Anyone from Great Britain

[Cas54 13]

Sorry to hear you're still in pain Let me know what the doc advises.xx

[Cas54 13]

6 hours ago, dreamingsmall said:

No Iron? I feel I am on alot of Vitamins I am told to take barely remember to take them.

No, haven't been told to take extra Iron. The chewy Vitamins do include iron so I guess they cover what I need.

[brandnewme 20]

Hi, i just wondered if anyone else on bariatricpal is from Great Britain? Thinks are slightly different for us brits, for one - I haven't found a British support group and some of the procedures are slightly different. In Britain we tend not to tell anyone if we have had any surgery (stiff upper lip) Plus you guys eat foods I've never heard of! [emoji23]
Im not complaining, your support has been great, but sometimes I feel very alone.

Hello, I'm from UK, Midlands. Had a bypass a few years ago so a lot further along than you. Happy to help with any questions you may help, but as I have no medical training can only give my own opinion or personal experiences.

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[Jeaniered 183]

Hi good to hear from you. Have you been successful? Where in the midlands? I'm in Northamptonshire.

[brandnewme 20]

Hi good to hear from you. Have you been successful? Where in the midlands? I'm in Northamptonshire.

Long post alert....

I'm in Birmingham, had my operation in London, St Mary's, Paddington in Feb 2013. Started off at 20st got down to about 11st 8lb but looked too thin and always felt like I had a cold coming, weak and tired all the time. Am now just under 13st got my curves back, and don't feel shattered all the time, I'm in a happy place now.

After the op I didn't feel that anything had been done as I had no pain, didn't need painkillers and everyone else that had the op in the ward was doubled up in pain and couldn't leave their beds. At St Mary's they had some funding as the offset was paying dividends due to me for example being on 5 types of blood pressure medication to now only being on 2.5mg Water retention tablet every other day as still get slightly swollen ankles. In addition I have 30mg Lansoprazol antacid tablet every day also a Centrum multi Vitamin am lucky as my GP gives me them on prescription. What are you taking?

The whole process for me was very quick was referred by my GP November 2012 got letter for a group presentation New Year Eve as all types of surgery are presented. Then I got an appointment for mid January 2013 where everything was done... X-rays, blood tests, talking to doctor and anethantist. That day was given my surgery date of 8th February. Had to do a pre-surgey diet I opted for low carbs. Loads of people did slim fast, I didn't want to feel deprived. I lost 15lbs in the 2 weeks.

Food side was difficult to get my head around initially as someone​ loves food I totally skipped the purée stage and made lentil Soups and blended down and had whenever I felt hungry and to keep my Protein levels up. Can recommend a book called weight loss surgery for dummies Google it as there is a PDF copy online.

I'm at the stage can eat most things but have to stop myself from overindulgence. Often said that your stomach is size of an egg. I queried this and was told for me was bigger as I didn't have as much to lose as some patients. Was glad was told this as I constantly kept seeing and egg and I are more than the size of an egg so thought I had an eating disorder! Over time my pouch has relaxed and stretched a bit, was told it would after your body repairs after the surgery. Meaning that now it has to act as a tool. I can have one food this week and next week can't stand smell. If I get a metallic taste in my mouth I have to get to a toilet... quickly! That's my trigger for throwing up.

Has your hair thinned a bit, mine has but took a couple years to recover, I was told to have more protein.

Often ask if I regret having done, for me I regret not having it sooner! Did look at having it done private at Dolan Park in Worcester had an appointment saw doctor etc but changed my mind after reading reviews online and getting a hard sales pitch from the assistant, I felt uncomfortable. So went back to see my GP and that time the funding had been approved.


One tip though, hold off buying clothes...I found that I'd skip a size and got expensive. I would buy stuff from charity shops, jumble sales, hand me downs from friends etc. I went from size 22/24 have been down to size 10 M&S skirts but now a happy size 14 tend to wear slightly bigger top as don't like a snug fit.

Hope info has been of help to you? It's a great journey and I'm learning every day....



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[Jeaniered 183]

Thanks so much I appreciate you taking the time to go through this with me. I seen my doc 5 years ago and asked for help, he said he would look into it but didn't. I nagged him but got no where. In the end I have had to pay privately, even though I had a number of ailments that supported me getting it done on nhs. I went to Nuffield hospital in Leicester, they were very good, though the anethnatist was an ignorant pig!!

I didn't have too much pain afterwards and got out the next day. Suffered a bit from sickness and gas but it all got better but now I have a pain in my left side that comes and goes, it gets worse if I walk too much, it's like toothache, not so much in my stomach or where incisions are but more in my side where my ribs are?

I must admit I didn't really stick with puréed stage and have gone onto soft foods quickly. If I eat too fast I suffer, usually have to make myself sick!
At moment I'm struggling to eat 800 calories and trying hard to get Protein in. I've lost 35 pounds so far. Hairs ok, but have got some great thickening Shampoo that really seems to be helping and doc is going to put my Vitamins on prescription.

I get that taste too, doesn't make me throw up, just a horrible taste and end up sucking a sugar free mint.

