Newbie - It's time!!

[Blossom84]

Hi everyone :wavey:
I just wanted to post something here as I have only told my husband and one friend about my plans for wls. This seems like such a supportive and informative community and I have learned so much by just browsing posts over the last month or so.

I am 29, married with an 11 year old son and live in South London and tired! I decided after being overweight for most, if not all my life, that now is the time for PERMANENT change!

Just some of the reasons this weight has to shift...
- more energy for my son
- more energy for my husband
- no hassle sitting on a plane, fairground ride, small
car, the tube, train... list is endless
- happy to wear a swimming costume anywhere not
just in the safety of a changing room or my
bedroom
- not feel as though as my chest is about to explode
after a brisk walk or having to run :help2:
- wearing whatever the hell I like rather than just
making do with whatever these retailers THINK big
girls should wear

The list is indeed endless...

The main catalysts for the initial GP appointment were:

I started a job in central London and being very aware of how big I am on trains, commute, in the office and made me more self-concious than ever. I am also thinking about trying for another baby and really don't want to be size 24/26/28 AND pregnant.

Anyway... I am a literal newbie having had the initial conversation with the GP. I am in Lewisham PCT and expecting to have the surgery at Lewisham Hospital... he seemed quite understanding and said that apparently it all begins with this weight loss clinic he has to refer me to first. This appointment is on Wed so hopefully this is the ball rolling to the new me

I am trying to understand the 'referral process' though... can you ask which hospital/team you are referred to or is that all PCT related?

 

[Mazza]

Hello and welcome!

Good luck with trying to find out about the referral process, it seems to differ from hospital to hospital!?

And good luck for your appointment on Wednesday

 

[Jaywill]

Welcome and all the best with your journey.

 

[princess4d4]

welcome and good luck

 

[Llora]

Welcome good luck for your journey.

So happy your Gp was understanding and didnt dismiss you. Sorry i cant answer any of your questions. But i hope someone will know the info you need. The process is different in different places/hospitals and they always change criteria and rules too so sometimes it is really hard to know/understand what is going to happen next.

I wish you all the strengh and lots of positive thinking!

 

[los in it]

Hello and welcome to a great site I look forward to reading your next posting

 

[LinBaker]

Hello Blossom,
Your list of reasons certainly resonate with me!
I wish you all the best for your initial appointment and hope everything is explained clearly to you.

I'm sorry I don't know how things work in your area (heck, I don't even know how they work in my area other than I have to do 12 months tier 3 diet before any referral for surgery will be considered)

Things seem to be very different in different areas, and also it seems to vary depending on your bmi

I look forward to hearing how you get on

 

[Blossom84]

Thanks guys. I will definitely keep you all posted.

I was initially thinking the bypass would be the one I would go for... then I was put off by the vitamin deficiency issue so contemplated the sleeve. Think I might be back to the bypass though thinking about how much weight I need to lose... (at least 10 stone)... i don't actually know my weight because the GP's scale only went up to 150kg!

What is the usual recovery period for the bypass?

 

[ladyluck14k]

Welcome, im a relative newbie here and I had my bypass last week.

From my initial referral to surgery it was 15 months but it felt alot quicker than that and I guess it depends on where you live and how many patients are on the list in your NHS trust.

 

[princess4d4]

the recovery is hard to say as everyone one is different i was bypassed 7 weeks ao and from day 4 post op wouldnt know i even had the op i feel that good while others are still not doing so well after 3 or 4 months but i would say allow 3 or 4 weeks as a generic amount of time

 

[Curls40]

I'm a newbie too, hello,
I've only told my husband and my son (16) and his girlfriend. Of my planned surgery in September,
I have done the 6 mth weight management programme it finished in march I lost 24lbs, they recommended I could mange on my own, but I have another 8.5 stone to loose, I would never be able to even tell my husband how much I weigh, as I am disgusted and ashamed.
So I went back to the doctor and they recommend me for wls on the Nhs.a date was set today.,after my meeting with my surgeon,
Now I face telling my parents,we are a close family,so I'm sure things won't run smoothly with my news ,as they worry.
Good luck,x

 

[Blossom84]

Hi all...

I'm resurrecting this old post as a opposed to starting a new one as nothing has changed!!!

Last summer I went to the first dietician appointment but if I'm honest I found her to be quite dismissive of my query into weight loss surgery. I didn't return for the follow up appointment and over time disappointed in myself for not pursuing it further.

Anywho... almost 18 months later (I keep thinking about the stage I could have been at had I stuck to the initial appointments and been more assertive! ) I've decided I need to get motivated and I'm the only one who can get that ball rolling to the new life I envisage for myself and my family. I went back down the dietician route and it was like talking to a different person! She actually suggested surgery before I brought it up which made the whole conversation a lot easier. I've been copied into the email to the surgeon at Lewisham Hospital to refer me so hopefully once I get to speak to a specialist I'll have a clearer idea of what the process will be.

Ive always found it helpful reading up on the experiences other people have had with any challenge I've faced and determined to see this one through, so I will be spending alot of time on this site!!

With Xmas coming it's probably the wrong time of year to wait for a response but it would be good to have such a major goal in my sights for the new year

 

[beepbeepcat]

Welcome back. I've just had my operation after six month multi disaplinery team meetings with cognitive therapist, dietitians and sports coach. I must say vital tools to your support and success in the future after surgery. It's tough all the waiting thinking your going to get more knock backs but keep going. I was in tears nearly every appointment as I didn't know what to say or do for the right outcome so I told them how it's made me feel ...like no one has listed in the past, something went right and I'm now 5 days post operation

 

[Blossom84]

Hi beepbeep,

Which procedure did you go for?
Hope recovery is going well so far?

 

[beepbeepcat]

I had gastric bypass and I'm ok having stitches out in the morning so that's another step done.

 

[StaceyAnne]

Reading through a lot of people's experiences I think I am in the minority. I elected to go private for my surgery and fund it myself. In not big enough for it to be done in the nhs but after speaking to a surgeon ect I know it was the right thing for me. I know paying for it yourself isn't an option for everyone, and I will be paying for it for the next couple of years, but I was surprised that it was actually less than I expected! For my hospital stay, surgery, follow ups and dietician appointments for the next 12 months it was £6k
I intend to pay it back with the money I will save on the weekly shop!!! Xx

 

[Blossom84]

I had gastric bypass and I'm ok having stitches out in the morning so that's another step done.

This is the procedure I have in mind but I have such a sweet tooth I don't know how I'll overcome it to avoid dumping!! I'm in the same position as what you've described... wondering what to say for them to understand how much I need this now. Received my letter for a meeting with the surgeon, dietician and bariatric nurse next Feb.

 

[Blossom84]

I did conside this also my credit is non existent so I'm having to rely on NHS. What procedure are you going for and do you have an idea of when?