Weight Loss Surgery

[recovering spendaholic]

I am seriously considering having this done. I am not seeking medical advice about the procedure, but just wondered if any moneysavers on here had had this procedure as I have a number of queries:

Did you get it done on the NHS and how long did you have to wait? My GP says that it isn't even worth the referral as the list is so long.

If you have had it done privately, where did you have it done and how much did it cost?

Did you consider any other options?

I got a private referral to a weight loss surgeon last year and he said that I would be best having open major gastric bypass surgery which I do not want - I have two children and no other family and the fear of dying on the operating table is just horrific. He reckoned that gastric band would only work as long as you have the band and that I would put the weight back on again as soon as it was removed, which is actually not correct, because if I ever get this weight off I will NEVER regain it - being overweight has caused me so much pain that if I shift it I won't ever want to lose the benefit.
I know it is easy from a moneysaving perspective to say "just eat less! - it's cheaper and you will actually save money and get thin" but I have such problems with food - I don't want to go into a self pitying tirade, but I have had a terrible time over the last few years - I have lost numerous babies, my husband left me, my Mum and Aunt both died within days of each other four weeks after my husband left and just recently I was made redundant after 20 years in the same job. My coping strategy has been to comfort eat and I am now about 9 or 10 stone overweight and it is causing me all kinds of problems as I have become really anxious all the time and I need to shift it, however I have tried every diet going and can't stick to them. The options for weight loss surgery seem to be Gastric bypass, gastric band and gastric balloon insertion. A number of cosmetic surgery places (Transform etc) offer them but when you ring up they just keep going on about how they can do you a finance deal to pay for it and really hard sell it, and I don't want that kind of pressure, plus I think it may be cheaper to get my own referral. Transform quoted me £12k for the band and £8k for the balloon, and that is alot of money!

[Ted_Hutchinson]

Surgical Treatment of Obesity


(http://www.annals.org/cgi/reprint/142/7/547.pdf)This research compares the some of the different procedures but I'm afraid it doesn't provide a clear answer to your question.

[Edinburghlass]

Its seems that Belgium is the cheaper option to go to for this surgery.

You can try Googling I guess and if I remember correctly it was mentioned on here a couple of times.

[L D N]

I knew someone who had the band fitted with BUPA, I don't think it was as much as £8K and she was one of the first to have it in the UK. She did lose weight but then kind of got stuck with the last 4-5 stone as she didn't exercise much - she also cheated.

One of the things I remember her saying is that it's amazing how you find a way round things. For example, you can't eat bulky food so she would sometimes blend fatening food so she could eat it. She couldn't eat fibrous fruit as the skins tend to get stuck so her diet wasn't always that healthy. Oh, and she discovered she could still eat her biscuits if she dunked them in her tea!

Given the emotional links you have to your weight issues have you considered NLP (neurolinguistic programming) training? This isn't cheap, although a lot less than a band, but is really does seem to work for people. Not only does it help them lose weight but it also helps with confidence, self belief and enjoyment of life. Worth a look maybe?

L

[LITTLEMISSFLOWER]

Hi Jane

I no what your going though. My mum had the open gastric bypass on the nhs last year and its not something to go into lightly she couldn’t do anything for weeks after and was always sick after eating just a tea spoon of food and the thoughts of food never go away as its in the brain she would get so upset and if you have any fat it comes out as fat if you no what I mean its not nice at all. Two weeks after getting out of hospital she got a blood colt and had to go back in a week after that she had a stoke and three months after that she got a hernia which got so big there was a danger it would kill her. after all that she had lost 8 stone and was get on with life her diabetes got better and she had loads more energy. But that’s when the backaches came as her stomach skin was down to her knees and weight 2 stone the hernia was still getting bigger. So when she went to the hospital to see the surgeon he said they needed to operate but he would not do the hernia without doing the aponnectomy at the same time as he did not want her to have two major ops but the nhs would only pay for the hernia and not the aponnectomy so we got the money together but the nhs still said no to paying the other half and the surgeon said im not doing one without the other we wrote to the mp sent letters to the nhs trust. but nothing by this time my mums baby as she called it was about to burst though the stomach wall and she would die. After all she had been though we all thought that was it a waste of time instead of mum only living 10 years before the op she would now only live one year. A few months went on and we had a call the funding had been granted for both the ops at the same time. She had the op two weeks ago. after they told her they had taken 4 stone away in skin and fat. She is now on her feet and is feeling so much better and she said she would do it all again now its over. But this week she has just lost her navel but she don’t care she’s just gained twenty plus years of her life back.

You must do what right for you with the band it is easy to put the weight back on and it sometimes need redoing. But the open bypass has so many risks and do you have the support to help with you and your kids. The balloon I think its about £6.000 and done by keyhole. My mum said I should have it done. That would be my first choice.

[mini]

Hi,

The only person I know if is Anne Diamond, well no I don't know her but I found her story very interesting, she has written about it in detail recently -

http://fathappens.com/gastric_band_1/

Fathappens is rather a good website too, worth alook around.

Regards

mini

[Jays]

Isn't Sharon Osbourne about to have this procedure reversed?

I think I read about it recently, she has had a band for years now but has decided to face the reasons she abuses food, with a psychiatrist rather than continue with the band.

[tomstickland]

What a horrific procedure for a non critical condition.
I've read a bit about it and, well, there's something wrong about it in my opinion.
I was going to write more, but I'm not wanting this to appear like a personal attack.
she didn't exercise much
Only healthy way to lose weight is cut down on intake and increase exercise.

[ooobedoo]

Can anybody tell me about any weight loss surgery they have had and how successful, ways I could cut costs if I was to go ahead, without compromising at all.

I don't want a debate on ethics or judgements, just info.

Many thanks

[victory]

There are loads of people on here including me watching thier weight or the dreaded word dieting:j it takes time, hard work, a huge amount of patience, willpower, dedication and determination, having said that though if I had £4,500 like Jade Goody had then....:D

[tevangelynne]

HI i had a tummy tuck , breast uplift and 5 areas of lipo in august done in turkey

[ooobedoo]

did it cost loads?did the do you a deal as you had a few things done? how well did you recover?

[tevangelynne]

hi it cost 4,500 for it all .. the hospital was private and spotless .. i only stayed in hospital one nite then i returned to my hotel but returned to hosp daily for checks etc .. my tummy is like a pancake and i have lost 2 stone since my return .. i did used to go to gym etc but it was that baby bit thats just hung and no matter what i did it wiouldnt go i wasnt being lazy i tryed ..

[Penny-Pincher!!]

What WLS are you considering? Gastric band, Gastric bypass or Duodenal Switch? How much weight do you have to loose and how hard have you honestly tried to loose weight already?

Sorry for the questions, but you do need to be 150% sure that you have looked at all options before making such a drastic decision.

Personally wouldnt recomend a tummy tuck for weightloss but more for the excess skin that is left after WLS had been performed and been successful.


PP
xx

[Cazzywazzywoo]

I had gastric banding last November and paid £8k -I took out a loan even though I did have the money in the bank -but that is my 'rainy day money'. I had had enough of being overweight and had tried every diet going. I was also beginning to have concerns about my health.

I stayed in hospital for one night -felt rough the next day but fine after that. When the band is put in it is empty so you don't lose that much until after the first band fill. I had my first fill recently and can really feel the difference now -can only eat a small amount before feeling full or getting indigestion. It is not a magic wand and you have to work with your band -not fight it. If you try to eat after you get that full feeling in your chest it makes you feel really bad. It is true that you feel full after a small amount -but you could cheat if you wanted to by drinking high cal drinks/alcohol or eating things like chocolate -grazing through out the day would beat the band too. You have to stick to 3 meals a day -but I am finding this easy.

