Shellbell - chidren is also a potential issue for me. I had asked for the band (partly for this reason). I am 34 and have no children and am obviously running out of time. I dont know what happens in the case of people who do get badly affected by the malnutrition. Surely the idea of having children is no longer an option ?
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Now very worried - Addiction Transfer and Slowing Weight Loss ?
- Thread starter Undecided
- Start date
Fizzy donna
New Member
Hi I haven't met my surgeon as I'm under st georges hospital and dr humandi however due to this hospital being unable to cope with number of ops to carry out they have put me and others over to st anthonys private clinic and comes with this a new surgeon ! not that im complaining mind 
I think u appear to still have so many questions that u need to get straight in your head first . But honestly u should look at why u wanted the op in the first place and see if u still feel like this now x
I think u appear to still have so many questions that u need to get straight in your head first . But honestly u should look at why u wanted the op in the first place and see if u still feel like this now x
Karen19745
New Member
Hi undecided, I have 2 aunties who have had the bypass and myself and another aunty (my mam is 1 of 11 LOL) are waiting to have ours.
My Aunty Sylvia has done great, she did have trouble to begin with she was took straight back in to hospital as something was wrong, but they sorted it straight away. They had sewn somehting inside incorrectly. But she is now at target and looking and feeling great 3 years on.
My Aunty Sharon has done as well, she never had any complications but she has put a lot of weight back on but that (she admits herself) is poor food choices. She was sold it as a miracle cure and was told she could eat anything and as soon as she could she did. She grazes all day and does drink a lot of alcholol (but she's not an alcoholic). Because I have been on this site I have been trying to help her to pull herself back round and now she is getting back on track and losing again. She is also 3 years on.
Even 2 sisters can be totally different.
But I know where my Aunty Sharon has gone wrong and I won't be making the same mistakes as her.
I am going to keep getting support from this site and my family and try to use my new tool to the best of my ability and hopefully enjoy the new slimmer me, Karen x
My Aunty Sylvia has done great, she did have trouble to begin with she was took straight back in to hospital as something was wrong, but they sorted it straight away. They had sewn somehting inside incorrectly. But she is now at target and looking and feeling great 3 years on.
My Aunty Sharon has done as well, she never had any complications but she has put a lot of weight back on but that (she admits herself) is poor food choices. She was sold it as a miracle cure and was told she could eat anything and as soon as she could she did. She grazes all day and does drink a lot of alcholol (but she's not an alcoholic). Because I have been on this site I have been trying to help her to pull herself back round and now she is getting back on track and losing again. She is also 3 years on.
Even 2 sisters can be totally different.
But I know where my Aunty Sharon has gone wrong and I won't be making the same mistakes as her.
I am going to keep getting support from this site and my family and try to use my new tool to the best of my ability and hopefully enjoy the new slimmer me, Karen x
Thanks Karen. I've since found a few videos on youtube, and am surprised at so many things I am hearing about that were never mentioned in the initial meetng we had. I wanted a lapband, and they told me it would be a waste of time and to have this done instead (in meeting with consultant in December).
I'm really starting to wonder if I can go ahead. I had never heard of seizures / rotting teeth / hair loss etc. I'd only found out about the addiction transfer by accident after seeing it in a magazine. The risks seem much greater than we were warned about, and unlike the lap band, I thought the results were more certain.
I'm going to have to do as much research as possible to make sure I'm sure and not just panicking. I don't want to mess the hospital about, but I really dont feel like I've had chance to discuss things with anyone at the hospital properly either.
The dietition also hasnt called me back. Things like that make me think, if they can't get even return a call, how can they be trused with major surgery.
The comments about your aunty with something not being sewn correctly. This also makes me a bit nervous. Some of the surgery problems mentioned makes the surgery sound a bit hit and miss. Maybe depending on if they've had a bad day. I guess if you are doing it all the time you can maybe become a bit less careful ? I dont know. It is major surgery though. It's a big deal.
I'm really starting to wonder if I can go ahead. I had never heard of seizures / rotting teeth / hair loss etc. I'd only found out about the addiction transfer by accident after seeing it in a magazine. The risks seem much greater than we were warned about, and unlike the lap band, I thought the results were more certain.
I'm going to have to do as much research as possible to make sure I'm sure and not just panicking. I don't want to mess the hospital about, but I really dont feel like I've had chance to discuss things with anyone at the hospital properly either.
The dietition also hasnt called me back. Things like that make me think, if they can't get even return a call, how can they be trused with major surgery.
