Your opinions requested please!

[Louise1]

Hello all.
I had my nurse specialist appointment on Monday and all went well.
The only problem is that due to my eating habits I'd been hoping for a bypass.
The nurse has now said that due to my existing bowel condition and stoma they might only be able to offer my a band or sleeve. I'm not a large eater & my problem is that I snack on chocolate/biscuits/fizzy pop etc. In other words the things a bypass helps but band/sleeve don't!.
I was wondering what your opinions were on this. I'm a year into my journey now and feel like walking away as I don't want to go through an operation that won't help me and will reinforce my failure.
Thank you!

 

[LeighZ]

Whilst i agree about the band, this would never work with me either; i wouldnt be discouraged if you have the sleeve.

It's true you wont suffer the 'dumping' from sugar etc but everything else as i understand it is similar. I expect you can tolerate a larger portion but it will still restrict your intake.

I know its difficult to get your head around breaking your old habits but honestly after surgery you tend to be in a different mind set. I'm confident you will manage ok with a sleeve. Ironically, it is the sleeve i was happier with but ended up with the by pass. I learnt more about the sleeve than the by pass because right up until i was in theatre they were unsure which they would do!!!

Another difference with the sleeve is that it is not reversible as a portion of the stomach is removed. Also, the sleeve is often used as a first stage and followed after 9-12 months or more with a by pass. Surgeons told me that when the sleeve is used it is because they feel therer is too much risk involved with the by pass because the patient has additional health problems but it is often the case that after a year, enough weight has been lost to reduce the risks and they are able to do the by pass

Sorry my brain is not awake yet, hope this makes sense.

 

[suepat10]

Hi Louise

Bear in mind your nurse said 'might only' not 'will only'. She has to tell you this but it is not definite.

Once you have spoken to the consultant you will have more of an idea what they can do for you.

If the consultant feels they can only offer a band but that it wouldn't benefit you then he won't do the operation. Same with the sleeve.

I would wait on making a decision one way or the other until you've seen him/her xx

 

[Louise1]

Thank you both!!!
I was considering telephoning my bowel surgeon and asking for a chat. I have some equipment I need to take back to the hospital anyway and may as well pop in.
I've offered to have my stoma removed as it's now ineffective and I dare say they could do both in the same surgery if required...
I suppose it's a lot of what if's at the moment, I just got a bit of a fright lol.

 

[LeighZ]

Ive just remembered...it was the nurse specialistwho told me i would have the sleeve dur to other medicals issues, the surgeons disagreed and i had the by pass, and they will ask you what you want and discuss the options so dont worry too much at this stage. believe me nothing is set in stone!

 

[Louise1]

Thanks Leigh.
I've had bad experiences in the past where my bowel consultant thought surgery was the way to go then a nurse specialist interfered and 30 mins before anaesthetic had my surgery called off. I never underestimate the power of a nurse lol.
Thanks for your story though I'm feeling loads better.
The nurse also said I was young for the bypass. Strange as there's loads of people on this site my age (32) and younger. Bizarre.

 

[Jrichard]

Nonsense I had mine aged 33.


Julie

 

[mandym1]

I was told I was one of the youngest and smallest they have done and I'm 37 and was 21st 7lb. I think it was more of a statement than a warning of any sort. If this is the path you choose then best doing it ASAP, as the younger you are the less risk and quicker recovery usually. Also the younger you are excess skin may not be as bad. I would wait for your discussion with the surgeon and fight your case if it is what you want. x

 

[suzie290304]

Hi Louise sorry to hear that they might only offer you band/sleeve. Sleeve is what I want (fingers crossed) try and do some research on the sleeve. I do like my snacks aswell but only If I'm hungry. It takes away part of the stomach that makes you hungry. So I'm assuming that as long as u fill your pouch on a healthy meal we will not feel hungry. It has very good success rates. But surgeons might disagree with the nurse and offer you bypass if safe to do so. Got all fingers and toes crossed for you. Were you given a weight loss goal, and appointment date with surgeon at app x x x

 

[Jane]

As others have already said, nothing is cast in stone yet. See what your surgeon says when you see him.

