need advise

Doctor/specilist told me today I should think about having a stomack staple or some sort of surgery like that. I am unable to do it privately due to our private insurance doesn't cover this insurance..and Not sure how I go about it with NHS..

I am willing to do this, because I do not have the will power to just do a diet...although with something like this it is a must do or barf type thing..


I really need advise on this and not sure who the surgeons will be to look at or anything like that. I've talked extensively with the spelicilst today and he feels along with myself that this is more medical need, and that I must do this or possiable other phycial problems could occur...mind you I am 19stone approx 280pounds and not shy to tell the truth about that..and feel I need this or my health is going to suffer..

anyone who can help or advise..please do so..

Thanks

Hi Cynda!

I'm really not going to be able to give you any good advise as to whether or not to have the surgery, but I did want to say that I am under the impression that certain surgeries are covered under the NHS if there is a medical need? It seems as if your specialist should have more information on the process than anyone! Everything seems to require a Doctor's referral- did he/she speak to you about that?

Jen

Yes doctor did speak to me in debth about this and is going to send a note to my GP  and then go from there. I was hoping my private insurance would cover such a surgery but they tell me they do not.

Althought this surgery is going on in the states..I do not have any american health insurance so that is not an option.

My options are..Stomack staple..or the gastro bypass surgery and I really am not hep on the gastro bypass cause means you have to give up foods for a lifetime..and I am not really prepared never to eat another steak...life time commitment.

stomack staple...although it is lifetime commitment, your stomack shrinks, staples desolve and your stomack then cannot expand again...well it can if you push it but you become really ill before that happens.

I am weighting pros and cons this isnt something I am going to go gung ho over and just jump in with both feet...diets just do not work....tried atkins tried slimfast..and diets are great if you can exercise...I phycially am unable to exercise extensively...being honest with myself is first step...and I know what I am able to do and not do...I just need a little help in starting the process...

My wifes sister had to do this and has been nothing but a huge success. If it for health reasons it will be done. I was kept alive and brought back from death from kidney and liver failure here in exeter. I have nothing but high regaurd for the medics here. If you want more than is offered for FREE, then buy it. But it is not like at home, if it was free and county run it was crapp. Not here. See your GP, push to have it done and poof, your on your way to a healthy life. What is so hard about that thinking.  

Not hard about thinking it. I have a ton of other medical problems that have to come into concideration.

I have a friend who had the same surgery in states and is suffering a staff infection and many other complications..

Not to say I will..but this isnt something I am gonna rush into or take lightly.

I go to the GP with Nigel (My partner) on the 27th to have a long discussion and see what can be done.

Best wishes for your appointment on the 27th,  Cynda!

You're taking positive steps to make changes that will hopefully greatly improve your health and how you feel about yourself! You should be very proud! It takes great courage to make change- I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you that it's a positive discussion!

Jen  

Doctor/specilist told me today I should think about having a stomack staple or some sort of surgery like that. I am unable to do it privately due to our private insurance doesn't cover this insurance..and Not sure how I go about it with NHS..

I am willing to do this, because I do not have the will power to just do a diet...although with something like this it is a must do or barf type thing..


I really need advise on this and not sure who the surgeons will be to look at or anything like that. I've talked extensively with the spelicilst today and he feels along with myself that this is more medical need, and that I must do this or possiable other phycial problems could occur...mind you I am 19stone approx 280pounds and not shy to tell the truth about that..and feel I need this or my health is going to suffer..

anyone who can help or advise..please do so..

Thanks

Well...I don't suppose I have to tell you that having your stomach stapled or having a gastric bypass operation is not only massively life-changing, it is PERMANENT.  Gastric bypass surgery is also quite risky, and if you're only 19 stone, I think it's a mite drastic....but I'm not a doctor.  Unless there's a reason why you can't diet and/or exercise the weight off, then that's what I think you should do...but if there's a medical reason why you can't, like a heart condition or diabetes, it usually doesn't make you a good candidate for surgery.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Stomach stapling is actually something I've considered having done. It's almost trendy here in Texas. There are at least 10 people I know personally who have had it done...all with different results.

Some have had great success and don't regret it at all...others wish they'd never done it. You have no way of knowing if you'd be one of the ones with a bad experience until it's done unfortunately. :-/

I have a few friends who have gained the weight back. It's easy to do if you don't change your eating habits. The surgery helps you to lose the weight but in the end it's still up to you to keep it off.

One of the girls who had it only lost 40 pounds total and then just never lost another ounce. :-/ She said she went through an awful lot of pain and suffering just to lose 40 pounds. And yes 40 pounds is a lot but like she says it's something she could have done just through diet and exercise without having major surgery.

Another friend couldn't stop losing weight. The doctors were very concerned. She seems to be ok now but looks a bit gaunt.

I do think about having it done from time to time. It's meant for people who have at least 100 lbs to lose. I would be happy and feel just right if I lost about 75 lbs (which with discipline I could do through diet and exercise) so maybe it's not for me. But a couple of my friends didn't even have that much to lose and had the surgery anyway.

In the end it's a very personal decision and not an easy one to make as you know. People *do* die having this surgery. It's not just a simple little nip and tuck procedure. But if your health is bad enough because of the extra weight it may be worth the risk.

Don't know that this post was really helpful at all..lol. Just wanted to add my 2 cents.

My Wife had it done last July, Bariatric treatment did it and she has almost lost 100lbs since July and looks triffic.
She has reached a kind of plateau where weight isn't falling off her now as fast it was initially. But she feels 100% better and her Rheumatoid Arthritis has almost cleared up because of the less weight she is carrying around.

i know three people who had the gastro bypass surgery here in Florida and all are extremely happy with the results.  All lost over 100 pounds and the before and after is unbeleiveable.

All I can recommend is to seek out people who have had it done and talk with them about their experiences and find out which surgeries they recommend or don't recommend.

good luck!!