Just starting my WLS Journey !

[kernow jo]

Hi my name is Jo and I have booked an appointment for my first consultation for WLS.

I am firstly booked to see a bariatric nurse at the end of February. Then I have to see a dietitian and then the consultant. Can anyone tell me what to expect at each appointment.

I am going to the private Duchy hospital in Truro Cornwall and the consultant will be Mr Finlay. I already know Mr Finlay as he repaired my bowel after a perforation went undiagnosed and later repaired an incisional hernia as an Nhs patient in 2009/11.

Jo xx

 

[kernow jo]

Also can any of you give me an idea of wheat I could be doing to prepare for these appointments and for surgery. I feel like I should be doing something while I am waiting.

 

[Hannah2]

Hi Jo sorry I missed your post - welcome to the forum!

How long have you been thinking of wls? Have you done a lot of research into what life is like afterwards and how it will change your lifestyle? Are you aware of all the issues, what vits and meds are required, what complications could be after surgery, what to expect? For example hair loss, nutrient levels, dumping syndrome?

There is a lot to get your head around especially if you have a short pre-surgery journey going private!

Best preparation you can do is to research lots, read diaries on here, buy/read some books - the weight loss surgery for dummies book was useful to me.

I wrote lists of what I wanted to change and what would be affected after surgery - all the changes I would need to make - not eating and drinking at the same time, healthier choices, limited sugar content, eating out/socialising and it didn't bother me, but limited/no drinking alcohol depending on your surgeons advice.

There is a lot of mental adjustment after surgery so if you have psychologist apts included in your package that is great - make the most of them.

Initially I would start the no drinking 1 hour before and 1 hour after eating as that can be hard to get used to. Start taking a multivitamin. Start eating 3 meals a day - after surgery you might not feel hungry/want to eat but it is important to eat regularly.

Other than that you need to wait and follow your teams advice.

Also look into the different surgeries based on what type of water you are - sweet tooth, grazer, binger etc. Do you have reflux/indigestion? If so the sleeve probably won't be the best choice. But your surgeon will talk you through things anyway.

Good luck!

 

[kernow jo]

Hi Jo sorry I missed your post - welcome to the forum!

How long have you been thinking of wls? Have you done a lot of research into what life is like afterwards and how it will change your lifestyle? Are you aware of all the issues, what vits and meds are required, what complications could be after surgery, what to expect? For example hair loss, nutrient levels, dumping syndrome?

There is a lot to get your head around especially if you have a short pre-surgery journey going private!

Best preparation you can do is to research lots, read diaries on here, buy/read some books - the weight loss surgery for dummies book was useful to me.

I wrote lists of what I wanted to change and what would be affected after surgery - all the changes I would need to make - not eating and drinking at the same time, healthier choices, limited sugar content, eating out/socialising and it didn't bother me, but limited/no drinking alcohol depending on your surgeons advice.

There is a lot of mental adjustment after surgery so if you have psychologist apts included in your package that is great - make the most of them.

Initially I would start the no drinking 1 hour before and 1 hour after eating as that can be hard to get used to. Start taking a multivitamin. Start eating 3 meals a day - after surgery you might not feel hungry/want to eat but it is important to eat regularly.

Other than that you need to wait and follow your teams advice.

Also look into the different surgeries based on what type of water you are - sweet tooth, grazer, binger etc. Do you have reflux/indigestion? If so the sleeve probably won't be the best choice. But your surgeon will talk you through things anyway.

Good luck!

Thanks hun for your advice. I have been considering WLS for a few years. After my bowel was perforated during a fairly simple operation, I developed a massive incisional hernia. Both were repaired and for the last few years I have been adjusting to a different lifestyle. Unfortunately I developed Fibromyalgia and ME as a result of peritinitus and sepsis from the bowel perforation. This has lead to me to not being able to work. I see a private psychotherapist who has helped me learn to adjust to a less active lifestyle. I intend to continue to see her post op. I have done a lot of research but I will also now look for some books to read following your advice.

Look forward to chatting again as I move along my journey. Jo x

 

[kernow jo]

Hannah2
I see you were a private funder too. Can you tell me how long it was from 1st appointment to surgery?? I have no idea of time frame for private patients.
Thanks Jo x

 

[Hannah2]

Hi Jo

I am slightly different as I was referred on the NHS direct to surgery with BMI over 50. I went through NHS process seeing group apts, surgeon, dietician and psychologist and was cleared for surgery waitlist, that was end may 2016 but surgery would not have been until around April 2017. So I decided to go private with the same surgeon and arranged it at a convenient time for us end of August 2016.

Because I had seen my surgeon on the NHS I didn't have to have the full consultation again and also I chose my surgery date so it wasn't the first date available, so I am not much help to you really! It also depends on your surgeons availability and what slots they are allocated for private surgery - my surgery was meant to be 18.00 but was delayed as previous surgery over ran so I eventually went in at 20.00!

I would say make sure your package is at least 2 years aftercare and you also have psychology and dietician apts included in that - find out what blood tests and return apts/check-ups are included.

I have already had an extra apt with my surgeon, CT scan and an exploratory laparoscopy since my surgery - all covered by my package cost and I may need more scans, so it is important to ensure it is covered.

Keep us updated on how things are going!

 

[kernow jo]

Hi Jo

I am slightly different as I was referred on the NHS direct to surgery with BMI over 50. I went through NHS process seeing group apts, surgeon, dietician and psychologist and was cleared for surgery waitlist, that was end may 2016 but surgery would not have been until around April 2017. So I decided to go private with the same surgeon and arranged it at a convenient time for us end of August 2016.

Because I had seen my surgeon on the NHS I didn't have to have the full consultation again and also I chose my surgery date so it wasn't the first date available, so I am not much help to you really! It also depends on your surgeons availability and what slots they are allocated for private surgery - my surgery was meant to be 18.00 but was delayed as previous surgery over ran so I eventually went in at 20.00!

I would say make sure your package is at least 2 years aftercare and you also have psychology and dietician apts included in that - find out what blood tests and return apts/check-ups are included.

I have already had an extra apt with my surgeon, CT scan and an exploratory laparoscopy since my surgery - all covered by my package cost and I may need more scans, so it is important to ensure it is covered.

Keep us updated on how things are going!

Thank you Hannah2 for the reply. I have a good package and I know and trust the surgeon. The package I have is very comprehensive so no worries. Thanks for advice, I have ordered the Weight Loss SurgeryFor Dummies book too!
jo xx

 

[Hannah2]

Excellent, I worry when people don't think about aftercare, especially with quite a few people on here having issues at the moment!

Hope you find the book useful - I also found it useful for other people, to explain to them and it also helped me with knowing about the different surgeries. But what one person finds good, someone else doesn't - so I hope you do.

Let us know when you hear more about your appointments. When do you see the surgeon?

 

[kernow jo]

Excellent, I worry when people don't think about aftercare, especially with quite a few people on here having issues at the moment!

Hope you find the book useful - I also found it useful for other people, to explain to them and it also helped me with knowing about the different surgeries. But what one person finds good, someone else doesn't - so I hope you do.

Let us know when you hear more about your appointments. When do you see the surgeon?

I havent been given a date to see Mr Finlay yet. Just told by his secretary that I needed to see Bariatric Nurse and dietitian first. I'll update once I have had appointment.

 

[kernow jo]

Oh my goodness its been a while since I update, sorry.

I had my surgery on 14th June 2017 and I had a sleeve.

Since surgery I have lost 3st 5lbs