the end of the tunnel, I have tried everything, ww, sw, cambridge. You lose weight, you put it back on and more.
The thing with the bypass is that unlike the band, you can't easily cheat, you can't eaSIly stretch it and you can#t change your mind!

I would say, say yes, start the process, it's long winded and unless you are paying privately you are looking at approx 1 yr from now before you get a date.

This is a website that the gp and hospital refer you to

www.bospa.co.uk

Good luck, and be prepared for snide comments from people who thing you are cheating, weak or costing the Nhs ............

XX

CherryPie3 Makes sense - if the waiting list is 2 years long makes sense to try and get on it but try and loose weight in the meantime. Good luck.

Hello guys,

I have offically set the ball rolling. The nurse measured me and weighed me - my bmi is 42. She is writing to the PCT to request funding, I will then be contacted by them (pct) to advise whether successful or not. The nurse I would be required to attend numerous appointments (consultant, nutritioists etc) to discuss which surgery I'd prefer (bypass, band or sleeve) and eating plans. No need for a separate referral to a dietician apparently.

I'm a bit of how quick and easy they've been about it all.

My heads spinning just now. I'm scared. This is surgery they're (I'm) talking about so nonchalantly.

So there we go, just wait now I guess.

Thank you all so muchly!! I guess my journey starts here. xxx

Good luck CherryPie - well done on moving this forward.
Don't be scared of the surgery - it's all keyhole and I don't know anyone who's had serious problems with it.

One thing I would say is that you should start to get your head round the fact that you will have to change what you eat for the rest of your life(& not just the quantities)if you want it to work for you.

I speak as someone who has had a gastric bypass but still struggles to eat vegetables without pulling a face,and would quite easily work my way through a whole box of chocolates at once (regularly) if I let myself.

Don't let me put you off though. I think I am the exception and that most people who have the op can't tolerate a lot of the sugary / fatty food they used to eat so the changes to their diet are easier to make.

Thank you godzuki :)

I never ever in a million years thought I would ever be a position to be considering this. The nurse was
all for talking me into it!!

I'm gonna start graudally reducing my portion sizes now, with bit of luck I should be able to adjust ok. Would still rather not have the surgery but thats my fear speaking - I'm sure it will be fine.

No more or but plenty of (cos I'm a coffee addict! ) Will have to buy myself a traditional teacup instead of a supersized mug :)

xxx

Cherrypie Ok to stick to your huge mug, just don't add sugar, ok to add skimmed milk. But yes good idea to reduce portion sizes of everything other than steamed veggies. Also aim to drink at least 2 litres of water a day. Every time you feel hungry drinking 2 glasses of water and then wait 15-30 mins to see if still hungry. If you are ok to eat something.

One other thought was this though "and that most people who have the op can't tolerate a lot of the sugary / fatty food they used to eat so the changes to their diet are easier to make."

I suffer from IBS and I can't tolerate huge meals or a lot of fatty food (friend food) without ending up in pain. I am a bit that people have to have surgery to put themselves in that position. I still managed to put on weight by "grazing" constantly even though meal portions were healthy. Now when I feel like grazing I either drink some water, have some herbal tea or have a can of diet coke/spite.

It's not really a huge mug, it's just tall (with cupcakes on!).

I understand what you mean about IBS, dh had crohns and severe reflux and although he's fine most of the time - of he gets a flare up it's affects his entire appetite. He's lucky that he can still eat most things tho, it's only really his beloved doner meat (yuk) sets them off.

Excellent idea with the water, will make sure I have a bottle with me at all times - try and ease me into a hood habit :)

Xx

Or even a good habit

(iPhone fingers)

Mmmm diet coke.....(another favourite of mine) :)

How are you doing cherrypie?

Hi there forever :)

Doing ok here, making sure I have a bottle of water with me wherever I go, it's really helping suppress my appetite which I'm very happy with!

