TillyG

Just wanted to nip on and wish the OP lots of luck for the surgery next month. I keep seeing ads on daytime TV for gastric band surgery but I guess I've been put off a bit by one too many horror stories in those trashy mags (Take a break, Chat, etc).

I lost 35kg (about 5 stone I think) about 18 months ago and went from 135 to 100kg. A lot of it was stress-related but once I had lost a couple of stone from stress, I joined a gym (well, not really a gym - it's that Curves place) and started going there. I've put on some weight again recently (about 10kg I guess) but I think it's more to do with my emotional attachment to food (I'm a big binge-eater). So I'm working on getting my emotional issues under control - and I actually find the exercising really helps as it keeps my mood more stable.

sunshine23

I understand what you are saying. To have this op you need to have shown a commitment to loosing weight you also need the support of your doctor and are under the guidance of a dieticien, psycologist and specialist.

People tha have this op done do not take the decision lightly. I have been thinking about it for years and have now got the money and insurance to be able to do it.

It is a total change in lifestyle. After over 40 years of being fat this will give me the new lease of life and health that I want.

Sunshine23

joho

There is always going to be people who dont agree with what I have done, I tried to deal with the 'issues' for 20 years or so, cant think what would change now. I am happy with my decision and have no regrets at all, and this certainly isnt the easy option as people think it is. I have had some issues with it throughout, not to mention a major health problem being diagnosed 5 weeks after the op (nothing to do with the op). You of course are entitled to an opinion and I respect it. Only 28 kg may not seem a lot but I am still overweight and could probably loose another 10 kg no probs. I am however happy where I am and any more would be a bonus but not necessary. My whole life is now changed and I am for the first time at peace with my body shape (boobs are still to large but they will be staying as they are). I am not living in dred of the costume weather as I dont think a harpoon will be coming in my direction this year.

Just as a side note, you can apply to have some money released from your super for this op if you need to help finance it. I didnt do this but it is an option apparentlly.

Jo

sunshine23

What you have done is fantastic and you are an inspiration to me. I know that it is not the easy option if anything i think it will be hard but I am determined to have it done.

Enjoy your life to the full.

Sunshine23

poppie

I work with bariatric/lap band patients. The hospital I work at is one of the leading Bariatric centres in the UK and the surgeons are fab!
As gastric bypass and lap band surgery is relatively new, I do wonder about the long term problems/side effects. Obviously, the full gastric bypass surgery is carried out on morbidly obese patients (in most cases). These patients will die unless they lose weight. Therefore bariatric surgery is a life saver. However, patients with less to lose, I feel, are taking a big risk. We have a lot of patients having both types of surgery (& the balloon) who really aren't THAT big. They certainly don't qualify for NHS funding as their BMI's aren't high enough. I think a band is about £6k and bypass about £12k. No one knows the long term effects. We have been seeing a lot of lap band patients come back, either to have them altered or be removed completely, as they have had so many problems with them. Of course, many are pleased with their surgery and get the results they want. I don't know the statistics involved, it is purely my own observations. It definately isn't the easy option. Just make sure you do your research & get the best surgeon you can!

Dorothy

Just wanted to wish you best of luck with your surgery on Saturday. Hope all goes well and you're able to come home same day. Give me a shout if there's anything you need.
D

Gems

Just wanted to say Good luck for Saturday.
Well done for taking the initiative to go ahead with surgery. Losing weight is not easy, but going for the surgery you will be gaining a healthier you.

Ive watched a few programmes on Discovery health, and so know its not as easy as everyone thinks. Remember you still need support after the surgery.
So hope you will update and bend our ears over the coming months.

Good Luck and well done for being brave enough to do something about it.

Gems

northernbird

Thanks Dorothy. I am getting a little nervous, I had my appointment with the dietician today so now know what I can (or should I say can't) eat for the 4 weeks after surgery. I won't actually be home until Sunday lunchtime so will update when I get home, if i feel up to it.

Thanks. I will keep this thread updated with the good and the bad.

nightnurse2

Best of luck for Saturday C, hope it goes well

rabsody

Gosh, scary stuff but if you really want it, it's worth it I reckon. All the best for Saturday C

quoll

Yes, indeed, all the best - do let us know how it goes, there are some of us who could be following if we could only get up the nerve to do so!

Fleaflyfloflum

I cant believe i missed this thread!

C, i want to wish you all the best for the weekend. Please dont take any notice of this post as it is only my experience and we are all different. If you feel this will work for you, go for it all guns blazing i say!

I had quite an extraordinary experince revoloving the lap banding process.

When i lived in Adelaide, I was extremely obese. I went to the hopsital to be accepted for lap banding. I was shown the procedure, looked at the band itself and got all the blurb. The doc put me on a 6mth waiting list for the surgery. I was soooo excited at the prospect of gertting this done. I had suffered years of misery from obesity.
I was not a fat child or even fat in early adult years, but i developed a binge eating disorder after a violent sexual attack. I subsequently found out it was triggered to make myslef unattractive to men!! (bit bizarre seeing as i managed to get married and have 2 kids, but i eventually realised it was true)
The problem with doing this was that most of society, not just adult males shun you and make life much more difficult than it needs ot be. Mainly because humans are shallow creatures who make judgements on appearance alone ... sigh... anyway, i digress..

I came back from the hospital full of beans, thinking all this was the answer to my prayers. Over the next few weeks I ofund myself thinking a lot about what i was about to undertake. I was aware of the pitfalls, side effects, possible drawbacks and suffering I would go through, then, it suddenly dawned on me....

If I am prepared to put myself thorugh this hell and discomfort to achieve a normal sized body, why cant I do it WITHOUT the physical suffering????? It played on my mind so much I thought of nothing else.
One morning I just woke up, lay on the bed and said to myself "f**k it!!!, I CAN do this the normal way if it means so much i am prepared to do it via surgery" It has to be that important right??
Once I have the band I have no choice but to be extremely limited in what I can eat.If I am prepared to enforce that on myself surgically, why cant I enforce that on myself voluntarily by changing ho I live my life WITHOUT the band?

I jumped out of bed, looked up a fitness store, bought a treadmill, got me a sensible eating plan and that was it!!
During this time I moved to Sydney, but still carried on with my plan. Dont get me wrong, it wasnt easy, and I did struggle some weeks, but all up over the next 18mths I managed to lose 49kg.
My life changed big time! I was swimming 3 times a week, doing 3hr cliff walks, and enjoying life for the first time in years.

I am not for a second saying to anyone dont do it. If this is what you need and you truly feel there is no other way, go for it and best of luck.

I am in a bit of a state now though. Due to a cronic illness since June, which means I cannot walk more than 50mtres, I am getting zero exericse and have gained 20kg It is really upsetting me right now and i cannot do anything about it until i get my health back. Hopefully, i can shake it all off once i am moving again...anyway..

Good luck Northernbird. I look forward to hearing about your progress

sunshine23

Good Luck with the op. Will be thinking about you.

Sunshine23

nightnurse2

What an inspiration!

joho

Dont forget to PM me if you want to talk.

Jo