L4UR41985

Hi All, This is my first post...so I thought I'd share my story so far with you. I am starting my 5th week post surgery. Chose to have my op abroad in Czech Republic because I wasn't getting any help from my GP. I was fed up of the comments from the GP too and the price in the UK for Bariatric Surgery is extortionate. So took matters into my own hands. If anyone is thinking of going through Beautiful Beings I would highly recommend them. There isn't many reviews for them online though. Apart from a guy called Josh who posted weekly videos about his journey. You have a representative that's with you the whole way. When I say whole way I mean they talk to you get to know you fill in the paper work and make the arrangements once your flights have been booked. They call you before you head out. Call you the day of the surgery to make sure everything is ok and then they call you a few days later to check in. The clinic was spotless and more like a hotel room and the staff are so helpful and friendly. Their whole system runs so smoothly. I have never felt so scared in my whole life on the lead up to the operation. But after all the pre op tests which were very thorough everything went well. Although I could have happily walked away from the lot when I had to have an endoscopy which uncovered that I have an hiatus hernia and it was up in the air whether the surgeon was going to operate on me. But thankfully all was ok and the procedure went ahead. I slept pretty much for two days straight whilst the girl next door seemed to be more lively than me. Two weeks before surgery I weighed 310 as I started the pre op diet. Two weeks after surgery I weighed 267. So thrilled. Never in my life was I so happy standing on them scales. Another two weeks on and I'm only 2 pounds down making my new weight as of this week 265. Which is making me feel a little blue as I've gone without so much for this to work for it to not work now. I've listened to my Drs instructions which on researching everyone's seems to be different. There is no one diet there are like loads of them out there. Don't get me wrong I am thrilled to have lost the weight that I have but I'm scared that the weight loss is going to come to a halt and this would have been all for nothing. This journey is a bit of a roller coaster ride for me. Having to deal with my loved ones eating like they do in front of me whilst I'm eating like a sparrow. Having my best friend not wanting to bother with me. So I feel quite alone. Wondering whether I've done the right thing by having this operation because right now I don't feel happy. I had such high expectations after this op and I know I'm still early days but if you're supposed to lose the most in the first few weeks post surgery and I've managed to lose 1 pound per week for the past two weeks what will it mean for me when the weight loss slows down? Don't get me wrong I wasn't expecting to lose 15 pounds every week but expected more like 3-4 pounds. Is that realistic? My dad has Gastric Bypass Surgery 3 years ago and whilst he was a bigger guy to start off within his first 6 weeks he dropped like 4 stone which is approximately 56 pounds. He seemed to breeze through his 13 stone weight loss. I've been so down that yesterday I ate two pieces of bread. They were small and thin but nevertheless I ate them and instantly regretted it fearing that I put the two pounds lost back on because I'm the kind of girl who only has to look at food and the weight piles on and the other reason was that I felt sick straight after. So that was a learning curve for me, won't be doing that again... I hate moaning believe me even though it's all I've done throughout this post but I've built myself up for this moment for so long and now it's done I'm just not feeling like I thought I would. I was expecting to have lost more weight than I have drop a dress size or two before I go back to work in three weeks time. I thought I'd feel like the old me before I piled on the pounds. I've seen so many you tube videos and everyone seems more perky, slimmer and happier than I am at this point. I appreciate that you shouldn't compare yourself with other people because everyone has their own unique journey. And I am so happy for everyone who has been brave enough to go through this whole process because it's not an easy route like many believe that it is. I just want my life back on track so I can start living again. Is that too much to ask? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks :-) Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

HiDid you go to Beautiful Beings? Sent from my SM-G935F using the BariatricPal App I'm booked in for the 24th. 2 weeks to go so I've been told no fizzy juice and to cut down.I've got this horrible feeling ill go over there and they will test me and I won't be able to get it done. I always have this underlying thought I may have an ulcer as I get heart burn alot....I hope I'm wrong. The girls at beautiful beings are great. Someone meets me at prague on the 22nd Jan and takes me the 2 hour journey to our hotel. I get tests done in the Monday and op on the Tuesday. I'm so scared of this after pain everyone is on about. The tia meant thanks in advance) Louise xx Hi Louise, That's great news. Wish you all the best for your op. I know it's easier said than done as I've come out the other side but there is nothing to worry about. They discovered I had an hiatus hernia during the endoscopy and it was fine to go ahead. If you are concerned why don't you talk to the girls at beautiful beings maybe they can reassure you. Yes I did a liver shrinking diet I found on the internet and managed to lose a stone before my op. Yes they picked me up from Prague also, make sure you hydrate well on the Monday. Yes the op will take place on Tuesday afternoon there are usually three British so you will have some company and your rooms are all next door to each other which i thought was reassuring. The nurses are lovely and the Dr who