Bizziebea
My journey to a new life
Step one;
Battled with my weight since being a teenager, having temporary wins occasionally, but always ending off worse than I started.
Step two;
Watch TV series about Supersize Surgery, interesting & inspiring. I discuss the idea with my dietician, she surprisingly does not 'poo poo' the idea but suggests we try other alternatives first.
Consider weight loss surgery and research. Too expensive, put idea to one side, try new medications on offer from dietician. Just about manage to maintain and make small weight loss over a few years but no real progress.
Step 3;
Sadly my Mother dies and after years of caring for her she has left me some money and a big hole in my life. Is now the time to make the big step & care for me?
I contact the private hospital in the TV series for surgery costs and more information.
Step 4; 1st September 2006
I mention my thoughts to my GP in relation to my future and health pain problems, I'm now nearer 50 than 40!
Surprisingly she doesn't discount it and offers to contact a bariatric surgeon for me to discuss surgery with, without having to commit myself. She knows that the surgeon has performed surgery on his own sister. So guessing that they have a good brother/sister relationship this sounds like a good recommendation and it might be possible on the NHS. This was a HUGE surprise, I hadn't counted on this, (I can save my money for my house, yippee). My GP contacts the surgeon in London.
Step 5;
More research, lots of reading & posting on 'Obesity Help' website. I've now decided the lap band could be my saviour and would work with my health pain issues eg. it's reversable, shorter op., smaller incisions, no malabsorption problems (for medication, vitamins etc.)
Step 6;
I receive a short note from hospital to say I should hear from surgeon within 6 months. I'm on my way!
Step 7; 14th October 2006
Surprise early arrival of contact letter from St. George's Hospital in Tooting (London). I fill in simple information form & questionnaire to say I want to be seen ASAP and that I want surgery, I post off form next day.
Step 8; 27th December 2006
My appointment to see surgeon Alberic Fiennes at St. George's hoorah! Weighed & measured first 137.5 kgs (bad, bad Christmas eating) 5'5 1/2''ish - I forgot to ask) Then in I go, he is very friendly and asks why I want surgery. I specifically mention Lap Band and he asks why, and that there are different types that may be suitable.
I am happy to be open minded re type of surgery, and will see where the assessments lead. I have to have four types of assessment and also due to my health difficulties extra assessments. These will be done along side the normal assessments, so that I won't have to wait longer than I have to. Asked if I had any questions of course my mind went blank. Afterwards I wish I had asked how long it would take to assess if I was able to have surgery and then how long would I have to wait to have surgery. So I was sent home to consider and to send a post card to Mr Fiennes in a few days time, to say whether or not I wanted to continue,
OF COURSE I DO!
Step 9; 23rd January 2007
Next appointment!! Hurray, so soon, Hurray!
I arrived late due to traffic stand still for last 10 miles (oh no I'm never late). I was rather upset as I thought I had missed my appointment. Fortunately I was very lucky and was told I could still be seen. (Glad I went in to own up and didn't just drive back home). I saw Marco Adamo, he said not to worry about being late, that he had been late too as he had got lost. I was under the impression he was new to St. Georges. I had further questions about my health, weight history and eating habits and he asked to see my 'tummy', had a probe around and said I had tender areas (I'm tender all over). All was friendly and at ease and he explained pros & cons of banding & RNY. It seems RNY is favoured as more is known about long term results, and Lap band is more for people below BMI 50 (I'm BMI 50). Also with my sensitivity due to Fibromyalgia I would probably find the port of the band uncomfortable. He didn't see any reason why an operation would not be suitable for me, but obviously I have to have more testing yet. I asked about timescale. He said that once on the waiting list (after all assessments) time is 4 - 6 months. So as long as it doesn't take too long to get on the waiting list, I was pleasantly surprised, I was expecting longer. So I'm now another step further along the line. I will have to do more research on RNY board, shame as I like the 'band aid friends' board.