It is too early to tell if it will be successful but I have lost one and a half stones even with Xmas and the fact that my band was empty for most of this time. I hope to lose at least 3-4 more stones. Apparently you can have at least 4 band fills and more if required. The first 2 are included in the price and then you pay £50-£100 per fill.

Hope this helps
Cazzy

[Penny-Pincher!!]

You can actually get WLS on the NHS if you have your GP's support and backing. This can take up to 18 months to be approved as a funding application has to be made through your local health authority. You normally need to have a BMI of about 40+ to qualify.

Cazzywazzywoo-Where did you have the banding done? I hope it works for you and loosing 1.5 stones, sounds like it is:D

PP
xx

[Prudent]

A friend of mine had a gastric bypass about four years ago. She had to go down to England (we live in Scotland) and paid £10,000. This amount was later refunded after a referral made by her gp. I collected her from the airport and was shocked at how ill she looked. She was unwell for several weeks. However she lost about four stone and became a normal weight again. About six months ago the weight started pilling back on and she often feels ill.

[Zara33]

Can anybody tell me about any weight loss surgery they have had and how successful, ways I could cut costs if I was to go ahead, without compromising at all.

I don't want a debate on ethics or judgements, just info.

Many thanks

I do not think there is such a thing as cheap surgery, yes another poster has stated that they went to Turkey and got a few bits and bobs done but i would seriously consider this before leaving the UK for any medical treatment. I have read several horror stories :eek:

Please make sure you are 100% positive before you feel you need to go down the line of surgery.

[Mizz_Pink]

My sister went to Belgium last Sept and had a gastric band fitted. She has lost 3 stone i think. It cost £4,000 which is about half the cost of having it done here.

If you pm me I will give you her email and she can give you some more info. She uses forums and support groups. The surgeon is in London 1 wednesday a month so she sees him to get the band filled or emptied.

I think she would recommend it.

[Penny-Pincher!!]

I personally wouldnt reccomend going abroad for WLS. The after care just isnt there and some GP's over here can be very difficult in getting the tests etc you need to have done after the op. Everything is fine as long as there are no problems.

PP
xx

[*zippy*]

ooobedoo Anne diamonds dieting web site Martin gave a plug about a while back has a chat forum about surgery www.fathappens.com/

A friend of a friend had a band fitted before xmas, I am seeing her tomorow and can't wait to hear how she is getting on.

[cathy2702]

Theres a clinic in belfast, which does some cosmetic surgery procedures. I intially enquired about abdominoplasty (tummy tuck to you and me) and it was £3500 - £4000 depending if it was a mini tuck or full one.

http://www.fitzwilliamclinic.com/index.htm

I know your probably mainland but dont be afraid to email places and get some info, it would be years before I could afford anything but no harm in knowing the facts

Best of luck with it
Cath

[Cazzywazzywoo]

I had my gastric banding done by the Hospital Group -all very good with good pre and post care follow ups. I get regular contact with a dietician and I am sure I could get more support if needed but I have not felt that I needed it.

I have to eat very slowly now -no rushing my food. No eating on the run either. I have to sit down and chew my food very well.

Apparently Anne Diamond had hers done in Belgium first time and it didn't work -it had been placed wrong. She had hers done again by the hospital group and this time lost lots of weight -she now does presentations with the hospital group.
Have a look at their website -sorry don't have a link

I thought it was well worth a loan if it meant I would be happier and healthier in the long term

Cazzy

[13katrina]

Hello tevangelynne,

I hope you don't mind me asking but how did you arrange surgery in Turkey - did you book this as a package deal with a company?

Do you have a link to the information?

Katrina

[ooobedoo]

Hiya,Thank you all.

I think I am going to go with a UK based company, the gastric band. I have been on the wls forum and everybody who has had it done has said how it has changed their life.

They will be able to do it really quickly, in March. I think I will have a consultation on the 28th of this month. It will be keyhole surgery and I will be home after one night and then free to do normal stuff.

I appreciate all your help. I have 7 and a half stone to lose. I am only 5'1 so am pretty big to say the least

[Zara33]

ooobedoo Good luck!!! :D

[dottyanne]

Hey good luck - Weight IS a big issue to lots of us - I lost loads of weightafter my kids getting down to 9stone 5lbs - then at my new years weight in on the 2nd jan this year weighed in at a whopping 13stone 3lbs - i had felt the weight creeping on and my clothes were larger than they had eve been but ive been watching what i eat and trying to do a little exercise each week and it's slowly starting to come off - ive lost (up lo last saturday 16 and a half pounds ) - my goal weight is 9 stone 7 lbs so i've still over 2 and a half stone to go - but im so determined - a tummy tuck is something i may consider in the future purely for cosmetic reasons but i think if you can afford it you should do it.

dotty xx

[bildanto]

For Ooobedoo

I read your post with interest and good luck if you go ahead with the gastric band, I really hope you have a lot of success. Since middle of July I have lost over 7 stone after being diagnosed with a brain lipoma and I was simply told I was too overweight for surgery if that was the preferred treatment. I went away from hospital at nearly 20 stone and decided enough was enough at 40 I had better start doing something. I simply followed broadly the Diet Doctor plan (written by the man on the Richard & Judy show) and started to walk my dog every day for half an hour to start with I was too heavy for any other form of exercise. For me the weight did start to come off and because I was eating 3 meals and 2 snacks a day I was not hungry and of course once the weight started to come off I felt better about myself and was more motivated. For me the weight loss surgery was not an option as I also have a hereditary condition where my blood clots so I was left with no choice but to try and get rid of this weight once and for all. This week I bought my first pair of size 14 jeans and they fit lovely, in July last year I had to go up to size 26. I just thought I would let you know that even if you think surgery is your last hope don't despair just by making some changes in your life you can beat this! I will follow your progress with interest, all the best in whatever you decide Mandy x

[Glad]

Hi, Martin’s asked me to post this in these circumstances: I’ve asked Board Guides to move threads if they’ll receive a better response elsewhere (please see this rule (http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=1009335#post1009335)) so this post/thread has been moved to another board, where it should get more replies. If you have any questions about this policy please email abuse@moneysavingexpert.com (abuse@moneysavingexpert.com).

[crispeater]

a question for those that have either lost lots of weight by themselves or indeed had wls. were you or are you concerned that once you lose the weight that you want to shed that you would have lots of excess skin? i've lost 4stone with weightwatchers before then found 3 of it. i've been watching what i eat all week and have definately cut down. but apparently not, i got on the scales and gained 1lb. doesnt sound much but it was enough to p*ss me off completely and start thinking of alternative routes.
like most people i want to watch my kids grow up and i dont want them to be made fun of coz their mum is fat :( sad but true, it happens.

so have any of you got excess skin and does it worry you or are you considering having surgery to remove that too? i've been overweight most of my life so i know its not going to shrink i just dont want to have to tuck it in my trousers so to speak lol

[Penny-Pincher!!]

From personal experiance, I would recomend WLS as a very last resort.

Gastric banding carries the least amount of risks compared to other WLS's. If you do have any problems then it is easily reversed. You dont have to worry so much about malnutrition and vitamin deficiency with the band too.

I would recomend 2 consultants for banding. One is based in London and the other in Leeds.

Please PM me if you want further details.

PP
xx

[ooobedoo]

I thought you all might like to know that I am having the lap band on Thursday.........

[EthelBloggs]

I thought you all might like to know that I am having the lap band on Thursday.........

