Gastric bypass (or other bariatric surgery)

[grippley]

Hi all

I’ve been a long time lurker here on some of these boards but name changed recently. Long term yo-yo dieter in my 40s. I was referred to tier 4 weight management 2.5 years ago after completing a 12 month supported group to lose weight alone. During the course, and onwards I managed to lost 5 stone and slowly change some of the habits. I still have a significant amount to lose but I am feeling really positive about the changes I have made already.

i have been offered weight loss surgery on the nhs and they think this will be a really positive option for me to continue the weightloss but also I’m really nervous as this feels drastic. I really want to lose the weight so I can have a further knee operation. I am not concerned about it being a life long change, as I have worked really hard on changing my habits and recognise these will be longer term also. I am based in the north east if anyone has any specific experience.

i am looking at people’s shared experience of gastric bypass specifically but also sleeve or anything else. I think it is called the roux en y that they offered me

I have two friends who have had bariatric surgery and neither one of them has been a great success tbh. One lost some weight initially but stopped losing at still quite overweight and has gained a fair bit back again, the other one suffers badly from dumping syndrome and can only eat tiny amounts regularly. She’s also had a lot of hair thinning and loss. I’m guessing from lack of nutrient absorption. She has kept the weight off but I wouldn’t say she’s the picture of health.

Now that WLIs exist I think they are a much better option but I guess you will have to pay out of pocket for these. Personally I would rather do that than have free NHS surgery, but that’s obviously dependent on your financial position and personal views on it. I wouldn’t have bariatric surgery unless there was literally no alternative, and we do now have alternatives that are safer and don’t cause lifelong issues.

Thanks so much. WlI was not recommended but I think it’s because I asked if available on nhs rather than private. They said that although wli has good results, the gastric bypass has proven longer results (so far) and said wli would be good if the infrastructure and support was available but it isn’t yet. So they weren’t against it but also said for best longer term results I should consider this.

Absolutely experienced this. I was always the "fat" friend. Made everyone else look better in comparison to me. People who kept me around as I suited their needs, always people pleasing to be accepted. Now, people are shocked when I say "no, enough" because they weren't used to hearing it from me. Quiet, in a corner, already taking up too much space, didn't say boo to a goose. Now, I have my voice back and people notice me for the right reasons instead of the pity like before. Sad but true. I remember once being told, by a family member, that she would resent me if I was slimmer than her.

The foamies, thankfully, not happened for well over a year but I targeted the source and eliminated it!

Hello there.

Malabsorption is a major factor with bypass as there is a smaller amount of our new pouch to absorb the vitamins etc we need from food. We physically can't fit the volume of food in that is needed for us to maintain our levels naturally.

I followed a strict vit regime and experienced minimal hair loss or post operative issues. My weakness annoys me as I used to do a very physically demanding job and now combined with the Reactive Hypoglycemia, it does have its limitations. I have to accept that I am also getting older, plus menopause, I was never going to get the body of a nubile 20 year old following the process but I'm happy with the "new" me. I loved the old me, but I like the new me as well.

I'm trying to walk more and that's helping build me up. I do struggle now with certain vitamins as I find they make me feel sick and quite unwell (suffer with GERD so the heartburn crippled me) but I am restarting on liquid forms to see if they make a difference.

If you want to PM or ask any questions, please feel free. I'm not a clinician, just lived experience. I wish I'd have had like minded people to chat with as I went privately so no real after care as such, despite all the guff they give at the initial consultation. I've very much muddled through x

What is dumping syndrome please?

Hello there.

Dumping syndrome is caused when the food (usually sugar) is released too quickly from the stomach into the small intestine.

It can cause dizziness, sweating, tummy cramps and diarrhea. Can come on quite quickly and you'll know quite quickly that something is amiss. Other types can come on a little while after food but that tends be more prolonged and chronic and can lead to Hypoglycaemia (where I am now). If you identify what triggers it by keeping a food diary, you can minimise the impacts and learn how to manage a bout x

@Lulu98that is so helpful, thank you.

Thanks so much Lulu I really appreciate the offer. Lots to think about.

I suppose my main motivation is to be healthy and to have the knee op at a healthy bmi rather than size or weight at this time. This offer of the surgery feels a lifeline to fast track to that. It has always felt a drastic decision and worst case scenario to me, I don’t know if that’s because of my bias or fear. But now it feels a good opportunity and tool to support my goals. I’m worried about longer term effects. I enjoy going out for a meal and drinking alcohol socially, I’ve dramatically reduced this to a few times a year instead of weekly as part of my weightloss journey and I’m wondering if i won’t be able to do this anymore. It seems a trivial worry but something I enjoy and have learnt to do in moderation. I’ve got loads to think about and I’m so grateful to everyone sharing their journey and perspective thank you

I had a bypass in August last year on the nhs. Best thing I ever did. I’d always been able to lose a few stone but would always regain. Tried mountain and had great success but it triggered horrific gall stones so got that sorted at the same time I had the bypass. I am 9 months post op and down from 17st9 to 11st 7. I’m more than happy with that and I feel great in myself.

my recovery was very straight forward although at times I did think wtf have I done. I went through a tough patch where I couldn’t really eat anything apart from prawns for protein and chicken would get stuck. That lasted for 4 weeks at about month 3-4 but now I can eat absolutely anything apart from sweets as they cause dumping ( not a bad thing but it’s scary when it happens). I had the foamies 3-4 times in the early days when I was on solids but now I’m just fine. I can eat much more than I was able to a few months ago so you do have to be careful going forward to make sure you don’t regain weight. I gained 5 lb over Easter and was devastated bit by following the protein first rule and removing snacking again I’m back on track.

I’ll attach my mfp to show my rollercoaster over the last 6 years. Honestly though, I’ve got zero regrets.