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

Sorry doing 3 separate posts....

I think you're right about people feeling a hut crap to start with and regretting it. I have issues with anxiety and although I try I think a common behaviour is catastrophising. So I will have to work really hard to not do this. Like I'm sure I'll feel sick and then think right well that's me feeling like this forever!

I wonder if some people feel crap because they think the new them will star immediately and are then dissapointed they are feeling low on energy etc?

I'm trying to accept I'll feel rubbish and plan some things I'll enjoy. I'm going to watch lots of TV. Thinking something light but enjoyably like ER or the good place. And have various crafts I can do. I'm also going to try really hard to stay off the scales as I can end up getting obsessed.

I'm also hoping I'll be feeling a bit more like myself by Christmas and can look forward to Christmas things. But I do wonder what a Christmas not so food based will be like!

I'd love to hear from anyone who has been through this how you felt mentally in the weeks afterwards. Any tips would be fab too!

Thanks @hotsteppa that's a massive price difference isn't it? I can't believe I could save 3k by going to Manchester. Although I do like the idea of having a local hospital in case of any complications... but is that worth 3k? Hmmm

Just googled, and Spire Brentwood is £8770. That's only an hour away from me. Going to book a consultation!

Wow checked in to see if anyone had posted- Its been a while since I’ve been on. Can’t believe it’s still going!!

Good luck to all newbies to the thread- it’s scary but the best thing I ever did. I’m about 10lbs off my goal but have been for months . I feel like my body has hit its natural weight and doesn’t want to lose anymore. Still I’m pushing more with exercise- I’m determined to get there now.

@Seriouslyconfused3 that's probably me posting do much!

So glad to hear you're progressing well. I don't have an end goal in mind. I'm aware I might not get to a 'normal' bmi. But I can't really lose any weight and keep it off so anything is good! I'm also looking forward to being able to exercise.

Thanks for starting the thread!

I couldn't afford uk prices so paid £2,400 in Turkey. They were amazing. I had a full MOT prior, lung function test, ECG, chest Xrays, Ultrasound, Endoscopy. Xrays afterwards. All pain killers. 4 nights in hospital and one in hotel. The nurses were amazing.

Wow! @weeboy! That sounds amazing, the pre op stuff with spire seems bare minimum to be honest. Phone consultation with surgeon, then bloods and covid screen just before op, I'm worried they will unearth something on bloods that will stop the op going ahead. Anesthetic review on the day. On night in hospital. Post op you get dietician and surgeon for 2 years.

For the others that have been through it, how are the first 2 or 3 weeks? Or do we not want to know?

@mini chocs I would definitely drive an hour to save 3 grand!

@seriously that's so reassuring and exciting to hear your progress. Well done! Its my poor mobility that's really pushed me to do something so genuinely can't wait to be able to exercise again. I'm meeting a friend tomorrow and she's suggested we walk the 20-30 mins into where we are going for dinner and I know my ankles will be too painful.

@MyWeeBoy

I couldn't afford uk prices so paid £2,400 in Turkey. They were amazing. I had a full MOT prior, lung function test, ECG, chest Xrays, Ultrasound, Endoscopy. Xrays afterwards. All pain killers. 4 nights in hospital and one in hotel. The nurses were amazing.

Wow £2400?!

Im going via the NHS so have also had all of these pre op tests. But I don't know how standard they are with all private ops. So that's great they did all this.

@HotSteppa

Yes I'd really like to know what the first few weeks are like. I'm on lots of Facebook groups, is anyone else? Although like all sorts of stuff on social media they can get a bit much. They're super helpful. But equally some of the stories can be anxiety inducing.

Yeah I'm on gastric fantastic and f.book and follow a few on insta too.

If I’m honest the first week was hell. I hurt all over and majorly regretted the op. However it passed really quickly, once the weight started to drop off. I really struggled with purées etc though- it’s so much easier once you’re back on solids.

Just bear in mind it can be tough at first but it gets better!

The first week is tough but it really goes fast. It’s only my experience but I can honestly say that after regretting it for the first 48 hours, I’ve never looked back.

Again only my experience and it won’t be the same for everyone but I’ve never been sick after eating and there isn’t one specific food I can’t eat. Of course I choose wisely (most of the time!!) but I don’t have any problems with food getting ‘stuck’.

I hope you all have equally good journeys - it’s life changing and I’m so happy.

@MindBodyChocolate

Thanks for sharing. I feel like I need to just have a mantra almost regarding regret. Like just ignoring the feelings because I'm feeling unwell or telling myself I can't judge yet.

I don't have loads if health issues but have adenomyosis and fibroid so get a lot of menstrual pain. I also need regular iron infusions which make me feel like I have flu for a week afterwards.

So I'm feeling kind of prepared (as much as I can).

Just had lunch with a friend, her anr and her sister are 2 of my best friends, we've been there for each other for 20 years. One of the things go we have rollercoastered through together is dieting, weight /food issues, regain etc etc. Both of them are in a pretty good place with their weight right now, enjoying intermittent fasting. They know I've been thinking about this surgery for a long time. I've told them recently I have a date and have said they will support my decision, just worry its a big decision. Today my friend was saying they are worried about will I be able to enjoy food again, will I ever be able to have more than a baby portion, what about excess skin etc. I get they care but I feel like we are just in completely different time zones. Like seriously I'm 150kg size 26. I know they are in a good place with IF now but I have had it with diets and regain. I was saying, though of course you can regain with this, to give me any chance of achieving and maintaining a healthy weight I think this is the best option. They were suggesting the balloon, a friend of ours has had one. But the evidence suggests once that balloon is out, the weight will go back on. Also evidence suggests at my BMI that without surgery only 1 % manage to shift significant weight and keep it off. Sorry to vent. I know they care. I don't want them to smile and nod either so I guess I have to answer these questions. Neither of them is really negative. Guess I just want someone to say your making the right choice, it's all gonna be fine .

