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.

So today is purée stage. A couple of days early as I ended up going to the dr yesterday and my oxygen and BP levels are down and he’s said I’m exhausted and dehydrated
Suffice to say, he’s signed me off next week so work will be thrilled no doubt

Today on the menu I have half a weetabix warmed with skimmed milk. I’m going painfully slow (started at 8 and still have half left) but so far so good

How is everyone getting along?

I didn't do weetabix I hate it being soggy.

Porridge was better for me.

Or yoghurt..I ate a lot of yoghurt. Or yoghurt drinks.

If I didn't eat it in 30 minutes I stopped although I was only eating very small amounts at first. I couldn't have managed half a weetabix

I was also told to really prioritise drinking...literally almost constant sipping in the first few weeks x

Yeah I couldn’t manage either but that’s ok. Slow and steady.

Yeah I have been sipping but it’s not been enough so I need to up my game! Now setting myself goals with water.
I’m taking reduced sugar fromage frais (40g pots) and they aren’t so bad. I also have some 0% Greek yog to try.
Hope everyone has a lovely Sat

Hey all. Been radio silence for me for a while - lovely summer, holidays, work - usual excuses.

5 months out and had a dietician appointment yesterday. They are really pleased, but my bloods came back saying my zinc was low, so I need prescribed multi-vits for 3 months to see if it lifts.

Weight loss was chugging along nicely until August, then it seemed to really slow down, with a couple of weeks with no movement at all. Looking back there was a real lack of protein in my diet. Like Sofa I try to really focus on 80g of protein a day & stick to the Protein, Veg, Carb rule, which I hadn't done as much. Also stopped sticking to the 20 seconds between mouth falls and stop eating after 20mins guidance. This week I went back to those basics the forums all talk about & lost 1kg!!

Saying all that, I am down to 82 kg (from 110kg) & am delighted with that. It's a size 14 with some 12's for me. Getting loads of compliments and can fit in my old clothes.

My skin, though bad, isn't hideous & my boobs seem to have not been as affected as I thought they might!

I need to lose another 10kg to get to healthy BMI of 25, but I don't a really care - I would be happy as I am & only need to lose 2kg to hit my personal target of 80kgs.

Also learning the foods that don't agree with me. I've not had dumping as such, but definitely discomfort. Taste buds have completely changed too - no interest in chocolate or cheese anymore! I don't think the exercise and food challenge will ever go away though.

So great to read about all the other journey's people are going through too

Hello again everyone.

I started mush today and it went well - had 0% Greek yogurt for breakfast (a tablespoon) I do like yogurt but tummy gets a little acidy and gurgly when I eat it.
Half a Dairylea triangle about 11 o clock
A protein shake about 3 o clock
Carrot and Swede mashed with chicken gravy about half seven.

It was like ambrosia. Honestly. Fat brain kicked in and I wanted to just gobble, but I waited my thirty seconds between mouthfuls and took it slow - probably had about a tablespoon and a half in the end before Sybil sleeve had enough. Two hours later and I feel amazing!

How is everyone??

All packed for my flight to Istanbul in the morning. Sadly, I had to put one of my cats to sleep yesterday so I’m a bit weepy instead of excited.

Surgery is on Friday.

Good luck loveme!

I am pleased to report the chocolate raspberry cake was delicious but made me feel a bit sick. I was actually looking forward to getting back to my normal protein heavy, low carb diet.

I am also pleased to report I am now only 9lbs off a healthy BMI!!! 25lbs to go until target weight.

@lovemenot good luck!
Remember - the first couple of days are a bit rough but then it’s plain sailing, I absolutely promise.

Thanks Mollie, long day but I’m finally settled into the hospital. Roll on Monday when I transfer to the hotel for some recovery time.

Hey all! How are we doing?

Well done crabby! I'm still miles off a healthy weight :( my firdt goal is to just not be in the obese category any more.

I am now pretty reliably in a size 16 though! With a few generous 14s.

