Bypass2Freedom

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

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!

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...

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.

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?

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!

It seems like only telling a select amount of people is the way to go - something that I will be following from now on. How are you feeling about the prospect of losing so much? I feel so out of body with it all! I know my surgery isn't until May (hopefully), but I feel so impatient and as if this body isn't mine! That makes a lot of sense

Exactly that haha! I joked initially and was like, "yeah that is totally the reason". People are such fun aren't they!

Thank you for your comment. It's definitely the phrase "not having the willpower" that cuts the deepest if I'm honest. It's as if all the struggles I've had during my life with my weight weren't enough! Surgery isn't the easy way out, I know that and I've not even had mine yet. Its absolutely life-altering, and as you say, takes willpower in itself to stick to it afterwards! I will keep the surgery to myself for the most part, it was just such an unexpected comment!

I am keeping it to family and my one close friend at that's it really! Work people are on a need to know basis. I know there will be questions when I'm smaller, but hey no, ain't none of their business!

Oh I'm sure I live rent free in lots of people's heads just because I'm a bigger girl ? The 'logic' of some of these people never fails to astound me. I think at the end of the day, people are always going to have something to say, but their opinions have 0 impact on my life! I just know for sure that when I'm losing weight, there will be something else they have to say! Thank you for your words of wisdom!

I genuinely could not have put it any better than this. I so struggle to articulate what I'm thinking, and I get jumbled up with what I'm saying, but I think I'll just screenshot what you've said and just fire that at people who judge ? I needed to hear this today! Thank you! I will definitely be thinking loudly haha

This is on point! I shall be storing this as a response for the future, as I do not doubt more comments that I haven't asked for will come! Thank you

Haha! I love this comment. Honestly, if she weren't my boyfriend's family, I would have used all manners of vulgar language as a response! I don't know why people just see fat people as easy targets, as if it is their right to inform them that 1) they are indeed fat, 2) they are lazy, but also 3) they should lose weight, but only in a socially acceptable way. Makes my blood boil!

This is very much what I am wanting to do, but I wrongfully assumed I was in a safe space! But hey ho, not everyone will be understanding! It was just so abrupt! It is very true that people who have not been considered 'obese' will not understand the why and the how. My brother who has always been a healthy size gave me a long lecture about how people need to just stop being lazy, and just do it rather than making excuses. If only it were that simple!