Step 10; 26th January 2007
Not really a step, more a pause for thought. When I first started considering WLS I only considered it because of the key hole surgery of Lap Band surgery, less risk, less time in hospital, less pain etc. Now look where I am, progressing toward major WLS needing life long vitamin & calcium supplements and longer in hospital etc. (I've only been anaethetised once to remove a fish bone - which disappeared by itself!) Now I must admit to being a touch concerned. Weighing up pros & cons though I am going to continue, despite operation fears. I can't go on as I am. I hurt my knee badly a few months ago trying to run a dog agility course. I desperately want to be able to do more activity. The pain from my knee and Fibromyalgia is getting worse not better and I just can't lose and keep off the weight AND I'm not getting any younger. A new life is beckoning and I can't jump on board (I'm just hanging on by my finger tips). So surgery it is.
May 2008!!!
You may well wonder what has been happening, that is if anyone has ever looked at this 
.
Well I had appointments with; dietician, psychologist, endocrinologist (re my under active thyroid) etc. and all seemed ok. Info. was requested from my Pain Clinic which I agreed to, and then nothing..............
I didn't want to pester, infact on a previous letter it said not to add to their burden of paperwork by keep enquiring and I knew the waiting can be quite a while. Eventually I decided to write and was telephoned to come for another appointment (today). Apologies for time kept waiting, some crossed wires somewhere along the line, anyway if my GP is still ok about me having op. (letter being sent to her post haste) then it seems all ok for the go ahead. Shock, worry, relief, disbelief and excitement are all flowing around my body at the moment. Mr Adamo is the poor surgeon who has to get to grips with my stomach, I wish him lots of luck and steady hands 
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23rd June 2008 Pre. Op. assessment day - Finally the op has been agreed and I have given many tubes of blood for many tests, had an ECG, given a urine specimen, had blood pressure taken and puffed into a machine to check my lung capacity. All's well so far, so as long as blood tests are ok, I have a provisional date for 8th July. So soon - no time to worry. The draw back is the diet from now to 8th for liver reduction. 4 weightwatcher soups and 4 Muller lite yoghurts aday! No probs. with yoghurt, but soup, and not home made!!!!
Oh well it's in a good cause so off to the shops tomorrow to find said cans - and it might not be too bad 
. I need to lose 8 - 10 kgs so ABSOLUTELY NO CHEATING, this is the beginning of the rest of my life and just think a nice party dress for Christmas
.
5th July 2008
Well the 8th it is! 2 1/2 days to go - nervous, excited all sorts of emotions, will now just be glad when it is over and I'm recovering safely. I've made my will and put my affairs in order - just incase, but I am quite fit for a 'fatty' so here's to the 9th 
19th January 2009
For any of you that might have looked for my progress, I appologise for lack of info. I had quite a difficult time - I did have the op. on the 16th July and I think I couldn't face writing about it at the time, as I was focusing on the future. I will write it up as it might be of use to some of you, especially any who experience problems. For now though, just to say I am 6 months on, down from 138kgs to 107kgs and haven't regretted having the op. once, not even when having all the initial difficulties - all is fine now.
16th July 2010 2 YEAR ON.
Well I was naughty and didn't record my op difficulties, but I will write up a brief summary now (though reading back it is still a long tale!).
I had my RNY op at UCH Hospital London, all fine, surgeon Mr Adamo very happy with how op went. I woke up in Intensive care unit (usual practise) the standards and care like all I encountered in this clean and caring hospital was excellent. Probably due to my fibromyalgia I had difficulties with the pain but was able to administer morphine pain relief. I had 5 tiny incisions, as I remember with one drain.
Sorry to be overly graphic on this next bit but some of you might think of this question. What happens if I start my period (menstruation). Well I did with a vengence (I suffer with heavy and painful periods). It was embarrassing but the kind nurses cleaned me up, so don't worry.
One of my wounds kept producing blood/fluid, which built up and poured out. I was taken back to theatre. No leaks or problems were found with my op. it seemed my body was over reacting to being operated on. I was given another drain. (I now had 7 small incisions)
I was kept in the ICU for a further few days (longer than usual 1 day). I reacted badly to the morphine, it gave me very bad night mares & hallucinations. The only good one was that the curtains winked at me and told me all would be ok.
