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 !!!

This is a great posting

I'm in uk & having my surgery in 3 weeks, I have been wondering where to get Protein drinks from or which ones, thanks for this ????

I'm really going to struggle with afterwards, I hate those Protein shakes, I don't like any shakes full stop. I'm also allergic to egg and fish.

I add lots of ice to my shakes to make them like soft icecream. I eat lots of chicken...steak..turkey and cheese for protein....am getting my 60-80 g of protein in

Hi Uk buddies I am day 8 post sleeve and feeling good. Having protine shakes and just making my own bone broth today in slow cooker so fingers crossed for that. Lost 13lb since my 1 week pro op diet so feel happy so far.

Greetings one and all.

Got sleeved on Oct 14th at Kings in Denmark Hill.

Things are a tad different to how they used to be :-)

As many have said, Protein shakes are pretty awful and given that my taste buds are on strike re sweet things it's proving to be a bit of a headache :-)

Hi I'm from Scotland having bypass surgery on 19th March. Had band fitted four years ago but it slipped and is around my esophagus. Started fluid diet on Monday passed.

Hi good luck with fluid diet I had my bypass 3 years ago and after a failed band. You will do great just follow your surgeons advice and you dietician. I lost 12 stone in all have 10 off currently recently diagnosis with thyroid problem. But don’t regret having the surgery

That's great news on your wait loss... I had to fight 18months for this surgery. As I had the band done privately surprising after when you pay so much m9ney the surgeon don't want to know or even admit when it goes wrong. I would never recommend band myself . I have not heard from dietician. So started the fluid diet myself knowing that it will give me the best chance .

I’m in Wales

hi everyone

on the pre op diet atm

sleeve op on 20 th March

neevous and excited

I've been searching for people from the UK I've finally on the wAiting list for sleeve after 1.5 years of education sessions and appointments got told I could be done in October ,how have u all found it I'm nervous about GERD long term Barrett's issues and I really want my type 2 diabetic to sort it self out after op I just hope I don't regret doing sleeve for these reasons ,any long termers here have u done well maintaining your loss ? Xxx

Hi forgot to say I'm Surrey , and ask what protein drinks do you buy and from were ?

I'm a year post-op and eat real food. However, on the days when I am working, I have a protein shake for lunch (for convenience and because I don't have enough time to eat solid food during the lunch hour).

I use these protein shakes. The sachets are not cheap, but they are very palatable. The chocolate, mint chocolate, lemon meringue, cinnamon latte and gingerbread ones are particularly yummy.

https://www.actidiet.co.uk/product-category/shop/shakes/

Hi I am nearly 3 years post op in October and don’t regret it at all I lost 7 stone in total and maintain with about a 4lb up or down either way. I eat what I want really just much less than I use to. I do still have reflux and rake omeprozol 20mg still bit that keeps on at bay.

Im in london, getting ready to have gastric sleeve surgery mid Aug 2019. Part of me is really excited but another part is scared shitless

I am having my surgery done in turkey through a family friend.

Any advice for me?

Going to look into nutricious protein shakes

@[mention=264702]sam42[/mention]
Greek yogurt (best is Total Farge 0% which you can get in Tescos) There are lots of Greek ones but watch the carbs!
Cottage cheese, eggs, Milk (highish in carbs though, until in mantenance)
Ground beef, turkey, chicken and fish, salmon, halibut shrimps, sardines, light tuna in Water ... Pork is high in Protein too. ( I had fillet of pork with a tiny bit of apple sauce, sprouts, cauliflower and a couple of asparagus for dinner tonight # yum)
The Protein powder can be added to coffee (decaf!) and Soups but don't add it when the drink/soup is hot or it will curdle. I also love my protein latte which I have every morning at work.
Check out www.myprotein.com - and www.discountsuppliments.com
I order a lot through myprotein.com.

Great tip thanks for posting