Just joined-Hello!!!

[MissB'sjourney]

Hi,

I'm currently doing research into getting WL surgery and came across the forum. A lot of things I've read online are terrifying and quite negative so I'm trying to get some positive perspective as well.

If I go through with it I will be having it done privately in Glasgow, so any recommendations and advice would be very appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[Hannah2]

Hi and welcome! I would recommend lots of research into the surgeries, what they involve and what they mean for life afterwards. Look at your life now and how things would need to change after surgery - do you currently go out for meals a lot or does socialising revolve around food? That might need to change until you are more settled on food after surgery. How will you cope with only eating small portions and maybe not being able to eat your favourite food or snack?

Think about why you want the surgery, what is your current relationship with food? Do you use it for comfort, reward etc what will you do when you can't do that?

I can't emphasise enough the importance of some pschology/counselling support - at the very least look for a package that includes some sessions, mine did and I thought I didn't need them but now I am looking at extending the number I have - there are a lot of things to get used to/ get your head around!

I was brought up not to leave food on my plate - was made to sit at the table until I finished and that was sometimes until bedtime if it was liver! So for me to only have a few tablespoons of food on my side plate and still not be able to eat it all is really hard!

I have had some episodes when food gets stuck and it takes 4 or 5 hours before I can drink again/keep anything down and not letting that stop you from trying new foods is hard because you don't know how you will react.

All that being said, I knew what I was letting myself in for and I don't regret it, but it is important to realise that each day after surgery is a learning curve and the surgery is on our stomachs and not our heads!

If you post lots and get to know people, once you get to 50 posts you can see people's diaries and then you can read their journey good and bad! Most people are positive but we do keep it real and won't sugar coat things.

WLS for me was a last resort to get my life back and I am slowly getting there - the positives of dropping sizes and feeling healthier far outweigh the negatives so far.

Good luck with your research and keep posting!

What surgery are you looking into?

 

[Mazza]

Hello and welcome!

Good luck with your research but in the meantime, if you have any questions, ask away! x

 

[SAM55]

Hi Welcome

I would second what Hannah2 said on a lot of things, particularly the psychological support. However, I haven't had much problem with things getting stuck so not everyone does. We do all seem to react differently though and all our teams say different things, which can be confusing sometimes!

It is good to find out about all the different procedures and not to rush into having it done. I did lots of research on the various procedures and looked at what was right for my body and mind. I found I didn't want the malabsorption of nutrients of the bypass as I already had digestive problems. I thought I wanted the band until I read further and found that it could be reversed and was easier to cheat, so I opted for the sleeve.

Its takes some time to get your head in the right space. With NHS waiting times added on it was 20 months, but only 7 of them were on surgery waiting list as there are many hoops to jump through. It does give you time to think about what you are going to do though. I saw a post on here earlier this week where someone was going private a few weeks ago and thought it was going to be January, and now its next week!

When you pick somewhere, make sure you get good aftercare support. The NHS give you two years usually. Ten weeks post-op that seems a long time to me but am guessing there will be some challenges on the way and i am still in honeymoon period. Each week can bring a new challenge. Mine was going to the pub for the first time tonight with a friend, and whereas I never drink and drive, so don't miss alcohol when i am out, I was challenged as to what to drink as fizzy and sugary drinks are a no, no. We also ended up sharing a packet of crisps and then I realised that I hadn't left 30 mins from drinking! Old habits die hard...

I don't think I will ever really regret having it done though as I am now no longer diabetic, and i can be more physically active. It helps to have a goal when times are tough, and they will be. Mine is another 5 stone off to get a knee replacement.

The fun part is all the excuses to buy new clothes regularly

 

[FeeBee]

I can't think of anything to add to what @Hannah2 and @SAM55 have said and so instead I'll just wave and say welcome
As @Mazza says any questions just ask - just be prepared for a variety of answers. We all have slightly different experiences.

 

[los in it]

Hi,

I'm currently doing research into getting WL surgery and came across the forum. A lot of things I've read online are terrifying and quite negative so I'm trying to get some positive perspective as well.

If I go through with it I will be having it done privately in Glasgow, so any recommendations and advice would be very appreciated!

Thanks!

Hi newbie!!

 

[MissB'sjourney]

Thank you for all your great responses! It's so appreciated!

My main focus for doing it is to be healthy enough to have children. I recently turned 30, and got married and it seemed to hit me like a train, the fact I've wasted so many years being unhappy and struggling to stick to weight loss plans (doesn't help that once you're married, people find it acceptable to constantly ask questions about when we are having kids). I thought, I want to give us the best chance. I have a track record of joining slimming classes- doing really well and then falling off the wagon and gaining more weight than when I started. Now with a BMI of 47 I feel I need to take serious action. I could say 'oh ill give myself a year to loose X amount at slimming world' however if I don't then that's another year wasted.

