Weight loss surgery

[Pennie1]

Hi everyone, the pain has been so bad this week that every time I've walked I have been weeping due to the crippling pain. I'm about 10st over weight and just feel mortified at the recluse that I have let myself get to this size.

My husband and I decided that it would considerably helpful if I went for weight loss surgery, we had a really good chat about it and decided that a drastic weight loss would ease the arthritis that I also suffer from in nearly every joint plus tendinitis in both heels.

We don't have the £10,000 it costs to go private so we would have to put it onto our mortgage as we only have a small one.

I went to the doctors to see my gp to ask for a referral letter. He was a little surprised but asked if he could contact me later regarding the referral. He rang me back giving me an appointment for yesterday to see a surgeon at my local hospital on the nhs, I went yesterday feeling anxious but when I got there they treated me so well and made me feel relaxed. I went through a questionnaire with the nurse then saw a surgeon who was so nice and she put me at ease. She said that we could go ahead with the surgery in January, we discussed that I would have a gastric bypass.

I then saw a dietitian, I need to wait to see an anaesthetist, a psychologist.

This has made me feel over they moon, I have been dieting ever since I was 18, I can believe how soon I can have the operation.

I know it's not going to be easy but nothing in my life has been.

Roll on January. Anybody who feels the same I urge you to go and talk to your gp you will be surprised what they can.

Gentle hugs and love to everyone xx

[hamble99b]

that is good news! the waiting lists can be so long.

[lou60]

So pleased for you, good luck with this. Do keep us posted. xx

[Betty67]

Do hope it works for you, I went on one of these stupid diets of 600 calories and lost a lot and now back to what I was.

I think one of the problems was that losing the weight did not solve any of my problems, the only thing was that I spent a lot of money on clothes that I did not feel well enough to go any where to wear them.

Please make sure you get enough counselling.

[Shadows-walker]

The daughter in law of a friend hs had this done and she looks and feels wonderful , I wish you well

[Piggysqueak]

Hello pennie1

I found your post interesting I myself due to poor mobility due to pain have a massive amount to lose but I have abdo problems so it's not an option for me

It is a drastic step but I do understand ,I have been a yoyo dieter since 16 and have managed to lose v slowly 3.5 stone but still need to lose another 6 stone and it's been really hard but with my good friend who has helped me it been better . My mum who is 75 had a gastric band at age70 on the nhs it was to try and ease her OA pain in her knees she had had one knee replacement and would do anything to never need another . The band has helped as she has nt put her weight back on that's she's lost but it's not the band that's got the weight of its mum her attitude has changed oh she still cheated just found different ways and she needed steroids for 2 years and the band was useless they had to deflate it , the gastric band nurse and surgeon said if your on steroids you can't lose weight even with a band . I think mum would still have the band again but like you said it's still hard work . All the best love squeak xx

[Pennie1 in reply to Piggysqueak]

Congratulations on the massive weight loss that you have achieved, keep going

[Piggysqueak in reply to Pennie1]

Thank you it is just so very hard as I'm sure you know , I feel like I'm stuck all the best for your operation if I could have it I would but know that when weight comes off it still down to your hard work people will be jealous or not informed and says it's easy but it is nt you still have to try really hard . You can do it though good luck love squeak xxxxxx

[Pennie1 in reply to Piggysqueak]

Thanks so much for your kind words, my husband and I have talked at great length about life after the op and have decided to start making subtle changes now, I'm going to stop drinking fizzy drinks etc. thank you so much for your interest and I will keep you posted, hugs xxxxx

[rosewine]

So pleased for you that they have taken your weight issues seriously and that you are getting an operation. It will still be tough for you as it will need a completely different mindset for you but hopefully it will give you a new lease of life and help you with your pain. My thoughts are with you and hope all goes well.x

[Pennie1 in reply to rosewine]

Thank you so much for your advice, we are starting to make subtle changes to my diet so fingers crossed this will help with the post op life. Hugs to you xxx

[TheAuthor]

Hi Pennie1

Thank you so much for sharing your good news and it is wonderful to read that you are going to get your operation paid for by the NHS. I want to genuinely wish you all the best of luck with your gastric bypass operation and I sincerely hope that you have inspired and created confidence for other members in your situation to feel strong and confident enough to follow you in this.

Please keep us all up to date with how you get on in January, and I will be keeping my fingers crossed for you.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken x

[shazzap12]

Hi Pennie

My husband had a Gastric Bypass in August of last year and it completely changed his life. Both his sleep apnoea and type 2 diabetes disappeared and he is so much more active and happy in himself. He is still a big man, as his stature is big, 6ft 2" and size 14 feet but he does not regret the surgery at all. I have also been referred for the surgery but have to go on a 14 week diet and support programme first. I have mobility issues as well as other disabilities and have put on quite a bit of weight since 2010.

So well done for taking the step and I am sure all will be fine.

[Pennie1 in reply to shazzap12]

My heart goes out to you as I know how much this means to me, maybe if we cross our fingers for long enough things may change for you hugs xxxx

[LC74]

I think you are really brave to proceed with this surgery and hope that it helps you to achieve your weightloss goals. I also hope that your reduced weight will help lower your pain levels.

Wishing you good luck and sending hugs

Xxxx

[maawasam]

Good on you. xx

[sue32]

You lucky lady!! I would give anything to have this op done! But there is no way I could afford it and as I live in Wales, the Welsh assembly won't fund it on the NHS. Even if I went over the border into England to have it done, Wales would still be expected to pay!! I've been big most of my life and I have T2 diabetes. I lost 5 stone some years ago with a well known slimming club, but put it all back on again. Then a few years back I lost about 6 stone doing a low carb diet, but most of this has gone back on as my diabetes medication was changed....even my diabetes consultant said I was unlikely to lose weight on these certain tablets and there is no alternative.

But I wish you all the best Pennie1....XXX

[Pennie1]

Hi, my heart goes out to you as I know how much this means to me, maybe if we cross our fingers for long enough things may change for you. Gentle hugs

[mindful579]

Dear pennie 1

What a lovely New Year present that would be for you. I hope that everything works out for you, and in the meantime, try a little chair exercise, or some water aerobics that could easy some of your arthritic pain until the big day arrives in January 2015. Sending you Big gentle((( Hugs))) x

[Pennie1]

Thank you so much for your kind words, I try to do my arm chair exercises with my tin of beans instead of a dumbbell, my son popped in one afternoon whilst I was doing them and the look on his face was priceless

[Sheendog]

That's great news for you, hope all goes well for you xx