Bypass2Freedom

Thank you everyone ❤️

@NickelChip Thank you for your advice, I really do appreciate it. It feels so strange - like I need to burp but I am struggling to and it just sits there like a tightness in my chest! Ugh. I will take it as easy as I can!

@mhorton82 Thank you! It does indeed!

**Trigger warning: domestic abuse** My name is Georgia, I am 27, and I have been 'bigger' for my entire adult life, and a lot of my childhood too. I have PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) insulin resistant type, and an Underactive Thyroid, both of which cause me to put on weight quickly, retain weight, and makes losing weight extremely difficult. I can't even remember the countless amounts of fad diets I have been on, or the amount of times I have tried to lose weight, but failed again and again. When I was 18 I was going to the gym 5-6 times a week for over an hour, I was doing HIIT training and Tai Chi, and I was jogging, eating well etc, but I still only managed to lose 2 stone in a year - make it make sense! I didn't know back then that I had underlying conditions that made it hard for me to lose weight, so I internalised a lot of the guilt in not being able to get healthy, and it resulted in me putting on around 6 stone from then until now. I was also a victim of domestic abuse/violence, and a lot of the verbal abuse that I suffered was centred around my weight - constantly being told by my ex-partner that I was fat, he would pinch my thighs, tummy, arms etc, telling me he was seeing how many inches I could lose. It completely broke me, and I started binge eating in secret. He ended up leaving me, telling me that he could no longer be with me due to my weight and how it made me sexually unattractive. I think I am probably just over 20 stone now. My back hurts when I walk, I cannot look in any mirrors without feeling low, I don't feel comfortable going out in public, and I am exhausted all the time. Every time I went to my GP about something, I was always told I needed to lose weight, as if it were a miracle cure and so simple to do just by trying hard enough. It was always blamed on me not putting in enough effort - and those in the UK will know that the NHS isn't a simple thing to navigate and the waiting lists for obesity support are long and often disheartening. Around 2 years ago I was put on a waiting list for weight loss management with the NHS. I was finally accepted in September of 2023. This is a year long commitment to the weight loss management pathway (Tier 3), in which you have to lose 5% of your weight in order to then be put on to another waiting list for a referral for the actual WLS (Tier 4). I have been told that this can take a further 4-6 years. I had a harrowing thought that by the time my WLS actually came around, I'd be well into my 30s, still desperately unhappy with myself, and I would have put on even more weight and probably be immobile. I can no longer do this to myself. I deserve better. I made the decision to look into private weight loss surgery, and I had a free consultation with a recommended surgeon just before Christmas 2023. This was genuinely the first time that a medical professional sat me down and talked to me with some humanity about my weight. He told me that with my conditions (particularly the insulin resistance, and hormonal imbalance), that my metabolic rate needed an entire reset, and this was not possible to do without surgical intervention. He explained that the difficulties I have had in trying to lose weight and being unable to, are not my fault (though of course I accept responsibility that getting here in the first place is my fault), and that surgery is recommended as perhaps the only thing that will enable me to lose the weight. I have never felt so seen, and so heard. I booked in my surgery for May 2024 there and then. So, now I start my journey, and I was looking for support, and here I am. I look forward to posting on here and using this thread to update everyone once I have had my surgery! I am quite an open and honest person, so if anyone wants to reach out to talk, my inbox is open

Thank you lovely! I think it is an irrational fear also that the pre-op diet hasn't worked and my liver won't have shrunk enough 😂 Which I know is entirely silly, as the only thing I have 'cheated' and had is an actimel vitamin yogurt drink worth 74 kcals 😂

My surgery is on Tuesday and I am feeling the nerves seep in a little bit! 😖 Really nervous about the anesthetic!

Yes! My surgery is on Tuesday! 14/05/24

@Zazu_89 that is so amazing that you have done so well already! Congratulations Just go with what your Dr is recommending, and as I say, don't be afraid to ask! No question is a 'stupid' question

Hey @Zazu_89! I am also from the UK, and I was given 2 weeks for my LRD which consisted of 800 calories max per day, only eating things which are considered 'meal replacements' (things like New You Plan/SlimFast). I'll admit that I haven't heard of a pre-op diet lasting 12 weeks - but I think it depends on a multitude of factors such as starting weird, co-morbidities etc. Are you having yours through the NHS? I know sometimes their plan can be a bit different! I know a lot of people will probably want to know your starting weight before giving any advice, so if you are comfortable to give that, please do share as it will help get more targeted advice! All in all though, I'd trust what your surgeon/dietician has said, and if you want to know their rationale, just ask! I am sure they will be more than happy to explain Good luck!

Good luck! Xxx

@catwoman7 Yes I had heard the same thing - hence why I definitely wasn't expecting it pre-surgery 😅 I agree that probably is what is happening! Just curious to see if anyone else may have experienced the same thing! Thank you for your comment! ❤️

Hey ladies, A bit of context: I have PCOS & I haven't had a period in about 2 years. I also have the coil as my form of contraception so that has probably added to the lack of periods. I am on my 10th day of the pre-op diet and I've lost about 8lbs -/+ so far, and I have started a really light period! Is this normal? I feel like maybe my body is trying to work properly? 😂

Honestly days 1-3 were the worst for me, and I think the range is like 1-5 being the hardest part of the pre-op diet. I promise that easier days are on their way!

Congratulations!!

I am in the same boat with not having had surgery since I was younger so I really can't remember what it was like to go under! I am really glad to hear that you don't remember anything and it wasn't a scary experience! Also congratulations on your weight loss so far!

Heya! My surgery is next week, but my birthday is about 3 and a bit weeks after that, so I have been asking myself the same question! My plan is to make everything as non-centered around food as possible. I am hoping to go to an animal experience so I can pet some capybaras, and then just see my family and watch some movies or something! Don't get me wrong, it feels weird that this will be the first birthday in like 28 years where I haven't had cake, but at least I should be feeling happier for the first time in many years! Where I have lost something, I will also gain! Happy belated birthday ❤️

This cracked me up! 😂Congratulations!!

Heya! I started my pre-op diet a week ago and it was so hard in the beginning, but I promise you it does get so much easier after the first 2-3 days. You got this!

My skin is breaking-out like a b***h I am used to my skin being a bit funny as I have PCOS, but I have proper broken out in spots all over my chin and one on my cheek and it is insane! Did anyone else's skin do this? I am on day 5 of my pre-op diet. Finding it much easier to manage now as everyone said! One mistake I have made though is only ordering one flavour soup I thought I would like, and it turns out that it just makes me gag now 🤢

It is awful! I can't wait for it to calm down - but it just keeps coming 😂 thank you for the hope!

Heya! I completely get the nerves - I am definitely feeling it too! It is only natural to feel that way, it is a big step we are taking I started my pre-op diet on the 30th May, so I am almost a week in. The first 2-3 days were really hard, I won't like. Cravings were biting my ass, and the pressure headaches were unreal. That being said, it does pass, and then it is pretty manageable. I don't feel like I am struggling as much at the moment! You got this!

My dietician said I am only allowed meal replacement stuff so that it has all the vitamins & minerals I need in them, so no other soups I am gonna have to grit my teeth with it I think! Almost there for sure! I can't wait for it to be over haha

@pamela It is so annoying isn't it! I literally just feel so gross, but I know it'll pass How are you finding things?

My boyfriend is just cooking for himself, but it is really weird to not eat with him at dinner time & also seeing him eat and thinking "I really wanna smack you right now" 😂

So glad to hear it was a success and that you are doing well!