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

I’m home and feeling generally ok a bit nippy on the bigger incision and tired but doing grand! The question is - how do you handle liquid phase and family meal times? We have always eaten dinner as a family every night. I’m not hungry for the food but I also couldn’t sit and watch everyone enjoy a meal just yet. (Luckily I’m not cooking the meals yet my mum and partner have stepped up to cook for my family for a few nights!!) also everything tastes weird just now even water and tea - everything!!

@Keepthefocus I'm three weeks out and only now can face sitting at the table with the family for meals. If you feel ok to sit around the food, then you could start with sitting with a drink while they are eating? To be honest, in the early days I disappeared off to my bed for a nap at teatime!

@Jubilate yeah I think I’ll follow you it’s just the risk of old habits of nicking a bit of actual food even if I don’t want it would be a disaster. A nap or a walk from now on until I can have something to “eat” along with them! Ridiculous I hadn’t planned for this - I thought I had everything in control!!! Thank you.

Mum's struggling with just the meal replacement shakes and water. I wish we could have got greater clarity on if she was allowed any other drink.

Hi @FrustratedTeddyLamp. I’m not sure what ur surgeons guidelines are but I’ve just left hospital and we are allowed water tea coffee clear broths/thin soup, thinned Greek yogurt protein shakes protein waters etc basically anything completely liquid no bits and low/no sugar and no fizz. Hope that helps. It’s only for 2 weeks then can move to purees. Might be worth a call to the hospital team to get your guidance mine are available anytime to call.

@FrustratedTeddyLamp

Mum's struggling with just the meal replacement shakes and water. I wish we could have got greater clarity on if she was allowed any other drink.

Is your mum pre op? No or low calorie drinks are fine on liver reduction.

She's pre op day 3 with the op on Wednesday. but a big fizzy drinker. She chose the meal replacement shakes but the instructions on the shakes was incomplete the leaflet stopped mid sentence but it mentions water and the shakes. On the other options it says you can have different tea's and fizzy drinks, I phoned up Kings and tried to explain that the leaflet was incomplete and all I got told was to keep to what it says on the leaflet. She's struggling with just water. As I said she's a big Pepsi max drinker and the other drink is big mugs of tea.

It's also not helping that me and my brother are trying to lose weight and follow WW and she can smell the food and my dads in physical rehab and he's moaning that he's not getting fed whilst we're hearing he had 3 trifles today as they were going

@FrustratedTeddyLamp

She's pre op day 3 with the op on Wednesday. but a big fizzy drinker. She chose the meal replacement shakes but the instructions on the shakes was incomplete the leaflet stopped mid sentence but it mentions water and the shakes. On the other options it says you can have different tea's and fizzy drinks, I phoned up Kings and tried to explain that the leaflet was incomplete and all I got told was to keep to what it says on the leaflet. She's struggling with just water. As I said she's a big Pepsi max drinker and the other drink is big mugs of tea.

It's also not helping that me and my brother are trying to lose weight and follow WW and she can smell the food and my dads in physical rehab and he's moaning that he's not getting fed whilst we're hearing he had 3 trifles today as they were going

Whilst fizzy drinks may be permitted pre-op, they're not permitted and/or not advisable post-op so surely it would be better to get into the practice of not drinking them now.

Weight loss surgery is meant to be about long term change, so if your DM cannot give up fizzy drinks, she may run into problems in future.

No pre op diet is easy, but it's absolutely necessary to shrink the liver prior to the surgery.

From a personal perspective, the post op phase is even harder than the pre op phase.

@Paperyfish

My BMI was at the lower end too, around 37. I had a bypass.

I had a gastric band 10 years ago that had been causing me problems for a good while. My surgeon advised that due to the band, scar tissue and being classed as a revision patient, a sleeve would not be suitable due to the high risk of leakage.

Within that consultation, I asked about the bypass being more 'drastic' and was given full reassurance that it was the gold standard and the safest option for me due to being a 'revisionist'. I also asked about losing too much weight and was given full reassurance that this would not happen as long as I followed a good post op regime.

One size does not fit all. Your surgeon will advise you on the best course of action for you based on your personal circumstances.

I will say that I had a consultation with a surgeon who, after reading official medical research papers that had been sent to me, was absolutely talking through his arse. His advice was the total opposite to the surgeon I ended up going with. I had zero faith in what he said as it went against everything I'd read whilst researching revision surgery. His advice was for a sleeve, despite the high risk of leak, was likely on the basis that a sleeve is easier to do and that's where his skill set was.