I definitely have an unhealthy relationship with food, I use emotionally and find excuses to reward myself, so I do think I would benefit from some sort of therapy too.

I was looking at a band but not sure now! The cost of a sleeve is a lot more though so not sure what to do.

Looking forward to getting to know all you lovely folks!

 

[Kar8858]

Read read and read!

 

[Hannah2]

Thank you for all your great responses! It's so appreciated!

My main focus for doing it is to be healthy enough to have children. I recently turned 30, and got married and it seemed to hit me like a train, the fact I've wasted so many years being unhappy and struggling to stick to weight loss plans (doesn't help that once you're married, people find it acceptable to constantly ask questions about when we are having kids). I thought, I want to give us the best chance. I have a track record of joining slimming classes- doing really well and then falling off the wagon and gaining more weight than when I started. Now with a BMI of 47 I feel I need to take serious action. I could say 'oh ill give myself a year to loose X amount at slimming world' however if I don't then that's another year wasted.

I definitely have an unhealthy relationship with food, I use emotionally and find excuses to reward myself, so I do think I would benefit from some sort of therapy too.

I was looking at a band but not sure now! The cost of a sleeve is a lot more though so not sure what to do.

Looking forward to getting to know all you lovely folks!

This is the story of a lot of us! I was on a vicious cycle of losing and gaining the same 3 to 4 stone for about 5 years with Slimming World! Lose weight from Jan to July, go on holiday and put weight on and then try to lose that gain, fail and then give up around October because I don't like salad and yogurt and fruit in winter! Then I would go back to comfort eating, say "sod it its Christmas" and then find in January I was crying because I was back where I started. I decided enough was enough.

Only you can make the decision about which surgery, but for me I wanted something that restricted the type of foods I could eat - bypass means (usually) that anything above around 5-7 g sugar may cause dumping syndrome - this should help keep people on track! I didn't want the band as I didn't want a foreign body in me and also I had read a lot of stories where people had had to have it removed. Although there are lots of success stories with the band too. Also, with the amount I had/have to lose, the band would not be shown to give the best results statistically for the % excess weight lost. Again, everyone is different. I did waiver about the sleeve but I knew that really the bypass was the best option and the one my consultant suggested, but I was scared about not being able to eat cake etc! I thought if I have the sleeve I might still be able to eat a bit - but that is exactly why I shouldn't have it! Strange the mind games we play with ourselves!

If you do go for the band, don't forget to factor in the cost of fills etc depending on your package. Also, think about an extended warranty/cover period as if people do have problems with bands they tend to happen further down the line. There was someone who posted not too long ago and their band was leaking, because they had taken out the extended cover they were able to have scans/swallow tests (not sure which) at the private hospital and they got their port etc replaced without having to pay anymore. So do have a look at that, they were so glad that they had that cover in place and could get it sorted. If you search for band leaking you might find the posts.

Good luck!

 

[puddytats]

I can't add any more - hello and welcome!

 

[Bling Babe]

Welcome, I'm fairly new and at the very start of my weight loss journey, I have found this forum really helpfull, there's lots of advice and diaries to follow and everyone is sooooo supportive x

 

[Maria61]

Hello and welcome, I am new too and waiting for surgery on the NHS. Good luck yo you whatever you decide xx

 

[los in it]

Welcome, I'm fairly new and at the very start of my weight loss journey, I have found this forum really helpfull, there's lots of advice and diaries to follow and everyone is sooooo supportive x

Hello and very warm welcome

 

[starryeyed]

Hello and welcome! Can't really add anything to the above posts except +1 over here. Do as much research as you can x

 

[countrywench]

Hello wand welcome to the most friendliest, warm and helpful group in the internet
Don't be afraid to ask anything , even if you think it's silly .. someone on here will know the answer and provide a guiding hand
Xxxxx

 

[kaz kaz]

Hi I've recently had a band fitted. You can still eat all the bad things if you want like chocolate so you have to have the right attitude in place to make it work. It is helping me but it's hard as I've not yet got the restriction I want to prevent me feeling hungry. Good luck on whatever you decide

 

[MissB'sjourney]

Thanks for all your kind replies.
I've got an appointment in Glasgow in 2 weeks to talk about my options, I'm likely to go for a band though. I know it's going to take some serious hard work but I'm determined to do it. We only get one life so I need to try and make it the best journey possible!

 

[Parsnip]

Hi, I'm also new to the site but have been made to feel very welcome already. I'm due to see my GP on the 5th December so hopefully she will refer me then so I'm at the very start of my journey too x