Bariatric surgery thread 3

[HotSteppa]

Relocating to shiny new thread for all those going through or considering weightless surgery in all its forms.

@coldandverytired

Considering gastric sleeve and gallbladder removal (I already have stones) Would anyone like to suggest their surgeon and if you are a recent health traveller what did you pay? I see a lot of websites advertising gastric sleeve surgery for £2999

I went here in Feb, my friends went 2 yrs ago and her daughter went in Nov 21.

I paid £2650, plus flights

There is a massive difference between here and abroad for cost. For me I was happy to stay in the uk but I know the price puts it out of the range for many.

I have tired myself out a bit today, went to the shop - DH drove me as I wanted some protein shakes and low sugar squash. I am surprised how much it wiped me out, I am back lying on the bed so I am stretched out. But again still just sore rather than painful.

Managed a whole slim fast shake. Took me all morning to drink it but it was nice. I am having very diluted lemon squash and water now. Really need to get my fluids up.

I am 48hrs post op (sleeve, UK) and I feel very rough. I’ve sip I take hurts like hell and I can’t stay awake for more than 1 hour.

I’m really worried about dehydration now. I feel so weak.

@LJZRBB

I am 48hrs post op (sleeve, UK) and I feel very rough. I’ve sip I take hurts like hell and I can’t stay awake for more than 1 hour.

I’m really worried about dehydration now. I feel so weak.

Sip don't gulp Leave five mins between each sip Aim to drink at least 500mls to start and increase slowly Drink protein shakes, they count as fluids

Your stomach will hurt to start as it healing

Stop eating/drinking soon as you feel full

@LJZRBB I hope things get easier for you and @MagentaRocks glad you improving too x

Sorry I am back again..

Realistically I think I will not be fit to afford surgery in the UK for about 18months financially however all these threads have made me determined this is what I need for my health and so I am considering going to turkey. I'm scared but I think I have to take the risk and go for a sleeve.

Could I please ask if you went aboard was it ok like was there any negatives? Would you do it again? I think another thing that's scaring me is the flight like close to 7 hours which might increase my risk of clots etc

Anyways if you went aboard what was your experience, where did you go and who with? Any recommendations appreciated xx

@Twinsandsome I am at the booking stage with a place in turkey, the flights I’m looking at are around 4h10 or thereabouts direct. I assume flight socks are provided after surgery and I will make sure I do foot exercises etc. Maybe check with your hospital if they prescribe anti coagulation medication for after surgery? It’s one of my questions to ask too.

I am primarily started looking for a gastric sleeve in turkey to get my gallbladder out- I’ve been waiting over 2 years for an appointment and at the last check I will be waiting at least another 2 years, the weight loss aspect is welcome as I’m a lardy lump with no willpower who’s weight has started to cause problem with joint pain but the gastric sleeve is £2500, cholecystectomy is an extra £200… no brainer to be a healthy weight in time and not have weekly gallbladder attacks!

@MrMrsJones just over 4 stone. I didn't have tons to lose but was definitely obese with a BMI of over 35. I also felt absolutely awful in my own skin and had tried every diet under the sun over a period of 20/25 years.

Something had to give.

@LJZRBB

I am 48hrs post op (sleeve, UK) and I feel very rough. I’ve sip I take hurts like hell and I can’t stay awake for more than 1 hour.

I’m really worried about dehydration now. I feel so weak.

I was similar for the first few days. Try and take little sips as and when you can and speak when you need to.

I pretty much did nothing for a few days.

Sleep, not speak! X

@coldandverytired hi and thank you. Where are you looking at booking and who with?

Ok I need to look at flights again then because 4 hours seems much better the ones that I looked at must have had a stop which I didn't realise or something. When are you hoping to go and are you in the UK? Xx

I filled out the questionnaire for Belgium Bariatric services over the weekend and got an email this morning saying my bmi was too high and that I would have to loose 3 stone before I could be considered for the surgery x

@Twinsandsome I am looking the Mediterranean Healing Hospital, the English liaison is called Bugra and has been brilliant at answering questions and sending information.