I appreciate that you're not a revisionist, so a lot of my experience will not apply to you. Your surgeon and pre/after care provider are the most important on your weight loss journey. Internet forums are a useful tool, but ultimately what counts is the opinion of the surgeon, one that you have 100% faith in who can supply you will all of the information you ask for, including statistical data.

I am happy to share information about the bad/contradictory advice via PM.

Whilst I agree I think its literally just having water and not having any squash or anything. For example for the entirety of my life that first cup of tea in the morning has been important.

From my perspective I'm sure she will miss fizzy drinks but she will be better equipped when able to have tea or other flavoured drinks. She's tried meal replacement diets before and stuck to them long term ( we both have for 6+ months at a time) but the big difference was being able to have other liquid not just plain water. Yesterday it wasn't a can she was thinking of reaching for it was a cup of tea, or vegetable bullion like she had previously, she had neither.

Sorry if this comes across as defensive after invading the thread but it is hard seeing my mum down about it especially when as I say the leaflet wasn't printed properly and the hospital wouldn't elaborate.

I respectfully disagree re getting into the habit of not drinking fizzy drinks. Liver reduction is hard enough why make it harder? And post surgery your stomach and appetite changes so fizzy drinks are the last thing on your mind. Then before you know it it's been a few weeks in recovery focusing just on fluid and you've got out of the habit. This was my experience, I have not missed fizzy drinks at all and had them up to the night before surgery. Obviously other people have different experiences.

One thing you'll find with this surgery or your mum will is there are a lot of things people say because they've been told it or read it or it's their experience. People also make a lot of assumptions about their eating being the same as yours. I was just getting quite frustrated on Facebook re treat foods. As some people have binge eating issues and have these foods a trigger foods. But obviously there are plenty of people who don't. Yet it seems the overall assumption is none of us should eat this food because we can't eat it in moderation. That might be true for some people but not for all. So while support groups or even this thread are helpful I think I'd say take everything with a pinch of salt. Even me saying I've been fine with fizzy drinks on the lrd.

@FrustratedTeddyLamp

Whilst I agree I think its literally just having water and not having any squash or anything. For example for the entirety of my life that first cup of tea in the morning has been important.

From my perspective I'm sure she will miss fizzy drinks but she will be better equipped when able to have tea or other flavoured drinks. She's tried meal replacement diets before and stuck to them long term ( we both have for 6+ months at a time) but the big difference was being able to have other liquid not just plain water. Yesterday it wasn't a can she was thinking of reaching for it was a cup of tea, or vegetable bullion like she had previously, she had neither.

Sorry if this comes across as defensive after invading the thread but it is hard seeing my mum down about it especially when as I say the leaflet wasn't printed properly and the hospital wouldn't elaborate.

Your mum would be best advised to contact the hospital again and insist on speaking to someone who will answer her questions. At least that way she will have full clarity from her surgical/health care provider.

Day 4 post op and I’m doing ok I actually slept last night which really helped!! Really focused on getting water and a little more protein in. I’d been really struggling with a few spoonfuls here and there of broth but today I’ve managed 3/4 of a protein shake ( took 2 1/2 hrs!!) and 2 small portions of broth ( about 100ml each) as well as a short slow walk on the beach. How’s everyone else doing?

You're doing really well @Keepthefocus. I also find that good sleep really helps.

I feel quite envious of the walk on the beach, it sounds very invigorating!

@RevisionSurgeryQ it was really lovely! I am lucky to have it on my doorstep.

Question “eating” so I’m on liquids only but I am feeling restriction after maybe 10-12 sips Do I continue with the “meal” to get the protein in or is that not so important and just go with the fullness signals? I’m so confused? Yesterday I spent 2.5 hrs slowly sipping a protein shake and then 100ml of broth in evening left me to uncomfortable. I don’t want to stretch the new stomach but similarly I’m concerned I’m not getting anywhere near the protein requirement. I’m trying protein water through out the day but I really don’t like the sweet flavours yet!!

Question “eating” so I’m on liquids only but I am feeling restriction after maybe 10-12 sips

Is 'restriction' a thing with a sleeve or a bypass? I only thought it was a term used with a gastric band? Do you mean that you feel 'full up' @Keepthefocus? If so, feeling 'full' at this early stage is absolutely how I felt when drinking anything other than water or sugar free cordial.

I spoke to the dietician about my concerns re: protein intake immediately post op and she told me to concentrate on hydration rather than protein quota for the first week post op fluid stage.

If you have nurse or dietician aftercare, it might be worth giving them a call for reassurance and advice.

Hi yes I meant full up! They talked about restriction in hospital so I thought it was a thing! 😂. That’s great thanks! I’ve made contact with the hospital team and they have confirmed exactly as you said!!! Thanks so much!!

hello! long time lurker, first time poster. this thread (and its predecessor) have been such a resource while i've been trying to decide whether or not to have surgery, thanks so much to everyone who's been posting.