But if you do need a sleeve because of medical reasons, then there are many sleevers that have lost lots of weight successfully, and you will still be limited in the quantity you can eat.

I had a bypass and I don't dump so I could in effect still eat chocolate, so having a bypass doesn't always guarantee you won't be able to eat your danger foods.

May be worth a chat with your other consultant and see what he says, but certainly don't worry too much yet.

 

[Very Big Chris]

As a 3 week post op sleeve I can tell you than fizzy drinks are likely to be a thing of your past. You will not have the stomach size to absorb the fizz and it will come straight back up. The technical term is projectile vomit! I seriously do not recommend it!!

HTH

Chris

 

[Louise1]

Thanks all.
Suzie I wasn't given a weight loss goal. She just said to keep losing & seemed impressed at my lifestyle changes so far.
I was told I need to see the dietician (which I suppose informs which operation you're offered) and then the consultant. She said 3 months-ish before that appointment then another 3 months-ish for the operation itself.

 

[Big an Bouncy]

Well I wasnt the youngest at 56 but only weighed 18st and much younger than you have had wls so thats bunkum!I would go with the sleeve,some have had great results.Btw I had a bypass and dont dump so be careful whichever surgery you have.I can eat plain biscuits ie Rich Tea,still got sugar in them.Eaten on a bad carb day!Not had loads of sweets or any chocolate though not that daft!

 

[Karlos]

The age stuff is total ballcocks, but as to which procedure is suitable for you, only two opinions matter, yours and the surgeon's.

Also don't put too much store in dumping syndrome post op. Only 30% of post ops dump on sugary foods and even these will build sugar tolerence if they work hard at it.

You should be more concerned as to whether you are prepared to make the lifestyle changes that will ensure your post op success, because unless you are, none of the options will bring you ultimate success

 

[daftmoo]

I was just about to add, we don't all dump on sugary/fatty foods and if we do its not always. I've dumped on chicken breast but not chocolate. Everyone is different.

 

[LeighZ]

Yet another thought...... obviously all the surgeons have thier own methods, however each time i saw my surgeon...before and after the 'nurse' he asked me if there were any of the options i would totally dismiss. I explained why I felt two of them were not an option for me. Then expressed my feelings about both the sleeve and the by pass. Due to underlying health issues either was an option for me. I even asked to see another surgeon before i made a final decision! There was a lot of discussion as to the pros and cons 'for me' but the ultimate decision was mine. Quite literally in my case, i was able if i wished to change my mind at the last minute.

If you are more comfortable with the bp then state your case and be firm in your resolve.

I do agree though if you're looking at the bp as a preventative measure for snacking or you convince yourself you wont be able to pass up the snacks unless you have the bp, you will be on a slippery slope.....

 

[Cicca]

I don't dump.

 

[Louise1]

Thanks for all of your input folks...
I'm aware I need to change my eating habits etc & have done really well so far.
I'm disabled & prior to becoming poorly I was a size 8. I managed my weight well however due to my bowel condition I have a stoma. This limits how much/what exercise I can do and rules out many food types which are, "healthy". For instance I can't eat fibre & fruit/veg is restricted. Because of this I thought the bypass would be better for me.
Does anyone have or know of anyone with a stoma or similar bowel condition who has had wls??
Thanks again..

 

[tink1974]

i dont dump on chocolate or crisps which means that I still have to control my intake. I have seen people doing really well on the sleeve. The main thing to remember is that these ops are just a tool to help us lose weight.
Good luck x

 

[phatmomma]

Don't choose a bypass because you think it will make you dump. I had a little bit of a hot flush in the first few weeks post op after some sugar free angel delight, since then nothing gives me any discomfort/dumping...

As Karlos says, it's down to you with the amount of effort you put in to things as to whether you will succeed. I piss arsed around at mine 5 months post op and this caused me to have a few months of not losing and not facing the truth that i was failing and not my surgery. I am now back in the saddle but having to work hard at it, i'm sure if i'd put more committment in back all them months ago i wouldn't be 3 stone from goal. I will still go to the Ball, however it probably wont be the summer one, i'm saving myself for Christmas xx