Bariatric surgery thread 4

[HangerLaneGyratorySystem]

I'm not the OP but I just accidentally took the last post on thread 3 and some people including me were in the middle of conversations! Hope you can find your way over here!

Hey hun sorry you're struggling. I haven't been on here for ages but it popped up on my threads I'm on and identify so much I wanted to reply. I'll be 2 years post sleeve in Sept, from the NHS. I was nearly 19 stones (120ish kg) I'm now 89kg. I've lost 60% of my excess weight, my tea are happy. But I certainly did not have the experience I was expecting or seemingly the experience others have. I lost very slowly, I had to really work on my diet and was often hungry. I still am! I certainly didn't experience the fullness from a few bites once I was beyond a few months.

I think people have very different experiences of this surgery and we have to be realistic and sometimes dissatisfied. When you say you have 11 stone to love what bmi would that take you to? What % of your excess weight is that?

Can I ask a few questions which might help with what is going on? How old are you? How are your vitamin levels? Have you had your thyroid checked? Do you have any other health issues?

In terms of diet are you eating lots of protein? Did you feel hungry? Are you full from less food?

Did you have the surgery via the NHS or privately? If you have aftercare I'd try to talk to my team.

It is hard though and I try to be positive that I've done loads for my health and happiness. Even if I haven't lost as much as I wanted.

Thank you Whyisitsohard (your user name makes complete sense.)
I'm in my late 50s and if I lose 11 stones I'll be at a BMI of 25. To be honest I would be happy with any reasonable percentage of that. It's about mobility, vitality and health for me. I had become immobile, unable to stand for more than a minute or two and completely miserable.

I worked really hard on the run up to surgery and LRD and lost 2.5 stones, but I don't really feel much restriction, so I am mindfully moderating every portion of every meal etc as though I'm on a diet still. I had thought there would be a degree of freedom and satiety that simply hasn't materialised. I think overall I am more full from less food - but I never used to eat enough protein before, so like for like - I don't know. Yes I'm still hungry - occasionally mouth-hunger/emotional cravings - but mostly proper belly-rumbling hunger which I didn't expect.

I eat protein first and it's the largest part of every meal. I'm not having sliders, I don't have sugar, I don't drink any alcohol. I feel like I'm having sensible (not microscopic) portions which are nourishing for my body. I've increased my exercise from absolutely zero to 5000 steps and a swim every day.

I take all of the vitamins and supplements recommended, but haven't had a recent thyroid check. Perhaps that's something to investigate. My general health is decent, no issues aside from weight that I know of.

It does just sound like we are having very similar experiences and a slow loss. I had mine done privately and have booked a phone call with the team for next week, so I'll see what the bariatric nurse has to say then. If I could lose what you've lost at the end of the day I would be really pleased. I know it's not the total amount, but it would be enough that I'd have my life back I think. I'll take lots of heart from your journey, thank you and it was very kind to share your experience with me and offer support, it means a lot. It's given me some hope.

Hi @HangerLaneGyratorySystem just checking in, did your op go ahead this week? If so I hope your doing well 💐

@Questionsbarisurg aw thank you for remembering! Yes I got home yesterday it’s all done, I am rocking a mini gastric bypass. Just surveying my haul of liquid and “chewable” mediations and vitamins feel utterly sick looking at them 🤢

any news with you @Questionsbarisurg ?

Aww I’m delighted for you @HangerLaneGyratorySystem you have it over you and it went ahead. Just think this time 6 weeks or that you will be through your steps and hopefully seeing results and getting your life back. No change for me just yet but I have decided I will be going ahead with revision it’s just where and when really for me. How are you finding recovery so far?

Hi all, hope you don’t mind me joining. I’m 3 weeks post sleeve. 9kg lost and im
feeling pretty good except for being absolutely shattered. I’ve got other health issues as well, and I’m not sure if it’s those causing it or lack for energy from food etc. Has anyone else had this happen? I take multivitamins every day, and my iron levels are fine buy Vit D is a bit low.

I've just had revision, a week out, I feel like death I am so tired with no energy. I had a sleeve 2 years ago and I was a bit better then. Have you spoken to the bariatric dietician yet (assuming you were NHS or someone from the team if not?)

@Questionsbarisurg - harder than last time. I'm generally fairly exhausted I think this has just made it worse. My hospital has a bariatric nurse and she rang me after I got home said all my bloods were fine. I am meant to be taking liquid iron and soluble calcium (the one that contains D3 too) but they made me feel sick so at the moment just taking the centrum chewable multivitamin - if I feel better in a few days I'll go back on to the others too but you know these horrible dissolvable things/liquids are only for 4 weeks so I suppose you just have to crack on.

