Bariatric surgery refugee here...

[Elljay22]

Hello. After a lifetime of being overweight (dating from being placed on diets by my mum as a preschooler), I finally asked my GP if she would refer me for bariatric surgery. I'm in my 50s and, at the time of my first appointment, weighed 27 and a half stone. Although I was fortunate in that I didn't have any other "comorbidities" I was tired and breathless walking only short distances, and my joints were starting to ache.

So I attended my nearest bariatric specialist hospital and was given detailed information about the three procedures available - gastric band, sleeve surgery and gastric bypass - and told about the lifestyle changes required with each as well as the attendant risks. In the end, after long consideration, I decided I didn't want to take the risks associated with the sleeve and bypass surgeries, and the hospital didn't feel I was a suitable patient for a band (too big).

So instead, I decided I would eat and behave similarly to how I would have had to have done if I had been given surgery. I don't mean I followed the post-operative liquid-only diet! But I stuck to around 1,000 calories a day along with increasing my exercise levels.

It's been just over two months since I started and I've already dropped three and a half stones. I haven't followed a diet, just stuck to three meals a day and cut down a lot on carbohydrates - not for 'paleo' reasons, but more because I find it easier to sacrifice bread, pastry, potatoes, pasta and rice in favour of more generous portions of fish and meat.

It's early days, and only time will tell whether I'll ever hit my target of halving my weight, but it's the easiest weight loss regime I've ever done, and I feel as though, for the first time in my life, I'm finally controlling what I eat without being angry, resentful and self sabotaging.

[moreless Administrator 7 stone]

Hi and welcome, Elljay

Firstly, congratulations for striking out alone and for losing 3 stone, that's fantastic!! I realise that you've found something that has worked for you, but I'd just like to say that it's possible to lose a lot of weight, by eating much more than 1,000 calories and you won't let your metabolism drop, either.

At your weight, you could be losing, on twice as many calories, leaving room to reduce them, as you continue to shrink

I'd like to invite you to join our Newbie Club, which we hope will be a good place for you to connect with members, who are also just starting out. If you just post a few words to introduce yourself and respond to others there, you'll soon break the ice. Here's the link

healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

You'll find all the information you need to navigate the forum in the header, so please take the time to read it carefully.

Wishing you all the best

[Elljay22 in reply to moreless]

Thanks Moreless. I realise what you say is true: I've lost weight in the past through Weight Watchers and although they use (or used - I'm not sure what they do now) a points system, it's clear the calorie allowance is much higher with them.

I suppose what has "inspired" me this time (if that's the right word) is the investigations into bariatric surgery. I know it's not for everyone, but this is my way of proving to myself that I don't need it. That removing half your stomach is not what makes people slimmer: consuming less and exercising more does. If I can adhere to a similar regime as those who had surgery most of the time, I can achieve similar weight loss and still eat normally on social occasions and at Christmas. Hopefully I get the best of both worlds!

[moreless Administrator 7 stone in reply to Elljay22]

Oh I understand fully where you're coming from, Elljay and I applaud you!! I just don't want you to get stuck in the trap of reducing too much, too soon and having nowhere to go.

Many people post bariatric surgery regain their weight, or have difficulty losing weight, after the first few stone and I'd like to see you avoid that.

I spent years dieting, under the impression that the less you eat, the more you lose, which sounds right, but actually isn't. Our bodies are very clever and will go into a starvation mode and hold onto fat stores, being happier to give up on muscle mass, further reducing the ability to burn fat.

This time around, I did things differently and have lost 7 stone.

Have a look at this, it will explain things a lot better than I can

healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

[kiwikyd-nz in reply to Elljay22]

I think you've done fantastically well losing the 3 1/2 stone

I've watched a lot of weight loss surgery programmes on tv and youtube and I can honestly say that I couldn't go through it myself. Through talking to the specialist and discussing the options and the risks and changes you learned a lot and chose the right way for you

A brilliant start to your journey. You should buy yourself a lovely bouquet of flowers to congratulate yourself. Something bright that will make you feel proud whenever you look at them

[Elljay22 in reply to kiwikyd-nz]

Ah yes - flowers is something I do indulge myself with. I have some pink carnations at the moment. I'm not usually a carnation girl, but these are lovely and they do last a good long time, too!

[Pineapple27]

Well done, a wonderful achievement. I too decided to give losing weight one last go through changing my diet after having seriously considered bariatric surgery (stomach bypass). So glad i did! Two friend who had the surgery have put all their weight back on and have had to modify their way of eating forever....

Here's a post you might enjoy reading!

healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

[VickyDLM 2 stone]

I always think if you can avoid surgery, you should. I suppose that's why I never understood plastic surgery for cosmetic reasons (reconstruction is a totally different ball game!).Saying that, I've never been in your situation either so it's hard to say really.

I think you're doing well to have lost 3.5 stone so far, congratulations!

Good luck in going forward and welcome to the forum!

[Hidden]

Way to go!!!

[Parissunshine]

Fabulous well done you. You're now in control.

[Beechnuts]

Wow Elijah what a brilliant story, you have done so well ! Good luck with your continuing weight loss.

[Roppo]

Well done

[13Valerie]

Go you... more people need to hear your story.

Weightloss from surgery only comes with a change in diet and lifestyle.

You are fabulous😊