Page 25 | Bariatric surgery no.2 thread

Seriouslyconfused3 · 2021-01-31T21:17:50+00:00

For everyone following from the last thread... If you’re new please feel free to join in and share your experiences

VsgKitt · 05/09/2021 10:25

Hi everyone, just seen this in active so thought I would join.

I had my Gastric sleeve July 28th in Turkey.

5 weeks out and I've lost 27lbs so far.

No issues but the last maybe 4 or 5 nights I've woken with a tummy ache a few inches above my tummy button. It's like a dull ache but makes my toes curl. I've been on my period so think it might be connected to that?

Just wondering if anyone had similar?

HotSteppa · 05/09/2021 10:37

Just popping in to say Hi! I've been reading along for a while, seriously considering VGS sleeve for past 3 or 4 years (was 40 this year) got about half way through NHS referral process pre covid and that all went to pot and would have to start again so decided to fund privately.

So now have a date of mid Nov!! Spire Manchester Mr Alan Li. Worried about my fitness going in to surgery and generally my ability to do what's required post surgery as feel I should be knuckling down to managing my food habits now.

Love hearing all your stories, it's really helped me to make the decision just to go for it and not wait for my weight to inevitably go up and up and wake up in 5 years wishing I had done it years ago.

Want my fitness back, my ankles hurt ALL THE TIME, can't walk up a flight of stairs with out being out of breath, bmi >50.

Had mixed response from friends but don't intend to keep it secret. Hardest bit has been telling manager at work. Any thoughts about time off, even though it's elective surgery, I should be able to take time off post as sick rather than annual leave shouldn't I? Any tips and support gratefully accepted!

MeredithMae · 05/09/2021 16:15

Good luck @HotSteppa I'd definitely think it should be sick leave, I'm sure a gp will give you a fit note.

When people say they're on purees, what do you mean?

Keepthefocus · 05/09/2021 18:56

Hi @VsgKitt congratulations on ur loss!!! It’s fab! I’m pre surgery so can’t help with ur stomach ache but I hope it settles soon.

Hi @HotSteppa I’m not sure about your work but mine will give elective surgery the same sick leave as non but needs a note. My surgeon will sign me off for 2 weeks then my gp has agreed to sign me off for any further time she thinks I’ll need at that stage (I’m hoping no more than the 2 weeks!) good luck I’m booked for mid October and it’s starting to feel very real!!!

@Hopetobe4mrfatty by PT I meant personal trainer!!!

HotSteppa · 05/09/2021 21:52

Thanks @keepthefocus. Really related to what you said regarding other people's helpful insights on weight loss, I had recently, "have you heard about slimming world" no, please tell me more....

I have lost and gained more weight than these peoples total body mass x 2 maybe 3. Again with the locum GP telling me I should really just eat less and move more rather than look at bariatric surgery. Why thanks Dr, that had never occurred to me and can you tell me what proportion of people in the upper ranges of BMI this actually works for in the the long term? Can you tell this is a sore point?!

Have you made any changes in the run up to your surgery?

Keepthefocus · 06/09/2021 09:57

@HotSteppa I’m trying to go into surgery as “healthy” as possible for an obese lady with BMI of 40+ So I’m trying not to gain any more weight but more I’m focusing on general health so I’m trying to improve my gut health feeding the micro biome and also I’ve started with a probiotic. I don’t tend to do well with the after effects of anesthetic or anti biotics so trying to put a defence in place. Also I’ve started with vitamin supplements just to try to have a reserve I’m also upping my activity and trying to train my back and arms as I know I won’t be able to use my stomach to move around for a few weeks/months after I’m also back at pool trying to get some cardio. I start my liver reduction diet 3 weeks today and I’m terrified I’ll fail at it and not get my surgery!!!!
I know people are only trying to help but their suggestions for weight loss are so condescending! I have to say my gp has been so supportive but the rest of the practice much less but they aren’t aware of my history. Good luck with ur preparation! Any suggestions for pre surgery prep let me know!!!

HotSteppa · 06/09/2021 20:02

Those all sound like really sensible changes to make. Thinking that probiotic and vitamins are a good place to start for me. My LRD was for 2 weeks according to the info I have been sent but like you I'm worried my liver will be too big for surgery. How long are you going to do it for on total?

Keepthefocus · 07/09/2021 06:59

I have been asked to do 2 weeks but in total I will do 18 days just how the weeks fall. Mine is just a low fat no sugar very low calorie diet with real food but I think that is easier to mess up! so my plan is to do that for a few days then to gradually move to a diet meal replacement plan with the last 7 days a full meal replacement diet.

UnknownFemale01 · 07/09/2021 14:19

Hello everyone 😌 have been reading this thread and all your advice and experience has been so helpful.

I was wondering if anyone knows the process in Scotland via the Tier 4 surgical pathway? I have been accepted on to this and have the information session at the end of the month. Due to C19 it's taken 2 years from referral and going through Tier 3 groups etc to get to this point. I had a failed gastric band with complications and this was taken out as an emergency in May this year. I am hoping for a bypass.

I have regained to my highest weight and am really really depressed about it. I want to TTC as I am 35 this year, not getting any younger! Losing weight will obviously help with this and reduce risks.

Just running out of patience, do I just get into debt and go private?

Neonplant · 07/09/2021 20:20

Hi I just started a thread in chat because I didn't realise this existed. Really please to find it. I'm having surgery on 20th September. I'm getting really anxious now!

