Gastric band on the nhs

[Disneyobsessed]

Opinions or experiences please

[darsch1982]

I have a gastric band and worst decision I ever made I paid private and wish I would have gone for the gastric bypass, I know a band is not the easy way out but I struggle to pass food on some days as a women hormones do not seem to help and I have times I can't actually eat without been sick, some people have great experience with it I have had the good for 2 years and now on the bad experience

[EssexSue]

Originally Posted by darsch1982

I have a gastric band and worst decision I ever made I paid private and wish I would have gone for the gastric bypass, I know a band is not the easy way out but I struggle to pass food on some days as a women hormones do not seem to help and I have times I can't actually eat without been sick, some people have great experience with it I have had the good for 2 years and now on the bad experience

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I knew someone who had hers done privately and she was always being sick. I think in her case it's because she didn't actually need one which is why the NHS would not fund it.

[darsch1982]

I was on the waiting list for NHS my bmi was over 42 when I had it I have lost weight my bmi has reduced to 38 and is now steady but still wisj I would have done gastric bypass

[Loopylooloo]

My mum saw a specialist consultant and he advised bypass, not band. But, no gastric surgery is an easy option. Do your research and choose a good consultant.

[Guest]

I don’t have an opinion on the NHS, other than I thought it was quite hard to qualify.

My sister had a gastric band some years go, it did nothing useful, she maybe lost a pound or two and was constantly needing to go back to get it adjusted. After two years she went for a gastric bypass. Now that did the trick. I agree with pp that gastric surgery is no easy option, as some people make it out to be.

[bronny]

I have the band on the NHS. Before lockdown I lost 4 stone but have put on about half a stone again (mainly thanks to drinking my calories during lockdown). I need to get myself back in the zone and get swimming again. It’s not been easy and when food gets stuck it’s pretty awful - but I’m very glad I had it.

[NewtoOrlando]

I am on tier 4 & on the list for surgery via the NHS. It’s not the easy way out and I have gone back and forth about what is the right thing to do, how is life going to be for me but I have decided that the prospect of spending the rest of my life struggling on a diet and getting nowhere is not an option. I do have pre existing conditions and that’s why my GP referred me. I will be having the bypass though, I’m going nowhere near a band, far too many awful stories.

[Disneyobsessed]

Some good replies

[ChoppyGirl]

I agree with the other posters about a gastric band not being a magic cure. I had one about 6 years ago. I lost about 3 stone but have gradually gained 1 back. I paid privately as my bmi was not quite high enough although I was classed as morbidly obese.

I decided to have the restriction loosened as I was just not coping with food getting stuck and soon learned what was easy band food to eat without problems but unfortunately they are also high calorie. I still can’t eat first thing when the band is too tight.

I would not recommend a gastric band at all - yes I am lighter but there are much easier ways.