WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY SUPPORT

For those interested in Weight Loss Surgery – pre-op, post-op, self-funded & NHS

Hopefully you will find some helpful information & some answers to questions here, whether you are thinking about Weight Loss Surgery, are pre-op or post-op (self-funded or NHS)

I personally had a Roux-en-y open Gastric Bypass in September of 2008 with Mr Martin Sinclair at Ipswich Hospital.  Having extensively researched as much as I could pre-op, I found a distinct lack of UK information & resources.  This is my small contribution to helping balance some of that!

Before anything else ... you need to know if you are a suitable candidate for Bariatric (weight loss) Surgery. NICE (National Institute of Clinical Excellence) says

1.      you should have tried all conventional means to lose weight

2.      have a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 40 or 35 with co-morbidities (health complications such as diabetes or hypertension) 

Weight Loss Surgery should be considered very carefully & not entered into easily or with unrealistic expectations

Weight reduction or bariatric surgery is a rapidly evolving branch of surgical science.  The aim is to induce substantial weight loss in those whose obesity places them at significant risk of developing serious health problems.  This risk does not become acute until individuals are more than 50% overweight - a condition known as morbid obesity.  In an attempt to balance the risks of surgery against the benefits of weight loss, bariatric operations are currently only performed in the morbidly obese

Weight Loss Surgery (WLS) is referred to in bariatric medicine as a “tool” to help morbidly obese regain health through massive weight loss. It is a weapon in the battle against obesity, but it is the patient who wins the war.

Weight loss surgery is NOT the easy way out. It's the last resort for people who are suffering complications related to morbid obesity

• This site is intended to provide support and information
• It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment - your doctor or surgeon should always be your first port of call for any concerns, complications, emergencies or any medical advice you need
• The contents of this website (including text, graphics, and other content) are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal, medical or other professional advice on any subject matter
• Please be aware that this website is a PUBLIC site so any information or content you add will be viewable by everyone, not just our members
• Any personal information or data supplied or divulged at the Weight Loss Surgery Support Meetings or to WLS-IPS Admin will remain strictly confidential