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

Does anyone know when the hair loss slows down or stops? I'm 18 weeks PO tomorrow.

I'm losing so much, my hair has gone so thin. 😩

Hi @AwFeebs I had hair loss too. It started 3 months post op and continued for 3 months. Almost exactly 6 months post op it seemed to stop. I’m now 9 months post op and it’s all growing back. I’ve got a double fringe with all the new growth!! All I can say is keep calm and keep taking your vitamins. Fingers crossed it will soon stop.

@MiniChocs did your friend have a sleeve? Obviously I don’t know your friends circumstances but it is definitely possible to ‘cheat’ your sleeve - food like chocolate crisps and ice cream slips down pretty easily as does alcohol. And these are all very high calorie. The sleeve has put me off these foods to an extent but you have to make the right choices for yourself too. I am lucky in that my over eating was habit and not emotional or psychological - people who suffer from emotional or psychological food related issues will have more to think about than me. I would however recommend the book by Denise Radcliffe Living with Bariatric Surgery. It is excellent and should help you think through some of your concerns. Good luck 👍

@Keepthefocus. Hi! For the first 2 weeks it was broth and clear herbal week tea. Then mushy foods through a blender. Now a protein shake and protein water for 2 meals and dinner is mashed potatoes with skim milk added mixed with cooked ground turkey mince.

I was 13.9 this morning.

That is great!!!! I prefer the thought of the protein water to shakes I’m not a huge milk fan! Congratulations on ur losses!!!

Hi @Jubilate ! Just saw your message about UIC. I am currently waiting for the dietician to get in contact. Did it take you long to go through the process?
I have found the Trilogy to be very quiet so far and that makes me anxious. Would love to hear more about your experience and I hope your journey is going smoothly

Hi sorry to just dive in, but has anyone had balloon surgery?

I have always been a bit overweight but since having my daughter I have put on about five stone in six years.

I recently tried to up my exercise but its brought on nerve pain that I had a MRI for last week. I'm constantly tired. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea last year which has improved my fatigue 100% but I'm still out of breath and my arms burn just doing my hair into a French plait! I'm about to have yet another blood test. My iron, thyroid and cholesterol is always just out of normal range but the gp is reluctant to medicate for thyroid or statins. My blood sugars wasnt great either last time so I monitored it at home for a month and I wasnt pre diabetic.

I have asked my gp about balloon surgery on the NHS and she said she is looking into it for me but its strict criteria. I have high BP and BMI over 35 so I think I meet criteria but I guess it will be a long wait.

I dont want anything permanent as I just want to loose enough to be able to exercise again.

Has anyone experience of this? On the NHS or private? Or abroad? Normally I wouldnt entertain surgery abroad but as this isnt a general or involving incisions i might consider it. From.what i can see it's around 5k here in the uk.

Thanks

Hi folks. Just checking in exactly 1 month post op to update my loss so far. I’ve lost 2 stone 7.

Hope you are all well.

So I met with my surgeon yesterday I’m not sure what I was expecting but it went well. He thinks I’m fairly low risk for complications which was reassuring! I’m still terrified but I am convinced this is the right thing. Now I need to sort the money side. I just keep trying to visualise 1 year from today. The middle bit will a tough transition but imagine life healthy!!! Joining in the fun runs, kayaking and getting on the rollercoasters!! 🤞. Because of covid the hospital still has a no visitor policy so I’ll be in on my own which is very unnerving I had just assumed my other half would be able to be there. So now a6 week wait for surgery and trying to prepare myself.

@Keepthefocus that’s exactly what I was thinking of - all the activities I would be able to!! This summer I’ve achieved a couple - canyonning in a wetsuit (I would never have fitted the wetsuit let alone done the activity!) and horse riding. Absolutely amazing feeling to be able to do this stuff without worrying or not being physically able. Good luck 👍

@MindBodyChocolate horse riding!!! Amazing! I couldn’t imagine doing that I’d kill the poor animal!!! Fab well done! Do you mind if I ask how long ago U had surgery? I’m trying to gage when I’ll be in a position to do some of the new activities!

😂 @Keepthefocus - horse riding places usually have a weight limit and fortunately I found one this summer that was 14 stone. I’m now 13 stone 7 and had my sleeve at the beginning of November last year. I was 19 stone 2 a couple of weeks before the op. I’m hoping to lose another stone hopefully 2.

