Just saying Hi from a newbie in Yorkshire

[sunnyJ]

Hi Everyone,

I'm seriously considering a gastric band - privately (I don't think I qualify for NHS - didn't last year when I mentioned it to my GP).

I went for consultations last year but I didn't go ahead... sine then I lost 3 stone and have put 1 1/2 of it back on... So I've got the finance in place and an appointment for Saturday in Manchester at Healthier weight.

I'm not sure who to go with though... and I'm nervous - very!

Any tips gratefully received

 

[los in it]

Hello sunnyj
welcome and great to have another newbie on our fantastic site
all the very best with your up coming appointment

 

[trendywendy]

Hi sunnyj and welcome
this is a great site and you can research lots of different procedures, we can't recommend who we went with, or smacked wrists but have a read of a few diaries. I had a total of 8 st to lose and had been yo yo ing for years from size 14 to 18, losing then gaining and was getting more and more miserable and older so decided I was sorting myself out before fifty. I was initially going for the band but changed my mind after researching the pros and cons and had an MGB in Belgium, 2 things influenced me, it's only done in UK in Sunderland and Southampton and I am in Mcr, but is done in Belgium and other countries, and the cost. I found a useful thread on here full of lovely people and off I went, had consult in Manchester then had the op in Belgium, 4 weeks on I feel great.

Good luck x

 

[Loving the Loop]

Welcome Sunny, I was NHS so can't help with your question. What I would say is research, research and then research again, as Wendy said there are some great diaries on here that might help.

 

[sunnyJ]

Hi Thanks everyone.. and hope you're all doing well too. where are the diaries?

 

[beepbeepcat]

Welcome I'm just starting Nhs weight loss journey so not much help but good luck Defo do your research

 

[trendywendy]

On the green bar at the top, go to forum jump, you can scroll down and see weight loss diaries, or you can look at different surgeries, keep going down under the weight loss surgery bit
Reading diaries from beginning to end is informative as well as inspiring
best of luck x

 

[LadyLumps]

Hi Sunnyj!
Sounds like you've made an amazing start. I hope the diaries on here inspire you as much as they inspire me
I'm relatively new and am doing NHS pathway in Gloucestershire.
I have found all the clinicians I've dealt with to be sooooo lovely. I'd say 99% of other people seem to have found the same (across the UK) so I'm sure you will have found the same by now. How was your appt yesterday?

 

[sunnyJ]

Hi Everyone,

My appt was good thanks. I've pretty much decided I'm going to have it done the Dr thought Id do well with the band, so I was looking at end of October.

Then when I came home I did a search online and read loads of horror stories.

So I'm a bit unsure again... going to go read some diaries now thank you for telling me where they are. x x

 

[sundown]

Hi Everyone,

My appt was good thanks. I've pretty much decided I'm going to have it done the Dr thought Id do well with the band, so I was looking at end of October.

Then when I came home I did a search online and read loads of horror stories.

So I'm a bit unsure again... going to go read some diaries now thank you for telling me where they are. x x

You'll read lots of horror stories about all weight loss options and honestly, I think it's fairly normal that when you search on line the negative will outweigh the positive. People who do well with an op and have no problems often just get on with their lives, whereas people who've experienced bad problems will tend to seek support, warn others, share their story etc. What you want to look at is the stats rather than the anecdotes

 

[sunnyJ]

Thanks sundown wise words. I think I'm going to go for it.. surgery booked

 

[LadyLumps]

Ooh booked! Exciting!!! :-D When's the big day? x

 

[sunnyJ]

25th October... coincides with school holidays so I'm booked off work anyway!! I'm really kinda terrified of surgery but I'm so tired of going up and down and I need some help... I'm kinda really excited to be making a change... does that sound strange??

 

[sundown]

Congrats Sunny! No, it doesn't sound strange at all. I think this journey is a major emotional roller-coaster ride - we're changing the thing that has come to identify us.

 

[Oopseydaisy]

X x

 

[Sophina]

Hi Everyone, My appt was good thanks. I've pretty much decided I'm going to have it done the Dr thought Id do well with the band, so I was looking at end of October. Then when I came home I did a search online and read loads of horror stories. So I'm a bit unsure again... going to go read some diaries now thank you for telling me where they are. x x

Hi Sunny!!

Welcome to this amazing site!!

All your worries and fears are perfectly normal and I did exactly what you did....make the fatal mistake of googling the surgery and only nightmare stories come up!

I'm one week post op and so far don't regret it!!

Who did you go with in the end?!
When does your pre-op start?
How much would you like to lose?

Sometimes you've just got to go for it but be aware of the risks and do everything you can to make it work for you!!

Wishing you all the best!!

Love Soph xxx

 

[sunnyJ]

Thank you

HI Sophina,

Sorry it taken me days to reply... I managed to loose my password and then not be able to re set it! Probably my lack of tech know how..

Anyway back on now

I decided to go with Prof Favretti so I'm travelling down to London - surgery on Sunday - 25th! Excited and terrified.

How are you doing?? Have you recovered?

I'm a day case, so in and out and staying in a local hotel for the night. which will be pants cos I will just want my own bed :-( but worth it in the end. DId you stay in over night?

I cant believe this actually is happening and it might work!

Ive been struggling with the pre op... I'm trying really hard but it sooo hard!!

I've got about 5 st to loose. x

x x

 

[Sophina]

Hey Sunny,

Good to hear from you.

I was a day case too and similar to you would like to lose about 5 stone!

I've heard of your consultant.....quite a popular choice I think. Make sure you take a pillow for your journey home to protect your tummy.

I'm recovering well thank you. It's day 11 post op and starting to feel loads better but still tired, that's all.

What's your pre-op diet?! Low carb/ low fat?!

I did shakes!
Xx

 

[sunnyJ]

Thanks for the tip

I got a pre and post op box of food from my provider, shakes are a bit nasty but the soups are lovely. I did exante after Christmas this year and those shakes are Lovely so I've had a few of those, plus I know what I'm doing with them! I've still got quite a lot of exante stuff left anyway so could come in useful in the next few months...
Basically I'm low carbing / cal/ fat it I think.

We can do it ... We can loose 5 st... In actual fact once I worked it out its erm ... Nearly 6 to put me in the right bmi but I'd be bloody happy with 5 ... Ecstatic in fact



J X