Bypass2Freedom

This is such a useful reply thank you so much! Amazing that you have been with Spire and have had such a good experience, it is really nice to hear. So far my experience with them has been really good, so I am expecting greatness haha. I am curious to see what they will recommend for my LRD - I am not looking forward to it ? Weird question here, but what are their hospital gowns like? I shall remember some lip balm! Puree sounds awful I can't lie! I also feel weird about broth or bovril and how they will taste...I need to trial. I have the coil and my surgeon said that is all good, so there will be no break (or risk) of pregnancy as I don't need that in my life right now! I have PCOS too so I am also intrigued to see how that may help it. Thank you so much for all of your advice x

@ShoppGirl Thank you for your reply I have therapy every week, but was going to start looking for more weight-related therapists in my area as I am extremely worried about coping with the emotional eating. I am sorry to hear about the struggles you have had, and I hope it all works out for you. Pureed food sounds like the worst stage! I, like you, feel that pureeing 'normal' foods probably is gross haha! Hospital bag is actually one of the things I do need to think about! I shall add those to my list, thank you

You look so happy - well done! So so happy for you ❤️

I am honestly probably one of the most impatient people ever haha - I had my first consultation with my surgeon in early Dec 2023 and decided to provisionally book it in then, with no money exchanged, and I have been obsessing with it ever since! I really do hope the time goes quick as you say!

I feel like I have asked so much, yet I still have things I want to know! Like: what kind of equipment did people order beforehand e.g. scales, blender etc Also, I have heard that women struggle in particular when it comes to the hormonal changes immediately post-surgery - how to prepare for that? It is daunting to think about how to deal with food cravings when I am an emotional eater, and I will need to find a different outlet! Thank you so much!

I genuinely think that you sometimes just have to be selfish and do what you need to do for yourself. This is still your weight loss journey, and you know what is right for you. Sounds like you do have support around you (even with the reservations), and you are a strong person! As it seems like you already have, just make sure you are informed with your decision, look at the pros and cons - maybe write out a physical list so you can visualise it? Either way, I really wish you the best of luck ❤️

Thank you!!

I know I have been active on here for a while now, and probably made far too many posts for someone who hasn't even had surgery yet, but today I put down my deposit payment for my gastric bypass surgery with Spire Gatwick in the UK, for the 14/05/24. It officially feels real! Until now, I had so many anxieties as to whether or not it would happen in case I couldn't find the money, or get approved for a loan etc, so it just feels like so much relief now that it is all finalised and I know it is gonna happen. I have my 1st dietetic consultation & my pre-op assessment on 05/04/24, and then my 2nd lot of pre-op bloods on 13/05/24. I am trying to log it all in my bariatric surgery journal which I am finding really useful! I guess I just wanted to post to just express how happy I feel right now, to people who I know will understand ❤️

Hello and welcome! I don't even know if I am considered a young adult at 27, but I feel it sometimes! I will probably just echo what others have said - your reasons are your own, you don't have to feel that you need to share these with everyone. You are making the right choice for yourself. I am also pre-surgery so if you need to talk at all please feel free! This place has been amazing for me so far!

I think I will definitely have some tunnel vision when I have paid for my surgery (I plan to do that next week) as then it will feel extra real and I will need to get into my game face haha. It is interesting to see your perspective of it all, I completely get the whole wanting to prove it to yourself bit - I feel that the challenge is always there when it comes to wanting to prove it to ourselves that we are capable! I think I am just saying goodbye to my fave foods for now, temporarily, and definitely in the quantity I have been eating them! Then when I get to eat them again, I will hopefully have more control! Thank you for sharing your experience! ❤️

Oh really! That is so interesting to see the differences!

There are so many Fish & Chip shops here but that sometimes makes it hard to find somewhere that is decent! Nothing worse than a soggy chip ? I bet that there is omggg

Oh my god @newbegining2024 all of that looks so good! I am sooo jealous just looking at all of that. I feel that the UK really doesn't have this amount of good food!!

Oooo I would definitely break protocol for B&J haha! I didn't even know they could do tours and that has got me thinking...

