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Original poster

Bariatric surgery no.2 thread

999 replies

Seriouslyconfused3 · 31/01/2021 21:17

For everyone following from the last thread...

If you’re new please feel free to join in and share your experiences

OP posts:
PUER125 · 22/03/2021 12:59

@RalphtheMouth, Not nervous yet.

I spoke to the anaesthetist this morning, and attend the hospital on Wednesday for blood tests and a Covid test. I've not had a Covid test before so that will be 'an experience'. He did tell me that the operation is performed with the patient in a half sitting position, which surprised me

I am still excited to be doing this, but no doubt, the nerves will kick in as this week passes.
Apparently, there are three people having the operation on Saturday, so I might not go to theatre until late morning/early afternoon. At that point, I shall definitely be nervous.

I did tell the anaesthetist, tongue in cheek, that I was being overcharged, having to pay £1,000 for one night in the HDU on the night the clocks go forward. I shall be missing out on an hours care! He laughed.

QueenOfPain · 22/03/2021 13:27

Funny you should say that about doing the op half sitting @PUER125, as on my first night back at home post op I woke up with the most horrendous hip pain. It was so bad. I felt like I’d run a marathon or climbed 70 sets of stairs.

I asked the tonic nurse about it and she said “oh, they stand you up and all sorts during the procedure to check for leaks so you’ve probably just been jostled around a lot. I thought she was mad when she said that but maybe she was onto something, lol.

AwFeebs · 22/03/2021 15:31

@PUER125 are you having to self isolate before your OP?

PUER125 · 22/03/2021 16:10

@AwFeebs. Yes. Covid test Wednesday morning, and then self-isolating until the operation on Saturday.

MindBodyChocolate · 22/03/2021 16:38

I didn’t know they tilt you upright during the operation - how interesting. Afterwards I did see an Instagram video showing a sleeve being carried out - don’t look it up beforehand but I found it quite interesting afterwards!!

Good luck everyone - very exciting that more of this group will soon be bypassed or sleeved!

Mylittlesandwich · 23/03/2021 11:21

Popping back in here. Has anyone had bariatric surgery on the NHS? I honestly don't see any other long term option. I've lost weight and put it back on more times than I can count and I'm starting to get very anxious that I'll never keep it off and I'll die young. I do meet the NHS criteria but I still can't imagine it's something they're likely to do?

Original poster
Seriouslyconfused3 · 23/03/2021 11:32

Hi @Mylittlesandwich I personally didn’t go down the nhs route, as while they do offer it, the waiting list is huge I believe. If it’s your only option I would definitely get your referral in ASAP

OP posts:
Original poster
Seriouslyconfused3 · 23/03/2021 11:34

Good luck @RalphtheMouth and @PUER125 not long now for you! Are you both excited or nervous or a mix of the two? If it’s any help, I was terrified- cried all week Blush and it’s been the best thing I’ve ever done!

OP posts:
CoronaCurls · 23/03/2021 11:56

@Mylittlesandwich

Popping back in here. Has anyone had bariatric surgery on the NHS? I honestly don't see any other long term option. I've lost weight and put it back on more times than I can count and I'm starting to get very anxious that I'll never keep it off and I'll die young. I do meet the NHS criteria but I still can't imagine it's something they're likely to do?
Hello - just to say I tried the NHS approach pre-Covid as I fit all the criteria but I got told my eating was 'too dysfunctional' but they didn't offer any help or support to fix my binge eating disorder. I was not impressed at all and got the distinct impression that they were trying to find any reason to not spend money/do surgery.

So I saw a psychologist privately and sorted out the binge eating and then had a gastric sleeve privately in October last year. It is categorically the best thing I have ever done and totally worth the money. I have lost almost 7.5 stone and feel (and look!) fantastic. I only eat to get enough protein now and feel totally different about food.

CoronaCurls · 23/03/2021 11:58

@RalphtheMouth and @PUER125 good luck for you ops! My main tip is have lots of Calpol 6+ ready for post-op - it is so much easier to take than effervescent paracetamol.

RalphtheMouth · 23/03/2021 13:48

Thanks for the tip @CoronaCurls, I’ve got some in.
@Seriouslyconfused3 I’m getting a bit nervous and I know I will be on Friday, but just want it over with. Getting excited for feeling and looking healthier I must say.
@Mylittlesandwich

I went down the nhs route and have been going through the tiers (since Jan 2019). I was awaiting a surgery date but have decided to go privately as I have no idea when they’ll start up operating again and I don’t feel I can wait any longer.

Mylittlesandwich · 23/03/2021 14:01

I had been looking down the private route before covid hit but our finances took a massive hit and it's just not something I can afford. I just have a feeling that my GP won't want to put me forward though. I'm on orlistat at the moment but I'm not really a fan and I'm not convinced it's actually helping any more than the way I'm eating is.

summeriscomingsoon · 23/03/2021 14:46

Why are people choosing a bypass over a sleeve and vice versa?

Original poster
Seriouslyconfused3 · 23/03/2021 16:00

@summeriscomingsoon I was on the fence but my surgeon recommended the sleeve as I was the lower end of obese and he said it was the safest option

OP posts:
summeriscomingsoon · 23/03/2021 16:03

[quote Seriouslyconfused3]@summeriscomingsoon I was on the fence but my surgeon recommended the sleeve as I was the lower end of obese and he said it was the safest option[/quote]

Only if you feel comfortable saying, but can I ask what your BMI was pre surgery?

RalphtheMouth · 23/03/2021 17:10

@Mylittlesandwich maybe go back to the GP and ask to go on the pathway towards surgery, it’ll take a good while it at least if they start the referral now it’s happening in the background,

I was on orlistat a good few years ago and it helped me lose over 100lbs. I was super strict and totally in the zone. It took me a year to lose it and kept it off for about a year then unfortunately life events got in the way and ended up putting it back on!

I was only on it a few months and it set me up for very low fat eating.

Original poster
Seriouslyconfused3 · 23/03/2021 17:34

@summeriscomingsoon it was 39

OP posts:
Original poster
Seriouslyconfused3 · 23/03/2021 17:34

It’s now 28 Grin

OP posts:
summeriscomingsoon · 23/03/2021 17:51

Well done!!!!

RalphtheMouth · 23/03/2021 17:57

@Seriouslyconfused3 fantastic, well done!

Original poster
Seriouslyconfused3 · 23/03/2021 18:06

Thanks guys

OP posts:
PUER125 · 23/03/2021 20:53

@Mylittlesandwich, I went down the NHS route and was due to have a sleeve gastrectomy in April/May last year. I was told in January, that from being near the top of the waiting list, I was now looking at an eighteen month waiting list, that was likely to get longer.

I therefore decided to investigate private surgery, and here I am, four days away from a life-changing event.

@ Seriouslyconfused3
I'm not nervous about it at all, I might well be in a couple of days. Well done on your fantastic weight loss. I only hope I am as successful.

RalphtheMouth · 25/03/2021 17:22

About to pack my case for tomorrow ! Good luck for Saturday @PUER125

QueenOfPain · 25/03/2021 19:37

Good luck @RalphtheMouth and @PUER125

RalphtheMouth · 25/03/2021 20:26

Thank you @QueenOfPain