Bariatric surgery thread 3

[HotSteppa]

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

And some more questions if anyone knows the answers to this

In terms of the puree stage I dont really want to make puree as that means I have to concentrate on 'food' - does anyone know if baby puree foods would be appropriate? Or would they be too high in fat and sugar?

Also with the protein shakes and jelly pots are there options for ones without sweetners in them as I would rather just have non sweet food than fake sweet food (I dont have a sweet tooth)

Im quite worried about lack of liquids. Im thinking about sleeve and had a consultation on Friday but I have more questions

Ultimately you can do whatever you like with the purée/liquid stages. I never did protein shakes as I don’t like the taste but found protein water ok…I had full fat yoghurts/jelly with sugar in ..you are consuming so few calories at this stage my dietician said it really wasn’t important. In terms of purée it’s more about getting your body used to “normal foods” again; I’m not sure you’d get the same with baby purée..for example I started using the M and S mini meals at that stage; puréed; then mashed the following weeks transitioning back to smaller normal meals…I think it’s whatever works best for you in the long run; there’s no right or wrong answer to it. It’s life changing and I’m only 3 months out…good luck

Thanks, thats a good idea with the mini meals, I really dont want to do cooking at that stage, Im a good cook but throw this in, bit of that, bit of this, and I would get stressed with worrying about what I should or shouldnt use when I just want something simple and easy without even thinking.

Hello! I’ve got my sleeve op booked for the 28th November - not long now!! I’m petrified but also eager to get it over and done with. I know the liquid/purée section is going to be ultra hard.
can I ask people who are 6month/1 year down the line, if you are thirsty are you able to swig a big glass of water or whatever or do you always have to take careful sips?

I’m 10 months out and I can take about 4 gulps of liquid at a time. But I was super restricted initially and could barely wet my lips.

To begin with you probably won’t be able to eat very much at all so really it just trying to work out things you can get down and drink lots of liquids. You won’t know how you feel till after.
I wanted to prep loads before hand and spent a small fortune on protein products and things for the hospital all of which were completely unnecessary. I couldn’t drink water for the longest time so sugar free juice was my savour.

Also another question if people dont mind about aftercare

Ive read through this thread and often people will say something like 'the after care is really good'

But what does that look like on the ground.

My options at the moment are Healthier Weight,, Nuffield Health, Phoenix Health due to the person that I think Im happy with (I think).

Healthier weight have some 'packages' which seems clear but Nuffield Health and Phoenix Health dont really say what their aftercare consists of in detail

I want to know things like are you seen in person, do you have bloods taken and how often, do they give the prescription for your GP to follow for the b12 injections, dietician and nutritionist appointments etc etc

I have Spanx now to hold the wobble in but not initially. That would be super uncomfortable IMO.
Also you won’t be a size 22 for long, I flew down the bigger sizes, so probably not much use.

Thanks Thurst (quite an apt name !) I’m a major Diet Coke addict and I know I need to give up all fizzy drinks. I also don’t like any hot drinks like tea or coffee so the liquid part is worrying me a little bit as just sticking to water for the foreseeable sounds very boring!

Ive become a squash addict despite always having been a big water drinker, it does weird things to you. 100% worth any slight negatives. I bought a load of clothes off Vinted today and I can’t believe it when I look in the mirror. I’m happier, healthier and so much more confident.

I'm just at the end of week two and I can manage half a soggy yoghurt before I'm stuffed.

I've been eating half a ton of soup slowly then two hours later I eat the other half. My diet at the moment is pretty much 2 slim fast shakes and a tin of soup so about 600 cals a day.

Today I've struggled and only managed half a shake for breakfast and split a tin of soup between breakfast and lunch. I also had about four spoonfuls of a protein yoghurt.