Good luck oobedooo.. let us know how you get on xxx

[crispeater]

I thought you all might like to know that I am having the lap band on Thursday.........

oh wow ooobedoo :T !! i take it your going private? i hope you dont mind me asking but where are you having it done? are you sticking to the uk or going abroad?

hope it goes well

[KizzyK]

:j Good Luck! :j

[Penny-Pincher!!]

Are you sure you have given this enough thought? It seems to have progressed very quickly. Have you checked out all the negative sides and possible effects it may have on you?

Im sorry if I sound negative, but this is a big decision to make and not to be done light hearted.

PP
xx

[ooobedoo]

Please don't worry, I have been thinking about it since June 2005, one of my friends had a gastric bypass and lost 12 stone. I wanted the band as it's not as drastic as the others, and although I have alot to use it seems like the safest way(in my opinion).

I have done everything from hypnothearapy, to cambridge diet, weight watchers, slimming world, reductil etc etc so I am actually seeing this as a last resort.

All of my friends are really happy for me, my mum is coming down from Liverpool to look after my children and I am really looking forward to it, I am scared in a excited kind of way.

I went into Debenhams last week and am looking forward to buying some non frumpy clothes and want things that actually look good on me and flatter my complexion rather than wearing just stuff that fits(just).

I am 29 and looks and dress much older than my years, I really do appreciate your concern but I really am fine and know what I am getting myself into xxxx

[Penny-Pincher!!]

I was 29 too when I had WLS. Where are you getting it done?

PP
xx

[ooobedoo]

I am having it done in Winchester, with THG. A certain fat doctor is performing so I am happy!!!!

[EthelBloggs]

I'm soo happy for you... I just wish I could afford to have it done.. seems you and I have a similar history oobedoo :)

I'll cross everything for you that it goes fantastically well and in a few months time you'll be slim and sylphlike and even more gorgeous than you are already :D

[ooobedoo]

Thank you for your very kind words, because of this postcode lottery I am basically having to self fund it. I am within the NICE guidelines to actually have it on the NHS but in Portsmouth there is no chance at all. I am corssing fingers that in 2 yrs things might be better and they will pay for a tummy tuck for me as I will have a large excess of skin and it gets sore and infected even now so when I have an even larger hang then it will really need it.

Will post as soon as able but am having GA on Thurs, and home on Friday and night be groggy!!

[summer134]

Try: www.bospa.org. which will you all the info you need. There are even links to find your nearest weight loss surgeon - NHS and private. Sorry if this has alraedy been posted, as i've only just looked at the first few posts.

;) Summer.

[bonzojohns1962]

hello,
i was suprised to see the huge response to threads about weight loss..it got me thinking with lap banding being so safe and the prices becoming very reasonable is it a better option and cheaper than years and years of expensive and sadly for most futile diets?
cheers
mark

[bonzojohns1962]

hello,
i was talking to a lady whose husband was on a meal replacement diet costing £90 a week...banding is abot £2,300...just made me think how long people will pay for fad diets...i suppose that good food costs and junk is cheap
cheers
mark

[Ted_Hutchinson]

You may want to read this article before considering surgery. (http://junkfoodscience.blogspot.com/2008/02/they-didnt-want-surgery-but-believed-it.html)

[tomstickland]

It's pretty ridiculous to have invasive surgery when there are so many other methods.

[Toothsmith]

Plus porkers are more likely to die under general anaesthetic!!

[vix2000]

I hope no-one objects to me posting my experiences.


I know many people are very anti this subject, and its not for everyone, definately not be taken lightly, but I know what its like to go on every fad diet under the sun, go to every slimming club and succeed for a while, then fail, and I have wasted the majority of my adult life miserably buying outsize clothes when there wasn't the choice there is now, and hiding away from cameras. Weight loss surgery IS a last resort, but IS an option. Please read my experiences if you would like to.


I found out that I had breast cancer on 17th January 1998 at the age of 42. I had to have a radical mastectomy in Jan 1999, followed by chemo. I was very lucky in that my lymph nodes were clear, and so I did not have to have such aggressive chemo. I went for the day every 3 weeks for 8 sessions. I was around 13 stones at this point. I did not loose my hair fully, but it thinned, a bit like old ladies hair. The worst thing was the horrible tinny taste in your mouth, and the sickly feeling. They gave me steroids for this, and although I was hardly eating anything, I was looking like I had been blown up, and putting loads of weight on. After 6 months of chemo I was nearly 17 stones. They said when I finished the steroids I'd lose it but I never did. I went to slimming world, weight watchers, rosemary connoly, did the f plan, g plan, xyz plan, anyone interested in reading this will understand. I ended up buying xenacol online and even that didn't work. After 5 years of misery I came across an article on the internet about non invasive operation for weight loss. It was when gastric banding was not widely heard of. I read as much as I could find about it but took it no further. About a year later I came across a forum, wls forum. I read and read, I found that I met the criteria for this op on the nhs. I plucked up courage to go to my gp, who was great. He refered me to a consultant. Luckily we had a very good one in our local hospital.


I had gastric banding in sept 2004. I managed to loose 5 stones in around 9 months and have been the same weight now since then. I have had a few problems along the way and its not for everyone, but after years of being overweight, hating myself and not wanting to go out, I don't regret it for a minute. I just wish I had done it when I was younger, and not spent my whole adult life on one diet or another. I was just under 17 stones and a size 22 before my op in sept 2004 and by the christmas was a size 16. My consultants goal was 10.5 stones, but due to problems I stopped loosing at 12 st 2lb and a size 14, which, at 47 (then) suited me fine. I now fluctuate between 12st 3 and 12st 7 on a bad week, but am the same size.

My 27 year old daughter has had the same op done 2 years ago. It was her decision and she approached me and asked for my support. We discussed the pros and cons, and she got a lot of stick from other family members. She had it done privately in Belgium and I helped research and plan it, and most important for her, cost it as the price was also important. She says its the best thing she has done. Its changed her life.

I hope this post has been of interest to someone as I had asked if a thread on this subject and cosmetic surgery was allowed, but got no response. There must be more mse'ers out there who've had this done or thought about it. This is moneysaving on the basis that advice can be given on prices surgeons charge both here and abroad, and thousands can be saved by asking for prices, and also more importantly, recommendations. Also many people aren't aware of the criteria to get it done on the nhs and anyone who managed to get it done on the nhs could give advice. To join wls forums you have to pay a membership fee, to give moneysaving advice and support on MSE would be free, so more moneysaving!!!!

If anyone wants to ask any questions please don't hesitate to post them or pm me,

[vix2000]

Obviously more taboo than I thought!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thought I might get one response, even a negative one,

[Stephb1986]

Hi Vix my mum looked into getting a gastric bypass last year had many appointments with surgeons and then the PCT still said she wasn't eligable for the operation she has now given up on this idea as the NHS wont even listen :( im glad that you got the operation

Steph xx

[Norbertsmum]

Thanks for your post Vix, I found it very interesting.
You mentioned that you 'met the criteria for this op on the nhs'. Can you tell me where you found this info please.

[vix2000]

Hi Steph - Gastric banding, the op I had, is very different to a gastric bypass. I don't know if the criteria is the same. Is banding not an option?

Hi Norberts mum - When I had my banding operation you had to have a bmi bigger than 40 and have tried to loose weight by other means first. However, if you had medical conditions affected by obesity (I had arthritis and cancer) You would be considered with a bmi more than 35. I was about 38. I think different pct's may have different criteria, and so it may be different where you are, but will usually be similar. Your GP should be able to tell you, or it is sometimes possible to read the PCTs guidelines online. I can with mine.

Its often a struggle to get approval for this, and I know people often have to appeal more than once, which is why my daughter opted for the private op in belgium, as there was no way she could afford it here.

If you want to ask anything else don't hesitate.