@HotSteppa I think everyone needs a cheerleader. I struggle with other people's opinions too. FWIW everyone on this thread thinks you are doing the right thing.

I started my LRD today. Everything suddenly feels a bit overwhelming. I've opted for a low calorie 'food' version as I thought I might have enough of liquid diets in the weeks post surgery, but the diet sheet is like the graveyard of where all my old diets came to die. I guess it's catharsis...

@Seriouslyconfused3 so good to hear you have been so successful and are so close to goal! I haven’t set a goal weight. To be in the “healthy” BMI range is a weight I last saw when I was 10!!!! So I was more focused on fitness and activity goals. But this is weight loss surgery so I think I really do need to put in a good target to aim for - it’s just demoralising that i will still be “overweight” when I reach it!!!!!

The first few weeks are terrifying!! A mix of knowing I’ll feel dreadful and in pain plus having to adult and not indulge in it!!!
I need to tell my girls in the next couple of weeks any tips on how to approach it. I don’t lie to my kids but they are at an age where weight and fat and food are sensitive issues so I do not want highlight the weight loss aspect more the health angle.
@Jubilate good luck with the LRD I’m dreading it and ready to do it all in one!!! I haven’t planned any big food funerals or anything not sure if I should or shouldn’t.

Hi all I'm having a massive wobble this morning. I just called the hospital as I had a few questions. One of which was about visiting. I thought I'd read I could have one visitor. But obviously I was wrong. As I asked and they said no one can visit.

I have anxiety which I take meds for but they're not really cutting it right now. I was really clinging onto being able to see my partner afterwards as I knew he couldn't wait with me before.

I understand they have to protect the staff but it just feels really cold. The woman I spoke to on the phone was pretty uncaring tbh. I feel like if I'm really poorly afterwards and things do get missed by busy staff that's enough time to get serious ill and die. Without anyone advocating for you and seeing how ill you are.

Urgh please help reassure me! I'm really struggling today.

Hiya Neon, sorry your feeling like this. The no visitors rule is rough, for patients, families and staff in hospital. But it's in place to protect everyone, not just the staff but patients and visitors too. Even pre covid visiting times on your average ward are 2 hours around lunch time and 2 hours again in the evening. So if for example your op is at 11. You couldn't have someone there pre op as its a hectic time on most wards. You will be being kept busy by , bloods, checklists, sexy net knickers and gown, anesthetist etc, then off to theatre. You get back to the ward a few hours later, probably still tired and groggy, the nurses will be doing observations, BP etc, getting you comfy and sorting out pain relief if you need it. Nurses are busy but post op patients will be up there on their priority list (I'm a nurse too ) if you could have a visitor in normal times would likely be 6 -8 in the evening and as lovely as it might be to see a familiar face you will most likely need some decent pain relief, sips of water and to sleep. You can face time on hospital WiFi, your relative will also have the contact number of the ward if they want an update on how your doing. You will most likely be discharged home into their loving care by lunchtime next day. Don't let your anxiety block you from doing something for you, to improve your health and quality of life. Are there methods you use to manage these types of situations when they occur? Pros and cons list? Mindfulness? I work on distraction (food!) But also podcasts, audio books and music on headphones help to distract me so I don't go to far down the rabbit hole of my own worries. I don't want to sound like I'm dismissing your worries so sorry if it sounds that way. What does your partner say?

To be fair most hospitals are now allowing one named visitor at the moment as far as I'm aware, so don't know if this is specific to the unit you will be on? I wonder if you go to a "day unit" for admission where they don't have visitors as its all quite fast paced but post op might be transferred to a ward where the rules are different? Just a thought...

@jubilate thanks, I think I'm doing the right thing. I know they care about me too, just the talk of what about the loose skin and you won't be able to have prosecco (I do love a bit of fizz!) I had to say, I am struggling to wipe my own arse and I have to ready myself before I get in and out of my car I'm not doing this because I hate my body, I honestly don't. I just want to be able to move again and try and avoid all the health problems I see looming in the future. Good luck with the LRD will have to tell us some fun things to do with milk.

@keepfocus I'm wondering how to talk about it with my kids, they are little but will still need some explanation

@jubilate the graveyard where old diets go to die made me chuckle. Think this is why I'm steering towards the milk one. Feels like there is less for me to mess up , plus I really like iced coffee. Maybe drinking it solidly for 2 weeks will kill it for me forever. However if I was able to stick to a very low calorie diet, even for a couple of weeks, wouldn't be here! If there is food involved I think I will find myself going over the top.

Nice to read all these posts. I’m having more good days than bad now but today is weak, faint and anxious!

Hi @Neonplant - sorry you’re feeling like this. I had my sleeve last November when we’d just gone back into lockdown. So I travelled alone and had no visitors. I won’t lie I found it tough walking in to hospital by myself. But after the op, I was strangely ok with not having my OH there. I was really groggy from the anaesthetic and just needed to concentrate solely on myself and waking up, sipping water, taking a few steps round the room.

It won’t be easy but you can do it. The op is obviously a big thing but in the grand scheme of things you’ll need the support from your family when you get home and start eating again.

Best of luck with everything - it’ll be worth it.