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
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 end
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
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
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.
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
Thank you. You sound like you know lots. Can I ask have you had surgery.
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
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?
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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?
Hi,
My problem was never portion size but what I ate and the constant snacking.... I was in denial aboit the amount I consumed and I loved bread. I went on a cruise last week and the amount of food was ridiculous. I would be hungry but after a few mouthfulls would feel full. I would order everything I fancied but would just taste a bit of everything. i managed to lose a couple of pounds despite the cocktails. The band works very slowly as opposed to other methods and I think if you have a lot to lose then other ways work better. I was a size 20/22 before and short - I still have a couple of stone to go before I am happy but being that overweight was destroying me.
Do you have a lot to lose and do you have any weight related health issues?
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
Hi, I have just been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes which has been the trigger to allow my GP to refer me for surgery. I am 5'4" and wear my clothes too big for me at about a size 26, so yes I do have quite a bit to lose, I did lose 6 stones back in 2009 but due to other things going on in my life I put it all back on. I would love to lose about 7 stone then I would hope I would eventually be able to wear a size 14. I am just so sick of being overweight and it ruling my life, my sister lives abroad and I would go and see her but I am so worried about not fitting in the plane seat that I don't go. I hardly go out, other than to work, as I feel so conscious of my size. I have been big since I was a teenager or even younger. I am not a big eater, I think I really just eat way too much bread and then I will eat a huge meal and instantly regret it. I just hope I get through all the way to the end and get the surgery as I hope that my smaller size will make me feel better and will compensate for not being able to eat like others. I just wish I knew how long it will take before I know whether I will be suitable. Thanks for letting me know about your experiences.