The British Way

So most OH people are from the US with a large sprinkle of Canadians, a few Oz and NZ people and a few from Europe. So threads are usually Americo-centric! So for any British people looking to have wls or at the start of their wls journey, here is a thread for us all to come in on! Let's share OUR experiences! I have done it so you can copy and paste and then just type over my bits!

Surgery type      gastric band
Date of op           May 2006
Starting weight  248
Current position   below goal but a recent slight regain which is going!
NHS or private?   Private, no co-morbidities and so NHS not interested
Hospital   BMI Winchester, Mr Byrne
Hospital experience excellent! Op at 8:30, cleared to leave at 4.
Recovery  very very fast! And never even took the prescription pain meds I was given to take home
Cost    £5250 for op plus two fills + access for first year to a dietician
The journey itself reasonable speed for a non-malabsorptive surgery. Lost all my excess weight (109lbs) in just over 5 months. Usually ate about 1200 cals a day but never actually bothered to count - just made healthy choices about 80% of the time and let the band limit the quantity.
Problems  none! I have been very lucky and have not had any issues at all.
Benefits  a new life and a wardrobe full to bursting with new clothes in sizes 10 and 12 ****asional 14 if tight fitting!)
Who knows about it?  immediate family and outside them, only those who had to know ( felt it fair to tell my boss, had to tell a couple of colleagues as had to explain my liquid diet stages)


About me  55 when banded, 59 now! Married for almost 38 years, not far from Reading in Berkshire, three adult children, one grandson and grandaughter imminent!  Retired teacher but keep on going back to do supply work!

Over to you, folks!    Kate

Surgery type      RNY
Date of op           Feb 10
Starting weight  298
Current position  233 just had a stall for 2 1/2 weeks, now lost 2 lbs but not convinced the stall is over yet - but at least all that money spent on new clothes will last a little longer!
NHS or private?   Private - NHS in my area not interested even though I was just in super morbidly obese £10,500 poorer, but its still worth it
Hospital   The Hospital Group, Birmingham, Mr Sigurdsson
Hospital experience not so good - was scheduled for 1 o'clock, by 8 o'clock that evening was still sitting in my room wondering if it would be cancelled, wasn't kept informed, no one even came in to speak to me - surgery wasn't till 9:30. Op went well, pain was pretty good, tolerated drink the next day so they offered me to go home, which I did.  I had no pain advice, no literature, no diet plan just a farewell.
Recovery  Great recovery, I took no pain killers until 2 days after, when I got pains in my side, other than that - I would say pretty much perfect - wounds healed, diet completely tolerated.
Cost    £10,500 to include full access to dietician and clinical nurse and 1 6 week follow up appointment
The journey itself so far I can tolerate everything, and it would be hard to tell I had anything done, weight coming off at about a stone a month ****il this dratted stall that is) - finding food habits hard to kick, still want to pick at whats infront of me but I'm working on that, good and bad weeks.
Problems  I've had no problems whatsoever with foods, or wounds.  My bowels (tmi sorry) have always been a little crazed, not sure if they are worse or not. As for anything else, time will tell.
Benefits  I used to have pain every day in my back hips pelvis and heel, ranging from chronic to mild, it all strangely seemed to be at bay a couple of months before the op - but no sign of it returning, and I think thats due to the weight loss.
Who knows about it?  it was supposed to be me immediate family and closest most trusted friends - my hubby told people he works with, as did my mum, who also told all her neighbours too.  One of my friends told the hairdresser, and my boys told their teachers. My friend talks to me about it infront of her teenage daughters - so I think its safe to say my secret is out, I think only a sign on my t-shirt would cover more people - I feel let down but I fully understand people like to talk and are excited about it, I've just got to suck it up and learn not to feel so ashamed about it.

About me  I'll be 40 in December - plan to celebrate it slim.  Married my partner of 12 years last October, we have 3 kids, 9 year old twin boys, and 4 year old girl.  In a previous life I worked in accounts,  but am now chilminding (9 kids on my books) so I can be with the kids - gonna have to look for a job now youngest is about to start school. 

