Bariatric surgery no.2 thread

[Seriouslyconfused3]

For everyone following from the last thread...

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

Hi,
I wondered if any one could give me some advice or share their personal experiences please?
I am currently on the waiting lost to have bariatric surgery. I have an appointment this week with a consultant to discuss which option i feel would be best for me. I originally was going to opt for the band but one of the specialist nurses advised me against it due to my age and having to make regular trips back to the hospital (i live about an hour away) so my next thought was the gastric bypass. I have been doing some research in to it and it sounds really good but there seems to be a lot of risks and potential complications so now I am unsure weather to opt for the sleeve instead. I am 29 years old and weigh around 23 stone so have a lot of weight to lose and the only health problem i have is an under active thyroid. Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated!

Hello, this is a great thread.

I would be very grateful for your advice. I have a BMI of 30 and type 2 diabetes. I have some savings and would pay for a procedure - do you think anyone would take me and is there anyone you would recommend (possibly in London or Manchester way?).

My father died last year and I am now alone (no family or friends) and am keen to improve my health outcomes. Has anyone else recovered from the surgery alone and if so any tips? Thank you

@Bow92 Bypass is a longer surgery from what I read and has very similar results to the sleeve, weight loss wise. I think there are others here who have had the bypass and could help you better than me but just wanted to say that the band would be an absolute no for me. The amount of people on the surgery group I'm on who had the band and suffered badly with is awful. They are all either sleeved now or waiting to be.

@Mogs43 I went to Turkey and I know they won't do it on a BMI of less than 30 even if it's just slightly under. Not sure about the guidelines here.

Hi @Mogs43 and @Bow92 welcome to the thread. I haven’t got any advice specific to your queries (but I’m sure someone will come along who has). Good luck with your journeys though

@Bow92 I’m two months today post bypass - any questions, please feel free to ask. Surgery was fine, was in hospital for two days and only on painkillers for my stay in hospital (though was given a bag full of drugs to take home).

Incisions healed up nicely and touch wood I haven’t had any problems. Am 47 lbs down and so pleased I had the surgery. It’s not all roses, you have to take various supplements forever, watch how and what you eat - lots of protein but after a lifetime of dieting and thinking about food/my weight I feel like it’s not my focus any longer.

Wish you well whatever you decide to do.

Hi everyone ! I had a sleeve nearly 7 months ago and there’s loads of good advice on this thread and the first one.

@Mogs43 I’d speak to a surgeon direct if I were you - they’ll give you a straight answer. I think the usual rule of thumb in the uk is bmi of 40 with no other conditions or 35 with a condition like diabetes but I don’t know if this is a hard rule.

Good luck to everyone.

I had my psychology appointment. It didn't really pan out as I thought. He seemed to thing my reasoning wasn't particularly compelling. I have a tendency to overthink and I wonder if I come across as hesitant when I'm trying to convey that I've analysed something. Anyway, it's thrown me a bit. He said there was no reason not to have it and said he would forward the report accordingly, but urged me to give it some thought. I just feel a bit like nobody wants me to have it. And I'm not one for striking out on my own re decision making.

There seems to be an implication from the psychologist that the other side of the surgery will be very hard and very different and shouldn't be treated lightly.

Hey,
Really pleased it’s going well for you 47lbs is great!! I had my appointment today with the bariatric team and after discussions with them have decided to opt for the sleeve. So I’m officially on the (very long) waiting list! :)

I'm now 8 weeks post surgery, down 2 st 9lb so far.

The first 6 weeks were horrendous, but I am now starting to appreciate the tool this has given me.

Hi all, this thread is truly inspiring!
I’m 16 stone overweight and mid referral pathway for the gastric bypass.

Can anyone recommend a good therapist? I found one online, but a recommendation is always better than Google.

Hi @WeeFae that’s great! What op did you go for?

@Bow92

Hi *@WeeFae* that’s great! What op did you go for?

I had the mini bypass, I have a post somewhere earlier in the thread describing my experience.

I had my sleeve yesterday, feeling pretty horrendous I have to say. The gas pain is excruciating, far worse than the actual incisions. Like labour contractions! Trying to sip water but not getting enough in so I’m still on a drip for fluids. Can’t wait to go home.

Sorry to hear that! Hopefully it passes soon. Please keep us updated on your journey! :)

@MananaForever keep moving as much as you can, even if it's only a shuffle it will help shift the gas.

@MananaForever - it will pass. The first 2 days were definitely the worst for me. If you can have a little walk round your room but don’t panic. The gas pain is horrid plus you’ll probably still be feeling the effects of the anaesthetic. Keep us updated!

I’m definitely still wiped out from the anaesthetic, can’t keep my eyes open! I’m home now and definitely feeling a little better, but the trapped gas continues. Eugh!

The gas and anesthetic were the worst bits for me. I had no pain from the incisions at all (all 7 of them !) Keep going and you’ll start to feel better soon. Take the chance to rest whenever you can while having a little walk from time to time. Good luck!!!

So we’re 5 days post-surgery and I’m definitely feeling better. I’ve not been resting enough as I’ve been into work this week, which has not helped.

Did anyone else get extreme gas after eating or drinking anything? Even a few small sips of water results in 10 minutes of burping and hiccuping. Eating is more like 20-30 min of the same. I’ve got no reflux, no hernia, I just can’t work out why this is happening. Bringing up the gas is painful a lot of the time, and pretty inconvenient 😕 I’m constantly belching like a man whose had a heavy meal and several pints!

I’m eating and drinking soo slowly, I don’t think I’m taking any air in, but the aftermath suggests otherwise. Any advice from those further down the line?!

@MananaForever when did you start eating food?? I didn't try anything solid until I was 3-4 weeks post surgery. Try going back to liquids and purees for a bit.

I got to 9 stone off today!!! My target is 10 stone off so almost there 😀

How is everyone else post-surgery doing, especially with hair loss? I hadn't really lost any until I got to 6 months after and thought I had escaped it, but now it is coming out in handfuls and I cry every time I wash my hair because so much comes out.

My hair is very thick and curly so I don't think the loss is too noticeable to anyone else but I know 😥

But being able to buy size 10s and 12s is definitely great compensation for the hair loss!

Hello ! I had my gastric bypass 3 days ago and it’s been fine. I read lots of threads like these and am happy to answer questions.

( in the U.K., SW England ) hone the day after surgery. The first day in hospital after surgery was tough - combination of not being able to keep water down and wanting desperately to get home but it’s all fine. Have managed some milk and a tablespoon of yoghurt mixed with protein shake and some tea, otherwise all fine. I’m grateful for this tool

@CoronaCurls that is an absolutely amazing achievement!! Well done. Buying all those smaller clothes must be a great feeling.

I wonder what can be done to minimise hair loss? Is it a lack of protein or nutrients that causes it?

When I said ‘eating’ it’s still purée, so practically drinking 😂 The gas issue is much improved thankfully 😳