Contemplating bariatric surgery.... advice?

[Seriouslyconfused3]

Hi as the title states I am contemplating a gastric sleeve. I am a serial yo yo dieter and my metabolism is fucked. I have pcos and have tried Xenical, saxenda etc- successful until I stop using and the weight piles back on.

I’ve seen an endocrinologist and he said that, in his opinion, sometimes surgery is the only viable option. I’d be paying for it myself as I don’t quite meet the nhs criteria yet.

I’m miserable- I don’t lose weight unless I starve myself ie 600 calories a day and then I’m even more unhappy. I’m worried about my health in the long term, but then the prospect of surgery scares me too.

Any advice from those who have been there before?

[GaryUnicorn]

@PusheenLove

Do you think anywhere private in the UK would perform a bypass on someone of a healthy weight? (Weight maintenance).

Unnecessary surgery is questionably unethical. Don’t know that I could trust a doctor who would do anything just for the revenue.

[QueenOfPain]

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/weight_loss_chat/4152685-Bariatric-surgery-no-2-thread

New thread is here.


@Viviennemary This is a very old thread so I don’t think OP will be too concerned now about her initial height and weight calculations.

[Seriouslyconfused3]

New thread- Bariatric surgery no.2 thread

No clue how to link if anyone can help

[Viviennemary]

What height and weight are you. There's some miscalculation if you havd to go down to 600 calories a day.

[QueenOfPain]

Hah, thank you!

[Seriouslyconfused3]

Ok I’ll do that now

[QueenOfPain]

I guess we just make a new thread in weight loss chat called “Bariatric Surgery thread number Two” or something along those lines?!

[Seriouslyconfused3]

Good thinking @QueenOfPain I’ve never done this before either tho

[QueenOfPain]

Is the thread going to get full soon? I don’t know how it works as never been on a long running thread before.

Did we ought to make a plan to make another one when it does?

[RalphtheMouth]

@Ladybird69 I have been going through tier 3 and 4 for over two years now and approved for surgery, but have no idea when operations will restart. I just want it done now, so am going privately (with finance).

[Ladybird69]

@RalphtheMouth wow that’s not long to wait so much better than two + years. Best of luck

[Ladybird69]

@PUER125 I lost 9 stone on LL and ended up being a size 20 despite weighing lighter ! Which was quite disheartening but looking back even that weight was much easier on my body. I’m like you only a shade over 5ft and every pound shows.

[RalphtheMouth]

@Seriouslyconfused3 will do, thanks again

[Seriouslyconfused3]

Congrats @RalphtheMouth it’s not easy but it’s been 100% worth it for me personally. Keep us updated on your journey

[RalphtheMouth]

@needtoloselots thank you!

@CoronaCurls thanks, I’ve been following your progress (and others) on here, a real source of inspiration.

Can’t wait to have it done now.

[CoronaCurls]

Go for it @RalphtheMouth you won't regret it! It's the best money I've ever spent.

I had my surgery at the end of October and I'm past half way already (still another 4 st 12 lbs to go to target).

[needtoloselots]

@RalphtheMouth Good luck

[RalphtheMouth]

It’s great to hear so many positive and realistic stories. I’ve decided to go privately and earliest date is likely end March. February tomorrow, so can finally see an end (or new beginning) in sight.

[Seriouslyconfused3]

I second everything @needtoloselots said. It’s not an easy route by any means but it is truly life changing. I feel so much more like myself again- I’m happy to be out and about and don’t hate myself like I used to.

Weight loss does slow down and stalls are very real but you have to keep the end game in mind. I’m less than 3 stones from goal weight (bmi wise) and am going to need to work for it now (ie exercise etc) but it’s so much easier to do that than it once was

[needtoloselots]

Well, it's exactly 6 months since I started the LRD and I've lost 60.5 lbs in total (4st 4.5lbs) from my heaviest ever weight. It's just incredible the difference it has made to me. I feel so much healthier even though I still have nearly 4st to lose. For example - I don't get out of breath going up the stairs. I don't have to have a lie down to recover from having a shower. I can get clothes on that I haven't been able to wear for years!

There are downsides, but these in no way outweigh the benefits. 1) My hair is falling out. I'm taking biotin but I think it's going to be a while before my hair follicles recover from the shock of less nutrients. 2) I'm getting loose skin and I think I am still going to have overhanging belly skin when I've lost all the weight. 3) Weight loss slows down. I have only lost 4.5lbs in January, however if I hadn't had the op, then I would have increased in weight not decreased, as my eating was out of control. 4) My eating habits have to change forever. I still get pangs in my head of wanting to eat a large 3 course meal, which I can't physically do.

Don't let anyone tell you this journey is a casual walk in the park. It's not, but it is soooooo worth it. I have reduced my risk from Covid, stroke, heart disease/failure, need for hip/knee replacement, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure - all of which (except Covid) my parents had to deal with before they died.

I'm sorry this has ended up being such an essay, but I just wanted to tell you it was the best £10k I've ever spent. My biggest problem at the moment is needing new smaller clothes, not knowing what size I am and not being able to go to shops to try things on!

[PUER125]

@Ladybird69 - if only we had that magic wand.
I am only short so my ideal weight is below 9 stones. That would mean almost 10 stones to lose.
I think I am going to focus on reaching a certain clothes size, rather than a certain weight. I don't know if that will be more successful but it's worth a try.

[Ladybird69]

Thanks @PUER125 I’ve got lots to lose so I’d probably need a bypass. Wish I could just click my fingers and be at my goal weight but it’s the keeping it off that I find hard.

[QueenOfPain]

Agree, don’t think they would do it on someone with a healthy BMI. All of medicine is based on risks vs benefits - and in your case the surgeon would not be able to demonstrate the benefits to you outweighed the the risks from surgery.

[PusheenLove]

@Seriouslyconfused3

I doubt it *@PusheenLove* if im honest but someone else might know more than me

Shame. I've severely tempted. It would free up a lot of mental headspace worrying about cals, naughty/nice food, feeling hungry, yo-yoing. I would pay.