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?

I had my surgery in Turkey in November last year. Its very cost effective. Under £4000 including flights, medication, hotel stay and I paid £500 in that to have my gallbladder removed which obviously isn't compulsory. I've lost 4 stone now and don't regret having the sleeve at all. I'm considering going back there for plastics if I can face it!

A very random question, but did you have to have a catheter during bypass surgery?

I have made enquiries today at the private clinic where my NHS surgeon operates, and have been quoted a cost of just under £9,500.
They are not operating at the moment, but are reviewing the situation in March.
From the first Consultant appointment to having the surgery takes about 8 weeks.
I am happy to be using the same Surgeon I have met previously, so shall be arranging my first appointment as soon as the clinic re-opens.
I am aware that bariatric Surgeons also do gall bladder and hernia surgery amongst others, and have been told that these would be prioritised over bariatric surgery, and even though I was so close to the top of the list last year, it would be about 18 months as things currently stand, before my surgery would take place on the NHS.
Looks like my savings will take a hit, but it will probably be the best money I ever spend.

I had a catheter. They put it in while I was in surgery and took it out later that night. I didn't know I had it until they took it out.

Can I ask about loose skin?
Is there anything you can do?

I had the bypass, didn’t have a catheter. When the theatre nurse collected me to walk down to theatre she advised me to go and empty my bladder.

It wasn’t too long (maybe a couple of hours) after getting back to the ward before I was able to get up and go to the toilet anyway. Although, embarrassingly, I think I had wet myself at some point either in theatre or recovery, but I was laid on lots of absorbent pads (like puppy pads) anyway, so really nobody would have known. When I got up to the loo there was also quite a lot of blood on the pads as I think the rapid/dramatic change in hormones can cause vaginal bleeding in some people.

I just explained to the HCA that came to check on me that I was feeling quite uncomfortable down below and wanted to change my underwear, etc. Took a pack of baby wipes to the loo with me and had a good wipe down and some fresh pants and a pad. Didn’t bleed again after that. And really from that point I was completely independent with self care in my room, apart from needing uncoupled from my IV fluids.

Unfortunate update from me today. I think I have Covid. My partners workplace completely shut down on Monday due to an outbreak, he’d started to feel a bit sore over the weekend and I’d been with him. Haven’t been with him since Monday morning, but he got a positive test on Wednesday, and now I’ve woken up this morning with a temp of 39.1, jelly legs and a very very slight scratchy throat.

Test due to arrive today, but I’m fairly certain it’s that, I’m completely well in myself, no pain, wounds are fine, so no other plausible explanation for such a high fever.

Bit worried about the increased risk of severe illness due to obesity and obviously being 20 days post op. But I’m trying to stay positive, besides being fat, I have no other health conditions and my body has done a fabulous job of bouncing back from my surgery so I’m just hoping I manage to get away without it feeling too wretched or becoming too sick.

@QueenOfPain Sorry to hear that. If you do have it, try not to worry too much, rest up, keep hydrated if you can. I caught it early on in March last year and felt like flu to me, no worse than that thankfully, so hope it’s the same for you.

Oh dear @QueenOfPain - sorry you are unwell. Make sure you get your fluids in and hopefully you will have a swift recovery.

Hello, Ive been watching this thread with interest as I have been considering bariatric surgery for some time. I was wondering if any posters considered Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty? Instead of the gastric sleeve.

No I didn’t because it’s a very new procedure and sounds as if it’s more for those with an extremely high bmi who may then need further surgery. If you’re worried about the physical side of a sleeve, I’d say not to worry. The keyholes are very small and recovery is quick. The hard work with any WLS comes afterwards when you need to use it as part of your new lifestyle!

Also meant to say welcome to the thread @mustbe3!!

Welcome @mustbe3.

How you feeling @QueenOfPain?

Hello, I’m a bit more sore all over today, but feel okay, my throat is a tiny bit more irritated, but mostly okay. I had a poorly bum for a lot of yesterday so I’m crossing my fingers I’ve got the GI Covid and only very mild respiratory symptoms.

Strangely, yesterday I had the best appetite I’ve had since surgery, had met my protein goal by about 11am.

Thank you for asking.

@MindBodyChocolate

No I didn’t because it’s a very new procedure and sounds as if it’s more for those with an extremely high bmi who may then need further surgery. If you’re worried about the physical side of a sleeve, I’d say not to worry. The keyholes are very small and recovery is quick. The hard work with any WLS comes afterwards when you need to use it as part of your new lifestyle!

Thanks for the welcome! And your reply

I guess in my head , the Enodoscopic sleeve is preferably because it doesn't actually remove part of the stomach- its still there although its capacity is reduced. But maybe that's being naive. And there doesnt seem to much data about long term success.

I am inspired by this thread and peoples success!

@PUER125 can I please ask you what the operation is that you are looking into. I’m thinking of gastric bypass as I have lots to lose. I have been looking into turkey as it’s so expensive over here.

Hope you’re ok @QueenOfPain. X

@LadyShmuck I’m probably going to have to go on my own, do they look after you well? I’ll need more than a sleeve. But feel I’ve got nothing to lose.
Can I ask others who have been to turkey. How did you find the journey? I’m extremely immobile yet will have to go on my own, will there be people there to look after me at each point in the journey?ie queuing through airports etc. or will I have to find someone to help me. Tia

@Ladybird69 I went alone, you can book airport assistance through the airline which I'd recommend esp if you have a connecting flight.

I went through Get Slim in Turkey, they pick you up at the airport and have English speaking carers with you in hospital, they help you through all the pre op tests and are always there to explain what's happening when nurses are doing meds etc. They also just pop in for a chat now and again which is nice. I stayed an extra night in a hotel before travelling home which I'd recommend as I think I might have struggled flying home straight after discharge from hospital. The transfer to the hotel is sorted for you and then they pick you up again from the hotel to go back to the airport. The get Slim team also will help with washing/showering if you need it and they have a hairdresser who will come in to wash your hair for about 3 quid, which was heaven.

They offer sleeve and bypass surgery. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

Looking at various UK providers at the moment, it’s a difficult decision to make. Those near me don’t seem to be undertaking operations until April and I just don’t want to wait that long. I can travel to Birmingham or Manchester to have it done with bloods done nearer home a few days before. Just not sure what to do. Have any of you been with Transform?

Hi all. Hope everyone is ok. @QueenOfPain how are you feeling now?

I’m a bit low about my hair. I noticed some extra hair loss but it just feels so thin and flat. It’s really fine anyway but usually looks pretty good. I feel now like I’m still fat and have crap hair 😢 Sorry for the moaning. I know bad hair is a pathetic thing to be upset about what with everything that’s going on but it’s got to me today.

@MindBodyChocolate I bleached mine so it's both breaking off and falling out. I look like a well padded scarecrow. I think it's going to be getting a chop once hairdressers are open. Just hoping my jawline reappears to balance the shorter hair.

Hello,

I’m okay actually, I feel a bit under the weather and more tired than usual, but apart from congested sinuses and a bit of a headache I’m okay.

Weight loss is on the move again after a bit of a stall so that’s something!

Thanks for asking BTW.

Good to hear you are feeling better @QueenofPain.

@MindBodyChocolate are you taking biotin for your hair? If not, give it a go. Mine is growing really quickly and I haven't had a significant loss (yet!)