I've just had weight loss surgery. AMA

[OLDanonymous]

Happy to answer any questions

How heavy were you. Did you have NHS or private?

No questions as I’ve had it too! A year later I’m over 13 stones down and everything about it has been positive-I hope you have a similar journey!

Starting weight of 16st 5lb, BMI was 32 (I'm tall).
Private. I went abroad to Egypt.
The NHS criteria would have needed my BMI to be much higher and I didn't want to have to get there.

@JudgeRindersMinder Thanks for the encouragement! Well done on such a phenomenal loss- bet you feel great for it???

Did you have a sleeve or a band? I'm considering a sleeve.

Absolutely amazing-physically and mentally. Everyone I know with the exception of 1 person has been supportive, but I know that person comes from a place of worrying, not real negativity so it’s ok lol.
It’s definitely not the easy option, and but for me it was what I needed to do, I had such a screwed up relationship with food that I needed something to give me that physical control, and surgery gave me it.

Why did you choose Egypt, do you have any connection there or was it purely on the surgery side? Did you have anyone with you and were you scared of the surgery?

So glad to hear that @JudgeRindersMinder and that you have had so much support (bar one person!!). I haven't told very many people at all. It's definitely a mental challenge too- I'm still very early days but I'm realising that. It's a tool not a magic wand and all that! Xx

@IHeartGeneHunt I had a sleeve x

@euff No connection to Egypt. Would have preferred it in the UK but the cost was easily 3 or 4 times the amount...

The surgeon I went with I researched for some time and he has a 100% success rate for no leakages and no deaths and is registered on the GMC in the UK.

I went with a friend but there were a group of us that the hospital put us into WhatsApp group together.

I was scared as I'm a single Mum to two toddlers and leaving them behind is hard. But I tried to look at it objectively. Every barrier in my life comes back to my weight/confidence issues. I knew if I stayed the same size (and inevitably got bigger) I'd never have the confidence to progress in my career/meet someone new/be the active Mum they need me to be.

It was tough leaving them but I am happy I did it now whilst they were too young to remember.

Did you try Saxenda first.? I'm tall and I lost 2 stone in 10 weeks on it.

It's pretty effective and much less drastic.

@Indoctro I looked into Saxenda and I decided I didn't think it would be good for me. My issue is mainly around portion control and I didn't feel that it would work for me.

Also after years of being an IVF pin cushion I just didn't want to inject myself anymore!😂

Huge Congratulations on your weight loss!!!

I hope it helps you! So how does it work? You have a small stomach for life now?

@BigsyMalone Thankyou.

Essentially a large part of your stomach is removed so the theory is you eat much less and have to eat slower.

However, if you do continually push the restriction of the stomach it will stretch and you will start consuming larger quantities thus ending up where you started. Xx

I completely understand the confidence barrier and how it impacts life. It sounds like you had it recently so wish you well in your recovery and I hope it helps you be who you want to be. x

How much did it cost? I was considering it at one point but have now lost a lot of weight with ozempic so I am glad I didn’t go for it.

@FattyMcFatButt I paid £3100 although it would have been £2800 but I opted for a bikini sleeve for less visible scarring.

Plus flights and hotel which added on around £600.

How long did you have to stay for in Egypt?

How long is the recovery?

What / Is it painful?

How soon after the surgery are you expected to see changes?

Thank you!

No questions, it's the best thing I ever did for myself. 😊

I stayed 3 nights post op- would have been 1 night pre op but our incoming flight was delayed! I did it in the shortest possible time because I wanted to be home for the babies. Some people stayed on for an extra night or two and went to do some touristy things. In hindsight an extra day or so of rest would have been nice!

Recovery I think is generally 2 weeks although I believe can take longer. I was walking around the following day though. Pain was bad when I woke up but it improved very quickly. Gas pain in my shoulder was the worst thing which I suffer with after any surgery!

I have lost 1 stone in 8 days. Though that will likely be due to the fact we are on a very limited diet (mainly fluids and protein shakes) whilst our stomach recovers and less because I'm actually utilising the sleeve as yet.

I think generally they say you'll lose 75% of your excess weight within 9 months... I may have that statistic wrong- happy to be corrected!

Thank you! Hope you reach your goal & lead a healthy and fulfilling life with your children!

Just sending well wishes - I travelled with a bunch of ladies to Egypt ( I imagine to the same surgeon as you as he’s so popular!) and whilst I didn’t get the surgery they did - I’ve been really amazed at their determination to get through the initially quite difficult period etc.

I’ve been surprised by the reality of how poorly some became that wasn’t really discussed openly on social media - however really just proud of how well they’ve coped with it all!

I have been on the weight loss surgery thread on here.

I have had a consultation with Healthier Weight and they now say they have a surgery slot for me and its time for me to pay the deposit

I have suddenly become overcome with panic

Im about 10 stone overweight (and thats optimistic, probably about 12)

Im looking at a sleeve.

How do you check out stats for leaks for the surgeon you're using?

Did you feel nervous and worried going into it?

Poorly in what way?

sickness, nausea, vomiting, fainting etc - I’ve felt quite anxious on their behalf however I will say I believe most are out the other side now and are doing much better. It’s all “ minor” in the realm of side effects but can have such a huge impact on quality of life - although I’d also say I imagine they feel that’s a small price to pay for better quality of life at a healthier weight.

I think I was surprised given I followed the surgeon for months online and this side wasn’t openly discussed much tbh or made to seem unimportant in the grand scheme of things whereas for me nausea would be horrific