Hello from Switzerland - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

Peter · 11-05-2009, 12:15 PM

Hello All,

Great to see a forum like this...

I recently had my surgery 10/27/2009, so far I am only really one week in.

But, I am "already" blogging about my own experience on my website: Gastric Bypass Surgery

To keep things "short", I am an expat living in Switzerland and after years of unhealthy eating and extreme sleep apnea, I finally went to the doctors to get treatments.

I got most of my non-weight related sleep apnea dealth with through a tonsilectomy surgery (I had very large tonsils). I still sleep some nights with a CPAP, but can sleep without it for weeks without feeling sleepy or having too many apneas per night. Pre-op (tonsilectomy) I was apnea'ing on average 117 times per hour at night, severely interfering with my personal and professional life. Now, it's much better.

As for my weight, before seing the doctors I had already starting improving my diet and according to my girlfriend already lost some weight. But, it was quite a shock when I heard I was 195kg / 430lbs.

My obesity specialist was actually the one to recommend surgery, I and both my girlfriend were only expecting to get referred to a dietist.

Luckily for me I have a very good healthcare insurance, and I had the best laparoscopic surgeon here in the area and private hospital care. I couldn't have asked for more.

The day before surgery I was 183 kg / 403 lbs. Unfortunately, not a great weightloss as my 195kgs / 430 lbs was circa 9-10 months before.

Right now, I am only one week out of surgery. I have been home for a few days and adapting to my new diet.

I hope to be participating as much as I can here, since in Switzerland you get six weeks medical leave for the surgery giving me loads of time at home. Although, I still have to "take care" of my girlfriend and our son.

Here is a picture of me from the past 11 years. I had a period after college where I dropped a lot of weight, but it all came back, plus some..

Highlandlass · 11-05-2009, 12:31 PM

Hi there, Welcome to T.T. Wow, Switzerland is so much more advance with health care issues (and childcare from what I read) than the rest of the world. Imagine you getting 6 weeks off work to recuperate, and believe me most people could benefit from that amount of recuperation time. You sound like you are doing well for being just over a week out from the surgery. You will find that T.T. is great place to find advice and support and to meet people who have been through or are contemplating bariatric surgery. If you have questions, concerns or want to support others, just post here and I know you will get loads of post in return. Keep us all informed of your successes!

Corrine · 11-05-2009, 12:36 PM

Welcome to T-T Peter.

Congratulations on your recent surgery - I'm glad to hear that you're having a good amount of time to recover.

I look forward to following your progress.

Jeanie · 11-05-2009, 12:42 PM

Welcome to TT. I look forward to reading about your weight loss. I'm sure that you will do great.

Peter · 11-05-2009, 01:00 PM

Thanks for all the well-wishings.

Regarding the health care being better in Switzerland, than elsewhere. There is some truth to it. Although we have a pillard system (much similar to what the USA would have if the healtcare reform passes).

In short you always have public healthcare coverage though provided through a private company (and reimbursed to them through the government for treatments covered by the public) and you can then choose complimentary packages on top, such as dental, health spa's, glasses and various others. But, you can also add two packages called semi-private and private. Public which everyone has to have gives you a bed in an open ward. Semi you will always only be max four in a room and private you have your own room. With semi and private you can opt for treatment by private hospitals and added with private you have free choice of doctors all over Switzerland. You of course have a deductible that you can set to max 2500 CHF / 2450 USD per year and 10% contribution of certain things.

I have the all inclusive private package, plus my insurance is valid worldwide.

Because of this I had the best obesity specialist (Dr. Héraïef) and the best laparoscopic surgeon Dr. Ghavami (in fact he is the president of Swiss laparoscopic surgeons society and also the French, which is uncommon as the French have voted a non-French to be the head of their surgeons society), plus surgery and treatment in a private hospital.

Suzy · 11-06-2009, 05:51 AM

Good Luck from one expat to another! I'm in Sweden and will have my surgery in Stockholm on Wednesday!

I hate to even mention what the surgery is costing us because of the horrible deal it is with insurance in the states. Because I had mild sleep apnea, type II diabetes and blood pressure, the only thing we pay for is about $80 to leave our cat at a kennel.

Normally I would have gone through a long process but here, when a region doesn't follow it's own rules, a patient can seek help elsewhere. We have to drive 5 hours to Stockholm, but I'll be in the best hospital in Sweden. After a referral, I was supposed to see a specialist in 90 days. When they informed me that I wouldn't see a specialist for a year, we contacted the part of the government that takes care of it.

Laureate · 11-06-2009, 07:05 AM

Peter, welcome!

My grandmother and her family immigrated to the USA from Switzerland -- St. Gallen, home of the old, old library.

You had surgery a day behind me, so I can relate to where you are in the process.

You sound cheerful and energetic; I hope all goes well for you. Keep us posted!

Peter · 11-06-2009, 10:40 AM

Quite surprised today...

My girlfriend and her parents found a scale that went to 180 kg / 400 lbs, at first I didn't want it, but I thought why not, I am kinda curious to know what I weigh.

They bought and I already lost some 9 kg's, I am down at 174 kg / 383 lbs already.

I am totally stumped about how fast this is going....