Should I get WLS?

Hi all, this is my first post on this forum so a little about me. I'm 35, just over 20 stone and have tried every diet under the sun. I've lost large amounts of weight with vlcds and consequently put it all back on again and then some.... I'm starting to believe that weight loss surgery is the best way forward for me as my life is completely controlled by my weight. Physically there is so much I can't do and I'm not going out or having a relationship because I'm ashamed of myself. It's causing anxiety and panic attacks. I have a great job and lovely friends and family but this is such a huge burden in my life.

My parents have offered to pay for weight loss surgery. I know I'm enormously lucky to be in this situation. So id love to know your experiences and whether you think gastric sleeve is the way forward.

Thanks in anticipation!

Firstly welcome to the forum.

This a big step you are contemplating and in the end only you will know if its the right thing for you. I can tell you I had my bypass 15 weeks ago now and I haven't regretted it for a single second.

I would advise having a look through around the forum, the diaries are a great place to start and you'll see lots of people who will have had the same issues as yourself and it might help you make up your mind.

I wish you luck whatever you decide and look forward to seeing your progress on here.

Hey Juju doll and welcome to the forum.

Your story sounds similar to mine and to so many others on this forum. We've all been successful in losing weight, from mainstream groups such as slimming world and Weight Watchers to VLCD's such as Lighter Life and Cambridge etc. I'm an ex Slimming World, Weight Watchers, LighterLife, Cambridge Diet, Exante, 5:2 client etc etc etc and so many times over - but it's the keeping it off that's the problem.

I'm with Loops. I'm 14 months out from my gastric sleeve. I'm a healthy BMI (although I'm not ashamed to admit, I'd love it to be lower) and I have absolutely no regrets whatsoever.

You've got a great opportunity JuJu, take your time, research your options and ask if you need any advice. X

Hello ju ju doll
welcome to our club! Like loving the loop says I 100% agree with if you have all you can and can honestlysay ive done my best and its not working then maybe WSL is the answer but only up to a point its a tool and can ophysically change your body the head takes much longer or at least in my case its very much a work in progress.
what made you decide on a sleeve and not other options? Im a bypasser of 14 months and dont regret a single second not one
my advise is research research research even more when going private and from what I see on here the after care package is greatly important like loving also said read the other blogs on here for guidance and some pointers
I wish you all the luck in the worldand I look forward to your next entry

Hi welcome I'm 14 months out 8st down and at target. I too yo yo'd for 30 + years my only regret is not doing it sooner. Do your research and read the negatives as well not all people have an easy ride. Good luck on whatever you decide. Look forward to seeing your journey if u do go ahead x

Hey JuJu

Welcome! If you're going to go private I wouldn't make up your mind right away what you want, instead I'd find a good surgeon and let him go through the options with you and advise what he thinks would be the best choice when taking into your account your medical history and lifestyle.

Hey Juju - I'm 4 weeks out from sleeve surgery and feel amazing! I was lucky as my parents also paid for my surgery. I, like you, did vlcd, Slimming World, Weight Watchers - you name it, I tried it. I finally decided I couldn't cope with only living half a life and chose a sleeve.

My consultant and I talked the sleeve vs bypass through and settle on sleeve as I didn't have many co-morbidities (just type 2 diabetes which has now gone). Also he looked at my age and my build and we came to the conclusion that a sleeve would be the best plan.

I don't know if you've decided on who you are going to go with but I chose Healthier Weight as they have a rounded service - from the surgery, to the food before and after, to the vitamins you will need.

Good luck with whatever you decide xxx

Hi welcome, I agree with the ladies however please go and talk to your dr and ask to be referred via Nhs if possible as you do get in my opinion a good lot of pre operation help. Between six and twelve months of . Dietitians, cognitive therapy and 1:1 exercise help as in my experience this helped me to come to terms with my decision after. It's early days for me and I'm sure I will still need help support and guidance however I know that I have it. After my decision was made I ended up being offered the private hospital group which had done all the pre operation bits anyway so it was still under Nhs but it felt more caring. Talking is good to drs and people who have been through surgery helps you make an informed decision right for you.

Thank you for your lovely comments, as a previously devoted member of minimins I was so relieved that this forum survived!

There are a couple of reasons for going down the private rather than nhs route, the key one being my job. I'm a deputy head and can't just take weeks off when I have such long holidays so will want to work it around then. I also can't currently have the surgery as my mum is undergoing treatment for cancer and isn't well enough to look after me post op! I'm planning to have an initial consultation at the Nuffield hospital in Oxford where I live and will definitely take their advice on what is the best procedure. Your journeys are fascinating and inspiring though so please do continue to let me know your thoughts. I'm sure you had all the dilemmas I'm having before making a decision.

One recommendation.......Ask if they offer as part of there package cognitive therapy as this is so important. Your head is such a massive part of your journey.....if that makes sense

Ohtobeslinky said:

Hey Juju - I'm 4 weeks out from sleeve surgery and feel amazing! I was lucky as my parents also paid for my surgery. I, like you, did vlcd, Slimming World, Weight Watchers - you name it, I tried it. I finally decided I couldn't cope with only living half a life and chose a sleeve. My consultant and I talked the sleeve vs bypass through and settle on sleeve as I didn't have many co-morbidities (just type 2 diabetes which has now gone). Also he looked at my age and my build and we came to the conclusion that a sleeve would be the best plan. I don't know if you've decided on who you are going to go with but I chose Healthier Weight as they have a rounded service - from the surgery, to the food before and after, to the vitamins you will need. Good luck with whatever you decide xxx

Click to expand...

My friend went with healthier weight under Mr Aston and she received superb care. She's three years post op and she said their aftercare package is first class. Xx

Sent from my iPhone using WLSurgery

I agree that the aftercare is 1st class. My only negative about them is having to wait for a band adjustment for a month but that was only 1 time.
I also agree about cbt, I don't think any of the private providers offer the support for the head issues & at neatly 2 years post op I can say that dealing with head issues is by far the hardest part of wls. None of us would need wls at all of our heads could be 'fixed'

Thank you for your lovely thoughts and comments so far. I'm off for an information evening a week on Monday with the surgeon at the Nuffield hospital in Oxford so we'll see what he says and suggests.

So just to update - I've decided to have the sleeve, operation is in February. Very excited in anticipation and looking forward just to getting on with it! Will start a proper diary and update weights after Xmas as I start to prepare. X

Wow how exciting. I'm having my consult in January and hoping to have done in March. Are you excited? Are you off school at that time. What kind of time frame did they give you for recovery: ie back to work!

Glad to see you have your WLS all sorted! Very good luck with everything!

Good luck with your journey!!

sunshineeyes said:

Wow how exciting. I'm having my consult in January and hoping to have done in March. Are you excited? Are you off school at that time. What kind of time frame did they give you for recovery: ie back to work!

Click to expand...

I'm going to have the operation two days before half term so I'll have a couple of days off then, then the 9 days of half term. Hopefully I'll feel well enough to go back then but if not I can either take a bit more time off or go in part time for a week. My school have been fantastically supportive!

I have a sleeve, love it but think you should have 3 weeks off at least, before going back to full time teaching.

I had 3 weeks off and I have an active job, when I went back I had 3 weeks in the office. You will be very tired very quickly. You must take it easy and recover, your gp can give you a fit certificate for work. I bet you are excited!!