Gastric Sleeve

[WishIdDoneItYearsAgo]

Last Friday was the first year anniversary of my gastric sleeve. I can’t believe how well I feel and how healthy I feel and how much happier I am with myself. I kick myself that I didn’t do it years ago but I always thought I wasn’t big enough or that I’d eventually lose it by myself whereas in reality I was slowly putting on half a stone to a stone each year.

I wasn’t ‘that’ big in that I was a size 14-16 and weighed in around 14stone 10lbs. I’m 5ft6. I now weigh 9st 5 and I’m a size 10. I just feel great-so healthy and so much more confident. I’m 52 and multiple pregnancies and age means I’m never going to have a stunning beach body but I feel great and look better and I have so much more energy. I also go to the gym 3 or 4 times a week so no loose skin other than a small tummy overhang which is more pregnancy related I’d say and sits nicely inside midi knickers.

Just to add: It did take me 6-9mths to stop the semi regular vomiting (once or twice a week) I can eat pretty much everything other than pasta or white bread just in smaller portions. I can drink alcohol but not too much as I get drunk very easily.

As I said, I wish I’d done it years ago! If you’re considering it and can afford it, go for it! I had mine done in the UK at a large national private hospital. Any questions, ask away!

*well done that should say. Autocorrect!

What an inspiring post.

I’ve booked my initial appt with Spire. I’m really excited to get the ball rolling. I’ve been loosing and gaining the same 5 stone since i was about 20. Always ending up about half a stone heavier each time.

Sorry if this is a bit of an ask but could you talk me through the process and what happened from first appt to operation day?

@eldorado02 hope you have a speedy recovery!

Ahhh I've just come across this post, I've been on tier 3 waiting for my last app in march, to see if I can go on the waiting list, got home from work and my app has been moved to next week I'm so excited and worried incase they don't except me! Glad it worked out for you can I ask did u do it on nhs?

@RGinaPhalange, sure!

• First, I spent a few months reading everything I could about the sleeve; the procedure, it’s effects etc.
• Then I researched surgeons near me. I wanted Spire and I wanted a surgeon who worked half/most of the week in the NHS as I’d read they would be more skilled that those working full time for a bariatric clinic.
• Next I found a couple of surgeons I’d be happy with and arranged a consultation. Mine were via telephone due to covid but they’re likely back to F2F. I then chose the one I felt most comfortable with.
• I was booked in for 3wks later. I think it was quicker than I expected but at the same time I was very keen to get on with it so it suited me fine.
• Next step was coming in to clinic to have bloods and starting weight taken.
• That same week I had a dietitian appointment to give me a plan for the 2wks leading up to surgery, (this is either low calorie (800 daily) or sometimes a milk diet but they gave me a choice) It’s to shrink your liver and each surgeon will have their own protocol which you should check. The choice aspect swung it for me as the other surgeon wanted me to do the milk diet and I can’t stomach milk. They also gave me a comprehensive plan for first 24h, next 3 days, then 2wk intervals.
• I arrived at 7am surgery day and took a covid test. I was taken down at 11am. Afterwards I had mild pain and was a little sick. The nurses came around very regularly to ensure you sip liquid and they kept me topped up with anti sickness and pain meds. I went home the next day feeling so much better but they offered me another day as standard if I didn’t feel able to go home.
• Before discharge the surgeon came to see me, checked me over and told me how it had gone. I then saw the nurse and pharmacist re meds.
• The called me the following day to check in me and then a week later I then. Then at T3&6wks. I also had regular dietician calls. And I’ve been in to see my bariatric nurse 3 times I think and my dietician F2F once. I’ve had bloods taken at each nurse appointment. I saw my surgeon at 6mths then at 1yr for discharge (last wk). I have access to their services for a further year if I need them.

I hope this helps. Any other questions, just ask.

Hi @Marshmello33, no, I went private as I wouldn’t have qualified at my BMI which was ‘only’ 34 at the time.

…meant to say well done in getting your appointment through and good luck!

That’s amazing@WishIdDoneItYearsAgo. It makes me feel more confident starting the process. Thanks very much.

@WishIdDoneItYearsAgo
what was your weight doing around 6 months? I’m 5 stone down and have been stalled for the last few weeks.. so discouraging!

Hi @Christiners. I stalled for nearly 3mths from about 5 and a half months. It was very frustrating but my surgeon said it was common for someone my size and my body was just adjusting and that it was better than too much too quickly. I was already so pleased that I just stopped worrying about it and then, for no obvious reason, I just started to lose again. My weight is very stable now and I’ve no desire to lose any more. My advice would be to just carry on what you’re doing and your body will adjust. If it doesn’t then I’d advise upping your exercise a little.
Good luck!

Hi OP how soon after your op could you get back to work, run around after kids, walk etc?

Hi, has anyone gone abroad recently to Turkey and had a gastric sleeve and been happy with the company/surgeon and who they would recommend please? X

Hey, im due to have mine next week and I’m so nervous about being put to sleep and not waking up, any advice?

Hi everyone! Well it’s a year since I started this thread and I’m still very happy with my choice.
I did put on half a stone last summer but I wasn’t very mobile after damaging my ankle so I didn’t exercise for 6wks and spent a couple of miserable weeks sat on the sofa eating slider junk food such as biscuits and crisps. When I returned to normal mobility I was determined not to fall into a diet cycle again so I just waiting and it came back off slowly but surely and by Christmas I was back to my stable weight. I could have really restricted and lost it all quicker but I was worried about getting into a boom/bust diet cycle again so thought I’d just see if my metabolism would do its job and thankfully it did.

Good luck to everyone just embarking on this journey. Apart from having my children, this has been the single most important thing I’ve ever done in my life and I’m so grateful I took the plunge as I’d likely have stayed on the same trajectory and had serious health problems by now. It’s not for everyone but it’s been truly life changing for me.

@WishIdDoneItYearsAgo Thank you for the update I’m so glad you’re doing well.

Can I ask a few questions (I’m on the NHS waiting list)

How long is the operation and how long were you in hospital?

How much time off work did you have? (I’ve got a desk job WFH) I’m worried about taking time off. Is it seen as elective? Will I get sick pay?

What sources did you start with? I’m following some Instagram accounts and keep googling. I’m also attending the virtual NHS appointments

How did you explain it to family and friends - I feel so ashamed that I can’t maintain a normal weight