So all good so far, Binty! Excellent!   Sounds like you have a busy life! Can't imagine you lack exercise!!!

Kate

 Surgery type       Gastric sleeve done laparoscopely
Date of op           14th December 2009
Starting weight     320 just before surgery having already lost 60lbs so highest weight 380 lbs 
Current position  100 lost in 6 months post surgery
NHS or private?  NHS had high blood pressure, sleep apnoea, border line diabetic and joint problems
Hospital   Charing Cross, Hammersmith London  Surgeon : Mr Ahmed Ahmed
Hospital experience excellent! Staff were all fabulous and extremely knowledgeable 
Recovery   excellent no problems scars healed nicely  
Cost   free on NHS ( I know I am really lucky )
The journey itself  everyday, life seems to get better and better a new me has emerged  
Problems  none! I have been very lucky and have not had any issues at all.
Benefits  a new life ,a new  wardrobe, tons more energy and the loving the fact that I have stopped worrying about will I be able to fit into that seat , blending in in a crowd , not being the biggest person in the room and not feeling like people are judging me for that .....discovering that there is more to me than my size .
Who knows about it?  Everyone I know and some people I didn't ....I'm afraid I am an open book and it has changed my life so I feel like I want to shout it from the rooftops
About me  Aged 40  Married for almost 9 years been together for almost 16, living in west London. No  children diagnosed with PCOS 11 years ago. Qualified Nursery Nurse now  working full time ( which I haven't had the energy to do for 8 years ) as a Nanny .

This was a great idea thanks  Kate 
Elaine (chillihot)

Hi, Elaine, you are doing so well! Good for you! And on the NHS!   GRRRRR!

Mind you, the NHS has now taken me over!  The NHS obesity clinic in Reading will do my fills if I ever need more - unfotunately I found that out after I was below my goal weight and so do longer needed fills! But at least if anything nasty happened, I know they will deal with it for me. And my GP arranges my annual barium swallow for me on the NHS.

I love my band but from everything I read the VSG seems like a very effective surgery.

Kate

 Hi Elaine, you seem to be doing great, keep in touch, and keep coming to chat from time to time - I'd love to hear your input. 

Surgery  vsg, 21/02/10.
Start weight  306.
Currently 250, target 208.
Private, figures show I would have been dead before an NHS date.
Hospital was Bridgend, very good care.  In on Saturday, home on Wednesday.  24 hours in ICU.
Recovery  Variable.  At 14 weeks still cannot eat consistently.  If I drink all my fluids then I have trouble with food, and visa-versa.  It is improving and I'll see the Consultant next Tuesday, so will hear what he has to say.
Cost  About £9000 and 12 weeks sick (with full pay)
The journey itself  Seem to stall for weeks then suddenly lose.  56 pounds in 14 weeks so far.  From 56 inch waist to 44.  5XL shirt to 2XL.  Insulin down from 240 units to 70, off 1 tablet for diabetes, 1 for blood pressure and have all the signs that I do not need treatment for sleep apnoea any more.  Another 42 pounds to go.
Problems  Head hunger!  I want to eat lots, and quickly.  This despite not feeling hungry.  This can be draining and frustrating.
Benefits  Covered under Journey.  Life is good.
Who knows?  Everyone.

Hi, Paul, sorry to hear you have a few issues with eating but what a great success - all those meds gone!

And if you ever find the cure for head hunger, please share it!!!

Kate

 yeah, there's a pack of chocolate chip and hazlenut shortbreads that my mum bought for the kids sitting in the kitchen screaming at me as we speak.  Thats why I'm on oh, can't seem to think about anything else aaaaaagggggghhhhhh

 ....... so do you feel unwell or anything with the not being able to keep up with the eating/drinking - or is it just more of a concern about getting stuff in.  What was your longest stall so far?