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Weight loss chat

A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Original poster

Sleeve surgery - should I do it? Dithering! Any feedback v helpful!

15 replies

carbibarbie · 12/02/2026 09:41

Hi, I am hoping for some views based on experience. I am very heavy at 230lbs and 5 foot 5. I went to the doctor in desperation after my second child was born and he referred me to have surgery, I then went back to ask for some medication to support weight loss - to which ironically they said no due to no other health related issues but that they could push my surgery forward. I’ve now had the psychology appt as well as a pre op appt booked for July. However, I’m scared. I don’t know whether to go ahead. As said, I don’t have any other health related issues, I just cannot lose weight, my appetite is large, I eat well and a very nutrient based (as well as too many added extras) diet but too much. However, I am fat and don’t want to be. Should I go ahead? I am scared I’d have some sort of irreversible side effect if I went ahead with surgery. Or that something awful might happen. Has anyone regretted it? Has anyone had any long term issues from having the surgery? I’d love to hear from anyone who can advise me. Thanks in advance.

OP posts:
SilenceInside · 12/02/2026 09:43

Apologies if there is a reason why not, but have you considered trying weight loss injections first? Mounjaro or Wegovy can be accessed via private prescription, it's not cheap, but it has none of the risks of surgery and is not a permanent change.

likelysuspect · 12/02/2026 09:47

SilenceInside · 12/02/2026 09:43

Apologies if there is a reason why not, but have you considered trying weight loss injections first? Mounjaro or Wegovy can be accessed via private prescription, it's not cheap, but it has none of the risks of surgery and is not a permanent change.

She's already said in teh OP they wont give her medication due to other health issues.

The NHS very very rarely refers for surgery so its likely they would have given her WLI first if they were going down that route.

Original poster
carbibarbie · 12/02/2026 09:50

I did start the injections privately but it got too expensive and so I had to stop sadly😭

OP posts:
Motnight · 12/02/2026 09:51

likelysuspect · 12/02/2026 09:47

She's already said in teh OP they wont give her medication due to other health issues.

The NHS very very rarely refers for surgery so its likely they would have given her WLI first if they were going down that route.

Show quote history

Op said no other issues which means she could very likely be prescribed WLI privately.

Op if I were you I would seriously consider WLI if you can afford it.

Motnight · 12/02/2026 09:52

carbibarbie · 12/02/2026 09:50

I did start the injections privately but it got too expensive and so I had to stop sadly😭

Ah just seen this post.

likelysuspect · 12/02/2026 09:56

carbibarbie · 12/02/2026 09:50

I did start the injections privately but it got too expensive and so I had to stop sadly😭

What medication were you asking for from them but they then wouldnt due to health issues?

Because I dont know how you would get it privately if you cant have it?

SilenceInside · 12/02/2026 10:03

@likelysuspect I specifically stated a private prescription, the NHS don't offer WLI other than in some very specific circumstances that the OP doesn't qualify for. The NHS doesn't offer WLI as a step before offering bariatric surgery.

And, it's moot as the OPs subsequent post makes clear. WLI are not an option.

In that situation, I would consider the sleeve surgery @carbibarbie if that was really the only option for you to lose any weight.

Isobel201 · 12/02/2026 10:14

Have you tried changing your diet at all? I have been on on a low carb and high protein diet. They probably will recommend that before going to surgery anyway.

likelysuspect · 12/02/2026 10:15

Isobel201 · 12/02/2026 10:14

Have you tried changing your diet at all? I have been on on a low carb and high protein diet. They probably will recommend that before going to surgery anyway.

🙄

HesarealJacquelineHigh · 12/02/2026 10:18

Isobel201 · 12/02/2026 10:14

Have you tried changing your diet at all? I have been on on a low carb and high protein diet. They probably will recommend that before going to surgery anyway.

Really? You think OP would have got all the way to the psychology stage and pre op without possibly considering changing her diet?

likelysuspect · 12/02/2026 10:24

SilenceInside · 12/02/2026 10:03

@likelysuspect I specifically stated a private prescription, the NHS don't offer WLI other than in some very specific circumstances that the OP doesn't qualify for. The NHS doesn't offer WLI as a step before offering bariatric surgery.

And, it's moot as the OPs subsequent post makes clear. WLI are not an option.

In that situation, I would consider the sleeve surgery @carbibarbie if that was really the only option for you to lose any weight.

The NICE guidelines allow them to prescribe WLI. Im asking because if they denied it on the basis of health issues then she might not get them privately (which obviously she cant afford) or she might be able to challenge that decision and get them on the NHS if her other health issues are monitored

However, the surgery is best if you cant do any of that, its life changing.

sunnysunshinebear · 12/02/2026 10:24

Did the WL injections work when you started them?

SilenceInside · 12/02/2026 10:29

She doesn’t qualify on the NHS for Mounjaro as you need a BMI of 40 and 4 out of 5 specific weight related health conditions for the NHS to prescribe them via your GP or local service. If they have referred her for bariatric surgery then they aren’t going to offer Wegovy either.

The OP had a private prescription for a WLI but couldn’t afford to continue. It’s a real issue for people who qualify for a private prescription but can’t afford to continue with it. It will be a long wait for the NHS to work through its rollout of Mounjaro and for people like the OP to qualify for their additional criteria.

MeridaBrave · 12/02/2026 10:31

The issue with WLI is the expense and that likely her to take for life - will be hard once lost weight to stick to less food.

likelysuspect · 12/02/2026 10:37

SilenceInside · 12/02/2026 10:29

She doesn’t qualify on the NHS for Mounjaro as you need a BMI of 40 and 4 out of 5 specific weight related health conditions for the NHS to prescribe them via your GP or local service. If they have referred her for bariatric surgery then they aren’t going to offer Wegovy either.

The OP had a private prescription for a WLI but couldn’t afford to continue. It’s a real issue for people who qualify for a private prescription but can’t afford to continue with it. It will be a long wait for the NHS to work through its rollout of Mounjaro and for people like the OP to qualify for their additional criteria.

I completely misread the OP, I thought she said they wouldnt prescribe because she DID have other health issues.

In that case, a sleeve is a really good option at the moment, the NHS will take too long to catch up with medical need in this area.

A sleeve enables you to have a physical restriction so you cant volume eat. I was a volume eater of very good nutritous food, my own home cooked food most of the time, and portion size was an issue. I dont regret it for a moment

You still have to be careful about calorie dense foods like peanut butter, slider foods, chocolate, nuts etc. Its a life long work and the bariatric team will tell you that and I still calorie count

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