Weight loss surgery.

[Slumberparty]

Has anyone on here had either a gastric band or sleeve? I really need to do something, and I am torn between the two. Any information is welcome. I am currently on MTX and embrel. Thanks for any info.

[sylvi]

I am waiting for a sleeve. I am in the process of losing weight as the requirement for the hospital i have lost a stone in weight. For two weeks before the op you have to live on milk and yogurt to shrink the liver and the same for the two weeks after the op so your stomach can heal. xxxx

[Slumberparty in reply to sylvi]

Thanks for your reply sylvi. Are you having the op in the UK? I would have to go to Belgium. No way could I afford it here. Good luck.

[sylvi in reply to Slumberparty]

I am having it on the NHS. xxxx

[Cara40]

Hello

I had a sleeve back in 2012. Hardest thing I've ever done but the best. If you wish to ask anything I will honestly answer you x

[Lisashoemad]

I had a gastric band back in 2008, i paid for it privately, its a very dramatic change in daily living, and although i did lose 5 stone with mine it was sheer hell, the constant tweaking to get the right tightness in the band, which is all done via a port that sits under yr skin near yr ribs was just a mine field, one minute its to tight, then to loose , and i suffered terribly with acid reflux, eneded up on different meds for this, this was pre RA and fibro too, i was constantly woken at night with stomach acid flooding back up into my throat which i then inhaled, i lost count of the times i ended up in A&E begging for help, but bcoz i had it done privately they were very hesitant to touch me....i just couldnt afford to keep having the adjustments which were costing me £100 a time as my aftercare package had run out.....my story eneded with me being awake for literally a week, sitting bolt upright on the sofa, my hubby said he could hear the acid errupted up my throat like a volcano, after an emergency barium xray it was shown to have slipped up my stomach into my chest, i was malnourished and very dehydrated when i was finally rushed into hospital to have it removed....that was in 2011.. Ivesince put the weight back on, and have an appointment thursday with an NHS baratric team to discuss my options on further surgery with them, now the RA and fibro are restricting me from any form of exercise, the worry is diabetes and a stroke next, my dad died of a stroke when he was 52, not an ounce of fat on him. So i definately wouldnt recommend a gastric band, although from what one of the drs who rang me said they have improved over the years, i will be asking for a gastric sleeve...hooe this helps...

[Slumberparty in reply to Lisashoemad]

Thank you so much. I`m sorry you had to go through so much pain. My oldest daughter is the only one I have told about my plans so far, and she really wants me banded. My brain says a sleeve. Stories like your confirm it is the right choice. Hopefully I can book something soon and just tell her, and the rest of them, what I am doing.

[Lisashoemad in reply to Slumberparty]

Hi slumberparty, i had lots of so called friends give me thier opinion on what i should and shouldnt do, we are no longer friends now, as they weren't prepared to support me, what i will say is, i really really WOULDNT suggest going abroad, the language barrier could be a problem, and on top of that if something goes wrong yr so far from home, also for any follow up care ....the NHS may be getting better at helping after private health care goes wrong, but they certainly dont make it easy for you.. Research everything before you make yr choice, and please dont go for the cheapest price you find, cheap can mean just that CHEAP....i went through the hospital group, which at the time had a sister company "Why go abroad" . The good thing about banding is that is reversible, where as a sleeve or bypass isnt, also a gastric band lasts around 10 years before having to be renewed, something else to think about, im certain most places in england have an aftercare package as part of the deal now, you have to have xrays afterwards to ensure its in the proper place, sometimes barium xrays, one of those alone cost me £300, and then the fills and de-fills until you get the right restriction....so an aftercare package is a must... it really is a complete lifestyle change, for example you can never eat bread again, or fizzy drinks, even chewing gum is frowned upon, its a hard thing to get yr head around, if i was stressed my band would tighten up and i lost count of the times i had to rush to the loo bcoz my pouch wanted to dump the food back out, and the pressure and pain i would feel if something got stuck....like i said things seem to have moved forward regarding banding etc, so please research everything....x

[Slumberparty in reply to Lisashoemad]

All the companies in Belgium do their after care here. To be honest a band wouldn`t work out much difference in the long run to the UK, but I am not going for that I think. Just too many people saying it`s so much more likely to fail.

Now if someone gives me an extra £5000 I can get it done here. No takers for that then lol.

[Pipcat15]

I joined slimming world lost 3 stone in 10 months and never looked back. That was 7 years ago. My knees are so much better and I've kept the weight off. Having sugary would petrifi me. But it's down to the individual needs. Would definitely recommend it tho.

[Slumberparty in reply to Pipcat15]

I lost 6 stone with SW 11 years ago. I put it back on sadly. I also lost 2 stone with them this year. I`ve regained that too. This is a last resort for me.

[carotopgal]

I had a full gastric bipass in 2005, and it was the best gift I've ever given myself. Was it work, YES! Did I have to give up a lot of different things that I used to eat/drink, YES! Was it worth it, YES! I lost 125 lbs and have managed to keep it off these 10 years. But I do still watch my weight, and if I inch up a few pounds, I'll watch what I eat until I'm back down.

If I were to choose for you, I'd choose the gastric sleeve instead of the band. I've had several friends get the band and although they each lost about 40 lbs initially, they got tired of the visits to the doctor to tighten the band, or the band slipped, etc., so they each one have had it loosened and have gained all their weight back.

Now, that's not to say you can't gain the weight back after the sleeve or full bipass either! I've had a friend that had a full bipass and then started doing all the things that they tell you not to do after surgery, ie: drinking soda (the bubbles stretch the stomach out), eating sugar/sweets, eating too much. She has gained all of her 130 lbs back, + some.

It's a big step, but if you put the work in mentally and physically, you can make it work and you will be SO much the better for it. If you'd like to discuss, just message me.

Hugs!

[Slumberparty in reply to carotopgal]

Thank you Caro. I am going to go for it and book a sleeve. I will probably stay in Belgium a couple of extra days to make sure I am up for the journey home. All the aftercare is in Manchester, and I am about 30 miles from there, so all is good.

I am excited to lose this weight for good!