[countrygal]

Hi Vix
Re your daughter how much did this surgery cost and was she happy with the hospital and aftercare?
Is the gastric band a permanent solution - ie does it last a lifetime or does it need replacing ever?
Does anyone know if this is still available on the NHS?
Many thanks
CG

[vix2000]

This op is still available on nhs, but hard to get I am told. Read the above post re: criteria for nhs.

My surgeon has not mentioned how long my band will last, but my daughters said 10 - 15 years.

Her costs, including the op, travel to belgium and accommodation came to £3000.00. We researched thoroughly, and the doctor she is under is highly reccommended and very nice. The hospital she had the op in was absolutely spotless. There is, apparantly, virtually zero mrsa in belgium. The care she recieved was fantastic. His aftercare and band fills are in London or Edinburgh which is a bonus.

[crocodileteeth]

Thanks for putting this into words for us all. I have thought about this many times but have a few concerns. (health, lifestyle change, cost, etc)

Does this mean that you can only eat very small meals and can you digest anything. Do you manage to get all your vitamens & nutrients from your current diet or do you need supplements. Will you have this for the rest of your life?

[vix2000]

We found the protocol very different between here and Belgium. In my case I was on a liquid diet for about 4 weeks post op, then on puree food for another month. Obviously only very small amounts. If you have too much you 'bring it back' like a baby brings back milk. Its not 'sick' as such as it is just the food. In my daughters case she could eat mashed food from the start and was left to find her own balance, but with my already having it it was easier for her.
You do need a supplement, with vitamins and minerals, I found the bassets chewable ones the best.
How it works usually is that you have the op, and about 6 weeks later when the swelling has gone down you have a 'fill'. This involves your surgeon putting a small amount of liquid into your band. This will happen around 4 to 6 times until you're loosing weight at a reasonable rate. then, when you've reached the weight you're happy with, very small amounts can be taken out until you maintain that weight. My daughter has just had her band emptied as she is pregnant.
I was told by the hospital that I would never be able to go out to eat again, but this is rubbish. I went out regularly. You can order soup or a starter for a main. At first I sat near the loos in case I had to 'empty' quickly. My family had it all explained to them so they knew.
As I said earlier I had various problems that are not the norm, and my band shouldn't be working now, but it is. When I take my grandaughter to Macdonalds I have a happy meal with her. I never finish it. Befor I would have a large meal and still be hungry. I try to eat my protein and veg first, as the dietician advised. My life doesn't evolve around food now, I eat to live more than before. A pitfall is that its easy to get high calorie foods like chocolate, ice-cream, milk-shake and high sugar foods through the band so it is possible to cheat the band.

[Ted_Hutchinson]

The latest research on actual deaths seen after surgery for weight loss (http://junkfoodscience.blogspot.com/2007/10/jfs-special-latest-research-on-actual.html)

[vix2000]

As previously stated, I only have experience of banding and chose this as it was non invasive. I have not seen any instance of death due to banding during my research . Do not confuse gastric banding with gastric bypass. Obviously there are risks with everything and you have to make your own decision. I don't regret mine. http://www.webmd.com/diet/weight-loss-surgery/gastric-banding-surgery-for-weight-loss

[MrsE]

How do they fill & unfill the band?

Do you have to keep having generals or is there another way.

BTW I think you are very brave, both for having it & posting your (very interesting) story.

[Stephb1986]

i got it wrong my mum was looking at a gastric band :) but still got turned down.

Steph xx

[G-G]

I've got one :)

I am also a member of WLS forum.. :)

Great post, well done :)

[vix2000]

G-G I knew I couldn't be the only MSE'er with a band. Thanks for thr support.

Your doctor usually fills the band. My daughters does it freehand and she never feels it. I believe some doctors do it with x-rays. You don't need an anesthetic. Maybe G-G can tell us how hers are done. For some strange reason I lost my weight without a fill, so have never had one. I'm so glad people are interested in this. When I first heard about banding the wls forum was free, and I got so many questions answered there. I know the joining fee might put people off now, and have toyed with posting on here for a while. The pm's I've had made me glad I did.

Mrs E -I think G-G will agree its more determination than bravery, thanks for the vote of confidence.

Steph - did your mum appeal when she was turned down?

[G-G]

Hey there..

Well I had my band 18 months ago and had all the fills done through the surgeon, I reckon I could easily do it myself tho :)

I think my band has slipped though, so i'm looking at getting it re-done.. my pouch is bigger than it should be and i've put weight on.

Initially lost 5.5 stones though. :)

Ban slipped because I was very ill in a&e with gall stones and was violently sick, so i think it slipped then. Not really the bands fault..

My mum also has a band now, had it about 6 months and is just getting tight restriction :)

& yes, it is determination. I cannot stick to a diet anymore, I have lost the willpower.. a band isn't easy, but it does MAKE you lose weight, almost like starvation really, or just the fact that it hurts when you eat puts you off your food.

x

[G-G]

My initial surgery in England cost 7,000 but for it to be re-positioned in Belgium it will be £1500 + £500 max for accomodation / food / travel for 2 people.

So, i'm saving like mad so i can get it done.. i miss my band, it's my best friend.. takes all the hassle and stress out of food for me..

[vix2000]

Where in belgium are you having it done, if you don't mind me asking?

[homealone]

besides a bmi of more than 40 what was the rest of the criteria required. i have put on 5 stone since having a back accident and have very restricted mobility and on wide variety of pain relief drugs. i have tried all sorts of diets to no avail. had a tummy tuck done on nhs 12 years ago due to awful stretch marks that were an inch wide in most places and very sore i also had loads of loose flabby skin just hanging. would this happen again as i could not bear for all that flabby skin to return which i have heard does happen in large amount of people. has this happened to any of you? and after you lose weight what sort of food to you eat then with band still in place? is it restricted forever?

[vix2000]

I had the banding on the NHS at a bmi of 37 because I had arthritis, very high blood pressure and had had cancer and my weight was a contributing factor. My eating is still restricted which I am glad about or I know I would have put the weight back on. I can just about eat anything but not a lot of it.

[maxfactor]

I nearly had surgery but researched it for 2 years and realised it could make me very ill indeed.
Before you have surgery at least try this one thing Its by Marisa peer so if you google it on Amazon or waterstones its her latest book and CD hypnosis.
Ive had hypnosis and it never worked but take my word Marisa is different.

[vix2000]

Just to add that neither myself nor my daughter have been very ill, nor anyone else I know who has had banding.

[recovering spendaholic]

Plus porkers are more likely to die under general anaesthetic!!

Badly put and unkind

[vix2000]

As are smokers and heavy drinkers. And a very unhelpful superfluous comment. From the amount of pm's I receive many people really want to know more and get useful information about this, and posts like that are not worth replying to.

[vix2000]

Can I just add, on the cosmetic surgery subject, I have just had an ''uplift'' on my non-reconstructed boob to make it match. I went in one day, out the next, and seriously didn't even take an asprin for pain relief at any time!!!!!!!!!!!! I think thats amazing. My surgeon ROCKS.
:j:j:j

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

Before contemplating major surgery for weight loss do try the Cambridge Diet.

[fairycake]

Hi there.
I had a gastric bypass in 2003 and its the best thing i have ever done. I eat small meals, but the same as everyone else, just in smaller quantities.
I am fortunate that i havent had any sickness or any other problems at all .
it is of course a big decision to make, but just choose your surgeon with care and be guided by them.
Obesity isnt a choice. its an illness, the same as any other, but people are too quick to judge when they dont know the facts.
if i can be of any help to anyone, then please pm me.

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

Sorry fairycake, I don't agree with you about obesity being an illness.

It is caused by intaking more food than the body requires, simple as that.

