Just wanted to come on here and add some info about WLS . I know it's not for everyone but I do think there is a lot of negative press that needs to be considered before people (for whom it may actually save their lives) are 'shamed' into not discussing it with their GPS .
There is this ridiculous idea that WLS is somehow 'getting away with it' ..'the easy option' 'a waste of NHS resources for people who don't want to diet and exercise ' All of these beliefs are wrong. !
The NHS does not provide cosmetic treatments. It provides WLS at BMI 40 and above (BMI 35 with life threatening disease such as High blood pressure/diabetes etc) because Obesity is a killer It's not because they want you to look nicer in smaller clothes. !
There is a huge amount of data to show that WLS remains by far and away the MOST successful way to maintain a healthy weight for those who have become morbidly obese. (BMI 40)
All the data from the centre for obesity research at imperial college (Uks foremost research centre into obesity) shows that sustainability is extremely rare for those who have entered this category. This is the reason the NHS will fund this surgery. Not because it's a cop out but because it works and is backed up by a huge body of data.
There is a massive waiting list, thousands are taking advantage of the ability to save their health and dramatically improve their quality of life. The cost to NHS is about £8k. This is recouped within a year by the lack of obesity related diseases and issues that swallow up NHS budgets.
Yes, like all surgery there are people who have complications but no one would think someone 'mad' to have gallbladder surgery because they knew someone who knew someone who had complications.. or because it can be managed with 'lifestyle ' if the medics recommended removal as a long term solution .. nor would it be taboo to discuss.
I feel quite passionate about this as my dsis had a gastric bypass in August. She had BMI 38.9 and sleep apnoea as a result of obesity. She had been on every diet going for 7 years and had lost 7 stone at one point. For it all to go back on. (Very common). Her quality of life since being obese had diminished significantly along with her health. She went from active, fell walking 10st 50 yr old to immobile, depressed 'blob' (her words) of 17st in need of new knees.
NHS surgery is not simple, it's a year long pathway that importantly includes multi disciplinary programmes including psychological and dietary support, It also includes support groups both pre and post op.
I attended one of these with Dsis and was staggered to find that the horror stories are very few and far between. There were over 300 people at this 'reunion' last March and I spoke to not a soul who regretted the surgery.
Of the 30+ people I did speak to there were of course people for whom the surgery and recovery was harder than others , there were some who had issues with excess skin etc but ultimately they were ALL substantially HEALTHIER and not at risk of dying of a stroke/heart attack etc .
My Dsis had a hard recovery but was on the mend within 3 weeks. From 17 stone she is now 10:8 and her life and lifestyle and health is utterly transformed.
I am not saying everyone SHOULD do it, I am simply saying that if you are interested then do your research, get facts from official, scientific research centres. Do not be 'fat shamed' out of a procedure that could well save your life. Just because ill informed people think they know better.