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?

Well day two is going a bit better- I’ve planned my meals better and it doesn’t feel as difficult. I don’t think I maximised my options yesterday- rice is my friend today

Starting to worry about the COVID test though- does anyone else have to do that too?

@Seriouslyconfused3 I am viewing this as the start of the next phase of my life so I’m excited to begin! I’ve had a bunch of surgery in the past thou (different unrelated reasons) so that part holds no fear for me. I’m also having a Covid test 3 days before the op - my husband had one a few weeks back, it’s fine, momentary discomfort I think.

Should we record the dates of all of us with ops coming up so we can help support each other?

@MonkeysandParrots that’s a great idea mine is the 27th July- anyone scheduled please add your date in!

It’s not so much the test I’m worried about but the outcome. I’ll be devastated if it comes back positive

Ok, so we have;

@Seriouslyconfused3 July 27th
@MonkeysandParrots July 31st

Feel free to add your date to the list!

Hi everyone, my op is 17th July. This Friday. I'm terrified, but when I force myself to think about positive things like my health, nice clothes, being in control of my weight then the fear lessens. I haven't told anyone in real life except hubby so i could really do with the support.

I also thought of writing a letter in case anything happens but I think it'll send me down a dark path and I'm not ready to go there. Trying my best to stay positive and focus on packing and sorting everything i need.

I'm taking some windese, sugar free polo, peppermint tea bags for post op. My heart is racing and I've had headaches and jaw ache with the stress for a week which is now subsidising.

I'll report back as soon as I can. It seems to me there are 2 types of people, those up and walking and feeling ok the same day and those who sleep through the first day. I hope I'm the former. I had 2 horrific emergency c sections so feel my body should be ok to see me through the op.

Good luck @Cuddlecouch you’ll have to keep us updated on your progress. It is scary but I’m hoping it’ll all be worth it in the long run.

@Cuddlecouch
Wishing you luck for Friday and looking forward to hearing how you get on x

@Cuddlecouch
Where are you having your op done ?

Good luck, I'm sure you'll be fine. A colleague of mine has this done a year ago and it's been an amazing transformation.

@MonkeysandParrots my date to add to your list is 14th August.
@Cuddlecouch good luck on Friday.

@Cuddlecouch is leading us out on 17th July! Good luck, please do let us know how you get on.

List now stands;

@cuddlecoach on July 17th
@Seriouslyconfused3 on July 27th
@MonkeysandParrots on July 31st
@needtoloselots on August 14th

Anyone else?

Wow we’re all getting really close good luck @Cuddlecouch!!

On a bonus note my lrd is feeling easier every day and I’m 7lbs down

I too have IIH, and my new neurologist announced last week that in order to rule out weight as a cause I should have bariatric surgery. And he would only consider shunt surgery afterwards!

I’m 18st and 5ft 3”

But my weight and food issues are as a result of an extremely traumatic early childhood, and an equally traumatic abusive relationship between the ages of 14-18.

My main problem is because of what I went through as a toddler i have issues with food hoarding, and disordered eating. I seem to have to almost eat every day like I’m not going to eat tomorrow, although logically I know i am.
I would say a good 60% of what i eat is as a result of compulsions and not because I’m actually hungry. I don’t just eat junk either- we eat balanced meals and plenty of fruit & veg.
When i eat because of compulsions it doesn’t matter what the food is, I just have to consume something. That can be anything from a packet of biscuits to a dozen raw carrots- depending on what is at hand.

@teenmumandsowhat can you ask your consultant about counselling & support for the hoarding & disordered eating? That sounds so difficult to deal with on your own and, from all I’ve read and what’s been said on here previously, WLS is a tool, not a silver bullet to deal with all issues, we have to work on our mental triggers also. I hope you can find some help.

@Cuddlecouch Today’s the day! Am thinking of you & hoping you have as pain free as possible experience.

@Seriouslyconfused3 How’s the LRD? I start today, weighed myself this am, bloody hell, if that wasn’t motivation that I don’t know what else I need 😆

@needtoloselots how are you feeling about it all as the date comes closer?

@MonkeysandParrots the lrd is going ok I’m over half a stone down so at least it’s doing something. Is yours starting today? What can you have?

Good luck @Cuddlecouch let us know how it goes once you are up and about again sending flowers not cake

@Seriouslyconfused3 just having my first shake now. Not gonna lie, it wouldn’t be my first choice buts it’s ok. I’m using Huel black as my dietician recommended Huel as his preferred if using shakes.

I could also have chosen a food diet or a mixed shakes/food but just using shakes takes the choice away which, for me over the next two weeks, is the easiest way to make sure the wheels don’t fall off. If I get absolutely desperate, I can have a very carefully chosen & calorie controlled meal ... knowing that makes it easier.

Half a stone is great! Did you take your before pics? I did and then hid them in a folder on my phone ...

I didn’t have the option of diets- the dietician said vlc food because I’ll be on shakes for a while afterwards. I think I’d have preferred shakes if I’m honest- I don’t mind the taste of them.

Yeah I’ve taken a few- hate seeing them though so I’ve hidden mine too can’t wait to see a difference tho!

Got a message today to say my admission is at 7am on the 27th so hopefully I might be in first with no waiting around. Have you told people what your getting done. I’ve only told my husband and mum, might tell my brother I haven’t decided yet

I’m 7am also, also hoping for an early slot.

I’ve told my husband & son plus a couple of close friends. Not planning on telling anyone else but I guess that could change afterward.

Work was interesting - I just made noises to my clients about needing to take a couple of weeks out for a ‘procedure’ hence I would not be available. You could tell they really want to know what I meant but all were too polite to ask 😂

I’m a sleeve failure as I had transfer addiction from food to alcohol. I detest myself for it but I’m the only one to blame. Food wise I’m fine but metabolism is fucked been told now I either eat 500 cals a day or sick it up

Suck not sick

Oh no @Grumpbum123 that’s awful. Can you not get referred to someone else for help? Your doc sounds awful

I’m going to look at possibly being resleeved

if i were you i would look into hypnotherapy first

My friend had a bypass ,lost a ton of weight very quickly ..
But she never eats more than 900 calories a day ,and she has lots of loose skin that is not shrinking back