Think carefully...

[Lizdd]

Hi, please don’t think I’m dismissing anyone’s choice to have weight loss surgery. I’m not. I was in that position 12 years ago. I had my gastric bypass done on the NHS and I so wish I hadn’t. I hope the psychological support is better now, but it was almost none existent when I had mine, and the dieticians advice was scarily poor too. Personally, I was sold the “quick fix, answer to all your problems “ idea. It isn’t. No one told me that my head would still want to eat rubbish but my body wouldn’t let me. I was also never told I could put the weight back on. I initially lost over 10 stone, then through grazing put at least 6 of that back on. Last year I took a long hard look at myself and joined weight watchers. And I’ve done it this way now. I’m in the correct range of bmi and feel healthier than I have in a long time. But it was very frustrating following a diet again. My body wanted to cling onto everything I ate thank you very much! Also as in any weight loss journey there’s loose skin to deal with. That hasn’t improved. While weight loss surgery is undoubtedly good for some, it wasn’t for me, and if I had my time again I wouldn’t have had the bypass. So all I’d like to say is please, if you’re considering this, think carefully.

[Sewnknit Restart April 2024]

I think there is more understanding about this now. Also different types of surgery.

How is your diet going? I lost a lot of weight 20 years ago and here we go again. It's always harder second time around.

One of my daughters is loosing a lot and has excess skin. She's considering skin removal further down the line, but it is pretty brutal surgery.

Good luck!

[Lizdd in reply to Sewnknit]

I had an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) on the NHS two years to the day of my bypass. In one respect I was lucky that they did that then, but there’s still loose skin that goes with dramatic weight loss. And you’re right. It was brutal, I almost died, bad luck I suppose! But as in any body changing procedures, would I ever be happy? Probably not. I’m doing ok now. Lost weight properly. Don’t get dumping syndrome very often now, but cannot tolerate alcohol at all. I metabolise it very quickly and go from stone cold sober to falling down drunk in minutes.,.🤪

[IndigoBlue61]

Thank you for sharing your story, and very well done for losing the weight again, that’s a real achievement 😊👍👏

Unfortunately as we age, weight loss is more difficult and loose skin and flabby bits are inevitable, but still preferable to carrying the excess weight 😊

[S11m]

Hi, Lizdd , Welcome.

I only lost 30kg, and only at about one pound a week, but I am 70, and I have avoided loose skin by vigorously scrubbing myself all over every day.

Autophagy helps tighten or prevent loose skin - and is one of the main benefits of (Intermittent) Fasting. See:

healthunlocked.com/fasting-...

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone]

Thank you for sharing your experience, Lizdd. You give some good insights into the positives and negatives

[CrimsonMama Restart June 2023]

I know one lady who had the gastric band. Yes it helped her lose weight initially but - in my opinion - you don't get the benefits of learning to control your appetite and habits as you do with the slower method. Of course people considering surgery probably feel they have tried and failed to lose weight with dieting and feel surgery is the only way left.

I really hope people can realise this is no longer true! Diets - and the idea around dieting - has changed a lot from how it used to be. It used to be promoted as a kind of gimmick with a start and finish line (needing special foods or equipment) rather than a change of lifestyle.

I have lost over six stone in under a year. I love my food choices. I still have most of all the foods I have always loved and any healthier choices I've made are my choice and not because I've been told I have to eat X. I've got fitter, changed shape (drastically) and feel happier and more mentally content too. None of these things surgery can give you. Yes I have wobbly bits still. My boobs have shrunk! Lots! And I've always had and still have cellulite. But I've learned to love myself anyways! I feel beautiful! I feel stunning in my new clothes! And I don't really care much what other people think of me.

Maybe I could have felt this good when I was so much more bigger? And that would have been OK. If I had decided to stay fat then that would have been my choice. But without going through the weight loss journey I've just been on I don't think I would have got to where I am now, mentally. And its that journey surgery lacks!