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Weight Loss/Bariatric/Gastric surgery

Posted , 4 users are following.

khi
khi

Hi, I have just been approved by my GP for weight loss surgery on the NHS.  I am quite nervous, that will I be able to cope after surgery only eating tiny amounts.  Has anyone else been on waiting list in South West London? I am only at the very first step, I might get turned down, but I would like to know what to expect.  Any input would be great.  Thanks

0 likes, 17 replies

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  • Claharr
    Claharr khi

    Posted

    Hi Khi,

    Congrats on taking the first step.

    May I ask what do you mean that you mabye nervous about being able to cope with only eating tiny amounts? In case I miss your reply, IF your relationship with food is an 'issue', I would suggest speaking to a professional with experience in the emotional element of eating. The reason for this suggestion is, I have a very close friend who is also a Bandster and is a self certified Foodie. Sometimes her psychological sturggle to cope puts a bit of a damper on her spirits. There are times she mentions wishing she could eat a huge portion of Sunday lunch - unfortunately, I can't relate nor do I understand this as she can eat the same exact food but in smaller portions. Hence the psychological angle.

    IF I've completely missed the point of your statement (sorry) then the tiny amounts of food is what it is. You get used to it and find ways to cope with 'eating' with others in a social setting. 

    Try to enjoy the journey, it'll be worth it in the endbiggrin

    • khi
      khi Claharr

      Posted

      You haven't. I don't actually eat that much now I think my weight is just bad genes but mainly no exercise. I am just worried that I will find it hard not to sit down and eat a normal size meal but reading other forums I think people just get used to it and I also think I am just anxious about the whole change of lifestyle. Thank you for replying to me and I will try and enjoy the journey.
  • kate03990
    kate03990 khi

    Posted

    Hi Khi

    I am 12 days in following bypass.  I have to say that I was very very worried about the possibility of my body needing food, and feeling dizzy.  honestly, it just hasn't happened.  it's harder to eat anything at all at the moment, and that will increase over the next few weeks.

    I don't know how much your health authority invest in pre op support, but Barts and Royal London were fantastic and offered LOTS.  I reccomend that if you get the opportunity to do a mindful eating course take it.  I was the skeptic in the room, but it is so so helpful.

    be anxious, not nervous.  It's a major step you're taking.  but within 1 week people were saying how well I looked and I felt fantastic.

    Take it one step at a time.

    Kate

    • khi
      khi kate03990

      Posted

      Wow. Good for you. How are you feeling. Lots of people seem to say the first couple of weeks are the hardest. Hope you don't mind me asking but how much are you hoping to lose and do you think you have lost anything so far. I would ideally like to lose six stone although I think docs would want me to lose eight. Thanks and whenever you feel like giving an update on your progress and how you are coping in would love to hear. Good luck and well done
    • kate03990
      kate03990 khi

      Posted

      Hi 

      I need to lose about 6 stone too, but I have lost about a stone and a half since I began the process.  However, I do want to stress that I believe every single one of us is on an individual and unique journey, so we must be around the same.

      I have to say that I haven't found it too bad, personally.  obviously a bit of pain, but no where near as much as I imagined.  The hardest bit is drinking, it hurts if I forget to sip and wait.  

      I tend to think of this like having the stomach of a baby.  starts of with very tiny amounts and it needs training on what's good and when to have it.  

      Tomorrow which is 2 weeks after the op, I start on stage 2 food, which is puree.  I will be glad to have something other than soup and yogurt.

      but I do think mindful eating group would be helpful, also there is a group on facebook.  I stopped using it, but it gave me so much information, people on there are very very frank and open.

      Good luck

  • Bandid
    Bandid khi

    Posted

    HI - not all types of wgt loss surgery  work by restriction so if you have a duodenal switch for example you will find that you can eat ample portions of food - much more so than if you have a band for example - if however you have a type of wgt loss surgery that does work by restriction such as  a sleeve or band or RNY then your stomach will not allow you to eat large portions however all types of WLS are just a tool to aid wgt loss so ask lots of questions every step of the way so that there no nasty surprises if you are approved for surgery - a good source of info would be a support group and there might be one at the hosp where you will have your operation or you could contact an organisation that runs support groups such as WLSinfo - or have a look on facebook - good luck  
    • khi
      khi Bandid

      Posted

      Thank you. You sound like you know lots. Can I ask have you had surgery.
    • kate03990
      kate03990 Bandid

      Posted

      I agree, there are different types of surgery, and you are at the beginning of your journey KHI,  There is a lot of information out there, a lot to think about.  At the moment you will possibly be overwhelmed.  but the formal and informal support mechanisms really will help you.
  • Bandid
    Bandid khi

    Posted

    I have a band for 8 yrs - its good you are asking questions and not going into this blindly - which type of surgery to go for and which suits one person might not be suited to another so you need to consider all the pros and cons -your eating habits will need to change whichever type of op you go for so consider which of the negatives you could not live with - talk to people who have actually had he surgeries and do not believe everything you read in magazines and newspapers  as they are often misleading and overly dramaticised to make interesting reading
    • khi
      khi Bandid

      Posted

      Thank you. What surgery did you have and if you don't mind me asking how much have you lost, did it take long for you to lose the weight and does your weight stabilise eventually. Are you still pleased you had it?
  • Bandid
    Bandid khi

    Posted

    HI - like I said earlier, I had a band 8 yrs ago and I lost 6 stones over a time span of approx 20mths - eventually the wgt loss dwindles and then stops - just like any other wgt loss  method i suppose - it slows down over time and with a band you need to build up to that ultimate level of restriction in the first place which also takes time and several fills spread out over many mths - for me it took a yr to reach that level but i did lose wgt as i was going - there is generally a window of opportunity of approx 2 yrs with most types of wgt loss surgery which is the optimum time to lose the wgt - after that time it generally halts and to lose any more requires a lot of hard work - also with a band it will not restrict the food choices you make -that is something you need to do yourself - as is the same for most types of WLS - the band will just affect the portion sizes and things classed as slider foods such as ice cream will just slip through the band where by something more solid such as a fishcake will take a while to go through and therefore give that feeling of being full for much longer - its a massive learning curve
    • khi
      khi Bandid

      Posted

      Good info thanks. It's all just a bit nerve wracking for me. I don't think I have spoken to one person that has regretted it. Did you choose the band or was that recommended for you?
    • Bandid
      Bandid khi

      Posted

      hi - i chose the band - i could have had RNY but i was a bit scared of this more invasive type of surgery - i had ten stones to lose and lost just over 6 st before i stuck - i probs would have lost a bit more  with RNY but like i say, i was scared of having bits of me cut out so i chose the band  - i self funded so i probs had more choice than had i gone down the nhs route  
  • nicola70336
    nicola70336 khi

    Posted

    Good luck - you are fortunate that you have a sympathetic gp who has referred you for surgery.  Mine refused despite me developing type 2 diabetes.  I had to borrow money from my parents and spend 7k on a band last year.  It was the best money I have ever spent.  I have lost 3 stone in 12 months which isn't a huge amount but it has changed my life.  I no longer take medication and am so much fitter.  Also being able to buy size 14 jeans is such a boost.  I can no longer comfortably eat certain foods anymore that I used to love but the pros outweigh the cons.
    • khi
      khi nicola70336

      Posted

      You are doing so well good for you. Although I normally don't eat big meals as I do try and be careful but every now and the I look forward to going out and having a three course meal and I am worried that I will kiss that. Are missing being able to eat what you want to or is the fact that you are now slim and lovely in a size 14 making up for it.
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