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Well after months of classes and clearances I finally had my surgery yesterday (March 20). I am actually doing great! No pain only pressure from the gas and soreness. I’m very pleased so far. The nurse that called to check on me asked if I was sure I had surgery because no one does this well after surgery. LOL.

Good evening guys! It's been a while since I lost posted on here, and I'm really pleased to say that almost 12 months post-op (celebrating next week on the 28th), I am officially 54kg/118lbs lighter. My dietician and surgeon have given me a goal of between 70-80kgs, I'm currently sitting at 81kg and would like to get to 75kg and maintain for another 6 months or so prior to deciding on plastics, however, that is another story for another day. I've come on here today - a primarily US-based forum - to ask my fellow UK/European bariatric patients about where you've been looking for your plastics. I've been having a look on here, speaking to people I know who've had WLS and/or plastics, Youtube videos, surgery websites, searching for surgeons etc based on their speciality, however, it would be great to learn more about other personal insights. I had my WLS done in the UK on the NHS - which I am ever so grateful for - however, I had a really bad experience and was severely ill in hospital for a month after, so I'll be honest, the thought of going under the knife again gives me some of the worst anxiety. I can't even go into a hospital currently without feeling anxious and a bit uneasy. I'd love to know some positive stories of those that were made to feel really comfortable, consultations that were really well in-depth, surgeons and doctors who made you feel like you were making the best decision. I've looked into UK surgeons - to be honest, I totally understand why people opt to go abroad (although Turkey is out of the question for obvious reasons) - I've been hearing great things about NordsEsthetics in Lithuania, with really good views and standards. I've also considered Germany or possibly the Netherlands, again for quality standards of healthcare and successful surgery rates. I have of course looked into UK-based clinics and hospitals, however the majority don't necessarily have any better review than others I've looked into - particularly surgeons who work abroad, but were trained and worked in the UK prior, although I am still contemplating whether I would go anywhere outside the UK, for the sheer reason that if I were to get ill again, what would happen etc. I am looking at a full 360/FDL tummy tuck with breast enhancement, as I've been left with a lot of excess skin on my upper torso that a traditional tummy tuck wouldn't necessarily remove. Anyway, any and all opinions are welcome, TIA x

So I'm a little more than 2 years out and for probably the last 6-8 weeks, I've gotten to where I just don't really enjoy eating most things. I'd say 90% of what I'm eating, I eat because I know I need to eat, not because I particularly enjoy it. Most things just taste off somehow to me, including things I used to really enjoy. I'm wondering if any other folks had anything similar happen? I will preface this by saying there's a possibility this is medication related, as I think I made a change to my meds about that same time. I'm investigating that separately.

Congratulations on doing so well. Could I add a polite word of warning, Don't do too much too soon just because you feel so well at the moment. Its big surgery and the biggest part of it is inside you and you can't see it healing.

I agree with the above posters. I even drove home from the hospital the next day. The hospital staff told me that I could drive because I walked a lot and took no pain meds. I did order online for products and food more than normal. The surprise was it was much harder to get up from sitting or lying down, after a few days I got a rolling method. I bought a cheap toilet seat extender that added height. I was organized and stocked up ahead of time. It would depend upon how your personal health is. I’m also kind of stubborn and want to control my own healthcare based upon data, like peak flow and oxygen levels. I grew up with nurses and doctors in my family and they deal with strokes, heart attacks, and cancer. They don’t notice silent asthma until you’re blue. I did have my 14 yr old son as a helper. (He stayed with his dad during my surgery.) He could run out for TP at the corner store if needed. (To prevent the house burning down I still had to cook for him). I have dear neighbors who could help as a backup. Each person and situation is different, but it can be done.

No issue with flavour (which does sound like it could be related to your medication change) but I feel a bit meh about food. Nothing really excites me. I enjoy cooking but at the same time I can’t be bothered. I do because I know I have to & I’m hungry so I stick to pretty much food on repeat as I don’t have to think when preparing it. Even if a new recipe or a dish I’ve seen looks interesting I can’t be bothered to make it as it seems like too much of a phaff. When I do try something new I feel disappointed by it. It’s ok but not rushing to make it again. Maybe I just need someone to do it all for me! They can plan the meal, do the shopping and cook it. Oh, maybe I need a wife. 🤣🤣🤣 Though I think I just need to shake things up & get out of what is likely just a funk. (Probably as I’m nearing one of those decade ages.)

They are by a brand called Prozis

I live alone too so I had no support in my home. I told a few people, one of which had had the surgery, but apart from phone calls to see how I was I really did it alone. I did get a lot of support and information from this forum and my GP was also supportive and interested in my progress. In saying that, I’m pretty independent and organised & I was very confident and comfortable with my decision to have the surgery. I didn’t have any psychological or emotional issues, was very mobile & didn’t have any co morbidities before my surgery. My recovery was pretty smooth though slow as I had issues with low blood pressure & hypoglycemia. Both of these I had experiences with before but occasionally not regularly and o knew how to manage them. I had no issue getting in or out of bed and my pain was easily managed with the prescribed meds (for about 4 days) and then didn’t need anything. I prepared well with all the over the counter meds my surgeon recommended (not that I needed them all) and had shakes, broths, soups for the first two weeks on hand. So I didn’t have to go anywhere or get anyone to shop for me. I think looking back I probably would have got my groceries for purée and soft food stages delivered simply for the convenience and not having to deal with weight restrictions for carrying things and the lethargy. Grocery shopping can be exhausting, (I did it after my hysterectomy last year & wish I’d done after offer my sleeve and gall removal.) I had a cleaner and a gardener so I agree with @BigSue’s suggestion about that even if it is for just a couple of weeks or so. Not everyone’s recovery is the same. We come in to it at different weights, with different medical histories and different existing medical conditions. There will be similarities but also variations. Do your research. Lots of people have shared their recovery and journey here to give you an idea of what you might experience and give you an idea of what you might experience. All the best.

Rotisserie chicken, couscous and beets. This meal… again 🤣 but I love it because it’s so easy.

Yes, that’s a normal rate of weight loss. As everyone else says, don’t compare your progress with others’. I had the same experience after my surgery where it seemed like everyone else who had it the same month as I did was getting these amazing results and I wasn’t losing weight any faster than before surgery (I lost 70 pounds in the 5 months before surgery). It was hard to see other people hit their goal weight in, like, a month when I still had over 100 pounds to go. You go through so much just to get the surgery, not to mention the grueling pre- and post-op diet, so it feels like you should be seeing major changes by now, but it’s not a race. As long as the number on the scale keeps going down, you’re doing something right. And many people experience a stall in the first month before continuing to lose. There are all these rules of thumb for how much you “should” lose in the first 3 months, 6 months, etc., but everyone is different, and you’ll get there when you get there. The first couple of months post-op are the worst because you’re recovering for a major surgery, adjusting to huge life changes, restricted to a limited diet, but still overweight. In the moment, it seems interminable, but a year or two from now, you will barely remember this rough period of time. Just have faith and stick with the program.