I needed to lose 13 stones when I started on Cambridge - ALL MY OWN FAULT

[simpywimpy]

Ive had my band now for 8 years. I went from 24.5 stone down to 14 at my lowest. Had it done in france with Dr Frering in Lyon. Then needed tummy tuck and went through burford medical and had it done in cyprus for about £2500 I think and that was about 3-4 years ago. Again no problems

Coudnt get anything on the nhs.

Now though....I had my band loosened for my holiday last august and have since gained 3 stone. My mother was very ill at that time and died in november and I have been trying to gain control myself since then but to no avail.

I was thinking of either getting it tightened up again in the hope that the weight again shifts or contemplating now having a bypass.

Has anyone had both done? There was someone in the newspaper (sun) last week that did the same and her situation was very similar to mine.

[tazzababe]

Does anyone know what guidelines there are for tummy tuck on NHS? My friend had one years ago, after having three c-sections.
I have started losing wieght and it seems to be going really well (so far) but I know that I will have loose skin. It looks bad now, its going to look even worse when I reach my target weight.

[Cute 'n' Quirky]

Does anyone know what guidelines there are for tummy tuck on NHS? My friend had one years ago, after having three c-sections.
I have started losing wieght and it seems to be going really well (so far) but I know that I will have loose skin. It looks bad now, its going to look even worse when I reach my target weight.

It depends where you live.

In my area they will do a tummy tuck but you have to have maintained your new weight for at least 12 months first

[vix2000]

constant weight and bmi below 30 where I live. also not interested in applications on medical grounds only psychological. Waiting for mine after successful appeal.

[tazzababe]

Cute, Vix Can I ask what region you live in. I'm in the North West

[vix2000]

Hi Tazza, no probs. I live in Sheffield. Its been a bit of a battle and taken nearly a year to get funding though.

[homealone]

i posted on here a while ago asking what the criteria was for having gastric surgery. i said i had back surgery in 2004 and since then have gaine just over 7 stone, have tried xenical for 18 months and dieted with no avail. am having other weight related problems and my knees are so painful it has to be the weight. well i went to see my gp yesterday for my monthly reveiew of medication all armed with a convincing case for surgery when i said am thinking of having gastric surgery and she said i agree with you, you really have alot of serious problems now related to your weight gain and i think you would make a perfect candidate. i said i was hoping to get bank loan just wanted her approval first in case there would be a problem with all the medication i take especially the amount of morphine and she said no i will write to the hospital requesting a consult and we can take it from there. so with any luck i may get it on the nhs which financially would be a relief as only have hubby working and really struggle every month as it is. so all i can do now is wait and see. am just hoping i dont need to wait months for an appointment and then have the good news of being accepted only to find myself on the end of a very long waiting list.
is anyone else either at the stage i am now or the next stage of haven seen consultant, would love to hear from anyone with relevant experience

[homealone]

anyone around that has any recent experience of gastric surgery?

[vix2000]

i posted on here a while ago asking what the criteria was for having gastric surgery. i said i had back surgery in 2004 and since then have gaine just over 7 stone, have tried xenical for 18 months and dieted with no avail. am having other weight related problems and my knees are so painful it has to be the weight. well i went to see my gp yesterday for my monthly reveiew of medication all armed with a convincing case for surgery when i said am thinking of having gastric surgery and she said i agree with you, you really have alot of serious problems now related to your weight gain and i think you would make a perfect candidate. i said i was hoping to get bank loan just wanted her approval first in case there would be a problem with all the medication i take especially the amount of morphine and she said no i will write to the hospital requesting a consult and we can take it from there. so with any luck i may get it on the nhs which financially would be a relief as only have hubby working and really struggle every month as it is. so all i can do now is wait and see. am just hoping i dont need to wait months for an appointment and then have the good news of being accepted only to find myself on the end of a very long waiting list.
is anyone else either at the stage i am now or the next stage of haven seen consultant, would love to hear from anyone with relevant experience

fingers crossed for you. Mine was a few years ago, but the fact that I had medical conditions made worse by my obesity worked in my favour, as I only needed a bmi over 35 instead of 40. Go for it, you've got nothing to loose.

After a years fighting for my abdomniplasty funding I had the consultation 2 weeks ago. I am having a fleur de lys tummy tuck. I have just had a letter with a date for the op of July 30th. How quick is that!!!!!! Just got to get my psoriasis under control as I know if it isn't they won't do it.

[homealone]

fingers crossed for you. Mine was a few years ago, but the fact that I had medical conditions made worse by my obesity worked in my favour, as I only needed a bmi over 35 instead of 40. Go for it, you've got nothing to loose.

After a years fighting for my abdomniplasty funding I had the consultation 2 weeks ago. I am having a fleur de lys tummy tuck. I have just had a letter with a date for the op of July 30th. How quick is that!!!!!! Just got to get my psoriasis under control as I know if it isn't they won't do it.


wow that is great waiting a year could not have been fun but july 30 is really soon. why did you have to fight for other operations, did they not feel it was necessary and how badwas the stretching skin and what is a fleur de lys tummy tuck?

[vix2000]

basically after loosing 5.5 stones after gastric banding I started developing sores and infections under my 'apron' of skin on my tummy. This was partially due to my psoriasis. My gp was requested to send in photos, which we did, and my plastic surgeon and dermatologist sent letters recommending the surgery for medical reasons. They rejected my application on the basis that surgery was not a valid reason for surgery (but the infections were, according to my pct guidelines.) I thought it was a no go so forgot about it until I had to go to my plastic surgeon regarding some surgery to my breasts after my reconstruction following mastectomy. He asked how my application was going and I told him it had been rejected. He told me to appeal and I said is it worth it? He replied that he strongly advised me to appeal. After my surgery at the plastics dressings clinic I was discussing it with the staff nurse who told me to put all my psychological problems down, as the pct are more interested in these than medical reasons. So I appealed on the grounds that I hated looking at myself in the mirror, never go out as my clothes dont fit properly due to buying 3 sizes too big to accommodate my excess skin and as for letting a member of the opposite sex near me!!!!!!! All true may I add. I got a letter approving my application. Now, to me, thats ludicrous. Surely medical grounds should be as valid, but obviously not.

A normal tummy tuck is when they cut along the pubic line under the flap, then take a slice, as in melon, above the navel and make a new navel hole and rejoin the skin as below:-
http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/images/factsheets/abdominoplasty2.gif

the fleur de lys is performed in people who, like me, have a thick midrift and the above would not give a very satisfactory outcome, so they take a triangular slice as in the picture below (black lines) from the breastbone and this pulls in the waist and tightens skin higher up. (see below).

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:Mv1OD2J5iAyXhM:http://c1-preview.prosites.com/28958/wy/images/manta2.JPG

I also have a lot of scars in this mid section, so this will remove all these and I will have a vertical scar, but I'm not intending sunbathing topless at my age, or glamour modelling, so I'm not that bothered.

Hope this helps, feel free to ask if you have any more questions.

[TheMinxy]

I hav had an RNY gastric bypass in October 2006 and by far it was the best thing I ever did for myself. I have lost 11 stone in weight and am now considered to be in the healthy range. I am happy to give information about this surgery if anyone is interested.