Hi All. Great to hear all your updates. I am so envious. It feels like my light is still at the end of a very long tunnel.
I am going through the NHS route as my foray to 'forin' parts was not to be . (I have extensive adhesions and when I got there , they told me after I woke up with no Bypass - that it 'couldn't be done ')
So have now jumped through the nhs hoops . Had the six months of tier 3 which involved 3 appointments spaced over 6 months and involved ;

Being weighed and measured. Having a chat with a physician (in group session so nothing specific to me) about Bariatric surgery. - nothing I hadn't already read and researched before travelling down this road - learned nothing. (3 x 10 minute chats spread over 3 hrs with 2 hrs drive each way) .

Group lecture about food labels explaining the traffic light system. (Fat = stupid ?) An actual question was a dietitian holding up a Cornish pasty and a piece of salmon and asking us to 'guess' which had most calories. ! (40 minutes- 2 months after first appointment. Another 2 hrs each way. )

Group seminar with nurse about the different types of surgery available. All available on line and in the paperwork sent prior to starting tier 3 . Unable to answer anyone's questions about personal situations. ie Diabetes, PCOS etc and referred to 'the surgeons' (who were not available). Another 40 minutes. Another 4 hr round trip exactly 2 months after the second appointment.

2 months after that a Multi disciplinary team 'day'. Arrived at 9am left at 2pm. In that time I was weighed again. Saw a physician who literally took my blood pressure and reviewed current medication (all of which is available from my GP) . Saw an anaesthetist . Saw a surgeon (my first opportunity to discuss concerns about the adhesions . Surgeon discussed options particular to me (Sleeve or Bypass , keyhole or open).

So - with the exception of the Anaesthetist and surgeon. I have driven for 6 hours. Taken up 80 minutes of appointment time artificially spread out over 6 months (with an understaffed NHS) , to satisfy those who obviously have no understanding of obesity. We are fat - not stupid !

All this could literally have been done in one morning.

I was under the impression that the NHS founding statement was 'free at the point of need' well I needed surgery last year when I fulfilled the criteria for HEALTH REASONS. Instead I have been treated like a naughty kid who got fat and must now beg for someone to help me.

So frustrated guys. They told me 4-5 months from June. My operation is December. Grrrr .

Hey you lovely lot and welcome Cornwall

Hope we are all doing well. This week I’ve been alternating with mush and a soft food meal once a day... so far has been so good. I bought some cod boil in the bag in a cheese sauce and put some mashed Swede and carrot on top and it was the nicest tasting thing!!!
Still haven’t tried eggs, that will be tomorrow’s menu.

Last weigh in on Saturday morning was 15st 8. Five weeks ago I weighed almost 18 so I feel good.

I am a bit worried that I’m eating too much but I never eat until I’m uncomfortable... but I can eat half a cod steak (boil in the bag job) with a tablespoon of Swede and carrot mash and that seems a lot??? (I’m 3 weeks one day out)

I found eggs really hard at first!

Take it slow they sit like a lead weight! And require more chewing than you think.

Can I ask about hair loss? I estimate I've lost about 50% of my hair thickness...although I had super thick hair to start with I'm starting to worry that if it continues on this trajectory I'll have nothing left!!

Your intake seems fine. Your sleeve should be about 200 mls half a fish and some mash will be that

Hi Guys.

Goodness Cornwall you are living my exact life !! . Agree with sentiments entirely. NHS commissioning groups appear to still class Bariatric surgery as some kind of cosmetic procedure- rather than a life saving operation with a proven track record on long term sustainable outcomes , that have the added benefit of making people feel better - whilst importantly reduce the cost of treating stroke, bp, arthritis and joint problems, diabetes and heart disease. The cost/benefit is a no brainer , making the hoops you have to jump through even more ridiculous. ...

Moan over.

Hi Sofabitch , blessedcheesemaker , mollie85 . Crabbityrabbit are you all ok. ? Finding it hard day to day or easy ? I have waited so long now that have convinced myself i will either die having the Op (only place I can admit this irrational fear) or that it won't work for me. ! (again , irrational but having had one abortive attempt, am now convinced this 'holy grail' is not going to be available for me somehow. !How did it go lovemenot are you feeling ok. ?