95% sure i'm going to book a bypass privately in the UK, had a consultation on Friday with a very experienced surgeon and the op would be 20 mins from my home.

i've read a lot about the importance (or otherwise) of aftercare - some people complaining they'd have liked psychological support, others saying they feel they've paid for something they don't need with dieticians or trainers, or that what's provided isn't all it's cracked up to be.

i've been having counselling for almost three years, and i've done a load of work on my relationship with food, so i feel quite prepared psychologically. have also been researching surgery for the best part of a year, so feel fairly well informed about everything. but still worrying!

how important has everyone found aftercare to be, and what have you had access to?

@Keepthefocus

Hi yes I meant full up! They talked about restriction in hospital so I thought it was a thing! 😂. That’s great thanks! I’ve made contact with the hospital team and they have confirmed exactly as you said!!! Thanks so much!!

I'm pleased that you made contact. As the days progress, you will be able to tolerate more.

Feeling full this early on seems to be completely 'normal'. I'm on soft/mush food stage now and have just eaten a small bowl of chicken and veg soup and I feel very satisfied.

It's quite a strange feeling to be full after a small bowl of soup and not hanker after crusty bread!!!!

@vitriolaa

hello! long time lurker, first time poster. this thread (and its predecessor) have been such a resource while i've been trying to decide whether or not to have surgery, thanks so much to everyone who's been posting.

95% sure i'm going to book a bypass privately in the UK, had a consultation on Friday with a very experienced surgeon and the op would be 20 mins from my home.

i've read a lot about the importance (or otherwise) of aftercare - some people complaining they'd have liked psychological support, others saying they feel they've paid for something they don't need with dieticians or trainers, or that what's provided isn't all it's cracked up to be.

i've been having counselling for almost three years, and i've done a load of work on my relationship with food, so i feel quite prepared psychologically. have also been researching surgery for the best part of a year, so feel fairly well informed about everything. but still worrying!

how important has everyone found aftercare to be, and what have you had access to?

I had WLS 10 years ago, gastric band, and recently underwent removal of the band and had revision to a gastric bypass.

Like you, I've had a years of therapy during which time my relationship with food was a big factor. Therapy gave me a much better understanding of myself, my food triggers, my food choices etc. However, despite having a good understanding of myself, having had a gastric band with quite poor aftercare, it was really important to me to have robust aftercare in place this time around and it has proved invaluable so far.

I'm 3 and a half weeks post op and so far I've had several calls from bariatric nurses (pre and post op), 2 appointments with a dietician (pre and post op) and I have another dietician appointment booked for next week, 1 appointment with a psychologist (pre op) and I also have a designated person who I can contact with any enquiries.

Having someone medically qualified to turn to with any questions has been so helpful. Despite my knowledge and understanding of myself, I'd have really floundered without any aftercare.

Hi @vitriolaa, it sounds as though we are at similar stages. I am also now leaning towards a bypass over a sleeve.

I have my first consultation with Professor Pring this week and I feel quite positive and optimistic that this is the right thing to do for my health.

Can I ask who you have decided to go with?

I'm glad to see from @Neonplant, @RevisionSurgeryQ and @Keepthefocus that you all seem to be healing well.

hiya @Brindille, I'm going with Mr Jambulingam at the Cobham Clinic / Luton & Dunstable. Being close to home was important for me, as was the fact he's in the 95th percentile of surgeons for bypass.

At the minute it feels like an absolutely bonkers thing to be doing, but I'm sure it's the right thing for my health too.

Aftercare's my outstanding concern I think, other than what I'm going to eat afterwards (planning ahead makes me less anxious!)

somehow missed your post, @RevisionSurgeryQ - thanks for the info. did you go private for the revision, or via the NHS?

from what i've seen only one company (not sure if we're supposed to be naming providers on this thread!) seem to offer psychological support, but i've seen very mixed opinions as to whether or not it was worth paying for, e.g. just two counsellors between all of their patients.

@vitriolaa

My revision surgery was done privately, as was the gastric band.

I've seen providers mentioned on threads before. I had my revision surgery through Healthier Weight. My surgeon was Mr Rishi Singhal.

My experience of HW overall has been very positive and my surgeon was fantastic.

Prior to deciding on HW, I had a consultation with another surgeon from different provider. It was not a positive experience!

My gastric band was also via a provider, The Hospital Group, now Transform.

Good morning, minus 12 days to my bypass, and I've had a phone call to say I need to come in for an infusion of iron. Slightly worried now.....