I've just had weight loss surgery. AMA

[OLDanonymous]

Happy to answer any questions

Curious about follow-up. Were you offered a virtual appointment? What would have happened if you'd had post-op complications after your return to the UK? Like a wound infection or something? Would the NHS have had to deal with it, or was there something arranged by them just in case?

Thanks

Those side effects arent unknown at all. Ive been researching this for a while to check its right for me but also my prep and most of the video information from companies make clear the possibilities of what to expect

It is one of my fears, I am very worried about sickness and nausea, and particularly IBS type symptoms and spasms but equally I know that there might be ways of mitigating it, it might be short term and the benefits of losing weight would outweigh those disadvantages I hope.

Are you hungry? Are you craving certain foods and have you been tempted to eat things you can't?

Would you mind naming your surgeon?

I had the endoscopic sleeve 3 years ago. Worked for the first 6 months then failed. There was a support group on Facebook, and I only realised afterwards that ANY negative feedback from anyone, no matter how slight, will get the comment removed and poster kicked out of the group. I think it is really immoral as people are only seeing positive comments and can't make an informed decision.

Good luck op. I wish I had gone for the full sleeve.

Apologies for the late response! I didn't have any notifications from Mumsnet.

Sure@NigellaAwesome , his name is Dr Tamer. If you look him up on Facebook or Instagram you'll find lots of reviews. I will say that they do have a big social media push which does bolster his reputation but ultimately he has an excellent success rate so the "fame" isn't for no good reason. I am so sorry to hear you went through all your surgery and recovery and didn't get the results you expected.

There's a group on fb called the Friendliest Gastric Sleeve/Bypass Group Uk and I have found this group to be the most balanced and supportive.

Lots of luck to you x

@Sassy306 I am hungry, but not as ravenous as you'd expect given I haven't eaten anything that requires chewing in nearly 2 weeks! A few days I was craving fried chicken and couldn't stop thinking about it! But that seems to have subsided now.

A lot of it is mental hunger. At night (im a single Mum) when I put the little ones to bed, I feel a bit lost as I'm not making myself dinner or having some snacks in front of the TV.

In time I will obviously be making meals again but it will be different in terms of quantity and protein.

Notably though, my skin feels better for it.

@bellac11 side effects appear to vary greatly. I'm in a WhatsApp group with a number of us who had surgery on or around the same date and some people are struggling hugely with nausea, sickness, feeling faint.

By contrast I feel like I haven't had anything too bad yet. Besides some heartburn and gurgling throat noises (which is annoying more than anything else)

I did really worry about how unwell I might feel as I am sole parent to two babies, but I have got off easily I think!

Someone (another patient, not a doctor or anything!) did say that those who do the liver reduction diet pre op seem to struggle most with side effects post op. I didn't do the LRD, but I don't know if there's any truth to this.

Follow up- the team in Egypt are contactable 24/7 and I am aware of some patients who have had to go to doctors/hospital in the UK and this surgeon liaised with the medical specialists in the UK re the surgery and requirements.

I would assume any infections / issues would need to be taken care of by the NHS in the same way it would in other case, I'm not sure that they can refuse. We were given a discharge form to pass to our GP so that they are aware that the surgery had taken place.

We were discharged with all of the post op medication we would need including blood thinners, antibiotics, stomach liners, painkillers and multivitamins.

Congratulations on getting to this point. Totally understand it's overwhelming and nerve wracking, I felt the same. And did for a day or so post op wonder what the hell I had done!

If you're not already, join some of the bariatric groups on Facebook (including the one I mentioned in an earlier reply on here) and search for and ask peoples experiences in your surgeon. That'll give you a good idea.

Regarding stats, the doctor or their secretary should be able to provide these.

Thanks for this post. Interesting to read.

The only question I have is a little strange but hope you can answer.

I read on another post that once you have surgery you cannot drink and eat at the same time ever again. Is this correct? So no wine or water while you eat your dinner ever again?

I am seriously over weight but not sure I can face the long term restrictions.

@TheGoodEnoughWife yes that's true and it's a hard one to get used to and I'm not even thinking about going out for a meal yet so I know it's going to be a challenge.

It's generally advised that you don't drink or eat within 20 mins of each other. It's to prevent the drink from pushing your food through your stomach too quickly and either preventing you from feeling full and/or causing stretching of the stomach.

Thank you for your reply and good luck! 1st in eight days is just the start I am sure - would be great to keep up with your progress.

How are you feeling, OP?

How much weight have you lost?

I know a number of people who've had a sleeve in the UK under NHS and they lost a lot of weight, but after several years put a lot back on. This really puts me off considering it for myself.

I had a mini gastric bypass 17 weeks ago and am now 7st down. I went to Turkey and have had no problems so far

I had it done 18 months ago. Best thing ever

Sorry late reply here @TheDuchessOfMN

I've lost nearly 2 stone in just over 5 weeks. I'm halfway to my overall target.

Feel good. Adjusting to eating less and slower but overall it feels liberating not to have that post-Christmas dread of jumping on the scales and jumping back onto the monotonous diet cycle in January.

Food is starting to mean a lot less to me and I have more time to focus on other things.

Happy for you @Spoofus & @DoINeedToDoThis