Just wondering if there’s anyone else out there either had or considering WLS? I’ve been on the waiting list for about 3 years and now been told I can probably have the op in the next few months and although it’s what I’ve been waiting for I’m kind of terrified
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Not me but a close relative (we'll call Jane) had a gastric sleeve procedure about 12 months ago.
I can try to answer any specific questions you have, or I can ask Jane if it's something I'm unsure of.
Jane has lost around 8st but it's definitely not the easy route to weight loss like people believe. She was in a lot of pain after the operation and only started to feel a little better around three days post-op.
My advice is to listen to and abide by the guidance from the doctors/surgeons and don't try to bend the rules as it's likely to backfire and cause you issues.
One example is not waiting 30 minutes between eating and drinking.
If Jane doesn't stick to this rigidly, she quickly becomes nauseous and usually vomits. She also feels dizzy and has hot flushes. We are constantly telling Alexa to set 30 minute timers!
One thing we did notice is different signals post-op that your stomach is getting full. Jane's signals are fake yawns and sudden fatigue, and if she accidentally eats too much or too quickly, she gets "foamies" which is where the mouth fills with a foamy liquid which makes you feel nauseous (usually an indicator of an impending vomit, but not always). Cyclizine is great it you find you're struggling with nausea post-op.
Everyone's experiences and recoveries are different but overall it's been positive for Jane given she's now a healthy BMI, and she loves that she can buy clothes in any shop now!
Best of luck for your operation.
I can try to answer any specific questions you have, or I can ask Jane if it's something I'm unsure of.
Jane has lost around 8st but it's definitely not the easy route to weight loss like people believe. She was in a lot of pain after the operation and only started to feel a little better around three days post-op.
My advice is to listen to and abide by the guidance from the doctors/surgeons and don't try to bend the rules as it's likely to backfire and cause you issues.
One example is not waiting 30 minutes between eating and drinking.
If Jane doesn't stick to this rigidly, she quickly becomes nauseous and usually vomits. She also feels dizzy and has hot flushes. We are constantly telling Alexa to set 30 minute timers!
One thing we did notice is different signals post-op that your stomach is getting full. Jane's signals are fake yawns and sudden fatigue, and if she accidentally eats too much or too quickly, she gets "foamies" which is where the mouth fills with a foamy liquid which makes you feel nauseous (usually an indicator of an impending vomit, but not always). Cyclizine is great it you find you're struggling with nausea post-op.
Everyone's experiences and recoveries are different but overall it's been positive for Jane given she's now a healthy BMI, and she loves that she can buy clothes in any shop now!
Best of luck for your operation.
I’m freaking out because after being told last week that I should be having the op in the next few months I’ve just been given a date for 2 weeks time!! 
I had one nearly 2 years ago and I will just say it’s the best thing I ever did. I lost 7 stone. The first 6 months are tough, you have to really mentally prepare yourself to no longer be able to binge eat, eat takeaways etc but anyone I know going for surgery this is my advice, have a food funeral, eat whatever you want morning noon and night for the next 2 weeks. Push the duck it button, have no guilt because unfortunately you will never be able to eat like that/them portions/courses again. But trust me it’s so worth it. I didn’t need paracetamol after day 3, and felt more normal by day 10 If that helps but definitely take 2 weeks off work if you’re able! Good luckI’m freaking out because after being told last week that I should be having the op in the next few months I’ve just been given a date for 2 weeks time!!
Thank you, yeah I’m definitely going to take 2 weeks off, it’s enough of an adjustment without having to think of that as well.I had one nearly 2 years ago and I will just say it’s the best thing I ever did. I lost 7 stone. The first 6 months are tough, you have to really mentally prepare yourself to no longer be able to binge eat, eat takeaways etc but anyone I know going for surgery this is my advice, have a food funeral, eat whatever you want morning noon and night for the next 2 weeks. Push the duck it button, have no guilt because unfortunately you will never be able to eat like that/them portions/courses again. But trust me it’s so worth it. I didn’t need paracetamol after day 3, and felt more normal by day 10 If that helps but definitely take 2 weeks off work if you’re able! Good luck
I’m on the liver reduction diet so none of that unfortunately! To be honest, I’ve been on Saxenda for the last 11 months so I’m pretty used to smaller portions and already cut out most sweet stuff so I’m hoping that will work in my favour.
I’m thinking about this but my family are quite against this as they think it’s too extreme. Therefore I wouldn’t have any support (I also live with my mother). Can you ever enjoy food again after the surgery?
Yes! It’s had mine done in October - went alone and didn’t tell anyone. I could eat absolutely anything now, but just not in huge quantities - you hit a “I feel totally satisfied” place and push the plate aside feeling happy. Which sounds bonkers I know and it still makes me smirk when I can’t finish my plate but I feel I’ve got a “happy tummy”.
That’s incredible! Did you need help afterwards with recovery?
So I had my op almost 3 weeks ago now and I’m actually really surprised at how well it’s gone, I’ve had no pain, no nausea and generally feel absolutely fine. I was back at work after a week (I work from home so quite easy).
I think the hardest thing for me has been trying to get enough fluids in, when you can’t take much in at once you really have to remember to keep having a little bit all the time and I’m very easily distracted
I think the hardest thing for me has been trying to get enough fluids in, when you can’t take much in at once you really have to remember to keep having a little bit all the time and I’m very easily distracted
Why can’t you have a lot of fluid at once? Great news that the recovery is going well!
Just because there’s not much space for it to go so it has to be little and often
Can I ask which op you had? I'm on the waiting list for surgery (NHS) and I've been told it's just under a year where I am. I have been on tier 3 for 2 years already. I'm unsure whether to go for the bypass or the sleeve.
I had mine on the NHS and the whole process was about 3 years. I was really undecided on which op to have for a while. Bypass generally makes you lose more weight but also has downsides such as potential malnutrition so once I weighed it all up I decided to go for a sleeve. I had already lost about 8 stone before surgery so I’m pretty confident that I made the right choice.