checks in after the op is lovely. Everything runs like clock work over there and it's very clean too. I didn't experience any pain if I'm being honest. I went down to theatre around 2ish and I remember briefly waking up around 7ish, my mum was there and I dropped back off and didn't get up until the next day when they were taking me back to my room. The girl Tasha who had it done with me didn't have any pain. Obviously the site wounds were a little sore but I would recommend as soon as you feel comfortable to start walking around. And even if you're not in much pain if they offer you pain relief take it as it helps with moving around. If you're fine with drinking plain Water great but if not in Aldo's you can buy those little bottles of squash - the low cal squeezy ones. I'd get some of them to help the water go down. But if you don't struggle with plain water then don't worry. Wishing you all the best. It was the best decision in the world for me. Good luck and keep us updated :-) Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi Angela, I can't remember his name but he was I'd say in his 30s dark hair, quite easy on the eye. I know that's not exactly helpful but I was so nervous on the day I didn't take much in. Good job I had my mother with me. :-) Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi Angela, Congratulations! It was the best decision I ever made. If I'm being fully honest my GP hasn't done an awful lot with me. I've heard other people having regular tests being on Vitamins etc but I am 5 months post surgery 5 stone down and am coping fine. I've had a check up with my GP they did take blood which showed everything is good and have left me get on with things. Every GP is different bare that in mind. Have you thought about talking to them? Just to put your mind at rest? Wishing you all the best for your surgery. :-) Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi Tia, I went with them in July of this year. And I cannot speak any highly of them. They were fab. The communication our end is top notch as they are based in the U.K. Once you are over there your rep phones you on the day of the surgery and after the surgery to check if all is well. It was a really clean and well run clinic. They run thorough tests before surgery to make sure everything is ok. It took me a few months of talking to the reps before I took the plunge and booked. The only thing I recommend is that if you have someone to go with you take them. I took my mum and the girl who had it done with me also took her mum. You are sore for a few weeks as to be expected but each week it gets better. The DVT injections are a pain in the bum but they are over before you know it :-) One suggestion is make sure your GP knows what is happening so they can keep an eye on you and do regular blood tests. Hope this information helps you. Like I said earlier I would 100% recommend the company Xx Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thanks for the information you kindly shared with me. It was very helpful. I'm trying to get an appointment with my GP Xx Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm glad. It's so reassuring to hear how well people do after having the same procedure Yes please if you could let me know about what bloods I need doing etc that would be very helpful as I wasn't given any advice about aftercare apart from the diet plan. But the one you told me about yesterday was very helpful I've saved it in my favourites folder to refer to. How long do you take the Vitamins for? The smaller ones I'm managing ok but the big one keeps making me heave. Thanks for the tip about Centrum will be sure to get some. What is forceval? B12 is that for Iron? Thanks for the help x Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Near Cardiff. That's where my dad went to have his op. His then partner at the time paid privately for him. Thanks for the advice I will be sure to check out the site thanks :-) Well when I came back from Czech I gave them all the paperwork for them to scan and they gave me a sick note without seeing me and I've not been told about needing bloods or follow up. Thank you so much :-) I will. Thanks. Makes me feel better. Oh wow congratulations well done. You must be so proud :-) Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thank you for your response :-) I wasn't prepared for the stalls no where in my literature did it mention this. I feel a lot better knowing that this is normal. Thanks for the link I'll be sure to read it after replying. I'm drinking as much as I can I've just ordered a flask that holds a little over 64oz so I know what I need to get through a day. I wasn't given a Protein target on the programme they told me 2 weeks liquids 2 weeks soft puréed foods. And week 5 and 6 introducing food they talked about protein but not stated how much. I can't drink the Protein shakes as they upset me. Been drinking them but they've made me ill. So I think I'm going to have to experiment with a few until I find one that suits me. Been taking Vitamins as instructed. I don't have either of those only my GP who isn't an expert in that field. My dad used to go to an OA meeting. Thanks for suggesting this :-) You've been so helpful thanks :-) I feel a lot better now :-) Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I had my surgery 26th July and I can honestly say that I had no gas pain. Which was something I was concerned about. I remember waking up and asking for pain relief because I was sore around my wounds and I went back to sleep and slept right the way through until the next morning and the only reason I woke up was because someone was giving me a bed bath lol Everyone is different and I hope you're one of the lucky ones that doesn't get much or not at all. The one thing that I am struggling with is tiredness. Be prepared for that because it certainly took the wind out of my sail :-) I wish you all the luck with your surgery :-) Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App