Amina

Its been a year since being referred for bariatric surgery. I was very nervous today going to see my consultant regarding my final decision with which surgery to go for. After much research, and talks with people who have had both surgeries. I opted for the sleeve. After giving my answer to the Dr, he came out with "when do you want your surgery, December before christmas?" My immediate response was "Nooooooooo!!" He said no one wants it before christmas, well I think we all no why. Ha! I have asked for sometime in January. Will get my date soon and my pre op diet sheet. Scared. Scared. Scared! Now that its just around the corner Im a nervous wreck. Im scared not for me, for my kids. They rely on me for everything. My family live very far away so its just me and my husband with the kids. How will he cope! Any advice and info which be appreciated.

Exactly. I am truly relying on his survival mode to kick in when Im in the hospital. I was gone for just 2 hrs today for my hospital appt, leaving him in charge of the kids. Came back and the living room was a mess, and kids given junk food as he didn't no how to turn on the oven. Im really worry when it comes to my kids. I left my first son with family while I was at hospital giving birth to my second son. I was out 6 hrs after delivery doing because I panicked he was missing me and needed mummy. Is it good to let them visit you at the hospital? I said to my husband better to keep them busy with activities throughout the day, coming home just to sleep. So they wont miss me. I no they will be clawing the hospital bed having a screaming fit when visiting time is over.

We had already made plans to travel the 6 hrs to my family for christmas. I don't want to spoil it for the kids. Plus its quite difficult for my husband to get the time off work short notice. I did not think my appt today would be deciding my date of surgery! So still in shock. ????

Im pre op but have had my gall bladder out. Having gall stones was one of the most excruciating pains I have had. When I had an attack the pain radiated around my upper belly (under breasts) and around my back. I also had sharp stabbing pains in my shoulder blade constantly. The pain felt like my insides were being squeezed and set on fire. When I was not having an attack it was a mild dull ache all the time until I finally had my gall bladder removed. What a relief that was! Does any food bring on this pain? As fatty oily sugary foods will make your gall bladder contract and if you have stones its squeezing on the stones, hence the pain.

I joined slimming world and found their plan great. You actually get to eat meals and feel satisfied. The first week there I lost 4lbs, and the most in a week I lost was 6.5 lbs. I didn't do any extra exercise than my norm. Chasing after the kids, house work and walking in the park. I lost 70lbs in 9 months with them. Only now Im starting to lose my way, as usual. I lose a good amount and then I lose my motivation and start eating big quantities. Hence why I want the Sleeve. Restrict my amount. Worthwhile joining a group and meeting each week. That should help you lose the weight while waiting surgery date.

Wow. Fantastic

Since the start of applying for bariatric surgery 1 year ago, I have become more aware of my food habits, and have changed my lifestyle a lot. Because of that I have lost 70 lbs before surgery. But Im not losing much more, most of the time Im either maintaining my weight or losing 1 lb a week. For me its the quantity of food I eat, but the food itself is healthy. Never fried, and bread/pastry is only on occasion. So I feel Im in the right mindset and prepared for surgery to be used as a tool to go alongside my healthy lifestyle change. Im leaning towards the sleeve. I need something to restrict the quantity more than anything. I just hope my surgeon wont be pushy like last time and accept my decision. Im taking my husband along with me so he can side with me. He is a general practitioner and will talk the medical lingo. ????

The photos show a good loss. Im still pre op but lost 70lbs over 9 months with a diet programme and although Im in smaller clothes I still don't see myself as any thinner. Sure do feel better though! I never used to look in the mirror when I was at my heaviest and so If it were not for photos I would not see the difference.

It would be interesting to read that article about the sleeve as I hear more of the sleeve stretching than the bypass.

Its great you have chosen your surgery and feel comfortable with your choice. It is very hard to be referred by your GP in the UK. Before your GP even consider sending your info to the bariatric hospital for evaluation they want proof of you having tried and failed at losing weight. It has taken 2 years from the very beginning to get this far. I have postponed giving my decision for about 6 months as Im not happy with choosing Bypass, so instead of accepting my choice of a sleeve my surgeon just sends me away to re consider Bypass again! Ffffsss I have been to a wls group in the hospital in sunderland who the majority have had a bypass and are happy with it. But still a close friend of my husband who is a bariatric dr has said the Bypass is messy and he himself would not chose that. Im in Gateshead, North east of England, but Im from Wales. We moved here due to work. I think your choice of a sleeve is good. I went to a private consultation for a sleeve and was convinced but the price over £10,000 was too much for me. So waited for the nhs referral.

Its very confusing. Im also wondering which surgery is best. My surgeon is pushing me for a bypass but I initially wanted the sleeve. The malabsorption issue you get with the Bypass is very concerning. Someone chose for me ????

Thanks everyone. I understand your mind has to change regarding food. Before I lost the 70lbs on my own I was eating whatever I wanted not thinking about my food choice. It was never fast food/fried foods as I was always home baking. I loved pastry, bread and cake! My trigger foods. I still bake but resist most of it. I also only snack on fruit. I say I have changed but I know myself, and it will only be short lived. I have my appointment early December and need to give points on why I prefer the sleeve rather than bypass. My surgeon is strongly over pushing the bypass on me, which Makes me nervous. I have not decided. Still very confused.

Im also in two minds with which procedure to chose from. My surgeon's advised a Bypass for me. He has said that sleeve's can be stretched, especially if your a grazer/snacker. He also has said about the lack of documentation regarding long term sleeve, and that a lot of people come back to have a further Bypass as they have gained the weight back. The bypass scares me due to being more invasive. But I think it has better recorded results. You can still gain the weight back on both surgeries. Will power is key.

Hi, I wish you luck! Im sure its scary and worrying as you get near to the date. Are you nhs or private? Im referred by the Gp so nhs. What does your pre op diet include? Did you choose sleeve or was it suggested by your consultant? My consultant has suggested a bypass for myself, but I feel its really extreme. I have to give my decision early next month.

Hi, I think the more I read and discuss about my worries, the more I will feel ok. Hopefully ???? I have an appt with my consultant dec 3rd. Its then he wants a decision regarding my choice. He told me it would be approx 3 months from then to have the surgery. I thinks its really different here in UK comparing to the States. Seems everyone talking about religiously taking loads of Vitamins and Protein shakes etc When I asked about vitamins, they simple said its just over the counter multi vitamins. Doesn't seem enough? Im 28 and I want another child in the future, so would like to know how pregnancies were with malabsorption etc. Apart from being obese, currently 17 stone, Im not having any other medical problems. Mild asthma, and my knees a bit painful. But nothing truly stops me from doing anything. Kids keep me busy. Have you started losing your goal weight yet? I joined slimming world a yr ago when I first started seeing the Gp regarding surgery and he referred me to slimming world. I have since lost 5 stone, approx 70 lbs. But its starting to creep back on so, surgery will be a useful tool I think.

Hi, Im in the north East of England. Im currently waiting for surgery. Tbh I have been postponing it all the time. Drs want to give me a date but I can't decide if sleeve or bypass is best for me. My consultant thinks bypass is better. Im also really really scared of the complications and aftercare nutrition wise. How are you on your journey?