Gastric Bypass/Bariatric Surgery - anyone here?

[Bypasser]

I am currently on the waiting list for a gastric bypass. I have spent 2 years researching, trying every other thing I had to before I could apply for funding and attending appointments.

Now I am finally on the waiting list, having put more weight on since my last clinic attendance, and can expect my op sometime late summer.

I can't wait. I already attend a local support group but wondered if there were any current members who had gone through this or are waiting to.

Hi... Am waiting for our (mine and partners) ops too... We have our 1st pre-op appt in May, psychology appt in June, and anaethetist appt in June also. Presuming that the op's will be late summer also...
We're in the same position, gaining more weight as time goes on as it's like our 'last suppers' so to speak!
We've not found a support group yet - are they helpful? Are you NHS funded?
I'm ready for the op (wanting a family, last ditch attempt to shift the blubber), but he's not sure.
Contemplating the Hypnoband first!

Hi Wow that will be a great incentive having it done together do you think?

I am NHS funded, I got my funding without a battle as my BMI is over 50. I did spend 12 months trying all other methods, most of which I had already tried but had to do this for my GP iyswim.

The support group is fabulous. I found out about mine from my bariatric team and its actually a pre-requisite of surgery that you attend. Have you googled for a group?

My mum is trying to persuade me to try the Hypnoband after reading this article but I am 22 stone, not 12 stone and need to drop a lot more than 3 dress sizes . Thankfully everyone else is a lot more supportive!

Thanks - interesting article... I'm the same weight as you though & the website says it works for all shapes & sizes - so who knows?

It helps in a way that we are in this together... But he does not want the op at all. I want it done cos at 37 with 3 miscarriages behind me - I want to see if the weight is what's stopping me from carrying a child...

So we've emailed the hypnotist and should go for a consultation next week... If it doesn't work, then at least the op is the back up plan.

We've discovered though that our 'issue' is psychological. We can be stuffed to the brim hardly able to move - but still fancy another pizza! - so hopefully this will affect the 'brain part' - can but try!

Will try googling a support group too.

Just posted on other site. Got 1st appt for Hypnoband on Monday. In an ideal world, it'll work wonders so we don't have to have the surgery. We shall give it a go and see!

Hi

I initially had a band 5yrs ago but that was revised to bypass last august.
Have you looked at wlsinfo.org.uk, great site for help/support and info.

Good luck to both of you

Hi pipme... Thank for the web address - that's a great site...
How did you get on with the band? I initially wanted that instead of the bypass - but the consultant is 'guiding' us both for the bypass instead.
So if you don't mind me asking - what has been your journey? Worth it or not? Any info would be great!

I had a band after much soul searching and a lifetime of obesity. By the time my daughter was born( I was pushing 40 ) my diabetes was aggresive and I had to do something to get it all under control. The bypass seemed so drastic so had a band .... what a mistake! 4 plus yrs of slowly losing weight by being so restricted I couldnt even drink until after mid day! Eventually it was decided to revise to bypass and I have lost the weight I regained when my band died but it seems that I will never get my bmi down to normal without total starvation so am accepting higher bmi and lots of exercise.
What saddens me is the public perception of weight loss surgery as the easy way out !!! I wish my weight would have shifted with diet and exercise alone but hey ho .. The thing to remember is that surgery is a tool and that you will need to rethink everything about food/eating which after a lifetime of diets can be very hard.

But its soooooo worth it !

Good luck xx

Pipme - thank you for sharing...

I wish it was easy to lose weight, but if it was, there wouldn't be a multi-million pound dieting industry I guess!

I honestly don't see the surgery as an easy option, I think the hardest part for us is going to be training our brains.

The emotional, hormonal, stress reactive reasons we comfort eat etc, with the physical tool great - but mentally? I'm not sure...

Will try the hypnoband first (appt today) and see how that goes. But surgery is a last resort probably July/August.

All good fun eh?

How did the appt go?

Hiya - have just posted on 'has anyone tried the hypnoband' board...
If I'm honest I think that it's a great tool, but I think I'm going to end up having the operation anyway as a permanent fixture - that make any sense? Get is sorted once and for all. But who know's? It may surprise me!