Newbie Saying Hi & HEELLPPP!

[mrsdumplin]

Hi,

Let me introduce myself, I'm 37, married mum and have a 10 month old, I live in Essex.

I've been overweight as long as I can remember, tried every diet under the sun from the sensible to the extreme. Lost quite a bit on Lighterlife 3 years ago but within 6 months it had crept back on.

I am now a type2 diabetic. I have been a stable 18st 7lb for the last 10 years or so being 5ft 3 this is probably 9st more than I should be, and I am now really starting to feel the effects on my day to day life, achey joints, tiredness, getting upstais becoming a problem, and in this heat..Phew...

My Hb1ac is around 6, by accident I has almost pure protien day the other day, the next morning I had a crumpet for breakfast, well within half an hour I thought I was dieing, I had a headache from hell and I had no energy, I couldnt have crawled to bed this lasted till 4 ish.


Well I went to the doctors today to talk about testing for carbohydrate intolerance and wether that would be the reason for me not losing weight. He basicly said that I because of my history of consistently high BMI that he felt surgery was my best and only option and he was quite happy to refer me. This took me a bit by surprise as its such a drastic decision. I've to think it over and call him on Monday.

This seems such a no brainer but why then is ithis decision terrifying me?

Would any of you if you could not make the decision again not have the surgery?

After surgery I know you can only eat small amounts but what is small? I mean can you eat a chicken breast with a salad?

Band or bypass whats the deciding factor?

Any advice ?

Also I'm near Stanstead Essex, any idea what hospital I'll be referred to?

I have BUPA through work, will this be covered?

Sorry for the long post, thanks for reading

MrsD

 

[Tracey ( eyore)]

i am sorry i cant help you with things like the hospital your be referred too,,,,,,,,,, but i wanted to say hi this is a great site and you will get lots of help and advice here.

also you wouldnt be normal without the nerves there is not one of us here who havent thought omg am i doing the right thing !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i am having a bypass at charring cross hospital on 20th july and for me the decision was easy between band and bypass but your surgeons will hep you on this decison you will go along and discuss options with them x

good luck what ever you choose x

 

[dottychic]

Hi and :welcome2: Sorry I cant help with your questions as I am pre-op but I know even though I am terrified of the op I am more terrified of living as I am for any longer than I have to! For me there is no other way forward. I like you am Type2, high BP, strokes, disabled to the point of using a wheelchair by 48 yrs of crushing all my weight bearing joints! Need I go on lol. You will know whats best for you, and if you speak honestly about your eating habits to the surgeon he will advice you what surgery he thinks will suit you best. Good luck, you have come to the right place x

 

[thinkbethin]

Hi there and:welcome2: to the forum. Even though it seems drastic, not once have I regretted having my band. I'm 13 months post op and still learning the right way to do things but with the help I receive here from these lovely peeps I'm getting there. Your gp sounds very understanding too. There are many members here who have had to fight long and hard to get their gp's to refer them.Have a long think whether you would like him to go ahead with the referal. Once this is done and you get the go ahead speak with the consultant about any worries you may have. Ask all the questions going through your head as they will be able to put you straight. Also remember that even when you have seen the consultant you don't have to have any type of op. The choice is yours sweetheart and you have to do what you are comfortable with. May I also add that this journey can take a while from referal to op so in this time please do all the research you can on all options of weight loss surgery. Any questions you feel you need to ask no matter how trivial you think they are then come here and talk to those who know 1st hand. We have all had different journeys and are all willing to share with you our own experience's. Good luck xxx

 

[Mixman]

Hello and welcome to this wonderful forum

This seems such a no brainer but why then is this decision terrifying me? It's a serious operation. We all get nervous at times. It WILL change your life too.

Would any of you if you could not make the decision again not have the surgery? I would do it all again without a second thought.

After surgery I know you can only eat small amounts but what is small? I mean can you eat a chicken breast with a salad? Depending on your operation type, a chicken breast with salad would take some finishing off


Band or bypass whats the deciding factor? This depends on what your surgeon suggests based on your eating habits. Are you a grazer, do you have a sweet tooth etc

Also I'm near Stanstead Essex, any idea what hospital I'll be referred to? Sorry, I don't know

I have BUPA through work, will this be covered? Sorry, I don't know

 

[phatmomma]

Good morning Mrsdumpling, firstly i need to congratulate you on having picked a gp with an amazing insight.

Right, i had my surgery (which was an open gastric bypass) two weeks ago today! If you asked me the day after i'd have said NOOOOO don't do it, but i was in a great amount of discomfort due to the 9 inch scar down my tum (may i add that i think my provider - who is in the west midlands - are probably the last of the cavemen who perform this surgery and it not been keyhole) however within two days of surgery my mind was changed. I'm two weeks post op today and have lost 14lb since the day of my surgery. I'm waiting results of my fasting blood test which i had last Monday to see if my diabetes (type 2) is in remission. If it's not it is only a matter of time as there is a HUGE chance that a gastric bypass will do this or significantly reduce it in type 1 diabetes cases. (Glenville can confirm this i think).

The band takes a lot more will power than the bypass as you can still make 'inappropriate' choices with the band as with the bypass if you eat something particularly high in fat or sugar it will make you 'dump'. Dumping is not attractive and makes you feel extremely ill, so if you have a sweet tooth you won't be tempted to indulge it without risk. Saying this not everybody does dump but i for one won't be testing if i am a dumper!