[homealone]

basically after loosing 5.5 stones after gastric banding I started developing sores and infections under my 'apron' of skin on my tummy. This was partially due to my psoriasis. My gp was requested to send in photos, which we did, and my plastic surgeon and dermatologist sent letters recommending the surgery for medical reasons. They rejected my application on the basis that surgery was not a valid reason for surgery (but the infections were, according to my pct guidelines.) I thought it was a no go so forgot about it until I had to go to my plastic surgeon regarding some surgery to my breasts after my reconstruction following mastectomy. He asked how my application was going and I told him it had been rejected. He told me to appeal and I said is it worth it? He replied that he strongly advised me to appeal. After my surgery at the plastics dressings clinic I was discussing it with the staff nurse who told me to put all my psychological problems down, as the pct are more interested in these than medical reasons. So I appealed on the grounds that I hated looking at myself in the mirror, never go out as my clothes dont fit properly due to buying 3 sizes too big to accommodate my excess skin and as for letting a member of the opposite sex near me!!!!!!! All true may I add. I got a letter approving my application. Now, to me, thats ludicrous. Surely medical grounds should be as valid, but obviously not.

A normal tummy tuck is when they cut along the pubic line under the flap, then take a slice, as in melon, above the navel and make a new navel hole and rejoin the skin as below:-
http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/images/factsheets/abdominoplasty2.gif

the fleur de lys is performed in people who, like me, have a thick midrift and the above would not give a very satisfactory outcome, so they take a triangular slice as in the picture below (black lines) from the breastbone and this pulls in the waist and tightens skin higher up. (see below).

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:Mv1OD2J5iAyXhM:http://c1-preview.prosites.com/28958/wy/images/manta2.JPG

I also have a lot of scars in this mid section, so this will remove all these and I will have a vertical scar, but I'm not intending sunbathing topless at my age, or glamour modelling, so I'm not that bothered.

Hope this helps, feel free to ask if you have any more questions.




hi ya me again, i am so glad they allowed the operation in the end. how long did you have to wait for the gastric op after your gp wrote to them? my gp wrote about 2 weeks ago so i am watching out for the postman every day even though i know in the back of my mind it could be weeks yet and even then the date for a consult could be months off. i had a tummy tuck anout 12 years ago long before they became popular. i too was granted it due to psychological reasons. i had 3 children but 6 pregnancies and my tummy was a mess with loads of loose skin and really wide nad deep stretch marks. no one saw me even dressed for 4 years. i went for consult quite soon after the initial letter but 2 years later i was still waiting then one day received a letter saying the government had issued an initiative ordering all ops outstanding for 2 years or more were to be done privately. so off i went for my tummy tuck to the private part of the hospital. i unfortunately did not leave or even end up with the flat stomach i had been promised but it did get rid of a lot of the stretch marks. i then ended up with what they call dog ears on both hips where bits still overhung so on my 6 month check up it was arranged for me to come in and have these tidied up, unfortunately not privately this time and god was there a difference in everyway. so back to story am hoping that having had tuck before it may in some way stop me ending up with loads of loose flesh but i know deep down i am probably kidding myself. last time i looked i had gained 8 stone so far and am hoping this will not increase to much. it is so hard though as the medication i am on for my back makes you gain weight. another developement last week was after suffering with awful knee pain i finally went to hospital and discovered i have osteoarthritis in my left knee which is obviously not being helped with all this extra weight it has to carry around. anyway i wont bore any of you any longer and wondered if it would be ok to pm you in future so i am not taking up so much space on this forum. am desperate to hear anymore news you have so keep me postedand i shall do the same to you. thanks for being so supportive

[vix2000]

Hi, I saw my doctor in April, had my first consultation in June and had my op at the beginning of September. I had my op in the local private hospital, possibly for the same reason as your tummy tuck.

[ellieo]

just wondered if anyone out there has tried to lose weight by hypnosis, im thinking of giving it a go

[lauranurse]

Hi everyone!

Just wanted to say that I had a gastric bypass in this country in Sept 06, and have lost about 8 stone which is not as much as some lose but I am very happy with it! If anyone wants to know more about weight loss surgery, PM me and I will gove you all the gory details!

x

[homealone]

i saw my doc last week to confirm i now have osteoarthritis, great news!!, but while there she said she had posted off letter last friday so hopefully we would hear soon. well i was not expecting to hear for weeks when i got a letter yesterday from a local hospital that has only just had a major facelift asking me to come to a diet session on 17 july at 10 am. well seeing as it said diet session and was at hospital not used often as it used to be known as the local butchers. so i rang them to ask what the hell was a diet session and it turns out it is held in a lecture hall of the hospital and you sit and listen to all the ins and outs of all the various surgeries available. so i said well i guess i need to wait weeks then after that and she daid no they had to work under a directorate where from start to finish they had 16 weeks from the first app, was too scared to ask if the 16 weeks was date of op or doing the op. too excited i guess. i did say though so do you think the op would be carried out this year and she said oh yeah still 6 months of the year left. works out 5 but hey, cant wait. did anyone else have this lecture thing first???

[Pennylane]

Homealone - you need to research this thoroughly before making your mind up. The gastric bypass is permanent AND major surgery & in the last few weeks there have been several cases in the media where women have died either during or just after this op.

This is a sensitive subject but I would like to say (and this is not directed at anybody personally) that in many areas people are desperate for life-saving drugs and they are not getting them. I therefore feel that it's only fair that people awaiting this type of surgery (which they are CHOOSING to have AND getting it on the NHS (about £12,000) should expect to wait a while. They need this time to do their homework and the hospital needs it to assess and monitor them.

Before the op, a special diet has to be followed (to make surgery easier) and most people DO lose considerable weight.

I haven't had surgery by the way, but I am "involved" shall we say.

[homealone]

Homealone - you need to research this thoroughly before making your mind up. The gastric bypass is permanent AND major surgery & in the last few weeks there have been several cases in the media where women have died either during or just after this op.

This is a sensitive subject but I would like to say (and this is not directed at anybody personally) that in many areas people are desperate for life-saving drugs and they are not getting them. I therefore feel that it's only fair that people awaiting this type of surgery (which they are CHOOSING to have AND getting it on the NHS (about £12,000) should expect to wait a while. They need this time to do their homework and the hospital needs it to assess and monitor them.

Before the op, a special diet has to be followed (to make surgery easier) and most people DO lose considerable weight.

I haven't had surgery by the way, but I am "involved" shall we say.



i am sure you are not the only one out there who feels that perhaps this kind of surgery is not always justified and is seen as a cosmetic thing costing alot of money to the nhs. i for one need this surgery and was offered it to me as my health is dramatically suffering due to this extra weight i am carrying through no fault of my own, i damaged my back 5 years ago while on honeymoon and even after surgery spend alot of time in a wheelchair in alot of pain. the medication i need to take to stop me crawling up the walls 24/7 and reduces the pain which is only pure hell now only 20 hours out of every 24, has resulted in me gaining so far 9 stone. this is not from attacking the biscuit tin but through taking necessary medication. since taken this medication i have gone into early menopause, have lost 4 teeth, had 3 crowns and 6 fillings i have liver damage, borderline diabetise and it has sent my cholesterol off the chart. in trying to get about and not be in a wheelchair i have damaged both my knees carrying this excess weight and now have been told have got osteoarthritis. yes there maybe one or two people out there reading this and many other threads and may think it a good scam to get rid of some excess baby flab but please spare a thought to those who without this necessary surgery will almost certainly die from heart disease

[Pennylane]

If anyone is considering weight loss surgery they really should read the article which was in The Times on Saturday. (12/07/08)

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article4312000

very disturbing reading.

[Pennylane]

That link doesn't work . Sorry! :o However if you go to The Times and search gastric bypass it will come up. The article is by John Naish.

If anybody can do the link I'd be very pleased. Cheers!

[Pennylane]

Article in Daily Express today stating that £75 MILLION was spent on NHS weight loss ops last year!

The private sector has also reported a 400% increase in enquiries about surgery since the Fern Britton saga.;)

[crispeater]

homealone, how did the diet consultation thingy go??

