Having been here a few months now, it’s become obvious that it’s so different for people having weight loss surgery in the UK. Procedures here before WLS is different. Most of the people over the pond have it through their insurance and this means a lot of pre operation meetings/assessments/work, over many months. In some ways I feel this is good, as people get to learn so much before having their surgery. However that’s not the usual way here in the UK. You tend to learn ‘in the moment’. If you are eligible for WLS through the National Health Service, you may have to wait for a long time, 2 to 3 or up to 10 years unless you are at the stage where your weight is life or death. So, many fund it themselves.

I think this site is excellent for advice and support however it does mainly tend to show what happens in the States, where you can buy certain things and what’s available. So here’s a few things (not exclusive, would love it if others add stuff here too) I have learnt in my very short weeks since surgery.

PLEASE can we all add our own likes/dislikes, UK advice etc etc

1. Bariatric cookery books are excellent however there are many other options to learn about pre and post op foods. My dietitian is great but I have learnt so much through researching online. There are so many Bariatric Centres all over the world showing what you can eat pre ad post op and as long as you add a dash of common sense, it can work well. For example; if I read from a Bariatric Centre that I could eat tuna on day 3, I would be clicking the X asap!!

1. Centrum advantage chewable Vitamins are lovely and recommended by UK Dietitians for post bariatric surgery. Tesco’s have them on offer at the moment, 3 for 2. They have carbs, but balancing a few carbs for nice tasting vitamins isn’t going to kill me for the time being.

1. Keep your fridge/cupboard stocked once you know what goes down well for you. Don’t spend too much in advance in case you don’t like it. I spent a lot on liquid Iron without asking around and my god, it was disgusting. I took it twice then threw it away. I could have asked here and go advice but I didn’t. (see below)

1. Use this UK forum to keep in touch with others in the UK to ask for and pass on advice. We aren’t the minority in the world for WLS however we are a small group here. Make friends here, they can be the best support you can ask for!

OVER TO YOU !!!

6 minutes ago, Ngotsleeved said:

I too was a big drinker of Water pre-op, struggle now but doing my best. The one thing I will struggle with the most is not being able to drink with meals as I like to wash my food down and drink a lot with my food.

I too am not taking in enough fibre, what drink do you take?

Oh god I miss guzzling water!!

I have a fibre supplement I got from my pharmacy it’s called ‘ Ispaghula Husk’ it’s an orange powder in individual sachets and I have one a day mixed with water. It’s helped ease the constipation! However I’m still only going once a week.
I try to have weetabix a few times a week for breakfast - I can only manage 1 though.
they say to eat more fibrous veg! But when you try and get the protein from meat it doesn’t leave much room for veg! Constant battle lol ?

drinking and eating is a strange one… I do try and avoid it. Sometimes I do sip water but it can bring on some pain so try to avoid it as much as I can.
But yes agree.. it’s hard to eat and not drink at the same time!

4 minutes ago, eholmes89 said:

Oh god I miss guzzling water!!

I have a fibre supplement I got from my pharmacy it’s called ‘ Ispaghula Husk’ it’s an orange powder in individual sachets and I have one a day mixed with Water. It’s helped ease the constipation! However I’m still only going once a week.
I try to have weetabix a few times a week for Breakfast - I can only manage 1 though.
they say to eat more fibrous veg! But when you try and get the Protein from meat it doesn’t leave much room for veg! Constant battle lol ?

drinking and eating is a strange one… I do try and avoid it. Sometimes I do sip water but it can bring on some pain so try to avoid it as much as I can.
But yes agree.. it’s hard to eat and not drink at the same time!

I have heard of Ispaghul, I will look into getting some or even some Fibregel. I guess the not eating and drinking is something I will acclimatise to. The other thing I am struggling with is pacing myself when I eat or drink, I forget to take breaks and that can be painful and leave me with feeling I have something stuck in my throat!

7 minutes ago, Ngotsleeved said:

I have heard of Ispaghul, I will look into getting some or even some Fibregel. I guess the not eating and drinking is something I will acclimatise to. The other thing I am struggling with is pacing myself when I eat or drink, I forget to take breaks and that can be painful and leave me with feeling I have something stuck in my throat!

Oh yes this is a lesson learnt with time. Something I’m still learning now…

I’ve always been a fast eater, due to short school or work breaks in previous years.

I’m never a metre away from Gaviscon! Because it’s a life saver when this happens.

Everyday is a school day getting used to a new way of living… I’ve only really ever had one proper episode of ‘dumping’ and that was at Christmas, I got too greedy and I very much regretted that moment! It’s the only time I’ve vomited since surgery.

we are all going through this together.. this is why this forum is so nice, it’s a great place to discuss these things with people who really understand.
i just always had that final goal in my mind and pushed through.. but still I’m teaching myself each day new boundaries. ?

2 minutes ago, eholmes89 said:

Oh yes this is a lesson learnt with time. Something I’m still learning now…

I’ve always been a fast eater, due to short school or work breaks in previous years.