Amazing loss Anythingconsidered , am always interested in your journey as we were the same weight. I can't believe I could go from a size 22 to 14/16 in 3 months ... roll on December. !

Good morning from Istanbul. 5 days post op, left hospital on Monday, staying in hotel, and going home tomorrow. I’m feeling good, if a bit tired. I’ve attached my story....

Morning. Gosh it's come around quickly. My surgery is on Friday. I'm both excited and absolutely terrified. I'm not at all worried about my life after the surgery, more the surgery itself and any complications that might happen.

Wow lovemenot. What an adventure ! I am so jealous and happy for you all rolled into one. ! I understand about the 'scary in a foreign land' feelings . I went to Poland last year , went through the exact same Ferrari conveyor belt , only to get to surgery and wake up to find they couldn't do it because they didn't have a) the time to deal with my adhesions and b) the facilities that the aftercare of 4 hrs 'untangling' would require. Devasted would be an understatement. (but understood the very valid reasons) So now over a year later I am finally heading towards the OP on the NHS in December. ..

The part of your post that really resonates is the reason for doing it. I too have hidden away. I also 'only' have a BMI of 38 but as my weight was 67kg my entire life until starting on steroids and anti depressants 6 yrs ago. My 6 stone weight gain has all happened since then and I just can't go out and enjoy myself without feeling embarrassed and self conscious. I don't go shopping with my girls anymore, I don't even like going out for a coffee in public. I go to work I come home. It's not fair on them, my DH and my friends . Time to get it under control.

Safe journey home OP.

Exciting times sunshine. We'll be thinking of you on Friday.

I totally relate to wanting to hide away. My bmi was 48 and I couldn't walk half a mile without lower back pain. You just feel like crap and start giving up. I hated photos and avoided them if possible.

I was a bridesmaid last September at 19st. I hate the photos even though it was such a lovely day. I am bridesmaiding again next week almost exactly a year later currently weighing 10st 13lbs and expect to be 2-3lbs lighter next week. I might cut and stick two photos together and put them on the fridge as a reminder.

That would make an awesome Before and After collage CrabbityRabbit. Congratulations on your huge loss.

Hi all, and good luck to sunshine tomorrow. The first 24 hours are awful, but it's fine after that. Make sure you get crushed ice (not water) when you wake up. And I recommend sugar-free ice pops for the week after surgery.

All good at this end, even though my weight isn't moving at all. After a completely unrelated piece of surgery I was finally able to hit the gym although n a strict 30 mins/day limit; feeling so much better (and achier) as a result. Even though I'm not losing at moment there are little bits of joy pretty much every day - wearing heels again, finding that tights fit properly, going into normal clothes shops without feeling embarrassed, little things like that. A friend texted me to say her husband had commented to her that he'd noticed that I looked fab these days. It's the 3rd text in the same vein that I've received since the school run started back. I might still be a Heffalump size 16, but I am shimmying round, imagining I'm some kind of gorgeous MILF at the school gates. And that feels good

Thanks TheBlessedCheesemaker . I've just done a huge clothes clearout. Filled 3 bags of tents to take to the charity shop that I will never wear again. I also found some smaller things from previous diet attempts that I can keep for when I'm losing. I don't have much left but I'm ok with that. I'm looking forward to shopping in the future :)

Thinking of you Sunshine.

You will be feeling like shite when you wake up but it will soon pass and it will all be worth it.

Despite going back to work this week so increasing activity levels, my weight has not gone down since last Saturday and I am still sitting at 15st 8.
I’m a month on the 27th.
Trying not to get despondent about this because I know an early stall can sometimes come ...

Hello to the post surgery peeps - hope you’re feeling well x

I had one in 2012. Weight is still off (lost 160 lbs, which was too much so have put 20 back on and am at a great weight)