[curly]

Hi, I've read through some of the replies, some have been useful some not !!

Can I suggest anyone that is interested in any form of weight loss surgery check out BOSPA - The British Obesity Surgery Patient Association (http://www.bospa.org/) www.bospa.org (http://www.bospa.org).

I had a gastric bypass done in May 2008 and so far have lost 3.5 stone. I went on the NHS waiting list in Dec 07, after having been told 4 years previous that the local PCT would never pay for this op, fortunately I have a very supportive and persistant GP !!

I had tried for some many years to lose weight via the normal slimming clubs and also have tried all the medication available on the NHS but nothing worked. As I was diabetic I had been referred to an Endricrinologist who, after two visits asked if I would like to be referred for weight loss surgery - I nearly kissed the man !!!

I had spent many weeks and months looking at all I could possibly find on the interent about the Gastric Bypass, and I won't deny that some of it was very scary, so by the time I actually went for my op I knew all I had to know (my partner joked that I could probably perform the operation myself !!).

Almost 4 months on I am doing well, my follow-up team at the hospital are very pleased with me and use me to talk to others waiting for the op.

I had the gastric bypass done key hole and have only 7 small scars, I won't deny it was painful but then any op is going to be, but by the time I left the hospital I was painfree. I have followed all the advise given to me by the hospital and am tolerating food very well. I do have the odd hiccup but that's how you learn what agrees with you or not and I do everything in moderation.

I can honestly say for me it is the best thing I have ever had done, but that is my experience and every one is different.

Should also say that my sugar level is normal and as is my blood pressure so no longer need any medication.

If anyone has any question please ask I'm more than happy to share my experiences.

[Bigloser]

Hiya
I've heard that The Birkdale Clinic (private hospital based in Rotherham, Liverpool and London) are now offering bands and balloons. They also offer band adjustments even if you previously had surgery elsewhere. The person to speak to is Gavin Royle on 0500 442222. He's a mine of information and is more than happy to discuss all the options, including finance and post-weight loss surgery. Hope this helps.
Bigloser xx

[Beki]

Both me and my mum had gastric bands fitted on 5th september LAST year.

We went over to belgium, not only because of the cost, but because the surgeon we used is one of the most experienced in the world and BUPA actually use him to train their bariatric surgeons :)

The cost was £2200 each, plus hotel stay, eurostar etc. I think it worked out at about £2600 each after taxi fares, hotel, travel etc.By February (5 months later) i had lost 4st 2lb. I then had a little problem where i had the band slightly overfilled and some food got stuck. I lost 1st 3lb in 10 days and was feeling quite poorly (put well over a stone back on now, but i think a lot of it was fluid loss anyway).

But as soon as i had some of the fluid taken out i was absolutely fine again :)

Since then i haven't had another fill as i've been enjoying my food too much :o i'm sad to say!!! However, i know that the tool is there should i feel the need to use it :) Plus the cost is a factor at £70 a fill, plus the £25 in petrol it costs me to get there and back.

I'm certainly nowhere near happy with my weight/shape/size... BUT i could live like this fairly comfortably if i had to stay like this for the rest of my life. When i was 4st heavier i couldn't have!

I started at 20st 2lb and i now weigh 16st 4lb. Gone from a size 26 to a size 18 (tight) or a 20 (loose), so very very happy still! :D

My mum has gone from 15st 7lb to 12st. A size 20/22 to a 14/16 and she looks like a different woman! She's going on holiday on sunday and she says it'll be the first time in her life when she knows for a FACT that she won't have to worry about being the biggest person on the beach :D

Anyway, if anyone wants to know anything in more detail, feel free to PM me! :)

[Penny-Pincher!!]

We went over to belgium, not only because of the cost, but because the surgeon we used is one of the most experienced in the world and BUPA actually use him to train their bariatric surgeons :)

Was it Dr Himpens?....and if so, I would have to disagree with you.

PP
xx

[Beki]

lol no. It was Dr Christiaan De Bruyne :)

[Penny-Pincher!!]

lol no. It was Dr Christiaan De Bruyne :)

Good:D ....glad it went well.

I had WLS 4 years ago and unfortunately kicked off ALOT of health problems that are now terminal. TBH though, I was so obese that I would probably be dead now if I hadnt of had it done anyway. I am now a healthy 21.5 BMI.

PP
xx

[pepsicola]

i thought you were warned that your health problems like the lupus could be worsened by having this surgery?

[Penny-Pincher!!]

i thought you were warned that your health problems like the lupus could be worsened by having this surgery?

Unfortunately not.

PP
xx

[Beki]

Good:D ....glad it went well.

I had WLS 4 years ago and unfortunately kicked off ALOT of health problems that are now terminal.

Omigawd! I'm so sorry to hear that - you must be very angry that you weren't warned of the effects on your lupus :( (((hugs))) TBH though, I was so obese that I would probably be dead now if I hadnt of had it done anyway. I am now a healthy 21.5 BMI.

PP
xx

I'm glad it has had fantastic benefits for you! I bet you feel amazing with such a healthy BMI :D

I know i'll get there in the end - just need to get my head back into the right space ;) lol

[Penny-Pincher!!]

I'm glad it has had fantastic benefits for you! I bet you feel amazing with such a healthy BMI :D

I know i'll get there in the end - just need to get my head back into the right space ;) lol

You will get there!

I feel far from amazing but thats due to severe health problems (other than the SLE) and not WLS related. I look loads better now though;) and look my age rather than looking 40+

If you want to chat, PM me and I'll give you my MSN details.

Hugs and chin up.

PP
xx

[Ted_Hutchinson]

the other side of the bariatric surgery story Part one (http://junkfoodscience.blogspot.com/2008/04/other-side-of-story-part-one.html)

Part 2 of The other side of the story (http://junkfoodscience.blogspot.com/2008/04/other-side-of-story-part-two.html)

JFS Special: The latest research on actual deaths seen after surgery for weight loss (http://junkfoodscience.blogspot.com/2007/10/jfs-special-latest-research-on-actual.html)

Careful study of this paper shows 9% of patients who had undergone gastric bypass and 25% of those who had undergone gastric banding regained most, if not all, of the weight they had lost, and that diabetes had recurred in 50% of patients in whom this condition initially resolved. (http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/abstract/351/26/2683)

Meta-Analysis: Surgical Treatment of Obesity (http://www.annals.org/cgi/content/abstract/142/7/547)This is showing that 10-20% of people having bariatric surgery have medical or surgical complications. Although most of these are resolved they do cause an extra burden on health costs and longer hospital stays. Many of these patients require further plastic/cosmetic surgery to deal with spare tissue and this again provides more wound complications 25% and plastic surgery problems 5-15%.

