Bypass2Freedom

I read about this the other day and it is so heart-breaking. Rest in peace Morgan x

I am so sorry to hear that your dietician said that to you. It is a shame that people we go to for help are often the same ones who talk down to us, frequently those in healthcare settings. I really wish you the best of luck with it all

If you don't mind me asking - who are you going with privately? I am going with Spire hospitals with Simon Monkhouse! I am so glad it was quick for you! I feel that the waiting times on the NHS are just awful as they really impact our health in every way. I know for a fact if I have to wait 4-5 years I just wouldn't be in a good place, both mentally and physically, by the time that comes around. Oh god...I do not envy you there! I wish you all the luck! I can't wait!

I just wanted to pop onto this thread to see that it is really good to read some experiences people are having in the UK! I am on the NHS waiting list, but I know that can take years, so I am hoping to have my surgery in May this year privately. I hope all goes well with you! ❤️

Congratulations! This is so amazing! 😁

Exactly haha! They seem to see it as an easy way out, and I haven't even had the surgery yet and I know it is going to be one of the most difficult things I have ever done. Plus, I imagine those same people would probably get actual cosmetic surgery like a BBL and consider that okay, when in reality they could just 'work harder', and have the 'willpower' to do squats every day haha! Either way, I'd never judge anyone's choices as to what they do with their body, so I don't know why we are judged so harshly when it comes to giving ourselves a chance to live a better life and to greatly improve our health!

Ahh I am going with a Spire hospital too! Simon Monkhouse is doing mine

Hello all! I have been loving the support and the community from this forum since I joined, so thank you! Quick question for anyone in the UK, but where do you get your supplements from? I have seen a US site (Baricol), but I was wondering if there is anything specific to the UK! Also - a general question - did people start taking vitamins before their surgery? I am about 4 months off and this is what I am taking/doing so far: (probably a bit overboard) Taking biotin every day I plan on starting to take collagen capsules too every day Using peppermint & rosemary oil on my hair Using a caffeine shampoo and conditioner Using these every day (believe me, full-body moisturising x3 per day is NOT fun haha): Firming Butter (palmers.com) Firms Tones Firming Body Lotion (palmers.com) Massage Lotion for Stretch Marks (palmers.com) Again, I may be going a bit overboard but I just want to give my body the best chance of success!

Yeah exactly what I was thinking! I think binge eating and snacking is one of my biggest downfalls, so I want to tackle that head-on. I am 3 days down without eating crisps and masses of chocolate and sweets! I'll definitely let it stabalise - I imagine although I am 27, I will definitely have loose skin. I have always been a bigger girl. Been at my heaviest weight for a year or two now I think, but I have always had a belly so that's gonna be the area for me! I will say though, with all the moisturising I have been doing, especially on my tummy, it has made me not hate it as much, but just to kind of accept it as part of me. I usually don't look at myself in the mirror, I won't even touch my tummy, so to have to be gentle and care for it in a way has been a bit cathartic. So, if anything, that is helping haha. That is amazing you have been so fortunate with your loose skin, I am so happy for you!

Ahh I don't mind a good hat haha! Thank you

Ahh yes exactly that! I am really trying to get myself into a good routine and a different way of thinking, as I know this is something I am going to really struggle with! I have always been historically bad with taking my medication every day so I need to improve! The peppermint & rosemary really is a good time haha! Thank you for responding

Thank you for your comment You look great! And well done on such an amazing journey! I do fully expect hair loss & loose skin - I am prepared for that, I just wondered if anyone had any experiences with trying to help the body along the way! But it does seem that it isn't needed haha!