The comments about your aunty with something not being sewn correctly. This also makes me a bit nervous. Some of the surgery problems mentioned makes the surgery sound a bit hit and miss. Maybe depending on if they've had a bad day. I guess if you are doing it all the time you can maybe become a bit less careful ? I dont know. It is major surgery though. It's a big deal.
Dell
Active Member
Hey, you are right to think about absolutely EVERYTHING post-op, its the only way to make an informed decision about surgery.
However the only addiction transfer I have is to buying clothes in smaller sizes oh any maybe watermelon
Seriously, I followed my surgical teams advice to the letter as I know another member of my WLS group did and we had similar results. I can't speak for the others, I know some people havem some haven't but we have ALL lost lots of weight and there are no drug addicts, smokers or alcoholics amongst us
Whatever you do, you will have a different level of success to *everyone else* as we are different. The main thing is to make sure you are 100% sure you can commit to this journey, for your own good look into every aspect of it the pros and cons.
I have been lucky maybe, I found the time on the preop diet and the 2-4 weeks afterwards really did help me rid myself of my sugar cravings and that was a big issue for me, but it did take willpower as well and I was determined from day one if I went through this, I was damn well going to make it work!
However the only addiction transfer I have is to buying clothes in smaller sizes
oh any maybe watermelon Seriously, I followed my surgical teams advice to the letter as I know another member of my WLS group did and we had similar results. I can't speak for the others, I know some people havem some haven't but we have ALL lost lots of weight and there are no drug addicts, smokers or alcoholics amongst us
Whatever you do, you will have a different level of success to *everyone else* as we are different. The main thing is to make sure you are 100% sure you can commit to this journey, for your own good look into every aspect of it the pros and cons.
I have been lucky maybe, I found the time on the preop diet and the 2-4 weeks afterwards really did help me rid myself of my sugar cravings and that was a big issue for me, but it did take willpower as well and I was determined from day one if I went through this, I was damn well going to make it work!
shelbell
Proudly maintaining
Undecided said:
My son was born healthy, he was affected more by my lupus than my malabsorption (which is not the same as malnutrition). I did lose weight through the pregnancy, and he was a small baby, but lupus causes growth to stop early. Now, he's a chunky monkey. I couldn't breastfeed realistically as it would have been impossible to eat enough calories to feed both of us. I did breastfeed for the first feed in hospital, and expressed for a couple of weeks a few times a day so I could mix feed. There are others here who have had healthy post op pregnancies and breast fed successfully afterwards.
As for looking ill and pale, I am very pale due to my health problems, but I don't look ill. I am successfully maintaining a healthy weight. My photos below show that. What has caused my chronic malabsorption is a mystery, I don't know the length of my bypass but I wasn't exceptionally large so would assume it was a standard length. Each surgeon has their own methods and sizes for both pouch and bypass length so it isn't a set thing.
It would be easy for me to slip into anorexic tendencies, I can understand how some people have done that. For a few weeks just before I fell pregnant I pretty much stopped eating, but the pregnancy gave me a kick up the bum. I didn't know about the malabsorption issues then. Now, I am very self aware and interested in keeping myself healthy so if I lose a few pounds I jump on it quickly to regain.
With regards to the addiction transfer it hasn't been a problem for me, so it isn't a problem for everyone. I think self awareness is the key, if you can be honest with yourself about your own thoughts, feelings, failings and triggers then you're half way there already.
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lamornamiss
wants to be a loser
12 months ago today I was lying in a hospital bed after my bypass and feeling like I'd been hit by a truck.
It didn't help that someone gave me something I'm allergic to even though my wrist band told them, luckly it only gave me very bad heart burn.
phatmomma
New Member
You really are a worrier aren't you?
Firstly if your hospital tell you about addiction transfer i'll be amazed, mine didn't. Neither did my hospital tell me about the 5 day pouch test, probably because until i told them about it they hadn't heard about it...
You cannot seriously not expect to have a major surgery and not have some effects, such as hair loss etc? Btw i have a full head of thick hair and a tiny bit got lost, only when i ran my fingers through wet hair...
You need to seriously sit down and write all of your questions n concerns down and put them on a thread on here.... We will do our best to give our own experiences of these worries to you and you can get a view of someone who's been there and trying to get a smaller t-shirt to wear ....
Firstly if your hospital tell you about addiction transfer i'll be amazed, mine didn't. Neither did my hospital tell me about the 5 day pouch test, probably because until i told them about it they hadn't heard about it...
