Jane_J

Hi, I am 4 months out and just returned from 2 weeks in Panama on holiday. I had a blast, ate what I wanted and drank loads of cocktails. I could not overeat though, but I had plenty and did not feel stinted. Came back and found I had lost 4lbs in those 2 weeks!! This really is the answer for classic volume eaters. Don't be put off by the pre-op diet, I found that really horrible too. I was so much better after the op when all had settled down, about 2 months out. Hope this helps. Jane:thumbup1:

Hi Jachut, Is your MIL one of those Brits who starts cooking the veg when she puts the meat in the oven for a Sunday roast? I must say she sounds a like a royal pain in the bum. Is that why you live on the opposite side of the planet from her?

Hehehe! just got back from Panama where there is a strong USA influence. I *need* bread that is not sugar coated. Everything is too sweet in the USA for my UK tastebuds. Helen, you forgot the other *national* dish, chicken Tikka Massala. That's just chokka with fats but not so bland as fish in batter and soggy chips:tongue_smilie: Food wars!!! :tongue_smilie:

Hi Gal, I am on hols at the moment so I will reply properly in a week or so. I am still doing well and have just done my 1st scuba dive in 10 years!! So I am getting back to the fitter person I was. All the very best, Jane

Hi, I can thoroughly recommend Dr Cierny and his team. I can also recommend the UK company that arranges the whole operation as a package, Cosmtic Bliss. They sent me all the info I needed and handled all the bookings that needed to be done, sent me the liver reduction diet details and a whole load of other info. It was very professional with a human face. The whole package cost just over ?5,000 plus an optional ?300 extra insurance which I opted for as I am a major pessamist! This included everything, flights, hotel, clinic etc. In the UK I was told a lap band would cost around ?11,000 privately, so the economics were astounding. I was originally supposed to have the op in April, flying out on the 19th. The Wednesday before I developed a cold and consulted the comprehensive documentation I had received and saw that this would be a problem do I rang Cosmetic Bliss and was told to reschedule which I did. I finally flew to Brno from the UK on the Sunday 10th May. I was accompanied by the couple who arrange the UK side of the package for therse surgeries, Deborah and Michael. Michael has had the operation himself so both of them know what's what and were very informative and fun on the journey. I spent the 1st night in a good hotel and then was taken to the clinic on the Monday by Deborah and Michael. The clinic was spotless and modern, the room had two beds and a big ensuite with a massive and glorious shower. I was alone in it though as the other patient due to be there had caught a cold so had to reschedule. Apparently the hospital infection rates are extremely low there which I can attribute the very high standard of hygiene that was kept by *all* staff. Spent the day there having tests including psychological ones (so I know I am sane now!), endoscopy under sedation, blood tests, x-ray, breathing tests and ultrasound. The next day I was judged fit enough for the Op despite a small inflamation marker elevation in my blood test as that was coming down and was probably attributable to some dental hygentist work I had done a few days previously. So the op was done on Tuesday and came round with no pain and a couple of drains attached on either side. I then started feeling sick and the lovely nurse administered drugs very quickly to get rid of it. At no time was I ever left to suffer any problem, when I rang the bell the nurses actually ran down the corridor to me, you won't get that in the UK on the NHS! They encourage you to get up and walk about as soon as possible as this stops blood clots and aids healing. I had a rubber glove taped to a straw that I had to inflate 5 times every few hours as that was good for stopping pneumonias developing apparently! All the staff were kind and spoke good to basic English. I had a leak test in radiography and passed. Two doctors including Dr Cierny himself did this test. Very thorough. Dr Cierny and his team came round to see me after the op and several time in the next couple of days and they were genuinely friendly and kind as well as being extremely skilled and competant at their jobs. Deborah came to see me every day to check I was OK and happy, she and I had lots of good chats. I had the drains removed on the Thursday afternoon and by Friday afternoon was well enough to get dressed and fly home to the UK. The journey was a bit of a strain but not too bad. I am being followed up in the UK by Cassandra who will moitor my weight loss and advice of diet. All in all a good experience. :thumbup:

Next time you go to the doctors put some lead weights in your pockets. Complain of being breathless when you exercise, wheeze a bit, and also claim lower back pain. Just a thought :drool5:

Do you think it would stand up in a court of law as a defence? I'll get me cleaver ready if so!

And this is my turn down email.... I have reviewed your request and do want to thank you for applying to join our WLS_uncensored community. However, because we are an informed consent information group and because we also support long term patients (over 10 years post op), most of whom have serious, disabling and life threatening problems (as well as significant weight re-gain), I feel that some of the information which is posted in our community might be distressing and upsetting to you at the point you are in your WLS journey. Thus I feel that our community is likely not appropriate for you at this time. However, I would like to suggest three communities which would probably be a good fit and would give you most of the information you are seeking: First: http://www.renewedreflections.com This is an online BBS community and has a doctor (MD) available for questions. Second: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ossg This is a community like ours on yahoo, moderated and positive in attitude but presents some, at least, early on problems and issues with gastric bypass Third: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/graduate-ossg This is a community where you must be over a year post op to post and there are some longer term patients who have some serious health issues - they do discuss some of this on the group but again, most messages are of a supportive and positive nature for newer ops. I hope you enjoy the above communities and again I thank you for for applying to ours. If you feel my decision is inappropriate, please feel welcome to "reply" to this message and we can discuss it. best, Sue, group owner

Thanks for sharing that. I look forward to reaching your position myself. You give me hope.