Best of luck - it’s a great opportunity to get on track with your health and weight and enjoying life!

@MindBodyChocolate what an amazing weight loss!!!! Congratulations! I wonder what the total weight loss from everyone who has contributed towards this forum is - it must be huge amount!!! Inspirational people 💪

Hi there,

I hope it's ok for me to wade in with a question?

I had my sleeve surgery on 12th so 2.5 weeks ago and I have so far recovered amazingly but I'm not feeling much restriction and am able to eat more than others who had surgery at the same time with the same surgeon as me.

My question is, is there anyone on this thread who has less restriction but has still lost a good amount of weight? Im not hugely concerned as I plan to start exercising when I can but I am slightly worried I won't lose weight because I can eat more than others who have had the same surgery! Currently on puréed foods if that makes a difference.

Hi @CatalinaCasesolver - if you’re still on purées you probably won’t feel too much restriction yet. Also try not to compare yourself to others too much. Everyone is very different in terms of eating and weight loss.

FWIW I consider myself to eat what a ‘normal’ thin person would eat now (9 months out). I don’t think it’s particularly noticeable when I eat out that I’m eating differently. I’ve lost nearly 6 stone and am still losing 1 sometimes 2 lb a week so am very happy.

Good luck with everything!

@MindBodyChocolate thank you! I just need to trust the process!

Can anyone help with what to wear in hospital? They have said to wear loose fitting with front opening. So is that a night shirt type thing?? Would something like maternity pjs work? I’m just trying to get organised.

@Keepthefocus yes exactly. X

My dad's having surgery at the end of September, starting his milk diet around the 14th. Any advice for afterwards from those that have had it done? What is the best thing to have to hand for him to eat/ drink without being uncomfortable? Ive ordered a bariatric cookbook from Amazon just to get an idea of what its going to be like 🤷‍♀️
I heard he has to have protein heavy but obv tiny amounts, so would protein shakes be a good idea or not?

Hi @ZigZagIntoTheBlue does your dad have support from a dietitian? I’ve found this to be very helpful. If he does, follow their advice as they will have experience with Bariatric patients.

I was on purées as soon as I got home from hospital and did that for 4 weeks, then mashed/food you can chew to purée for 4 weeks then normal. In fact I think I was on normal foods from about 7 weeks as this coincided exactly with Xmas day :)

I now eat completely normal food. I don’t eat many carbs (bread, pasta etc) because it’s too filling and you need the space for protein and veg! I very occasionally have a protein shake but don’t rely on them as the aim of surgery as I saw it was to eat normally just small amounts.

Best of luck to your dad!

I think I'm going to try and apply for finance to get it done at a Spire hospital. It's only 9.9% finance so not terrible. OH keeps telling me to just commit to calorie counting, like I haven't tried that.

Hi everyone. How is everyone doing?

I’ve backed up to mostly soups at the moment. I think I was eating too quickly. Weigh in 13 stone.

Have a great day

@MeredithMae I found getting a loan or cash transfer (promotion rate) from my credit card better value when we added up the total cost. We do have a proportion of the money available so not financing the whole lot! Ah look I’ve had people say all sorts to me like have you tried hypnosis (actually yes I have) have you tried at pt ( yes I have) there is this injection you can get now you should try it! Therss a head piece you where shocks u every time you eat !!??!! And I’ve only told 3 people!!!! Only you know why this is ur route. But I’d advise to Shop around for finance. I also got a £500 discount from clinic for not taking finance. @Hopetobe4mrfatty congratulations!!! What is your total loss. You seem to be so in control I’m starting to panic about the after but it’s all for the better!! Trying to get my fitness up pre surgery so it isn’t such a shock after!!!! Have you started exercising yet?

@Keepthefocus I’m not in control. Ask @RalphtheMouth, I’ve had my freak out moments.

The first month I was so scared. I will be available to you like Ralph has for me.

Total loss 2s 11

I didn’t have as much to lose as some others, but I’m older so I am starting to get flabby. I am seeing the PT on Tuesday and will learn some exercises for reducing fat and lose skin.

This is the thing I wish I’d done 5 years ago.

X

Also PT for me is Physical Therapy