You cannot seriously not expect to have a major surgery and not have some effects, such as hair loss etc? Btw i have a full head of thick hair and a tiny bit got lost, only when i ran my fingers through wet hair...
You need to seriously sit down and write all of your questions n concerns down and put them on a thread on here.... We will do our best to give our own experiences of these worries to you and you can get a view of someone who's been there and trying to get a smaller t-shirt to wear ....
weeble
Wobbles
Undecided - It seems to me that you are not at all sure if you should be having this surgery. It's such a life changing operation that if I were you, I would be postponing until I have all my questions answered. Major surgery comes with risks and only you can decide if the rewards are worth the risks.
Everyone reacts to the surgery differently; some lose quickly, some slowly, some have terribly problems in the first few months, others sail through... The one thing they all have in common is an acknowledgement that they cannot solve their weight problems with will power alone - and a strong understanding that they cannot carry on at the weight they are at.
Let's face it being large carries it's own risks - and long term they are not pleasant.
Ask anyone on here who is a year out and they will nearly all tell you that they would do it again in a flash.
I had the band fitted - and I am still at the stage where I wouldn't do it again. Despite all my research I didn't understand how hard you had to work with the band - and how long it takes to reach the right amount of restriction. However, all surgery requires that you work at the lifestyle changes needed - and that involves taking care of yourself and ensuring you don't replace one addiction with another.
At the end of the day the only person who can make the surgery successful is you. And only you know if the risks are worth the rewards for you.
Everyone reacts to the surgery differently; some lose quickly, some slowly, some have terribly problems in the first few months, others sail through... The one thing they all have in common is an acknowledgement that they cannot solve their weight problems with will power alone - and a strong understanding that they cannot carry on at the weight they are at.
Let's face it being large carries it's own risks - and long term they are not pleasant.
Ask anyone on here who is a year out and they will nearly all tell you that they would do it again in a flash.
I had the band fitted - and I am still at the stage where I wouldn't do it again. Despite all my research I didn't understand how hard you had to work with the band - and how long it takes to reach the right amount of restriction. However, all surgery requires that you work at the lifestyle changes needed - and that involves taking care of yourself and ensuring you don't replace one addiction with another.
At the end of the day the only person who can make the surgery successful is you. And only you know if the risks are worth the rewards for you.
yorkiegal
Baxter's mum
I've been so lucky with my bariatric team. I've seen the specialist nurse 4 times, the surgeon 4 times, the dietician twice, the anaesthatist once, plus there is a monthly support group available. I've also had 14 months to get my head around what's going to happen to me and also pay for some private counselling. Even so, this site has been invaluable in educating me about life post bypass. My team told me all about addiction transfer along with all the other possible complications. But when you're sat in the hospital listening to them it's easy to just let it go over your head, because all you want is to hear that they are going to put you on that waiting list.
I've never met anyone at the support group who has told me they regret their procedure. Not even the woman who cried all the way through the meeting. Several of them have very thinned out hair. Well so what? I'll buy a headscarf if I need to. It's going to grow back pretty quickly after all.
Ok I have some worries. But I remember getting freaked out about having my tonsils out too. The way I see it is that as things stand I am miserable. I hate my body. My life is going nowhere. I have zero confidence because of the way I look and feel too ugly too ever have a relationship with someone. I know being a normal weight won't automatically make everything better, but at least it will help. I've spent years getting my head sorted because I had depression. Now it's time to respect my body and do what I can to get fit.
I've never met anyone at the support group who has told me they regret their procedure. Not even the woman who cried all the way through the meeting. Several of them have very thinned out hair. Well so what? I'll buy a headscarf if I need to. It's going to grow back pretty quickly after all.
Ok I have some worries. But I remember getting freaked out about having my tonsils out too. The way I see it is that as things stand I am miserable. I hate my body. My life is going nowhere. I have zero confidence because of the way I look and feel too ugly too ever have a relationship with someone. I know being a normal weight won't automatically make everything better, but at least it will help. I've spent years getting my head sorted because I had depression. Now it's time to respect my body and do what I can to get fit.
j.u.s.t.l.i.z.
Runs Srh Support Group
i had a consultant attend a couple of months back in his own free time on my request.... the support group is patient led by me..... i can ask staff to attend if they have free time to spare but they work very long hours as it is.... the main objective of the support group is for patients to get to know others in the same /similar situation to them selves and to make friends and support each other through the wls journey both pre or post op..... its a non formal group which alot of people find every beneficial.
j.u.s.t.l.i.z.
