Lived Experience Forum

[Shaz51]

that is a big question my @oceangirl 

amm  the decision is up to you my sister , I think weighing up the pros and the cons of th operation

and also what has the doctor told you , has he told you what he thinks xxxx

[oceangirl]

@Shaz51 I have tried doing a pro's and con's list. Its still not easier to come to a decision. My surgeon has mainly talked about a leak and its very tiny risk 0.3%. There are other risks too. What worries is not so much the acute risk but chronic long term problems such as reflux. On the other hand some people get no complications. Research can not always be accurate. Reflex ranges from 9% to 20% per patient that is sleeved. I know there is medication for this but I am not a tablet person and I wouldn't want to have further sugery or have my sleeve converted to a bypass. The reason for the caution with the reflux is that its quite uncomfortable and does impact your quality of life and medication can also cause other medical problems. That being said most people I have spoken to have and have said its the best thing they have ever done. Your thoughts ???

[outlander]

Hi @oceangirl
Ive been reading along here and hope its ok if i add a little input?

Your hesitation in knowing what to do might be a sign that maybe your not quite ready to undergo this surgury. I am on the fence about what you should do as its your decision to make however if its weight loss your after have you tried other arrangements?
There are more specialists called exercise physiologists which you can access for free under a gp care plan. They help with exercise, motivation, nutrition and overall weightloss that is suited to your needs -ie they can tailor a plan for any health conditions that you may have and find suitable exercises etc for you.
I just thought id meantion this to you as they arent widely known about as an option for those seeking help for weightloss. I myself have been refferred to one ( i havent been able to see her yet due to being in a moonboot so have had to wait) and i also have reflux which even though im on medications it still isnt controlled all that much.

[oceangirl]

No problem at all @outlander 

Thank you so much for reading along and taking your time to give a thoughtful and caring response.

I have basically done everything in terms of losing weight. I have seen a dietitian and EP. I did lose quite a big of weight but unfortuntely I put quite a bit back on last year and the start of this year. I am not back to my original weight, which I think is good.Not sure exactly why but a combination of things.In terms of dieting and possibility of the yo- yo effect that apparently affects you both physically and mentally. I think its more that my depression & anxiety became worse last year.

I know weight loss surgery is not the solution but gives a helping hand. Its a tool to reduce food input(cal) and thus lose weight. I still have to make these changes either if I don't have the surgery. I think the unknow is scaring me because I don't know what is going to happen. Its all the what ifs, and if I can manage or cope if something goes wrong. My plan was to the have surgery, and spend time there recovering, and then going to be admitted for my depression at another hospital, and also to give me support in recovering from my surgery. 

[outlander]

The unknown and what ifs are always scary @oceangirl and it is your decision to make. I also know this option is coming 'lightly' either so if you have thought and discussed etc and it seems like the best option esp long term then perhaps it is the right choice for you.
If you still have lots of questions is it possible to make an appt with the surgeon/dr /specialist to talk about it more? You've every right to ask questions as much as you need.
Your plan for being admitted for support for your mental health seems like a really good option though no matter which decision you choose.

[oceangirl]

Hi @outlander  @Shaz51  @BlueBells  @MDT  @Faith-and-Hope 

I'm just taking it easy this afternoon, I went to uni this morning to get my textbooks. I am still recovering from my surgery on the 14th Feb, I am day 11 PO. 

[MDT]

Hey @oceangirl 👋
Nice to hear from you.
Hope you enjoy being back at uni. What are you studying btw?
Taking it easy sounds good.

[oceangirl]

Its good to hear from you too @MDT . I'm studying nursing. I hope you have a great night.

[Faith-and-Hope]

I hope you are recovering well now @oceangirl .  You have been in my thoughts.

Was it exciting to be picking up your books ?  I have my art materials now ..... really cool 😎 👍💕

[oceangirl]

@Faith-and-Hope My recovery has been smooth except for the nausea and vomiting for the first four days but really improved from day 4 to 5 and I came home day 7- which was last Thursday. 

I am bit unsure to start off tomorrow, but I know I will be happy once I get back into a routine. I'm still only on full liquids and I start my puree diet later this week, and I will be on that for two weeks.

Glad to hear you got all your materials, I did some online activties this afternoon. And I am about to feed Milo and Kira...