I will get the book and thanks for the tip on clothes. I will take your advice. My husband did buy my a lovely size 16 dress for my birthday as an incentive. Otherwise, I've picked up a couple of things in the sales but will hold off as you suggest.

Thanks again, lovely to talk to you x

[brandnewme 20]

Hello, hope everyone is doing OK?

Being a few years further along than you guys, i just wanted to share! As your time goes on you pouch (so I've been told) relaxes/stretches/heals my appetite has increased. I am now on Meal Replacement drinks I got from Asda, I went for the vanilla and it's lush! Only £4 for a pack of 10 sachets and currently on promotion 2 boxes for £7. I will stay on them for week or so - well that's the plan....

Need to feel like I'm back in control especially on the Protein front. I've made a batch of chilli and put in the freezer as that's my all time fav food. When I know i'm struggling with keeping up with protein I will have a small batch for breakfast! By doing the drinks for a bit it's like a reboot as I still have my fat head on.

I did join Slimming World for a while but didn't feel welcome as there was a click going on. On the application form there a box to tick if you have had weight loss surgery. I will continue to follow the principal from home and will put the money in a jar that I would have spent going to the meetings.

At Paddington there was only 2 years aftercare and then if no complications you are discharged from Clinic, so much of the information I've got was found online or after speaking to someone that had the operation same day as me as we've become great friends.

Take care and remember it's all about the protein xx

[brandnewme 20]

Was wondering how everyone is doing?

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[Jeaniered 183]

Hi good to hear from you. I’m doing ok, have now lost 52lbs. Still struggle with Water and Protein and never quite make it! I eat between 800 and 1000 calories, but find it hard to eat anD don’t enjoy mealtimes. I hate the stalls, they drive me mad, no one told me about the stalls beforehand but I love that I have dropped 3 dress sizes. I’ve got a bitfit which is great for tracking food and exercise. There are days when I regret because its taken over my life it but it passes. Hope about you? Hope your winning.

[Cas54 13]

Wow Jeaniered that's really good going! I've only lost 30lbs in almost the same time but I feel back to normal - enjoying food but just can't eat as much. The stalls are a pain but I am at least dropping clothes sizes and losing inches so I can cope. take care x

[LetGoJo 27]

Long post alert....

I'm in Birmingham, had my operation in London, St Mary's, Paddington in Feb 2013. Started off at 20st got down to about 11st 8lb but looked too thin and always felt like I had a cold coming, weak and tired all the time. Am now just under 13st got my curves back, and don't feel shattered all the time, I'm in a happy place now.

After the op I didn't feel that anything had been done as I had no pain, didn't need painkillers and everyone else that had the op in the ward was doubled up in pain and couldn't leave their beds. At St Mary's they had some funding as the offset was paying dividends due to me for example being on 5 types of blood pressure medication to now only being on 2.5mg Water retention tablet every other day as still get slightly swollen ankles. In addition I have 30mg Lansoprazol antacid tablet every day also a Centrum multi Vitamin am lucky as my GP gives me them on prescription. What are you taking?

The whole process for me was very quick was referred by my GP November 2012 got letter for a group presentation New Year Eve as all types of surgery are presented. Then I got an appointment for mid January 2013 where everything was done... X-rays, blood tests, talking to doctor and anethantist. That day was given my surgery date of 8th February. Had to do a pre-surgey diet I opted for low carbs. Loads of people did slim fast, I didn't want to feel deprived. I lost 15lbs in the 2 weeks.

Food side was difficult to get my head around initially as someone​ loves food I totally skipped the purée stage and made lentil Soups and blended down and had whenever I felt hungry and to keep my Protein levels up. Can recommend a book called weight loss surgery for dummies Google it as there is a PDF copy online.

I'm at the stage can eat most things but have to stop myself from overindulgence. Often said that your stomach is size of an egg. I queried this and was told for me was bigger as I didn't have as much to lose as some patients. Was glad was told this as I constantly kept seeing and egg and I are more than the size of an egg so thought I had an eating disorder! Over time my pouch has relaxed and stretched a bit, was told it would after your body repairs after the surgery. Meaning that now it has to act as a tool. I can have one food this week and next week can't stand smell. If I get a metallic taste in my mouth I have to get to a toilet... quickly! That's my trigger for throwing up.

Has your hair thinned a bit, mine has but took a couple years to recover, I was told to have more protein.

Often ask if I regret having done, for me I regret not having it sooner! Did look at having it done private at Dolan Park in Worcester had an appointment saw doctor etc but changed my mind after reading reviews online and getting a hard sales pitch from the assistant, I felt uncomfortable. So went back to see my GP and that time the funding had been approved.


One tip though, hold off buying clothes...I found that I'd skip a size and got expensive. I would buy stuff from charity shops, jumble sales, hand me downs from friends etc. I went from size 22/24 have been down to size 10 M&S skirts but now a happy size 14 tend to wear slightly bigger top as don't like a snug fit.

Hope info has been of help to you? It's a great journey and I'm learning every day....



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Grey tip !! As a shopaholic I appreciate that

[brandnewme 20]

Thanks, will save you a fortune! Also, check the Next outlet site great to pick up a bargain especially when buying a season behind.