Recent Posts

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

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! No, we are doing something most people find a bit bizarre! We are taking the Norwegian Mail ferry from Bergen to Kirkenes (Russian border). On Christmas Day we will be in Trondheim! On Boxing Day we will be driving huskies!! As we will be well north into the Arctic, it will be 24 hours of night time! But apparently the snow reflects enough to keep it a sort of twilight! And we hope( please, please, please) to see the Northern Lights.

What are you doing?

Kate

Hi I am 55 yrs old i live in Wales but hope to move to Scotland early next year to be close to family,
My story is i have been overweight all my life in the last 4 yrs i have tried so hard to lose it as i have medical problems due to my weight ostio arthrtis being the worst my knees my ancles and my hips, also high blood pressure.
I have had a hiatus hernia for over 20 yrs but last year it got very much worse i was sent to see a specialist who thought surgery was the best way to go he sent me to see a surgeon and it was the surgeon who offered me the vsg he said he could do it at the same time so getting me in the back door so to speak as the nhs would never fund it, i jumped at the chance and had surgery on 21/10/09 so far i have gone from 115.2 kgs to 101.6 kgs

I am looking forward to loosing at least 40 kgs

I look forward to making friends here and getting support also, thank you for your message..

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