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 !!!

Hi Guys!

So...my gastric sleeve surgery is booked for 16.01.2020...terrified!

It's lovely to read everyone's experiences though, this has been a real help the last few months and I've finally had the courage to post myself today (new year and all that).

I'm a fellow UK resident, self funding, will be having the surgery at Ashtead Hospital, Surrey.

Would be really interested to hear if anyone has had experience here?

Starting my pre op diet on the 3rd (it's my birthday tomorrow so the medical team were feeling generous lol). I've heard it's horrific but more worried about the actual surgery and the first few weeks after TBH.

Anyway, thanks so much for all the info, look forward to hearing from you all soon xx

Edited January 1, 20206 yr by KatJane

Just wanted to say Hi, no experience of that hospital but I’m 3 years post op now and still 7 stone lighter and the best thing I ever did for myself. Pre op diet not to be tbh. Good luck.

Just now, msw said:

Just wanted to say Hi, no experience of that hospital but I’m 3 years post op now and still 7 stone lighter and the best thing I ever did for myself. Pre op diet not to be tbh. Good luck.

Hi! Thank you for your post, very encouraging!

Hi Nay, im from london too im having my surgery in turkey in 2 weeks. Id love to be in touch. Ive started a whatsapp group for uk sleevers that so far has two people in it including me. Would you like me to send you the link?

How did you get on in Turkey? I’m heading there from the UK in a week and just wondered how it went, any hints and tips?

Hi Nay and Batfink (and everyone else from the UK),

I am having the sleeve in turkey in May. Absolutely terrified, but looking forward to a new me. Has anyone here been to Turkey? I am less worried about going abroad than I am of complications post sleeve. I am also worried about getting my protein in after as I love carbs and don't eat a lot of meat. Would love to share experiences, fears, worries as I have no one in RL to talk to about this whole thing.

8 minutes ago, slowlydoesit said:

Hi Nay and Batfink (and everyone else from the UK),

I am having the sleeve in turkey in May. Absolutely terrified, but looking forward to a new me. Has anyone here been to Turkey? I am less worried about going abroad than I am of complications post sleeve. I am also worried about getting my Protein in after as I love carbs and don't eat a lot of meat. Would love to share experiences, fears, worries as I have no one in RL to talk to about this whole thing.

On 1/26/2020 at 3:24 PM, Batfink1! said:

Hi Nay, im from london too im having my surgery in turkey in 2 weeks. Id love to be in touch. Ive started a whatsapp group for uk sleevers that so far has two people in it including me. Would you like me to send you the link?

How did you get on in Turkey? I’m heading there from the UK in a week and just wondered how it went, any hints and tips?

Hey peeps,

I had my sleeve done in Turkey in August 2019, Turkey was great, very efficient testing n stuff, i don't really have any tips or hints just bring comfy clothes for the plane journey back and a long lead charger for your phone or tablet.

re protein, i as a big carb eater too but getting the protein in isnt too bad, ive lost my enjoyment of food so i dont really care what i eat anymore as long as it goes down well n i dont throw it up after.

good luck n keep us posted, hope this helped some

hey thanks for the reply! did you have any pain after surgery or any complications since?

no worries. **** loads of pain immediately after surgery but it passes pretty quick and havent had any complications thankfully

I have heard so many people sleevers say they lost their enjoyment of food. I am really worried about this as I have had a traumatic childhood and food has been a real constant source of comfort for me. I hope I can continue to have a good relationship with food, I guess I will have to end how i see food as comfort and find comfort in other things and treat food as fuel only.

2 hours ago, slowlydoesit said:

I have heard so many people sleevers say they lost their enjoyment of food. I am really worried about this as I have had a traumatic childhood and food has been a real constant source of comfort for me. I hope I can continue to have a good relationship with food, I guess I will have to end how i see food as comfort and find comfort in other things and treat food as fuel only.

As long as you can find other things you should be ok but it is really hard

Hi Everyone, I am from the Wirral UK I am 12 days post op and I am really struggling to get my protein in, I have tried so many powders but I can't stomach them, I couldn't before the OP I was allergic to dairy when I was a child Im not any more but I despise the taste of milk/cheese Greek yogurt ect, I have bout protein juice but that's not to tasty either, I am aloud to have eggs on Monday what im really looking forward too, does any one have more advise as to any other soft food that contain a lot of protein or any other ways of getting it in?

thanks

Have a look at marvel the dried milk substitute I believe there’s a lot of protein in that

the asda own make too mix it into a drink or use it in your caffeine free tea /coffee

but the company called

my protein has many flavours Of powder the vanilla is exactly like vanilla ice cream

Once you're on sloppy solids, tuna mashed up with mayonnaise packs a lot of protein and slips down nicely.

Another way to get protein and water is Isopure...the blue raspberry is good.. 20 oz of water and 40mg of protein. It helped me get in both

Thankyou everyone, I have also found WEY now do a protein juice called clear whey isolate its a juicy protein shake so ill be trying that as well