Ahh that is such a shame! I am sorry! But at least the pizza was extra good! Its good to hear your experiences with it all post-surgery, and that keto banana cookie sounds yummy! Would you mind sharing the recipe? The rice is amazing with it all...ugh I will miss it!

I feel you on that - I love chocolate! Snacks in general haha. I am a bit worried about still craving it all after surgery, but I hope I will have the same resolve as you!

That is an interesting thing that I hadn't considered - rather than just junk food, but the food that are just favourites! Makes me think of my mum's mac & cheese and some other dishes she makes! hmm... I am so glad you can eat your salads still! I imagine that helps a lot to still have something you really enjoyed pre-surgery!

It is quite a shame that we have to fund it ourselves if we don't want to be waiting 5+ years! But as you say, in the long run it is worth it, and I know I will feel that way too. I agree with you on that - I don't see how the NHS will be able to improve, given that they aren't getting anymore funding any time soon... ? But thank you, selling my house was going to happen regardless, but now I have a purpose for some of the money which I will be grateful eternally for! Oooo you have given me things I need to add! Chinese is right up there! A full English too yes! You went for it, rightly so!!

I can only imagine how hard it has been for you - I have seen some of the other posts you have made, and it sounds like you've really been put through the ringer. You're a very strong person! I am sure your goal will come around sooner rather than later - determination and grit will get you there, and you have mountains of both it would seem! I am so looking forward to being able to join in with these kinds of discussions once I have had my surgery ?

Ahh I am so so happy for you! What an amazing milestone, and the happiness is clear to see on your face. You are looking amazing! I am beyond proud of you - congratulations! ??

Oooh all of that sounds so nice! They recently opened a Wendy's here in my town in the UK and I haven't tried any food there yet - but at least I know now that the portion sizes are massive when it comes to the Baconator ? Your advice about making sure it doesn't turn into a series of "last meals" is really helpful - I am already trying to rein myself in a bit as I can imagine eating so much food that it turns into a month-long binge!

*Trigger warning for discussion of food* - just in case! I don't want to upset anyone who may be struggling with cravings etc ? Hello everyone! I have been on this site for a few months now, and my surgery date is getting closer and closer. I've just had the sale of my house finalised which means I can now officially pay for my surgery so it all feels a lot more real now! ? I am curious to know if anyone had a pre-surgery bucket list? I am talking things like, final meals they wanted to have or things they wanted to drink! Given that after surgery a lot of these things are going to be a no-go for a while. I just thought it would be a fun thing to talk about! I am thinking about Kokoro chicken katsu curry...?

Hey! Welcome! And congratulations on starting your journey. I spoke to my surgeon about the options available, and discussed my health and any conditions I had (PCOS & underactive thyroid), and he recommended a bypass. I initially wanted a sleeve, but I listened to what the professional suggested and it really helped me make my decision!

It really did! I think I was on the waiting list for Tier 3 for about 2 years. I don't know how they think they are helping those who desperately need help with their weight, by making them wait years and years without any support. I completely empathise with that, although there are a lot of freedoms with being self-employed, it does make some things more difficult. I am glad they have reacted quickly to the complaint - I so hope they take it as seriously as they should and the woman who initially caused stress is actually held accountable. I have my fingers crossed for you! ❤️ Here if you need a friend x

This is so awful, I am beyond sorry that you have had to go through this. I know most of us can completely empathise with how hard the waiting game is at the best of times, let alone with the added stress of the NHS and how badly run it seems to be with WLS! I had initially considered just staying on the NHS waiting list (I am currently on the Tier 3 Weight Management programme), but after hearing awful experiences like yours, and from reading about waiting times, I decided to look into going private with Spire. I think it may be worth just getting a second opinion in regards to what you were told before by a private surgeon! My surgeon, Simon Monkhouse, was amazing in the initial consultation. I have PCOS too, and an underactive thyroid, and he recommended a bypass and was transparent about it all. You can get a free consultation with him quite quickly, maybe this would be an option for you! simonmonkhouse.com I have everything crossed for you that you will get the surgery soon, and everything will work out. I'd definitely pursue putting in a complaint, too. Sending love and hugs x