Hello and good morning.

[Scott1172]

Hello folks, hope you don't mind a foreign invasion from the UK.

I am due to go to Lithuania for my surgery (May 3rd 2018) as it is less than half the cost of of having it done here in the UK and am self funding. I was very nervous about this but seem to have done endless research and have found a surgeon that spends time in the UK operating for the National Health Servcie (government funded) and time in Lithuania operating privately which gives me confidence in his credentials.

I have spent some time browsing the forum and thanks to all the contributors have found some great tips and advice, along with some incredible success stories which have put any lingering doubts about whether to have the surgery or not to the back of my mind.

From decision to surgery has been a relatively quick process for me after losing and then putting back on for about 12 years since I left the armed forces I made the decision in January that it could not continue and needed to do something about it.

Getting Bariatric surgery over here on the NHS is very difficult and once accepted there is about a 3 year waiting list so decided to self fund.

I am currently 253lbs and would like to lose 75-80lbs. (I only just meet the BMI criteria for Europe).

I think I am pretty comfortable with the pre and post operative diet, curiously my pre op diet is max 1000kcal per day for a week and am surprised how this varies from surgeon to surgeon.

One thing that does concern me is I fly back to the UK six days after surgery and have a 3 hour drive home. How have people on here found driving after surgery especially for a reasonably long journey.

Thanks everyone.

[Dutchie]

Hi there!
That sure is a long yourney home.
Make sure you got your fragmin shots, that is 1.
Walk a lot up and down the aisle.

2. Is: you don't drive yourself, do you?
You have someone pick you up?

Just ask that because in the Netherlands the car insurances will not cover any accident, when you drive within six weeks of having had full anesthesia.
I don't know about the UK.

Depending on how you feel, you probable will be able to travel, but it will be exhausting.
People who had their surgery in Mexico and live far away have done the same, so it is absolutely possible.

The best of luck to you!
Must be exiting!

[Scott1172]

That is a good point DutchSleeve, I had not considered the car insurance side of this, and yes I will be driving myself home but will take as many stops as necessary even if it is one every 20 minutes! I will have to check the terms and conditions of my insurance policy.

[Dutchie]

Please check that, because you'll be in a heap of trouble in case of an accident...

One tip though, for when you are in fact driving (yourself or as a passenger): put a pillow in your car, for the way back home, to tuck between your seatbelt and your stomach.
That way there is no pressure on your wounds and stitches.
Plus it will make the bouncing up and down a little less uncomfortable.

[sraebaer]

They won't let you drive if you are on ANY pain meds at all. I wouldn't recommend driving right after surgery, you are quite tired that whole first week, at least I was. Couldn't someone come with you?

[Scott1172]

My partner is coming out but cant get the full time off work, she is coming back with me but we will have both cars at the airport. My hope/gamble is that my pain will not be too bad so will need minimal pain releif after 6 days. The idea from Dutchsleeve for the pillow underneath the seat belt is an excellent one which I will be doing subject to me being insured.

[Dutchie]

That is some gamble.
Can't she come by train?
Or, if it turns out you are in no condition to drive, go back with one car and pick up the second later in time?
Or, maybe better: can't she take someone with her?
So the three of you drive back in two cars?
Just trying to think with you...

[Scott1172]

I think the reality is DutchSleeve is that if I am not up to it or not covered then I will have to leave my car at the airport, leave it a few days then go back by train to pick it up.

It is not ideal but it is the closest airport to us that flies to that location.

Thanks for the advice/ideas and will just have to see on the day.

[Gvn71]

I would think that by day 6 you will be fine to travel back to the UK. I was not on pain meds after I was released from the hospital (day after surgery), and did not even need Tylenol. I essentially had no pain with the exception of gas pains which were relieved by walking. My only concern would be the flight back to the UK. Hopefully you will be able to get up and walk the aisle as sitting for long periods for me that first week was uncomfortable (not painful though). I was driving by 4 days after surgery without any issues. Just be careful and cautious with your incisions and you should be fine.

I feel your pain regarding years of weight loss and gains! I did the rollercoaster weight program for years before my surgery. I have never been this thin though (maybe back in 8th grade!!!).

Good luck on your journey! No regrets here!

[DHB]

I was driving (and taking nothing but Tylenol) 4 days post op. I only drove an hour at a time but it was fine. My incisions were fairly high (above my waist) so the seat belt didn't bother me. The only challenge was bending in and out of the car and I did use a small pillow for that. I will say that you need to drink quite a bit and a few sips at a time so be prepared for bathroom stops.

[Christie13]

I went back to work 7 days post op and drove myself the 30+ (depends on traffic) drive to and from work with no issues. Three hour drive may be more difficult. Just be sure to take breaks and most of all keep hydrated during your trip. I recommend compression garments for the flight home. I wish you a great surgery and speedy recovery!

[Scott1172]

Thanks GVN,DHB, Christie

That has put my mind to rest and reassured me quite a bit.

I know we as human beings are all individual and heal/recover differently due to who we are and our experience in surgery.

One of my biggest challenges post op is not drinking caffiene, I drink quite alot of coffee to the point where I get headaches if I don't so having to go cold turkey on that front is not filling me full of joy. The rest of the first couple of months post op diet is uninspiring to say the least but necessary so hey ho just get on with it.

Noted re compression garments, had not thought of that.

[AnnieG]

Hello folks, hope you don't mind a foreign invasion from the UK.

I am due to go to Lithuania for my surgery (May 3rd 2018) as it is less than half the cost of of having it done here in the UK and am self funding. I was very nervous about this but seem to have done endless research and have found a surgeon that spends time in the UK operating for the National Health Servcie (government funded) and time in Lithuania operating privately which gives me confidence in his credentials.

I have spent some time browsing the forum and thanks to all the contributors have found some great tips and advice, along with some incredible success stories which have put any lingering doubts about whether to have the surgery or not to the back of my mind.

From decision to surgery has been a relatively quick process for me after losing and then putting back on for about 12 years since I left the armed forces I made the decision in January that it could not continue and needed to do something about it.

Getting Bariatric surgery over here on the NHS is very difficult and once accepted there is about a 3 year waiting list so decided to self fund.

I am currently 253lbs and would like to lose 75-80lbs. (I only just meet the BMI criteria for Europe).

I think I am pretty comfortable with the pre and post operative diet, curiously my pre op diet is max 1000kcal per day for a week and am surprised how this varies from surgeon to surgeon.

One thing that does concern me is I fly back to the UK six days after surgery and have a 3 hour drive home. How have people on here found driving after surgery especially for a reasonably long journey.

Thanks everyone.

Good for you! I was self pay, so I know what you're saying. Your research sounds very well done!
As to the drive, while my bariatric surgery was only 10 minutes away from our house, I have had lots of surgery.

If you don't take anything but acetaminophen for your pain, you should be safe in that regard. However, if you are sore in the stomach area, be aware that if you have to hit the brakes, and you get a flash of pain, you will automatically take your foot of the brake. So great caution, as you already know.

Is there any way you might find a bed & breakfast, or "hostel" where you could take an extra day? Just a thought. But will be asking for traveling mercies for you!

[DHB]

One suggestion: Try to taper down on the caffeine pre-op. You REALLY don't want to be going thru withdrawal right after surgery. As a hard core coffee addict, I started by doing half de-caf cups then getting down completely to de-caf before surgery. Cold turkey on caffeine in addition to the surgery is way too much strain to put on your body.

[Aussie Girl]

Definitely take a pillow to go between your tummy and seat belt.