I had thought several times in the past few years about the possibility of WLS (Weight Loss Surgery) or bariatric surgery, but never imagined I would ever get it done.

I had heard of a Gastric Band and also of a Gastric Bypass, but not of a Gastric Sleeve. I didn’t know much about any of the procedures themselves, to be honest, my knowledge was very limited, like most people I guess.

Up until December 2017, I was aware of 2 people that I knew who had gone through the “band” procedure and who had and were in my eyes successful, in the fact that many years after their interventions, they were maintaining healthy weights and “appeared normal”.

My limited knowledge was about to change.

Having cracked open my private pension pot late last year, I found myself “down with life” and it was a choice of do nothing, and die or Do Something, and get on with my life. A bit of a “no brainer” really.

February 2018

I came to a personal decision to get a Gastric Band done privately. Approx. cost £7k.

I researched Gastric Procedures for a few days on/off, read personal accounts and joined a closed fb support group, Bariatric Surgery Community – Gastric Band, Sleeve & Bypass Support, Bariatric Surgery Community – Gastric Band, Sleeve & Bypass Support

I read as much about other peoples stories, accounts, problems in conjunction with the actual Health Facts, and changed my mind about the band operation and was now resting on the fact that the Gastric Sleeve sounded better for me.

I also enquired though emails to various centres around the UK and spoke to some advisors within a few organisations.

As it happened, the Nuffield in Glasgow were having an information evening, so I quickly inquired about a space and dually roped my BFF to go along with me for moral support, preceded by a nice Italian meal of course.