I think someone up thread has used them too.

My BMI hasn't been a problem but I will have to do a Liver Reduction Diet for 2 weeks before I go.

We have a FB messenger group for the place I went.

If anyone is interested in being added PM me.

@SleevedOff my BMI was 39.8 when I started now 34.6

Fantastic weightloss for you, I have about 5 stone to lose

I went to Mediterranean Healing Hospital and also dealt with Bugra. He is lovely 😊
Would 100% recommend!
I’m about 10/11 weeks post op I think.

One of the reasons I chose Antalya was the direct flights, didn’t want to change or anything like that like I know some places do.

I've just completed by booking, flying on 02/05 and back home on 06/05 with Op scheduled for 3rd.

Woop!

Nearly 6 months out from surgery I did regret it and found it tough. I've had low energy levels only been able to eat a few mouthfuls . the last 3 weeks my appetite has increased a little bit and I've been able to eat more (nothing like before just more than a couple of mouthfuls ) life is more normal now and I 100 percent don't regret the surgery!!

Could someone do a run through of what happens when you get to the hospital please? I have rebooked for 2 weeks time and just nervous how the day will go and any insight would be helpful. Thank you

This is my itinerary:
There is a brief description of the whole process below:
Day 1. (Arrival day)
Our VIP transfer team welcomes you at the airport with your name and surname. (holding board with your name and surname).
Then they bring you to the hospital. I meet you at the hospital entrance and I show you to your room and complete the registration process.
After you settle into your room, the nurse comes and the vascular access is opened for serum and for other necessary things. ( Blood test, etc)
If you have a PCR test done before you come, you give the result to us, or if you haven't, the test is taken from you in your room.
ECG (electrocardiogram): nurse doing it in your room
Day 2
Early in the morning; Consultation begins;
*We go to chest x-ray room to get your chest film
*Whole waist ultrasonography
*Lung test
We go to the Pulmonologist doctor with the result. ( chest film x-ray and and Lung test)
Then we go to the cardiologist with the ECG (electrocardiogram) result.
Then we go back to the room and await the examination of the anesthesiologist.
After the approval of all doctors and finally the anesthesiologist, they take you to the operating room.
Before the operation, the esophagus and stomach are monitored by endoscopy, if there is any fluid in the esophagus, it is taken out. It is checked if there is a problem in the stomach that may affect the operation or not. If all is well, your sleeve gastrectomy starts and takes about 2 hours.
When the surgery is over, they will bring you to your room and I will be waiting for you there.
You need to be mobilized 4 hours after the surgery. It means we will walk around the hall.
It is necessary to take a walk 4 hours after the operation. You will continue to walk every next 2 hours.
Day 3, rest and mobilisation. Dietician consult, post op checks
Day 4, final post op check including visualisation and imaging.
Day 5, patient choice if well enough to take city tour, transfer to airport 2,5h prior to fight schedule.

1st week Post op done. 6.6lb down which I am happy with. Ist day on the puree stage today. Been told if I get a pain in my back after eating to revert back to liquids for a couple of days.

Actually feeling OK now. Don't use painkillers much and I am a lot more mobile so happy with how it is going.

well done on the weight loss @MagentaRocks where did you go for surgery?

@coldandverytired

well done on the weight loss *@MagentaRocks* where did you go for surgery?

I went with the bariatric group. My surgery was in Taunton but they have other hospitals.

And thank you. Its been a tough week but worth it.

@MagentaRocks your doing amazing! Could I ask how many weeks of LRD everyone had to do? Xx

[quote Twinsandsome]@MagentaRocks your doing amazing! Could I ask how many weeks of LRD everyone had to do? Xx[/quote]
I did 20 days. At my pre op assessment 3 weeks before they said my stomach was quite hard so they wanted me to start it straight away. I lost 12.2lb on that. Most LRDs are two weeks.

I only did 10 days on the LRD. My bmi was 36 which is quite low for WLS but I carry all my weight around my tummy neck and face so it had and impact on my health and mobility. My BMI is now 29 only about 10 weeks PO.