I think my package will come with 2 years support too! Just out of curiosity (if you don't mind sharing), who did you go with? I'll have to ask my GP if I can sort those things out then - I am pretty sure I have a B12 deficiency anyway! Thank you for sharing your advice

Hey lovely! I am pre-surgery at the moment, due to have it on 14th May, and my birthday is on 7th June - so like 24 days after my surgery! I have been wondering the same thing, though I will still be massively restricted in what I can eat by that time. Typically, I feel that birthdays and other events of celebration tend to revolve around food, and that can be really triggering, so what I was thinking of doing instead is something more practical. For example, celebrating by going somewhere and doing something active or enjoyable, rather than going out to eat or staying in and just having snacky food like I usually do! Just trying to change up the way that I celebrate so it isn't so food-driven I guess! But honestly, I do think that trying even a little bit of the cupcake is okay! You celebrate however you want to! The surgery isn't about restricting yourself forever from things you used to enjoy, it is about finding what works for you and still enjoying the little things in moderation. All that being said, happy birthday!! ❤️

Ooh okay this is so interesting to read, actually! It is nice to hear it from an honest and upfront perspective, so thank you for sharing your experiences I definitely know that surgery will be the only way to actually get rid of any potential loose skin, and I am already saving up for that eventuality, as I know you shouldn't really get surgery to remove that skin until your weight has plateaued, so probably around 2 years I imagine! I think one of the main things for me at the moment is just preparing myself mentally too - I am trying to cut down on the amount of snacks I am eating, upping my water and protein intake, and making healthier choices. I just want my body and mind to be a bit more prepared for being hungry and healthy!

Oooh I see! That is so strange but it makes sense that ultimately, our bodies will do as they please haha! I am so worried about losing my hair given that it is already pretty fine! But it will be what it will be! Thank you for sharing your experiences

Hey! Thank you for your comment! You are right in that it is a disease - I don't think many people actually understand and appreciate that. Like, if it were as easy as just having the willpower to lose 10 stone all by myself, I'd do it and I wouldn't need surgery! Rudeness seems far too commonplace! I also have PCOS! I was diagnosed at 21 (I am 27 now), and I always wondered why I wasn't losing weight with ease, despite exercising constantly and eating healthily! It is so refreshing to hear how you have changed your mentality and how you love yourself regardless, as you should. It is insane to me that I can barely look at myself in the mirror, but when I see someone who is 'bigger'/has the same body type as me, I think they are beautiful! Body dysmorphia is a real thing I guess haha! The hair loss is something that I am dreading! I am sure you know that with PCOS the hair loss is already a thing, so I am trying to take all the steps I can to avoid it as much as possible! I am also really happy to hear you have had such a positive response Thank you for sharing your story, I'll be honest it definitely made me giggle a bit haha. I think I will have to use that phrase myself...

Hello all! I feel like I am constantly posting on here, but I always have things I want to talk about with others who are in the same place as me! I have PCOS and an underactive thyroid, which is a big reason that my surgeon has recommended the gastric bypass to me, rather than the sleeve. I wanted to know if anyone had any experiences with these conditions, and how they improved after surgery?

It was so good to actually be told why it would help by a professional, its not often I have any luck with medical professionals! I hope it all goes well with you x

I agree!

So my surgeon said that because of the conditions it would be better for me to have the 'harder hitting' surgery - by that he means the one that has the slightly higher % of weight loss results afterwards! He also said that the bypass is more effective in balancing out hormonal issues compared to the sleeve, and that what I need is an entire metabolic reset!

I am sorry to hear that he is acting like that - it is unacceptable and it sounds as if you definitely need to distance yourself from him as much as you can. You are making the right decision for yourself, and you should be proud of yourself for that.

That makes a lot of sense! Thank you for your reply I have suffered with nausea for such a long time now and if I work out when I haven't eaten enough I have been physically sick in the past! It has been good to read your experience with it though, and I am so happy that it has worked for you. I am beyond excited for my chance!

I am nervous about starting the liquid diet before surgery! I already get such bad headaches, light-headedness, nausea & hunger pains when I haven't eaten for the better part of a day! I think it probably has a lot to do with my hormonal imbalance too, but yeah, very apprehensive!

That makes a lot of sense People have already tried to talk me out of it, as if there are other options that I haven't tried! I always like to remind them that I have been big for my entire adult life now, and if I continue, the chances of my obesity killing me are far greater than this surgical procedure. OR they say things like: "but won't you miss the food?" to which I state: 1) I'll be able to eat still, 2) food is what got me here in the first place, so no, I won't miss it haha. Unfortunately us bigger people become punching bags for others who are fatphobic, even without realising it. We are often what they fear! I cannot wait for the day that I feel comfortable in my own skin, even if that skin is loose! I also can't wait for my asthma to be better haha!