Anna Livia

Hope your surgery went well today. Congratulations on the start of your incredible journey. Wishing you good health and good spirits Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

WOW WOW WOW, you look incredible and so much younger. Congratulations Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi I'm very interested to hear about your different experienced with the sleeve versus the RNY. I am hoping to get a referral from my GP to see a consultant and from reading various posts I thought I'd prefer the sleeve, that was until I read your post. Were your experiences so different? I've read a lot about reflux with the sleeve procedure, was that your problem or was it in relation to weight loss? Thanks Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

OMG you look AMAZING! Congratulations on your journey Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi everyone, my question is pre-surgery, did any of you feel shame about seeking your gastric sleeve surgery? and if you did, how did you cope and do you have any advice about coping with this feeling? I feel terrible shame. I'm going to meet with my GP on Friday and dread asking for a referral to a consultant so much that my husband is coming with me for support. I live in Ireland and this kind of surgery is the exception rather than the rule. I am very disabled from severe osteoarthritis and live in chronic pain and it is for this reason that I would like to have gastric surgery. I have researched and thought about gastric surgery for about nearly 2 years following knee surgery. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I also have osteoarthritis plus I have fibro myalgia. I felt like I was cheating going to ask my GP for a referral. She said no worries I may see you there sometime, I had it done 2 weeks ago. My surgeon also had it done this year. There is nothing to be ashamed of because if you are like me, I put on more weight because of the side effects of my medication. I sat in my GP's office in tears because no matter what diet, shake or pills I took just didn't work for me. I don't know if it's the same in your country, but in Australia we have to have a session with a psychologist before we are accepted for the surgery. I found my session really helpful. I hope all goes well for you and remember that you are doing this to give you a second chance to change your life and make living with your ilnesses more bearable. Sent from my SM-T350 using the BariatricPal App Thank you so much for your support. I hate being so disabled and in constant pain. Being able to stay working full time is what keeps my mind busy but I miss not being able to walk, shop, sightsee, things that I used to enjoy because of pain or fatigue and really believe this surgery will make those things easier to do Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thanks for your thoughts, I know what you mean about those situations, they've all happened to me too and when they do at 5ft 10" I wish I could just disappear. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thanks for your positive comments. "Fat shaming" seems to me to be one of the last "acceptable" forms of prejudice. It makes me very upset & annoyed. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Wishing you a speedy recovery & a smooth transition Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thanks Treadmillwalker, finding this app and its community has made a huge difference to me, I have learnt so much in just a few days and it's great to get feedback (pardon the pun) and make contact with other people going through this surgery Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thanks _Kate_ unfortunately I haven't found my GP to be very approachable before. His attitude in the past has been "well just stop eating! As there there is only one bariatric surgeon practising in public health here in Ireland the wait can be 4 or so years. I'm hoping I will get approval from my insurance company because of my arthritis even though my BMI is just below 40. I know this surgery will be the tool I need to become mobile again Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thanks for your reply. I admire your attitude. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App