I also know I don't eat enough protein - I ordered some clear whey protein shake things, they're fruit flavour you put them in a blender with water and that was a grim experience. Other than that I'm having U-fit protein shakes and Kvarg type yoghurts, with small amounts of ordinary soup (no protein really) just to make a change. I think the water and protein is the ultimate requirement really (also @TheTempest ) - get that right you should get through it fine.

@HangerLaneGyratorySystem I’m generally not a fan of protein shakes etc but I found these ones in Asda I’ll try to attach a picture but they are the best I’ve ever had they aren’t as thick as ufits etc and they taste lovely! Esp the strawberry and raspberry one. Sometimes on offer but def worth trying.

you will get there you’ve come through the surgery and that’s the main thing and hopefully in a few weeks you will get some energy back. Fingers crossed for you.

i hope to be going down the same route in the next few months or that but I am very scared at the thought of it

I was terrified @Questionsbarisurg i got myself in a terrible state

I'm so sorry to hear you're struggling at the moment @HangerLaneGyratorySystem. It won't be long until you're back into the swing of things like you've done before.

Have you tried Clear Whey Isolate? I got it from MyProtein and got a variety pack so I could try them out. I think it's peach and mango and I also have the mojito flavour one but I blend them with ice, it's like a slushy/virgin cocktail and not as grim that way. Could that work for you - drinking is slowly?

Unfortunately @ThePastKnocks tgats the one I got 😬

I blended the strawberry kiwi with ice and ask I finished it I get this massive hit of sour milk. So not for me but I know others swear by it and the selection box is ideal.

Popping back in to suggest you try NXT Nutrition beef protein isolate instead of the clear whey isolate. It comes in huge tubs and for me, it goes down better than the clear whey and I don’t get the weird post/too much whey symptoms of sore throat and bloating. My favourite flavours so far are fruit pastille, apple and blackcurrant, and strawberry and kiwi. I bought single serving sachets from NI Nutrition to try out flavours, then bought my favourite tubs on Amazon.

Not sure if there's a better thread to post on, but had a quick look and couldn't see one. Having dithered for too many years, wondering about surgery, at the age of 62 (not long before I'm 63) I've been told I've become diabetic and have decided to solve two problems at once — the diabetes and the excess weight.

First question is, am I too old? My GP says I've left it too late — but I think she's talking about the NHS. Anyone here in an older age range?

I'm based in South-west Wales and would prefer not to travel too far for private surgery. There are a number of providers, some of them operating all over the UK and I really don't know what to look for. How did you choose?

http://walesweightloss.co.uk/

looks promising but no response to my emails, which isn't exactly promising.

I chose Tonic based on their aftercare package - I really wanted to know I had access to support both short and long term. Six months post op, they’ve been great so far. The (private) Facebook group is brilliant, too.

Not sure why but can't get an idea of whether they have anything in this area.

I used Healthier Weight. I researched for a long time and actually found it overwhelming and quite difficult to work out how to choose hospitals and surgeons and companies. Let alone judge the prices, I gave up on prices and just went with location and surgeon, I didnt want to travel too far.

The more you look, the more you'll see that certain surgeons work for a number of companies and at a number of hospitals in a particular area.

I chose a 2 year package of support, the nurses have been amazing for me and like the poster above, you get signed up to a private facebook page as a support group and that is also amazingly helpful with lots of advice.

Thank you. I really don't want a 3+ hour journey home in a car a day or two after surgery and if I need follow-up support I'd like it to be based reasonably locally. I know a lot can be done online but if there are complications I want to be able to see someone relatively close to home.

It's overwhelming, as you say.

Sadly, only follow-up / support available in Cardiff: surgery would require a long trip.

My understanding (which is a bit limited admittedly) is that complications are rare

Personally I had no pain (I dont know what procedure you're looking at, I had a gastric sleeve). The support I have needed is really how to manage discomfort in eating, my eating has been very slow and limited. I have such a level of discomfort at times that I was struggling to get the calories in, which is obviously not healthy and interferes with weight loss, protein intake, muscle production, energy, nutrients, the whole lot

The nurses were fab and checked in with me, developed an action plan. Its still not great but much better than it had been and its slow progress.

I think that Im coming up for my first blood tests in about a month, Im informed that they will direct me to a local provider who will take the bloods so I woldnt go back to the hospital. The hospital was 2 hours from me. I stayed over the night before the op at a nearby hotel because it would be a very early start otherwise, had to be at the hospital at 7am.

The surgeon follow up check ins are virtual/phone anyway, so you dont really see them (well mine anyway, although I could travel to another hospital where he works and see him in person, I might do that in the future, I cant stand phone check ups to be honest)

The nutrition and health coach appointments are all done by zoom type facilities so that doesnt really affect where you go.

That's useful information, thank you.

@HangerLaneGyratorySystem how are you getting on now?

seems ok? Only lost about 12-14lbs since operation day but it’s fine. I am still trying every way I can to get a carb in - recommend Crackerbread it dissolves in your mouth! How are you? Any news?