Runs Srh Support Group
support groups are suppost to be patient led away from the proffessionals they can be brung in occasionally but theres no need every time x
Hi j.u.s.t.l.i.z.. Yeah i know they are patient led etc. Dont expect them to go or anything. I think i just thought I would see the consultant more than once. Just watching a weight loss video on youtube. It's made me feel a bit better.
j.u.s.t.l.i.z.
Runs Srh Support Group
u seem very unsure......... if u wanna chat im here 4 ya...... inbox me if u want me mobile ok chick im here if u want me to be...... if not thats ok too x
jaynefrances
New Member
Its perfectly natural to have lots of questions buzzing around in your head and to start looking for answers. The better informed you are the better your outcomes will be for you. As many have said try not to dwell too much on the extremely negative stuff reported in the media, as these are the minority and far outweighed by the positive stories.
I have 5 good friends who have had gastric bypasses, none of whom had any traumatic experiences and have all had fab results from their ops.
With regards to addiction transfer, i was aware from my research that this happens to some people, but again i don't know any that have developed any dangerous ones. Mine is that i can't stop baking/cooking ! When i get bored i find that my hands get restless (because in the old days they would be stuffing food in my gob lol) so i go and bake, and then pass stuff on to friends, family and colleagues - i've become a feeder !
I'm not great at sticking to the best of diets, but still all my blood tests come back fine, no malnutrition issues.
I did experience hair loss, and my hair went a bit thin, but this was only temporary and is back to normal now.
As for kids, my consultant advised me not to get pregnant for two years post surgery, but that it would be okay after that.
I lost weight easily and quickly for the first six months and then hit a plateau. Old bad habits snuck back in, and although my pouch is still tiny and i can't pig out i found myself picking regularly at little bits. I didn't gain, but didn't lose either for nearly six months. However i've just lost four pounds, so things may be getting back on track.
I have no problems with any savoury food, nothing sticks or makes me ill, but i still can't tolerate much sugar (few squares of choc, two digestive biscuits - any more and i feel poorly)
In short, my bypass works if i work with it !
Before and after your op you will get the chance to speak to a surgeon and dietician and specialist nurse, so ask them all the questions you need to - they'll be used to it. My poor anaesthetist was exhausted when he left me the night before my op lol.
Some of the best advice i have received though was from other bypassers - the best source of knowledge is from those who have experienced all the highs and lows themselves. My friends that i met through this forum didn't sugar coat anything for me, so i was well prepared for how i would feel when i woke up and what to expect over the first few months.
Feel free to keep asking the questions and sharing your concerns, it may help to reduce any anxieties x x
I have 5 good friends who have had gastric bypasses, none of whom had any traumatic experiences and have all had fab results from their ops.
With regards to addiction transfer, i was aware from my research that this happens to some people, but again i don't know any that have developed any dangerous ones. Mine is that i can't stop baking/cooking ! When i get bored i find that my hands get restless (because in the old days they would be stuffing food in my gob lol) so i go and bake, and then pass stuff on to friends, family and colleagues - i've become a feeder !
I'm not great at sticking to the best of diets, but still all my blood tests come back fine, no malnutrition issues.
I did experience hair loss, and my hair went a bit thin, but this was only temporary and is back to normal now.
As for kids, my consultant advised me not to get pregnant for two years post surgery, but that it would be okay after that.
I lost weight easily and quickly for the first six months and then hit a plateau. Old bad habits snuck back in, and although my pouch is still tiny and i can't pig out i found myself picking regularly at little bits. I didn't gain, but didn't lose either for nearly six months. However i've just lost four pounds, so things may be getting back on track.
I have no problems with any savoury food, nothing sticks or makes me ill, but i still can't tolerate much sugar (few squares of choc, two digestive biscuits - any more and i feel poorly)
In short, my bypass works if i work with it !
Before and after your op you will get the chance to speak to a surgeon and dietician and specialist nurse, so ask them all the questions you need to - they'll be used to it. My poor anaesthetist was exhausted when he left me the night before my op lol.
Some of the best advice i have received though was from other bypassers - the best source of knowledge is from those who have experienced all the highs and lows themselves. My friends that i met through this forum didn't sugar coat anything for me, so i was well prepared for how i would feel when i woke up and what to expect over the first few months.
Feel free to keep asking the questions and sharing your concerns, it may help to reduce any anxieties x x
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