You will only be able to eat small amounts but the wellbeing factor you get from seeing how small your portions are and that you are not hungry is awesome! Also you enjoy the food much more when you are more selective as you can't eat much...

I would go ahead with my surgery again in a heartbeat...

If you decide to start the process then be honest with your surgeon, ask all the daft questions you want too on here, we've heard them all before and we've asked them ourselves.

Do all your research, knowledge is the biggest tool you will need to make your wls work for you.

Good luck with your decision and i hope it leads you to a happier healthier life xx

 

[gaelic girl]

Can't add much more to the wise words already given to you. I had my bypass 10 months ago and have lost 9 stone , i have never regretted it and can eat most things only smaller portions than before. I just wanted to welcome you to this great site and to say you have come to the right place for advice and support! Good luck xx

 

[Neen]

Nothing I can add to the great info you have been given by everyone above me..I just wanted to say Hello and hope you enjoy being a part of the forum x

 

[RoseA]

Hi and welcome ! Don't be frightened to ask anything (literally anything...) you want to. There's no such thing as a silly or inappropriate question. We've all gone through the same worries on our journeys - the answers aren't the same for everybody - but there is always an answer out there !

Oh, and I had my bypass 5 weeks ago and am loving the changes that I am now seeing on a daily basis. I've lost 3 stone in 2 months and feel so much better already.

 

[angie790]

Hi MrsD,

Welcome to the WLS forum, I am sure you will get lots of support & answers from people who have been there & done it, or from people like me who are waiting!

I can't answer the first question because I'm still waiting for my op, but I'd like to think that whatever the outcome (e.g. even if I suffer complications), I will still have gone into this with my eyes wide open, giving myself the best opportunity to do something about my weight before my health deteriorates further.

Again the next question, I can't answer with personal experience yet, but from what I've read on here, in the initial weeks/months, yes, portion sizes can be small, but the stomach pouch post-op can stretch allowing a larger food intake. Interestingly, some people say their appetite for food really does alter so they're not bothered about it at all, others find they still have the desire to eat, even if they can't eat the amount they used to.

As you are a type II diabetic, I would suggest opt for a bypass if you get the choice, as this has been shown to have the greatest effect on people with diabetes (a band can help, but not usually to the degree a bypass does).

Can't help on your area either, as I'm from down south, but I'm sure there will be plenty on later from your area who can advise you on the treatment centres up there.

The BUPA one is an interesting question, I would hazard a guess and say almost probably not...most insurance companies are very backward in the idea of surgery for obesity. That said, the bypass is more commonly becoming referred to as 'metabolic surgery', due to the often drastic and amazing results it has on type II diabetes, hence it is increasingly being used globally to treat people with severe type II diabetes that have a low BMI (i.e. around 25). It would be interesting if using a metabolic surgery line was successful, you must keep us informed of how you get on.

As for general advice, make sure you are as well informed as possible, read everything you can on the subject to help weigh up the pros & cons for your personal circumstances.

 

[SCOOBYDOOBYDOO]

Hi and welcome,
Not much to add to what has already been said.
I am 6 weeks post op and would definitely do it again even though I have had some problems with ongoing sickness.
Already my ankles are no longer swollen and my knees don't hurt. I feel more alert and although I don't have masses of energy due to low calorie intake still feel pretty damn great!
This site is fab for answering any questions you may have.
Good luck xx

 

[PuffinRub]

Also I'm near Stanstead Essex, any idea what hospital I'll be referred to?

Hullo,

Essex is part of the East of England Specialised Commissioning Group, which means you can be directly referred by your doctor to either Luton & Dunstable or Homerton Hospital providing you meet the criteria.

Criteria is:

BMI >40
and
Type II Diabetes or Sleep Apneoa
and
Have Exhaused Pharmacological Options

See my post regarding funding elsewhere.

Regards, Ade.

 

[dreamofbeingslim]

Hi and welcome to the site. It is a fantastic place to be. I am having surgery at Luton and Dunstable in 32 days. I have had to fight to get this as I didn't meet the criteria and fought for 13months to be granted the funding. Good luck with your decision.

 

[thinnerangela]

Hi and welcome.

I'm different cos I've had a duodenal switch - which was best for me and my eating habits.

Its been successful for me - and was expected to resolve my diabetes immediately post-op but it took 11 months - and resolution doesn't happen immediately for everyone.

If you opt for a band remember that you have to have fills/defills and it can take time to find the sweet spot.

Not sure that health insurance covers WLS but why not make tentative enquiries.

In the meantime do loads of research - into all types of surgery so when you get to your surgeon you are really well informed

And Good Luck

Angela xx

 

[mrsdumplin]

Thanks everyone for such a warm welcome...

You've given me loads of info to be getting on with..plus I've been reading my way through all the posts.

I have decided that I'm going to ask to be referred and take it from there.

Have broken the subject with hubby, he's not keen, more from a if things go wrong perspective, we have a 10 month old daughter, yet to broach it with my parents, I can hear my Dad now "theres no need for it, just knuckle down and lose it the hard way..its just mind over matter...just eat healthily and exercise" that conversation I'm not looking forward too..

but hubby has said he will support me and while we are waiting for approval etc he will help me follow a diet and be more supportive so I can get some exercise, that way he said if you can say you've given 100 % to a diet and exercise plan fbetween now and then and you are still not losing then we'll know that this is the best route for me.

Thanks again
MrsD