Tell us about you!

Hiya Jo!!

So glad to see you here! I am going to run over and read your blog tonight. I LOVE following other folks journeys. I think we have so mu*****ommon and it's a comfort to remember that.

Sounds like your doctor is Ace though, that is wonderful. You must have a million things on your mind with all these changes on their way!

Yes-I certainly did have a shock when I first moved here. The folks were so very kind and friendly to me-I just hadn't realized how lonely I would feel at first. Thank goodness my hubby is a sweet man and helped me to get settled in.

You will find some really great folks on this board-even if it is quiet. I still have loads of hope that it will get jumping some day soon. We have a newlywed or two-and we have a mum-to-be. We have lapband, DS, RNY and even Gaz-who is losing weight on his own-read his story if you haven't!

Welcome and thanks for taking the time to post!!

Hugs,
T

Hello I am 6 weeks post op i had the vertical sleeve, the first four weeks i was losing around a pound a day but this last 2 weeks i am gaining 2lb then losing a pound then gaining again i can't understand why this is happening as i am not eating anything like i used to as my stomach is so small can anyone help me to understand whats going on and any suggestions as to getting back to loosing.

I saw the surgeon last week and he said that a loss of 2 1/2 stone in 6 weeks is nothing to be complaing about...and i know he is right but it's this gaining that i don't understand i am getting so frustrated...

First of all, congratulations for your recent surgery!!!

I know for a FACT that many, many, many folks go through the weight up and down in the beginning. There are LOTS of reasons why-and NONE of them are to do with your surgery not working or you doing anything wrong.

Here are just a few-and I am sure the others can share some too:

Body is traumatized. You just went through MAJOR surgery, creating water is a way the body heals and protects itself. It will go away

Your body is in a bit of shock and it may try and hold onto a pound or two-this is VERY temporary and will change as well.

How old are you and how much weight have you go to lose? Age and bulk have lots to do with how fast weight comes off.

You need to give yourself lots of time before deciding you are REALLY gaining weight. If it's any comfort-it would be SO rare-that the news stations would soon be at your house to report this strange and amazing phenomena! LOL!

So-be gentle and kind to yourself. I suggest not weighing every day. Give it a few days and go easy on yourself.

This is NOT a race. I promise you that those who lost weight quickly after WLS compared to those who were slow and steady are NO more successful either way.

Feel free to write any time. This is a big adjustment period and you are bound to need a bit of comfort and friendship.

Peace,
T

Thanks for the reply i have just eaten my evening meal 1 desertspoonful of potato mashed and a  desertspoon of ground beef and i am stuffed i left about half of what i put on my plate, so that will do for tommorow lol

I am 55 yrs old and my weight before surgery was 115.2 my weight now is 101.6 surgery was 6 weeks ago...

I appreciate your help i was feeling very depressed today but i am feeling better now thank you..

Hi I'm Helen Isabella. I hit puberty at 11 and weight piled on. I remember being a size 20 on my first day of senior school. Both parents were overweight but have a thin brother (damn him!) After doing stupid things like awful relationships and alcohol way too much I piled on the lbs but didnt really change size too much. At my heaviest I was 21 stone 7lbs and size 22 and so depressed. I had tried everything inc going on Orlistat. They didnt work as I dont eat fatty foods.

So when I was living in Edinburgh my doc put me on the lap band waiting list with the NHS. I had never considered surgery, I though you had to be bedbound or something but I agreed and saw a glimmer of light. Sadly 1 year on still nothing so I got in touch with the department who informed me they could only do 48 a year and had over 600 referrals already and this number was growing daily. Also it wasnt just done in order but by priority and as Im young (30) with no co-moribidities I could be waiting YEARS.

I was SOOOOO frustrated. To be given some hope and then have it ripped away was destroying. Luckily I have a wonderful supportive partner.

So with support from my work friends/boss (I worked in the NHS atm) and my partner I looked in private surgery.Plus as things turned out my partner got a job in Leeds so we would no longer be on the Scottish NHS and therefore not qualify for the waiting list in Edinburgh.

I found a great and reasonably priced Surgeon just outside London and went to meet with him. I had researched the band and that was all I wanted but he said he'd talk me through all 4 they do. RNY, band, VSG and DS. When he went through the band he went through the downsides and recent studies showing 20% of patients return with probs after 3 years. At least on the NHS all that would be covered but private meant only cover for 1st year so I'd have to pay for any follow up complications later down the line. I was in tears on the inside as there was no way I could afford any more surgery as I would still be paying for the 1st one. It does work for a lot of people and I'm not putting it down but the downsides scared me.

