Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Weight loss chat

A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

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:
Original poster
Seriouslyconfused3 · 29/03/2021 15:37

@GreenEyedMonsterMunch I’m about 6 months in. About 75% of excess weight lost and eat pretty normally tbh. For breakfast (if I have any) I’ll have some high protein porridge or as a treat half a toasted tea cake. For lunch normally a small side plate with something like shepherds pie or chilli and for tea pretty much the same thing. I am still tempted to snack unfortunately Sad so try and keep myself busy. Still manage something treaty every day- could be a biscuit, yogurt or even some high protein ice cream. But I do exercise everyday too.

OP posts:
Original poster
Seriouslyconfused3 · 29/03/2021 15:41

Hi @Lanaa welcome to the thread. If you want to pm me I’m happy to pass on recommendations (I found my clinic from a poster on mn)

OP posts:
MananaForever · 29/03/2021 19:21

Hello, can I join? NC’d for this Blush I’ve got a BMI of 46. I took the first step today and called my GP to tell them my weight as I’ve not been weighed by a medical professional for years. GP has agreed to refer me to tier 3 weight management which is a 6 month program I’ll have to do before I can be referred for surgery. I don’t know if I can wait that long. I’m desperate to have the surgery so that I don’t waste any more of my life. I keep thinking of all the things I could do this summer (like theme park rides and aeroplane seats!) if I had it done now and waiting months feels unbearable.

Did anyone else who was eligible for NHS surgery go private to avoid waiting?

Has anyone got any recommendations for surgeons in the South West?

itsalifetimesworkfella · 29/03/2021 19:56

@MananaForever

Hello, can I join? NC’d for this Blush I’ve got a BMI of 46. I took the first step today and called my GP to tell them my weight as I’ve not been weighed by a medical professional for years. GP has agreed to refer me to tier 3 weight management which is a 6 month program I’ll have to do before I can be referred for surgery. I don’t know if I can wait that long. I’m desperate to have the surgery so that I don’t waste any more of my life. I keep thinking of all the things I could do this summer (like theme park rides and aeroplane seats!) if I had it done now and waiting months feels unbearable.

Did anyone else who was eligible for NHS surgery go private to avoid waiting?

Has anyone got any recommendations for surgeons in the South West?

I think as referred for Tier 3 over three years ago and still waiting, hence now looking at private.

Covid knocked it out and the waiting list is huge but private costs A LOT but I feel it's worth it.

However, I did get a lot from the NHS process

Original poster
Seriouslyconfused3 · 29/03/2021 20:00

Hi @MananaForever welcome to the thread . I can’t offer any advice about nhs I’m afraid but there are plenty of posters who I’m sure will. Everyone is really friendly and helpful so any questions just ask away

OP posts:
RalphtheMouth · 29/03/2021 20:08

Hi @MananaForever, welcome to the thread, lots of support on here.

I started on the NHS route Jan 2019 and was just waiting for a surgery date but decided to go
private as there is such a delay due to COVID. Good luck whatever route you take.

Jubilate · 29/03/2021 20:30

Hi @MananaForever we have the same BMI, and I'm also at the beginning of the process. There is no NHS provision where I am, so I've known for a couple of years that i will have to pay for it. I'm currently waiting for a dietician referral to get the ball rolling, and I have absolutely no idea what's involved in the process or how long it might take. I know some clinics offer payment plans, but it's inescapably expensive.

QueenOfPain · 29/03/2021 23:05

I got referred to tier 3 by my GP, but by the time they even got in touch for an initial phone call I’d already booked surgery privately. I’d been reading on lots of WLS groups about everything being pushed back so far due to covid, so I just didn’t want to wait any longer. Like you, I didn’t feel I had any more life left to spend sat on the sidelines.

MananaForever · 30/03/2021 06:39

Blimey, three years @itsalifetimesworkfella I definitely can’t wait that long. I dread to think how much bigger I’d get in that time and how much damage would be done to my body. I’ve got blood tests this week to check for diabetes, I get pain in my feet and I’m being investigated for sleep apnea. Three more years of this would be unbearable.

I’m expecting to pay around £10,000 which seems like such a lot of money. How has everyone else funded theirs? I’ve been looking at the interest free payment plans. Streamline have a clinic in Plymouth which seems to be my best option.

It’s a very odd feeling at the moment. I’m worried about the thought of having surgery but I mostly feel relieved and have a strange sense of calm that this path is the one that can get me to a healthier place. I’ve carried so much guilt and shame for so long and I just feel ready to let it go and move on.

CoronaCurls · 30/03/2021 07:17

@MananaForever it is a lot of money, but it is the best money I've ever spent.
You sound in absolutely the right mental place to have surgery and that's really important too.
It's still worth talking to your GP - mine was v supportive and that really helped my decision too.
I've lost 7.5 stone since my surgery last October and feel amazing! I've got another 2.5 stone to go. It's just fantastic knowing I can get to target and stay there, for the first time ever!

CoronaCurls · 30/03/2021 07:21

Can I ask a question about loose skin? It's my biggest worry and I just can't face more surgery for it.

I'm 7.5 stone down and don't have any yet - how is it for others? What is everyone doing to help?

I'm dry skin brushing and applying bio oil daily, taking collagen supplements, keeping my daily protein over 60g and exercising on my vibration plate daily.