I particularly enjoyed the irony of calling a group WLS_uncensored and then censoring anything you disagreed with!! I just hope she doesn't upset too many vulnerable people.

I did, I became a homicidal maniac a month out. Seems to have calmed down now thank goodness.

Below is the correspondence with the owner of WLS_Uncensored. I have not had a reply. I would ignore this group as they are a single issue band with no desire to hear alternative POVs. Cheers, Jane ------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi Sue, I was concerned about the info you linked to at http://obesitysurgery-info.com/gastric-sleeve.htm I have had 60% of my stomach removed not 90%. I did do a lot of research before going for this op, weighing up the relative risks of surgery vs being morbidly obese. I think it?s good that you are running a site that puts the down side of these procedures, everyone should know the risks as well as the promised hope. But it should be correct info IMHO, otherwise you run the risk of scaring people unnecessarily. I would be happy to answer questions re my op but I am only 3 months out from the procedure. I am in contact with others that are much further down the road and seem to be doing very well. But as with all surgical procedures there are risks. There are also big risks of being fat. I think from the stats I read I reduced my chances of dying prematurely from 3x normal to 1.5 x normal in the 1st 2 months post op. But I have found it difficult at times adjusting to the new eating ability, which is restricted. I have to eat healthily, Protein 1st and veggies after. I take a multivit too to be on the safe side and I am still dealing with being on a PPI and looking to wean myself off this. My gall bladder may be making a bid for freedom from me too! But on balance I am very glad I did what I did as my life was so bad before, I could not even walk 50 yards without intense back pain and lack of breath. Anyhows that my story, warts and all. All the very best, Jane x From: Sue Widemark [mailto:gswidemark@gmail.com] Sent: 18 August 2009 19:41 To: xxxx Subject: VSG - wants to join WLS_uncensored Hi you wrote you are a new op with a VSG and very happy... wonder why you are wanting to join a list where there are a lot of long termers who are not real happy and people are basically looking for informed consent info.... I'd love to have a VSG resource to answer questions but they would have to be very honest about the down sides etc.... talk to me... hugs, SueW -------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi WayupNorth, you are probably still swollen inside and that is holding water. It will go down, probably quite suddenly. Chin up and pip pip from the UK.

Scaring small children is a blast actually

Hi Chancie, you are looking fabber and fabber!! You are honour bound now to enjoy yourself as much as possible, so buy pretty clothes and party!!!

Congrats to you!!!! Think what you will be like by Christmas :-)

I had had this happen too recently. I was at a concert so I went to see the on site doctor. As I lay down flat it stopped! It had lasted 45 minutes and it hurt to breath even. I was under my lower right ribs and it was excrutiating. I had eaten part of a greasy burger and 2 greasy chips 30 mins before this happened. There was not much food choice there. My DH thinks I am a hypochondriac but I am 80% certain that this was gallbladder problems.

Yes Helen, me too. I am trying to join that group to put alternative POV. I did the numbers and figured my chances of living were far higher with WLS than staying very fat.

Hi DrMedHat, Just checked my weight loss chart, at 5 months I am averaging 12lbs per month. The line is still pretty linear and my BMI is just over 30. Hoorah, soon I will be just overweight rather than obese!! Cheers, Jane

Oh Hyacinth, I have just found your blog. You have not had anything easy with this have you? I hope all goes well and September will be here before you know it. All the best, Jane x PS I don't talk to my younger sister at all any more!!

Hi Tandy, I am in the UK too, had my sleeve done 3 months ago. Please don't worry, it does get better. Did you have it done laproscopically? I hated those little injections too, I got my daughter to do them for me as I couldn't bear the idea. I only had a weeks worth when I got home from surgery so poor you. They sting a bit too. But in a few months you will look back on it and be glad you did this operation. Carrying an extra 140lbs is totally draining, you will feel so much better soon. My back is not constantly aching now, and I can walk for 3 miles nn problem! I feel I have a chance of being around for my kids when they have their children now, before I thought I would definitely die early. Your current tiredness is probably to do with the anesthetic still in your system. That will improve and in a couple more weeks you will feel much more normal. Like Helen says you will get all the real info you need on this forum. Using a PPI (proton pump inhibitor) acid blocker is important and getting 60g of Protein a day is key too. The Protein shakes are available in big Tescos and Asdas (and probably all the other big supermarkets) and as long as you choose high protein/low carbs you will find they help enormously. Anyway, All the best to you. Jane x

I am pretty sure she posted that the protein limit was a myth.

Thanks Mac, I feel a bit better hearing that :-)

Hey hey!! 198lbs! I am so happy, since I started tracking my weight and dieting for this op and after I have now lost 53lbs, currently losing 2lb average a week and not feeling hungry. I can walk without pain, exercise and I feel that my life is coming back to me. The VSG is a fantasic procedure. :thumbup:

That's brilliant Chancie. I am really pelased for you, that's 5lbs in one go!! We all just have to keep our nerve girls & boys!