I went home but became ill (fast pulse, low blood pressure) so was readmitted to UCH. I went into Accident and Emergency where I fell. This time I went onto the Obesity surgery ward, I had tests and was given various substances that my body was low in (sorry have now forgotten which). I had some sort of sepsis infection which was treated. I again struggled with some of the chemicals which I reacted against (again this is not unusual with my Fibromyalgia). So it was not an enjoyable time. However I was able to chat to other patients who were in and out within days with no problems and some without pain (lucky people). I also spoke to a few people who were coming back for minor adjustments etc. All seemed very positive and pleased with their results.
Despite my difficulties I still did not regret having my op and the care by Mr Adamo's team was excellent.
When I went home I had had one drain removed but still had the other. Again sorry forgotten which one (I have recorded in my diary the details but don't wish to read it now). I had district nurses visit me to change my dressings and check my blood pressure etc. (most of the small wounds had now healed). The middle leaking wound had a bag on which I measured the quantities of fluid. I had to change the bag as it filled. Eventually the fluid stopped and I didn't need the bags any more and I didn't need visits from the the district nurses.
I live alone, I had a friend stay with me for a couple of days after the first spell in hosp. but was on my own after the second, but my brother got my shopping etc and he and my friends kept a check on me. Some people I have spoken to are able to pretty much go back to normal life straight away, but be prepared if like me you can't.
I later went back and Mr Adamo removed the last drain (ouch - but it was quick).
From then on healing was quick and my scars are small and comfortable.
I built up my eating exactly as was advised and only had a few problems, these were with courser meaty foods. I found it difficult to vomit (mainly just juices) to rid me of the problem. I was concerned that the vomitting though on only 2 or 3 occasions would jeopardise my op. but was reassured (good care line re obesity surgery at hospital) all would be ok, which it was. Infact as a bonus (and the reason I had the full RNY not a sleeve) my reflux problems have been cured. I no longer need to take reflux medication. This has been a great benefit. I also stopped taking blood pressure medication as this was (and still is) no longer needed.
I lost weight slowly but steadily over the first year, but for the last year have stayed stationary (something I have never experienced before - was either gaining weight or dieting). Overall so far (I'm not ruling out more weight loss with an effort by me) I have lost six stone. I am still heavy by general standards 16 stone 4lbs but I look and feel 'normal' (I am lucky I have always carried my weight well, if you know what I mean, people think I am lighter than I really am). I know others have lost more than me, but I can eat 'normally' I don't eat like a sparrow, but I don't over eat. I still have a battle of wills resisting 'naughty' foods, but the difference now is I win these battles, I eat most things - I have found that my tastes have changed, some things I enjoyed before the op I don't eat anymore, I eat less meat for instance. I eat more fish which is lighter and easier to digest.
* An important thing to mention is that I had extreme problems with my sense of smell after the op. Everything smelled differently 'chemically' and very strong, this was very hard but slowly over about 6 months it righted itself thank goodness. Also the dreadful morbid dreams continued for about 6 months too, gradually lessening. I had a meeting with ICU people after my op to discuss this and they were reassuring that this does happen sometimes, people react differently (another patient I was with in ICU was having rather 'saucy' thoughts etc.) and that the disturbing nature of my dreams and hallucinations were not a reflection on the stability of my mind etc.
My sense of taste was different to start with (I thought the hospital water was bad, but when I got home, my water which I know is fine was similarly awful), fortunately this improved and was back to normal in a much shorter time than my sense of smell.
The after care has been very good. I have had regular checks, blood tests etc, soon after the op then after six months and I have an appointment with Mr. Adamo next month after a year. I also have had support from my GP. (local doctor).
I now take daily 2 multivitamin pills and 2 vitamin D pills. (I started these earlier this year as I had a Vit. D deficiency) Recent blood tests show I am low in Iron so this is currently being sorted out.
