Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

Hi i'm Donna i'm 24 years old i'm from North Yorkshire and I weigh 25st,11bl im 5ft,9 and am a size 30-32 in clothes.

This is my first visit to any sort of forum and i am looking around for any sort of advice.

Iv been thinking about Lap/Gastric bands for a long time now but friends, family and doctors always try to put me off. I have had a quick look through some of your conversations and thought this would be the best place to help me along with my desition.

But if doctors wont listen to me how do i start the ball rolling?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi donna,

My family were against the op, my mum was in tears saying please dont go through with it and they are all big also so I thought they would understand!!! It is funny how they have changed their minds now I have had it done, my Dad is book for his own op in the next few months, and my mum thinks it was the best thing I have done.

I decided enough was enough when I couldnt fall pregrant, I was told I would need IVF but couldn't have it on the NHS as my Husband has a daughter with someone else, so I though I would go private, the problem I had was noone would do IVF in less I was 13 max, and I was over 22 stone so I had loads to lose, and I knew I woulnd't do it my self, not even for wanted a baby, if anything it just made my over eating worse.

So last yr I paid private to have the op done. I had my 1st fill in September and today I have lost 6stone so far, I didnt even try the doctor, to be honest I knew they would be interested, I have no medical problems from being over weight only that I cant have a baby, so they would never have put me forward for this op.

I was scared, I am the bigest wimp, and I have a fear of hospitals, cant even touch the doors, sit on beds, too many germs but I doneit and I would go back there tomo and have it done again.

you should try and find a local meeting, and have a chat with a few people, maybe take your mum or dad with you.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Donna,

Im 28 years old and weigh nearly 26st. Im having my band put in on the 7 May. Im so excited I cant tell you. I never went through any doctors either, just contacted the surgeon straight away and that was that. I've not felt nervous or anxious cause this is the last desperate measure - Fortunately my family have been very supportive. In the long run, you need to do what is best for you!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Donna,

I'm Gill and live in Cheltenham, I'm 27 and have just had the band put in on friday 11th April. I was sooo excited about getting the band that that feeling is still there. I'm only in a little discomfort with a bit of gas (wanting to burp but can't) and am not feeling hungry at all (I'm having to force myself to eat teeny amounts) I've stopped taking my painkillers so am seeing if I can last a day without but it's fine at the moment.

This for me is the best thing I've done so far. In the past 3 years I've lost weight and gained more, so I paid £6400 private but was quoted £7270 but had to have it done in a different hospital due to the dates I wanted the surgery. I'm a teacher so needed it done in the Spring holidays.

Do it whilst you're young! Do it Do it Do it!

Don't tell anyone you're doing it as you'll quickly learn that many people are against it (even closest friends and family- as you've already encountered!) You need to remember one thing- YOU DO NOT NEED TO JUSTIFY YOUR CHOICES TO ANYONE ELSE AS YOU ARE DOING THIS FOR YOU- AND ONLY YOU.

I can't stress this enough. Tell your very closed family that you are doing this anyway no matter what they say and ASK for their support. Explain to them that they are not helping you by giving their 'advice'. My mum was shocked to start with but after a tearful phonecall to her explaining how very unhappy I was with my weight she was on my side. I went to a different doctor than my normal one encase he was going to be unsupportive but these days, they are alot more open minded to 'cosmetic procedures'.

Then after your family and Doctor, Don't tell a soul! I told my best friends 4 days before I was due to go in to have the op so they couldn't talk me out of it.

You must stay strong while the rest of the world will try to sabotage things for you.

You're welcome to have my direct email address if you'd like to talk more.

Read this forum and let the other ladies be your inspiration.

I'll keep you posted as to how I'm getting on :-)

Gill x x x

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×