Not struggling at all with drinking but I'm not really taking more than 3 mouthfuls at a time

@2boys1girl1dog I was a massive Pepsi Max and Dr Pepper zero addict.
I'm now 7 weeks post bypass and have not had one urge to drink it. It's very weird but in a good way as I was worried about this massively.
I now drink lots of squash and managing fine.
Your tastes do change - I find it hard to drink plain water as it tastes weird now, and I've not felt one moments hunger since I woke up from surgery. I still drink my tea and coffee but sip away at squash throughout the day.
Although I'm at the start of my journey I wouldn't change it - yes it's tough in the early stages but managing expectations beforehand has helped massively.
I'm already over 3 stone down and now I'm on solid food finding it a lot easier.
As my dietician reminded me I'm not on a diet it's a new way of eating and that has really helped my mindset.

My aftercare with Spire (7 weeks post op)has consisted of fortnightly calls with both dietician and bariatric nurse, consultation with surgeon 6 weeks post op, first bloods booked for 3 months with them alongside a face to face session with the bariatric team and also if I need them at any point along the wayI have their mobiles and emails.
GP is doing my bloods after that and my B12 injections every 3 months.
I can't fault the aftercare I've had with Spire. Pre op I also had consults with the dietician and bariatric nurse alongside visits whilst in the hospital and was sent home armed with everything I needed for the first few weeks.

Thats very helpful, am I right you had a bypass?

@bellac11 yea had a RNY bypass

Has anyone who has had this surgery needed the psychological support within their aftercare as Im finding not all companies offer this

Also does anyone know of any protein shakes or water drinks that dont have artificial sweetners in them? Finding it almost impossible to find any

I've not needed it but to be honest my pre op sessions with the consultant and bariatric nurse went through my issues with food and I got a good grilling on my habits and how to address them - this is one of the reasons I went for a bypass over the sleeve. Your habits have a lot to do with what type of surgery will be better for you.
The bariatric nurse I have is also available if I'm having a wobble or need to chat but I'm lucky that I haven't needed to. I think I was just at the point in my head where I had done my research, knew it was my last chance and was well aware of the restrictions I would have - I can also recommend the book below. It really did help me pre and post op as I felt fully aware of what I may feel and how to tackle it. The book was really my bible in the first few weeks post op and reassured me enormously.
I see it recommended a lot to pre op patients and I feel it's a must have.

Living with Bariatric Surgery: Managing your mind and your weight amzn.eu/d/7t3kB2Y

@bellac11 also re shakes - I think it's almost impossible to find any without artificial sweeteners due to the rule of what you can tolerate in line with restrictions.
I did buy the protein powder from my protein and make my own with a bit of fruit and quark which may work for you. Although I can't look at protein shakes anymore tbh with the LRD and then 4 weeks post op I couldn't stomach them anymore

This is all very helpful thanks, remind me what company you went with again?

I think you are right about the protein stuff from what Ive been looking for and perhaps I will just have to tolerate it for the weeks I will be using it. I cant stand the thought of them now so will probably be exactly like you feel at the end too

I went with Spire Southampton- Dr Kelly.

Hi everyone, just looking for a good talking to. I'm 19 weeks post Gastric Bypass and am at a total stall. Just checked my records and haven't lost an ounce in a month. Lost 18 kilos in 15 weeks and now stuck.

I know a week or 2 stall is normal, but a month? I'm starting to get disheartened. Maybe this is as much as I'm meant to lose?

From what I've seen following people on insta (I'm preop, currently LRD) this is very normal. The suggestions seem to be are you drinking enough? Are you hitting your protein goals? Are you tracking measurements/trying on clothes to see if inches are going?

If you look at those who've lost loads they often have patches of 0 or tiny tiny losses

Do you have support avaliable from
your team?

Sorry about the formatting, mumsnet hates Samsung at the moment

Hello. I joined this thread getting on for a year ago and have finally taken the plunge!

I’ve booked a gastric sleeve procedure through get slim in Turkey. I’m booked for early February in Kusadasi. Anyone been there recently? Any advice? Also, anyone booked around that time too?

thanks everyone for this thread

Hi, I didn't go through Get Slim but I was sleeved in Gozde Kusadasi by Dr Fikret in October this year and all went well.

Are you going alone or taking a companion?

I'd advise you to have an extra £500 to hand in case your gallbladder needs removing. You can say no but there's always a chance it could then play you up afterwards. There's also a hernia that they need to repair before surgery can go ahead if they find it too.

Any other questions just ask.