I didnt want RNY or DS as wasnt keen on malabsorbtion.

He then went on to talk about VSG. Oh my god! Remove part of me, are you insane!!! But he asked me a very sensible question. "Would you want the band removed later on?" and I thought hell no. So he said what's the difference. This is a permanent change. I was clinging to some form of "there is always a way back" but there wasnt for me anymore, not if I wanted to be happy.

He talked about the plus sides and it was definately the best option for me. But being scared (both me and partner) we went home and scoured the internet. I came across www.gastricsleevereviews.com and saw the amazing change in a brother and sister who had VSG together and I phoned and confirmed the date.

So after a bank loan for "home improvements...eeekkk" I booked for 20th Nov. Only 1 month after my meeting. Amazing how quick things can move privately. We moved just before my op so it was all go!

I had 1 week pre-op diet and lost 6lbs and since surgery I had my life changing surgery on 20/11 and have lost a total of 2 stone 13 1/2 lbs and am over the moon with my decision.

I found OH as not many people have VSG in the UK so I wanted to see how the Americans did post op.

I struggle with eating any food as I am not hungry at all so have to remind myself to eat. I need to up my protein as worried about hair loss. I also struggle with depression and this isnt helped by not having a job atm though I am applying all the time. At least I'm costing us less in food bills

I've imported Crystal Light cos the US guys swear by it and it is a good replacement. I need to find a hair supplement so off to Holland and Barrett at the weekend but I take chewable Calcium and multivits daily.

So that's me...sorry for rambling!

Hi Helen-Isabella (what a BEAUTIFUL name you have!!),

Welcome to the board! It sounds like you were more than ready for your surgery. SO many of us suffer lifetimes full of hurt and anguish. I was also nearly bed bound when I had my surgery. I had to use the aid of crutches to walk any amount of distance and could NOT get up off the sofa without them.

Today-I am able to run up and down the stairs without even thinking. It's a HUGE gift.

Yes-you absolutely MUST be sure to get enough protein in! Do go check the VSG board and ask them to help you out with the details=as you will need them. If you don't get any answers-let me know and I will help you research.

Ugh-the hairloss? Well..honestly it will just happen. It's due to the shock to the system and the weight loss as well. No amount of topical or medical intervention is going to take that part away. The great news is that it DOES NOT last and it DOES grow back. I believe if you look back in my blog archives you will see my crying about having lost an entire kitten's worth of hair and MORE. LOL!

Today I have just as much as before.

Hang in there-one thing at a time. Get and stay hydrated and get and stay educated on what your new body needs. You will not regret it!!!

Hugs,
T

 LOL I love your name "la petit mort."  Very cheeky!  

Indeed! I love that not many recognise the meaning behind it

Hi, i'm Amy, UK born and bred, currently living in Northants.  I'm having a rny bypass on tthe 12th Feb 2010 - self funded as my doctors view on my weight was to quote "you just need to eat less and exercise  more" - I never thought of that, did you???

I weigh 300lbs wear a size 28/30(uk) and am 5ft 4ins (was 5'5" until nurse put me right on my assesment visit - booo hissss)

I suffer from aches and pains, especially in hips where the doc is saying arthritis - but other than that mother nature has been soooooooooooooo kind as i have no other associated problems, normal blood pressure, cholesterol, heart function etc etc etc

The UK forums just seem to post discussion topics, I came to OH because I wanted to read peoples profiles and blogs, and I've become addicted to the before and after pictures.  I'm desperately trying to make it all sink in as my mouth says I'm gonna be slim, but I just can't see it - all my head will actually let  me see is that I'm about to lose my very faithful and long serving best friend (fine dining), and that I've failed at everyother attempt, so I'll probably be the person that somehow manages to find a way round this!!!!!

On saying that, I am actually usually a very positive person, I just need to get started and I'm looking for support on UK products and shopping etc.
XXX

Hi Amy! 

I am sorry I somehow missed this post! It looks like somehow it got into the middle of the thread-rather than new! Ugh!!

You and I have lots in common I think. I just read your other post about the doctor you are dealing with and your feelings about it.

I am 5'5 and started out at about 380 lbs. I was wearing a size that was VERY difficult to get in the US. My hips were under stress and my knees were really awful. I also did not have high blood pressure-luckily!

I would love to get to know you a bit better and hear more about what you are up to.

The first year is REALLY full of change and such emotions. YES-its true-you going to be SLIM!! Time to start practicing!!

Hugs and welcome!
Therese