[homealone]

homealone, how did the diet consultation thingy go??


hello, sorry for delay in replying but i have had a cuople of holidays since last post. it felt funny seeing this beached whale in the mirror hoping i would be half the size next year and be able to do more with confidence if smaller. i feel stared at alot as it is as i have a severe back problem which means i am either using crutches on a walk outside but in a wheelchair if a large distance needs to be covered yet if in hotel dining room i can move about slowly without any help so i do feel at times people think i am putting on my disability when it suits me. back to question when i saw consultant i was still weary of him saying i was not large enough for the surgery as i was half the size of the others in my group but he said no such thing he agreed that a bypass would be better for me than a band and said i should be able to loose most of my extra weight in about a year. he said though that due to me having mild asthma when in winter he wanted my lungs checked out and as i have been on anti-depressants for 8 years he would also like me to see a psychiatrist before going through the operation but he feels there should not be any problems but needed to cover his back. this should be done quite quickly but i have not received any appointments yet. he applied for the funding from my loacal council while i was there and arrange an appointment for early november i asked would i be given a date at that stage and he said yes. obviously once i get date i will still need to do the one month liver shrinking diet so am hoping for late this year or early next. in the mean time i have now become a size 24 but have only bought a couple of pieces this time and not replaced entire wardrobe in the next size up. i really need to do a sort through and get rid of stuff that will probably not get a look in once i have lost weight and also put on ebay all the excessive items i have bought along the way which still have tags on and not seen light of day. will keep you all posted when i have anymore news

[Pennylane]

the other side of the bariatric surgery story Part one (http://junkfoodscience.blogspot.com/2008/04/other-side-of-story-part-one.html)

Part 2 of The other side of the story (http://junkfoodscience.blogspot.com/2008/04/other-side-of-story-part-two.html)

JFS Special: The latest research on actual deaths seen after surgery for weight loss (http://junkfoodscience.blogspot.com/2007/10/jfs-special-latest-research-on-actual.html)

Careful study of this paper shows 9% of patients who had undergone gastric bypass and 25% of those who had undergone gastric banding regained most, if not all, of the weight they had lost, and that diabetes had recurred in 50% of patients in whom this condition initially resolved. (http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/abstract/351/26/2683)

Meta-Analysis: Surgical Treatment of Obesity (http://www.annals.org/cgi/content/abstract/142/7/547)This is showing that 10-20% of people having bariatric surgery have medical or surgical complications. Although most of these are resolved they do cause an extra burden on health costs and longer hospital stays. Many of these patients require further plastic/cosmetic surgery to deal with spare tissue and this again provides more wound complications 25% and plastic surgery problems 5-15%.
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Thanks for that Ted. As always you find the stuff!!;) People considering these ops do really need to look at ALL they can find. Not just sites where people are saying they have lost loads of weight and have no regrets (despite not even knowing the basics like they will need to take vitamins for the rest of their lives). Then they're asking questions like "why is my hair falling out?" and "I have lost some weight but I am still not a happy person."

Someone suggested looking at the BOSPA site, which of course is going to come out in favour of surgery!!;)

It's a massive decision and I just get the feeling that too many overweight people are going down this route (because it seems to be the answer to people's prayers at the moment) and to some extent they are being used as guinea pigs because finding long term results is like finding a needle in a haystack!:rolleyes:

[tomstickland]

I'm sure the money could be better spent on some sort of training that would help overcome the cause of the problem.

[Ted_Hutchinson]

I'm sure the money could be better spent on some sort of training that would help overcome the cause of the problem.Trouble is our health professionals have not yet understood the process by which fat accumulation (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Diet-Delusion-Challenging-Conventional-Disease/dp/0091891418) occurs or the role of insulin in fat storage. (http://webcast.berkeley.edu/event_details.php?webcastid=21216)

The research in this area has been dominated by those with a vested interest in promoting those foods that drive the process. (http://heartscanblog.blogspot.com/2008/09/diabetes-gold-rush.html)

We would be in a different position if instead of low fat more exercise the message from health professionals was LOW GLYCEMIC LOAD (http://www.nutritiondata.com/help/estimated-glycemic-load) If we limited our glycemic load intake to 40g daily it would make a huge difference but if you find weighing/counting too complicated this type of eating plan (http://blogg.passagen.se/dahlqvistannika/?anchor=my_lowcarb_dietary_programe_in) will reduce food cravings and naturally lower your calorie intake without starving yourself.

Time to go against the grain
If you follow the advice of the food pyramid, you'll end up looking like it -- narrow at the top and large at the hips. Listen up, it's time to low-carb your enthusiasm (http://www.independent.ie/health/diet-fitness/time-to-go-against-the-grain-1471359.html)

Another good reason for eating a low glycemic load diet is the reduction of risk for colorectal and endometrial cancer. (http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/87/6/1793)

[curly]

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Thanks for that Ted. As always you find the stuff!!;) People considering these ops do really need to look at ALL they can find. Not just sites where people are saying they have lost loads of weight and have no regrets (despite not even knowing the basics like they will need to take vitamins for the rest of their lives). Then they're asking questions like "why is my hair falling out?" and "I have lost some weight but I am still not a happy person."

Someone suggested looking at the BOSPA site, which of course is going to come out in favour of surgery!!;)

It's a massive decision and I just get the feeling that too many overweight people are going down this route (because it seems to be the answer to people's prayers at the moment) and to some extent they are being used as guinea pigs because finding long term results is like finding a needle in a haystack!:rolleyes:

I mentioned the BOSPA website, it's run by people who have been through the WLS process. If you look through the website at the various experiences you will find people who have had a bad times - so it's no all about the "good" side of WLS.

If you see a good Consultant and his team they will go through all aspects of the surgery, all the pros and cons. Since my surgery I have been asked by my team to go in to talk to people considering gastric bypass surgery. I don't wrap anything up - it's going to be hard work, it's going to be painful for a time, you must do as your team ask like taking your vitamins etc... they are telling you these things for a reason !!

It concerns me to read about people going overseas to have this type of surgery, I appreciate how desperate you can become to lose weight and feel you would do almost anything. What happens if there are complications and you're back home, who do you see ?? I have been given a two year follow up plan by my consultant, I go back every 6-8 weeks for the next two years and if I have a problem I have a team I can call on.

WLS is hard work both before and after surgery and it's a very big decision that effects the rest of your life and it shouldn't be made without all the facts being considered.

Whilst I dislike the term "guinea pig" no surgery is 100% guaranteed, I agree with your sentiments that you need to know about the good and bad sides of any WLS.

I'm happy to talk to anyone who has any questions, so please feel free to PM me.

[Pennylane]

Curly - I don't know if you had your on NHS or privately, but that also throws up a lot of problems. I DO agree with you about people travelling abroad, I think some people take leave of their senses. Yes, it's FAB when it goes fine but if there are probs it can be a nightmare.:eek:

Some of these private hospitals (in this country) are more than willing to do these ops on people who really are not that overweight. They are also NOT providing adequate after-care, as a peek at any gastric surgery site will tell you. People are buying packages which involve no after care. They are also having gastric bands done and then paying every time they want to have these "fills" which are expensive (plus time off work, travelling etc) and then are not happy with how much they have put in or taken out. They get so that they resent paying but they KNOW this up front.

You sound as if you have a great understanding of what's involved but a huge number of people don't!! They are blinded by the fact that they will lose some weight fairly quickly. They do not listen to the bits about possible side-effects, like hair loss, like malnutrition, like osteoporosis, like dreadful wind:rolleyes: , like possible future surgery because of all the sagging skin left behind. Like having to take vitamins for the rest of their lives. Like missing out on their social life because they feel it's a waste of money going out for an expensive meal & then not being able to eat much of it. They also close their ears and eyes to all the people who DIE from gastric surgery.

[Pennylane]

Just putting this up for Curly

[natty27]

Hi, I had the gastric band, I went to Gateway Health,there is no sales pitch or pressure, they'll just go through your questions with you.It cost £7950, this includes 4 band fills and loads of support and education, they really emphasise that the aftercare is as important as the operation, I think this is so true. I've lost loads of weight:T I'm fitter:j and I'm enjoying my life;) Their number is 0845 900339 I think. The band is meant to stay in for the rest of your life, if you had it taken out you would put weight back on, but I can't understand why anybody would have it taken out!!

What's important is that you go to a good company like I did, the best surgeons, best hospitals and the very best in aftercare.I've heard some horror stories from people who've been abroad for the op.

I don't regret it for a minute, how can you put a price on your quality of life?

Hope this helps?:j

[natty27]

In my area, you've got to have a BMI of 55 to be referred for weight loss op, and then the list is about 5 years long!