I've decided not to weigh myself at all but to just keep eating smaller but healthier meals (after water) and see where it lands me :)

Hope you're well xx

Cherrypie well done! My friend who lost 8 stone in 8 months said she drunk 4 litres every day - every time she felt like eating she drank 0.5l and if she really was still hungry 30 mins later she ate. She said that often our bodies misinterpret hunger when its really thirst, so drinking loads helps to cut down calories.

Don't worry about weighing for now, not really relevant.. also good to try some exercise - lots of people on this board doing shred dvd - only 20 mins each day from home... but if not even walking to school etc (get a pedometer?)

Luckily it's been lovely mild sunny weather here lately so I've been taking advantage and going for lovely long walks with my little ds in his huge pram :)

I love. I feel energised.

at 4 litres!! In pints I probably drink about 5 a day. I'm lucky cos I love water anyway, really enjoy it when it's freeeeezing cold! :)

I have had a gastric bypass and I would strongly urge you to absolutely exhaust all other options first.

I had mine done seven years ago and the first year was great, i went from 20 stone down to just under 11 stone relatively easily, but unfortunately bad habits do creep back in. Weight has gradually increased and I am now 15 stone again which is half way back to were I started.

Remember the side effects of the surgery - I am chronically anaemic, my pregnancies since have all ended very prematurely (34 weeks, 28 weeks, 27 weeks and 23 weeks), I have a stomach ulcer which flares up randomly, and chronic gassy pains in my shoulders which started one week after surgery and happen frequently.

I am now doing the Cambridge Diet and only wish I had found this solution years ago.

There is also the very real risk of death during or just after surgery. It was one I was happy to take when I weighed twenty stones as I was so unhappy, but I'm not sure I would do it again.

Good grief Geepers Thats scary stuff!! I'm sorry about all you've been through with the bypass. I truly am. I hope all your babies are ok! :)

I fully intend to exhust other option first, not because of the side effects of the bypass (although I know how very real they are), but because I do not want surgery. I am terrified of it.
I want to do this myself, it's me who ate and made myself be the size that I am. I'm not following any diet as I've done that for so long now.

Much love to you xxx

Cherrypie good for you!

(Not sure if you have tried Paul Mckenna, if not worth a go, it isn't a diet, just a way to help you eat less.)

Thanks forever, I've heard many people talking about Paul McKenna so I'm seriously considering 'using him'. Sounds like it's worth a whirl :) xx

I have it on my ipod.... if my willpower is flagging or I have a bad day (ie I ate too much) I listen to it at bedtime, I find it quite relaxing before I go to sleep. Does seem to help.

Cherry Pie You sound very similar to me, I am similarly overweight and wish I could find a magic solution. I would second what others have said about the addictive properties of carbohydrates, I have done the Pig 2 Twig diet for just a week or two and am slowly craving stuff less.

I have a friend who had a gastric band, has lost loads of weight and looks great but equally know of someone else who had a bypass, has lost weight but also lost her hair and her nails and now suffers from chronic malabsorption syndromes. I would recommend that you get all the information and make a fully informes decision.

Good luck with it all, with any luck you may find a way to succeed before you get to the surgery! :)

CherryPie - I have a lot of weight to lose too.

I have heard so many bad things about the surgery and one in particular where a Mum died during the surgery - just seeing her kids crying for her, not caring if she was a fat mummy or not (her main incentive was to not be a 'fat mummy') they just wanted their Mum. I know I couldn't do it.

I am going to the gym most days now, it's knackering me out but I am getting fitter. I haven't lost any weight but that's because I haven't really altered what I'm eating. The more I focus on it, the worse I crave things - but I need to sort my shit out because I've been hoping to wake up a size 10 for a long time now and it's just not happening!

You are being really sensible to consider your weight and your family history and to deal with those things. I just hope you find something that you can make work for you before it comes to having the surgery - it's a desperate measure with a lot of possible side effects and I hope you can avoid it x