Gastric Bypass in 2 months

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I would like to know if anyone on here has had a Gastric Bypass. I have jumped through all the hoops and am now just waiting for surgery date which should be in the next 8 Weeks. I would like to hear from anyone who has had a Bypass or Sleeve . (Not a band it's a very different Operation) .
It appears to be a very taboo subject on MN - (I have even felt the need to name change) and despite there being hundreds of threads on the latest diet, there is surprisingly little about the only scientifically proven longterm sustainable weight loss treatment for those with obesity or morbid obesity.
I am after any advice for the immediate post op period and the process of moving from liquids to solids and any other advice really.

@Mollie85 no point starting a new thread. Just post on here!

Where would you recommend for gastric bypass? Europe, UK, or home which is Ireland for me. Will be paying for it myself and it’s cheaper in parts of Europe, so I’m trying to get an idea if it’s worth traveling to save money.

It’s a bit difficult to advise on where to go as each of us only has the one experience so can’t really compare and contrast. What I can say is that I was fine to leave hospital after 2 nights but wouldn’t have wanted to get on a plane for a few days after that (and wouldn’t have been able to carry even a smallish a bag for 2 weeks at least). I had a follow-up with my surgeon face to face on day 8 to check all ok and have another face to face appointment for 3 months after surgery.
I went to London for mine and was very picky about the surgeon - I went for one who teaches other surgeons and is quite famous (he also does ‘A’ list celebs). Probably overkill as he was very expensive. I will probably be taking his recommendation for who does any excess skin surgery. I kind of figure that if you only do it once you should do it as best you can. I could have had the sleeve done on NHS but didn’t want to wait. The private surgeons all do NHS too so you could save a fortune by waiting if you qualify for NHS.

Thanks Cheese....I’m in Ireland so no NHS and the Irish equivalent could take years. So I guess I have to weigh up €7000 abroad versus anything from €10000 to €16000 here.

Ok....panic setting in.

I can get gastric sleeve in mid Sept in Istanbul. Just have to book flights.....yes/no/yes/no????

4 days in hospital, 3 days in hotel - €3500

I just paid £5300 for a sleeve done in Poland. I did a lot of research and picked the clinic because of its reputation and that the surgeon has done 2600+ Bariatric surgeries.

I feel very lucky because the very worst pain I had was discomfort the evening after the surgery. I'd mark that as a 3/10 and it was gone the next morning. I was trotting up and down the corridor sipping water by 6:30am, I couldn't wait to get up. I spent 2 days in the clinic and flew home. No problems at all flying in fact I got special treatment because of the surgery.

The clinic was incredibly focused and efficient. I had 2 days of tests and have an inch thick folder of everything that was done including the procedure. So included I had a medical over haul and a free teeth polish lol. I've had no problems at all (touch wood) since I'm home. I've no pain but I've been tired although to be fair it is major surgery. I'm upto about 2 litres of water now (op was on 21/07) - yoghurts, protein shakes and mushy peas are what I'm living on. I've eaten out 3 times since the op, I just make sure I have a broth or soup. I'm determined it's not going to stop me socialising. It's very strange watching people eat now especially skin people. It amazes me how much they can eat!

Love me not I am going to Czech Republic in three weeks for mine - all in its cost me 4800€ (normal 4500€ but I wanted a private room).

My Dr is Dr Cierny who, like the surgeon above, has performed a wealth of surgeries and has a 0% mortality rate.

Cannot comment on any other country but I went through a company called New Leaf and they’ve proven to be great thus far

Thanks ladies. Doing a Q&A with them at the moment. Have checked reviews, so far so good in terms of the surgeon and the hospital. Just have to not panic and talk myself out of it 😊

On day 7 off liver shrinking diet is really really hard but sticking to it. Not on a milk diet as could choose slim fast shakes at four a day whuch ivdid for 4 days then swapped to the food liver shrinking plan they do to very limited in what you can have but im 9lbs down now and do not feel hungry just tired n aching. They changed it to Aug 13th now so day early eek. I think i just clock watch mainly now

I can't believe how much cheaper it is abroad. I paid just shy of 10k for mine at spire in the UK.

Keep going with the liver diet! It's so hard but worth it. I preferred the milk version as I didn't have to think about food at all. I think that made it easier.