If anyone has any other suggestions I'd be v interested thanks 😊

MananaForever · 30/03/2021 08:11

Thanks @CoronaCurls. Your weight loss is brilliant, it’s so inspiring!

I’ve accepted that loose skin will happen for me, my tummy is already loose and saggy from 2 big babies with more stretch marks than normal skin Blush I’m worried about my boobs though, and getting loose skin on my chest and ending up with the ‘tennis ball in a sock’ look. My boobs are huge now and I know they’ll reduce in size but I’m scared about how they’ll look at the end. At the moment my boobs are one of the only bits of my body that I don’t hate, and I wonder how I’ll feel if I lose them.

Sounds vain and I feel as though I shouldn’t be worrying about saggy boobs when my health is at risk.

MananaForever · 30/03/2021 09:22

I’m interested in the collagen supplements @CoronaCurls which ones do you take? I’ll start taking them now in preparation as my stomach needs all the help it can get Grin

I also thought I’d start taking multivitamins now, so that by the time I have surgery I’ll already be in the habit and get my vitamin levels up before they drop post-op

CoronaCurls · 30/03/2021 09:45

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08WJ2QHFY?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
These are the collagen supplements and I also have a powdered one for adding to shakes etc which I used after surgery when it was harder to keep tablets down.

My stomach isn't great, but tbf no worse than it was before- also had 2 large babies! But I can accept that and am doing as much exercise as I can, but have fibromyalgia so that is limited.

It's my arms and legs I'm concerned about. Once my BMI is under 30 I'm just going to see how it goes and if my skin starts getting loose I will ease off on the weight loss.

RalphtheMouth · 30/03/2021 10:43

Thought I was doing so well this morning, got up, started tidying up, wiping the kitchen cupboards then had my first shower since surgery and then fainted in the bathroom! My own fault, back to bed now.

CoronaCurls · 30/03/2021 12:25

Take it really easy RalphtheMouth! Look after yourself

itsalifetimesworkfella · 30/03/2021 15:09

@RalphtheMouth

Thought I was doing so well this morning, got up, started tidying up, wiping the kitchen cupboards then had my first shower since surgery and then fainted in the bathroom! My own fault, back to bed now.

Oh. Take care. Rest. Let us know how you're doing later xxx

FlurkenSchnit · 30/03/2021 17:06

I've been lurking on this thread for a couple of weeks now as I've come into some money that means I would be able to pay privately for weightloss surgery.

I am struggling to find anywhere close to me that is still operating due to Covid (South Wales) and when I spoke to Tonic, they reckoned the nearest places for me would either be in Manchester or the Midlands! At least 4 hours away for me but apparently in Manchester they would admit me the day before the surgery for the pre-op stuff, therefore reducing the number of trips back and fore.

I have got a consultation via eweightloss in Bristol which would be much easier for me to travel to for surgery but the lady I spoke to made it sound like I'd have to "pass" interviews with a psychologist and dietitian before I could proceed.

Could anybody advise me as to the kind of things they ask in these appointments please? Speaking to healthcare professionals always makes me so anxious!

QueenOfPain · 30/03/2021 17:11

It’s not a case of “passing” anything, they’re mostly just there to assess your level of insight into the psychological factors that influence your relationship with food and your body, and the dietician will chat to you about what your current diet is like and things like that, to make sure you fully understand the changes you’ll need to make pre and post surgery.

You’ll be fine, just be honest and reflect your true situation. Mine both sent me little pdfs to fill in with some pre set questions and then we had follow up phone calls to discuss anything in my questions that they wanted to probe further into.

CoronaCurls · 30/03/2021 17:36

@FlurkenSchnit I used eweightloss and had my surgery in Bristol last October. The dietitian and psychologist interviews are nothing to worry about, and all ethical providers should do this before surgery.

Please do pm me if you would like any details of surgeon etc or any questions Smile

FlurkenSchnit · 30/03/2021 18:34

@QueenOfPain thanks for the reassurance, I know I'm just winding myself up at the mo. I was the same when I had a c-section.

@CoronaCurls I may well take you up on the offer for advice - I only found eweightloss through yours and MonkeysandParrots' posts on the last thread!

MananaForever · 30/03/2021 21:14

Hope you’re feeling better this pm @RalphtheMouth

I’ve got a consultation with Guy Slater via Streamline tomorrow. All a bit last minute, think they must have had a cancellation or something as I only enquired at the weekend. Nervous but pleased that it’s another step forward.

RalphtheMouth · 30/03/2021 21:42

@MananaForever I used Streamline, Chris Pring - very good and had excellent care at the hospital a since I’ve been home.

Feeling better, done nothing but binge Gray’s Anatomy all day.

fiestasprimavera · 31/03/2021 14:27

@MananaForever I began my professional relationship with Guy Slater in Dec 2017, and I'm hoping to have my NHS op in Nov 2021. If I had the money I'd go with him privately but a) I don't and b) I've waited this long!

MananaForever · 31/03/2021 17:29

@fiestasprimavera I’m not sure I have the money either but I think I’ll take up their finance option and just do it...if I’d been waiting on the NHS pathway and was nearly there I’d wait too though! You must be excited that it’s getting close? It’s reassuring to me that he does NHS and private surgery. Have you seen him in person?

I saw him this afternoon via a zoom consultation. I’d have to travel to London/Surrey as my local clinic at a NHS hospital isn’t doing surgery at the mo because of COVID.