Neonplant · 07/09/2021 20:32

One thing I'd be really interested to know is people's experience of hunger and appetite after surgery? I get really hungry as I have issues with insulin resistance. I'm really hoping the surgery will reduce my appetite.

HotSteppa · 07/09/2021 21:28

Hi 👋

@unknownfemale no experience of Scottish system but started to process of groups etc that you have to do before referring for surgery. I was in that process for about 2 years and got a bit fed up to be honest and stopped going which was daft really as I had come through nearly all of it. Obviously all ground to a halt with covid but asked to be re referred jan this year and have been on the wait list to get back into the group work stage since then. My weight is just going up and up, don't want to think about where I will be in 2 or 3 years time so just decided to go for it. I have some savings but rest will be on c.card. Will get an intrest free card. VGS £8000 though Spire. Only you know if debt will be manageable for you. Lots of people speak highly of there experience abroad too.

HotSteppa · 07/09/2021 21:39

Also @unknown sorry your feeling so crappy it must be really hard watching the weight go back on, it's been shit for me each time the diet has gone off track and it all goes back plus more. Good luck with TTC and the road to your bypass

I'm really curious about the hunger thing too @neon I don't always have to be hungry as such to have the drive to eat so I'm really hoping it helps me stop obsessing about food.

@keepfocus I'm worried about sticking to a pure liquid diet , my friend had too do similar when she had a gastric balloon and said she was just desperate to chew something! But like you say the very low calorie option give a bit to much scope to go off the rails!

HotSteppa · 07/09/2021 21:42

@neon what surgery are you having? Mines booked 18th Nov

Neonplant · 07/09/2021 22:06

[quote HotSteppa]@neon what surgery are you having? Mines booked 18th Nov [/quote]
I'm having the sleeve. The reasoning for this is I have some issues which mean I'm often anemic. So the malabsorption effect of the bypass wouldn't be great for me.

However I tske an SSRI for anxiety. This gives me a bit of indigestion which I take lansoprazol for. I know you can get reflux after the sleeve so I'm a bit worried that the effect of my ssri could make increase the chances of this.

What surgery are you having?

HotSteppa · 08/09/2021 08:41

VGS- it's what I felt I wanted having read around, as you say it doesn't interfere with absorption like a bypass. I thoughy my surgeon would want to steer me to bypass because of my higher bmi but VGS was his recommendation

Neonplant · 08/09/2021 08:51

@HotSteppa

VGS- it's what I felt I wanted having read around, as you say it doesn't interfere with absorption like a bypass. I thoughy my surgeon would want to steer me to bypass because of my higher bmi but VGS was his recommendation

Where are you having yours? I'm having mine in Sunderland hospital as I live near Newcastle. On the NHS too.

Yes I think the bypass is a bigger op too. So for me the sleeve has a lot of benefits. I'm just slight concerned about the acid issue. I mean it cod be because super bloody worried about the op!

Keepthefocus · 08/09/2021 15:45

I am getting super anxious about the surgery. 5 weeks today. I’ve no idea how I’m going to cope! I know it’s short term and the long term benefits are well worth it but I’m terrified of the anaesthetic and the pain the recovery and it all failing!

HotSteppa · 08/09/2021 20:34

Yeah the surgeons asked about acid reflux and I said only very occasionally, like I get heartburn now and then but not an issue. I swear I have never had so much reflux since I said that! It's calmed down and back to normal now but I'm sure after I had that consultation and it was brought up as a potential problem I had more heartburn in those next few eeks than I had in my life! I was lying there every night thinking oh gosh is it gonna be like this forever?! So maybe anxiety and just being more aware of it plays a part?

I'm having it done at Spire Manchester, paying privately

I'm feeling really anxious too, I think because it's a surgery you opt for it feels more like an unnecessary risk, even though I know the real risk will be to carry on the way I'm going I'm expecting a fairly miserable couple of months , apparently lots of people feel regretful and depressed initially but looking forward to longer term pay off. Hopefully if the three of us are heading into surgery within a month or so of each other we can keep an eye out and recommend some interesting purees!

MeredithMae · 08/09/2021 20:49

Which Spire is 8k? My local one in Bushey have quoted 11k.

UnknownFemale01 · 08/09/2021 21:27

@HotSteppa thank you 💐 it's some journey we are going through isn't it. We will get there, good luck for your surgery x

HotSteppa · 08/09/2021 22:18

@meradith Spire Manchester for Sleeve, Cheadle, just up the road was 8500 so must all set there own pricing I guess

HotSteppa · 08/09/2021 22:22

Thanks @unknown 😊

Neonplant · 09/09/2021 12:15

@Keepthefocus

I am getting super anxious about the surgery. 5 weeks today. I’ve no idea how I’m going to cope! I know it’s short term and the long term benefits are well worth it but I’m terrified of the anaesthetic and the pain the recovery and it all failing!

Same I'm a week and a half away. I think I'm just trying to accept that I will feel anxious and distract myself.

Also it's very safe, the chances of it going wrong are minimal. I also think I'm trying to accept I might feel poorly for a bit but that's a small price to pay. We can do this!!

Neonplant · 09/09/2021 12:19

@HotSteppa

You could be me! I take an SSRI which can give me indigestion type symptoms. But no real reflux and I don't have any damage in my stomach or oesophagus as I've had a gastroscopy. But it must be anxiety as in the past few weeks I've had bloody loads of trapped wind and indigestion.

So now I'm getting stressed I've made the wrong decision. But on looking at the options and my health issues the sleeve is a better option than the bypass still.

Honesty it must be the anxiety causing the stomach symptoms.