Lovemenot don’t you dare talk yourself out if it! It is easily the best thing I have done for myself. I’m not losing as quick as I like but I’ve still lost 3 stone and can now do things like cut my toenails without cavorting into ridiculous positions on the bed. Little things like this just bring me so much joy. I miss eating but get nearly as much joy feeding others. Only downside is eating with others - they eat so much/take so long! Small price to pay.

A lot of my dreams thus far have been about me having had the sleeve and it “not working” and that I have lost no weight at all.

I am hoping to have lost four stone by my birthday which will be 8 months to the day after surgery...

That’s just a hope and if I don’t, I don’t...

At 17 stone I’m worried I’m being too unrealistic in my expectations ...

So good to hear from others

Thanks Cheese....I’m trying. I just keep thinking that surely I can get my arse to the gym, or walking each evening, or just eating better. All of which I’ve tried over the years. Then I keep wondering about fighting against the food restrictions and wondering if I’m just changing the “eating too much” to “eating too little”, so it’s just changing the battle. And then I wonder if I haven’t got the motivation to do the work now, am I taking the easy (not, I know) way out, and how am I going to cope with consistently eating well, and exercising, and takings vitamins. And am I just setting myself up for failure again.

Ok, that sound like a big pity party....sorry.

Mollie you will deffo lose that. Likely double that. You would have to try quite hard to not lose 4 stone in 8 months. I lost 7 stone in 6 months so far but have been v focussed and going to the gym a lot. At the end of the day its a tool and you get out what you put in.

In good news I have discovered I am actually an inch taller than I thought so already overweight rather than obese.

Am finding losing so much weight is an expensive business. Have given away my biggest clothes and packed away several intermediate sizes. Don't want to give those away as am still paranoid about regaining.

Have managed to make it affordable by mainly charity shopping and sticking to clearance rails. Have been buying several sizes down as and when I spot things. Only thing I have been buying full price is sports bras as they MATTER.

Am currently a 14 down from a 24. Have enough size 12s for a full wardrobe in a few weeks. Can just do up size 12 Next (chazzer) jeans but they are still too tight.

Haven't been able to bring myself to buy anything in a 10. Seemed like an impossible vanity dream. Am I suddenly going to be stuck with nothing to wear in a couple of months? Is it even possible?

I have also kept a pair of my biggest jeans as a comparison tool. They are a 22 and I couldn't do them up at my biggest. I refused to buy 24s and it was always at that point I started dieting. Could lose well but always regained.

Thanks crabbity that’s cheered me right up

You’ve done amazingly!
Tomorrow will be three weeks until I fly out.... eeek

Oh and luckily I’ve kept a lot of my size 12s from the last time I lost weight... so hopefully it won’t be too expensive for me !!! Mind you, it’s an expense I enjoy and I usually use eBay anyway so it’s practically guilt free

I've been buying clothes ...I don't even care if they won't fit for long!

I've not been this thin since I was 16!!! And I'm still obese!!

I can't believe how much denial I've been in for years.

This is a size 24 that was too tight on me in Feb

Just thought I’d say hi. 8 years ago I had the sleeve and lost 11 stone. Gradually I started to put weight back on again, sugar and carbs went down very easily. I regained 6 stone and then had a duodenal switch. This is the most effective weight loss operation available which is why I chose it. However, it came with sacrifices and if I don’t eat properly I spend the day on the toilet.
I’ve now for the first time in my life stayed at the same weight for more than 5 mins. I’m around 13.5 stone (still overweight) but I don’t think it’s going any lower. I started off at nearly 24 stone.
Both of my operations were done on the NHS and I am forever grateful. I did have to fight for them though.

How is everyone getting on?

Alright.

My main issue has been my bowels irritatingly. I think because I am eating so little I am only pooing a couple of times a week or less. Kept getting constipated as very sluggish and then was v unpleasant. Am now taking lactulose and its improving a bit. Still not back to normal though.

Only lost a pound last week so should lose more this week as it goes in fits and starts.

I've been fairly lucky there. Whilst the consistency has changed. I'm still going most days.

Definitely more constipated than I have ever been

I paid £3200 abroad plus my flight
That included 2 night hospital / 2 nights Medical room in hotel

My niece lost 8 stone in 6 months having a gastric sleeve

The one thing I think a lot of people find is when you are about 1/2 -10lbs above your goal weight / natrual weight that’s the hardest bit to lose and can take forever

Im getting nervous my operation for a sleeve is on monday eek