I now can run. One of my goals was to run my dog in dog agility competitions and be able to get a clear round in the allowed time. I can now do this, infact I am now faster than my dog (she is so used to going slow when I was slower she now is too set in her ways to go faster!).
I am poised to succeed in my second goal, to go horse riding again, but I want to be under 16 stone to do this as I know this makes a huge difference for me, when I am under this weight I feel so much better and look better. Also better for the horse.
I am actually going to have a real blitz and see if I can lose a few more pounds to achieve this.
Well there you are. A much happier and healthier me. I feel normal, can buy clothes in normal shops (no special trips to special out size shops), I am between UK size 18 & 22 (bottoms, smaller on top) depends on make. So still not petite, but who cares.
I can do things without being looked at for the wrong reasons. I am often being told how good I look. (Though I keep myself covered as I am rather a 'saggy baggy' person upwards from knees to elbows.) I have considered surgery (tummy tuck) but feel that unless I lose alot more weight it is not worth it. Also cost and the thought of surgery is off putting.
I maybe will update next year to let you know if I have lost any more.
PS I now wear trousers which I didn't before. The first time I did I had to check 'Does my bum look big in this?'. So I put the camera on timer, and bent over to see my bottom in different poses. It looked no worse than many others I see walking down the street every day (better than some!!) so if you want an independent opinion use your camera!
Good luck on your journey, I hope you don't have to go through the difficulties I have been through, but hope you enjoy the end result as much 
.
Update 4 years on July 2012
Hello thought some of you might find a 4 years on update useful.
After Christmas 2010 I had put on weight and was very scared of putting on more and reverting back to my old self. I tried to lose weight myself but couldn't, and my exercise routine was as much as I could cope with having pain with Fibromyalgia.
As Mr Adamo my surgeon had said last year I wouldn't lose anymore from the operation, if I wanted to lose more I either had to cut calories or up my exercise.
I decided to diet and went to a Cambridge Weight Plan consultant.
I chose Cambridge as I had done a similar meal replacement weight loss plan in the past and knew it worked (it was just that afterwards I put all the weight back on - now I feel confident I won't), also that the meals ensured I had all the vitamins & minerals I needed, so important after W.L.S. I still take the 2 vitamin tabs & 2 Vit D tabs & also last year before starting the diet I was proscribed an iron tablet a day too.
When I was weighed in I was very disappointed to realise I had gained 10lbs. I was now 17 stone!
I had to have my GP's approval to go on diet which was ok. The diet is based on 3 replacement meals aday & no other food plus lots of water. The meals are either soups or milkshakes and after a few weeks can be cereal type choc covered bars.
I am allergic to Aspartame the sweetener used in most diet products so I was only able to consume the tetra pack ready made shakes & bars.
On this diet you are only consuming about 500 calories at first, but the diet works in stages and you increase your calorie intake at each stage to prepare you for eating after dieting. I found that to feel well I needed to move on a few stages and was consuming 1500 - 1800 calories a day, the replacement meals (1 shake & 2 bars) plus extra calories in healthy well balanced foods. I also had extra calories as I knew I had a long journey not a short sprint to get to my goal of 12 stone and a new healthy BMI. I knew if I was just on the replacement meals only I wouldn't stick to the diet for a long time.
All has gone well, I have slowly but steadily lost the weight, allowing myself a few treats without gaining and reinforcing my post op. healthy eating habits.
I hope to get to my goal before my yearly appointment with Mr. Adamo in August.
I have now lost in total 10 stone, from my highest pre operation weight.
I am very pleased with how I look with clothes on (I cover my upper arms) and though I am saggy in places on my body, I can cope with how I am without them.
I am now UK clothes size 14 top & 16 bottom.
I have achieved my goal of returning to horse riding and just trying to get the nerve up to expose myself & go swimming.
I know that though 12 stone has been my goal, for my height I have more weight I can lose, and I can see it on me, so I may continue to try and lose some more weight, but I won't be consciously dieting, it will be by eating very sensibly.
Best wishes in your weight loss journey.