I’m never a metre away from Gaviscon! Because it’s a life saver when this happens.

Everyday is a school day getting used to a new way of living… I’ve only really ever had one proper episode of ‘dumping’ and that was at Christmas, I got too greedy and I very much regretted that moment! It’s the only time I’ve vomited since surgery.

we are all going through this together.. this is why this forum is so nice, it’s a great place to discuss these things with people who really understand.
i just always had that final goal in my mind and pushed through.. but still I’m teaching myself each day new boundaries. ?

Absoloutely, I was sick once after having cottage cheese, put me off for life. I think I ate too quickly though, takes some getting used to but hopefully will become second nature!!

Hi everyone I had my surgery at Stoke university hospital in August 23rd I got weighed 23rd Nov and had lost 45lbs I don't weigh myself so not sure how much I've lost up to now but only go back in March my surgeon give me Forceval vitamins and minerals and it taste terrible but dissolves in water so I'll have to get used to it and I was given Lactose is very sweet but works try porridge aswell

Tomorrow I will be 7 weeks since surgery and am really behind you all. I haven't been able to get enough protein or water due to extreme nausea and vomiting. I can eat porridge, yogurt, raspberries, hard cheese, smooth pate, melba toast, boiled eggs and soups. In very small amounts. I am trying pasta, rice, meats and fish and shellfish, but no joy. My team say keep trying, it will happen soon. Medication is helping. Does anyone have any other food ideas I can try.

Hi everyone I had my surgery at Stoke university hospital in August 23rd I got weighed 23rd Nov and had lost 45lbs I don't weigh myself so not sure how much I've lost up to now but only go back in March my surgeon give me Forceval vitamins and minerals and it taste terrible but dissolves in water so I'll have to get used to it and I was given Lactose is very sweet but works try porridge aswell

I was 3 months out before I tried anything I had jacket potato tuna and mayonnaise fish in parsley sauce with a bit of veg spread cheese cottage cheese yoghurts

Hi everyone again [emoji3059]
I have now had my first appointment at spire and they have recommended that I have the bypass and not the sleeve due to my age. Has anyone had this procedure? How are you finding it? Anything you think I might need to know before going ahead? Thank you for any advice you send xx

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Hey to all my U.K. friends!

So I’m 6 months post op and 2lbs from my personal target weight! Which I’m so happy about.

Starting weight 15stone

current weight 9stone 9

However I have some of that pesky flappy hanging skin on my lower tummy. Not as much as I expected which is good. I’ve managed to tone my top half of my belly giving it some definition. I also have two flaps of skin that once housed my breasts ?

how soon after a sleeve has anyone else had a tummy tuck or breast uplift and who with?

im doing some quotes at the moment to see if it’s viable as I feel ready

is there any feedback from anyone in this situation?

thanks

Well done that's fantastic I'm 5 months out and haven't been weighed since November I was 45lb out then not sure wont have scales in the house so waiting to see Dietician or doctor which ever comes first I know I've lost more because all my clothes are to big lol oh well I'll have to buy some new ones good luck with the skin removal let us know how it goes

Hi all,

Just wanted to ask who has successfully had gastric surgery on the NHS? I am looking at finding this privately but it’s going to be a struggle ? I’m desperately wanting a sleeve or bypass. Literally looking for any/all advice on the pros/cons for each procedure & what, if anything, helped you get the procedure on the NHS?

Thanks so much in advance for any help/guidance ?

Hi Natty I'm julie I had the sleeve in 2010 on the NHS I have sleep apnea and didn't lose much then decided to go to the doctors to ask for a bypass had to go through 2yrs diet and cbt I had high blood pressure sleep apnea heart failure caused by high blood pressure prolapse disc in my back and artritis in my back and both hips I had my first at Macclesfield in a private hospital and the second at Stoke University hospital they were brilliant couldn't do enough for you , just go and see your doctor and ask about weight loss surgery and could they put you forward, good luck

13 hours ago, Natty278 said:

Hi all,

Just wanted to ask who has successfully had gastric surgery on the NHS? I am looking at finding this privately but it’s going to be a struggle ? I’m desperately wanting a sleeve or bypass. Literally looking for any/all advice on the pros/cons for each procedure & what, if anything, helped you get the procedure on the NHS?

Thanks so much in advance for any help/guidance ?

Oh I think that you will have a long wait for the NHS but it cant harm to ask can it. Due to Covid there is such a backlog of cancer and other urgent surgeries in my area that Bariatrics have been put on hold, It depends where you live in the country. I paid £11, 000 at Spire Hospitals for a 2 year package and am happy its done and I am getting into the swing of my new life

I was told by my surgeon that his NHS waiting list was three years, he did my operation privately within 4 months of my initial consultation and that was only that long because he gave me two months of that to quit smoking. I know it is a lot of money to go down this route but for me it has been worth every penny.