Former heavyweight

4 weeks after sleeve surgery, had COVID 10 days into recovery which sent my body into a tailspin and landed me in hospital, thankfully no lasting damage and am starting to feel that boost in energy that people talk about. Progress wise, 2 stone exactly down since surgery, (28 lbs, 12kg) and now just onto soft food. Had smoked salmon, a teeny bit of avocado and an egg this morning, for example. I haven't worn this t shirt since 2018, had it at the back of my wardrobe in the vain hope it may fit one day. Truly never thought it would. Now I face the reality that I probably will have to send it to the charity shop (goodwill) in a few weeks, so I'm gonna enjoy wearing it for now.

Hello everybody, Just about 3 weeks ago I had a vsg in Turkey (originally from the UK) everything went well for the first couple of weeks, I had a visit to the doctor when I got back and it seemed to be getting all on track. Then, a few days ago, I am burning with a fever. Naturally, I panic and assume the worst sort of diagnosis, but in actual fact, it turned out to be COVID. Which isn't great, tbh, but I suppose it was better than a leak or some such. Anyways, yesterday, I am starting to feel better from the covid, when my stomach starts to hurt, particularly at night, stopping me sleeping. The pain is intense and the stomach area feels warm but my temperature is fine. It feels like wind, and I do pass some gas, but the feeling and pain is still there after goodness knows how many peppermint teas and Rennie deflatines (simeticone for you medical types). I just can't seem to clear this gas at all, is this something I should be concerned about? I really don't have many medical professionals to consult, due to COVID making me isolate, so I was kinda hoping somebody here might have had a similar experience after the initial gas has left post of and some idea of how to deal with it! Cheers for reading

Hi guys, sorry for the delay in replying. So, it escalated quickly, doctor sent me to a and e because he was worried about adhesions. CT scan, x ray and a wealth of blood tests later, the surgeon said that everything was clearly swollen but with no obvious cause. It was like my stomach and bowels were on strike. He said it's not actually that uncommon, especially given the fact I have covid . I was offered some sort of gas extraction thingy the next day, and given a lot of relaxants and a saline drip. Well, after a very uncomfortable night, things got back into action, the swelling went down. Thank god, it was truly uncomfortable. Decided against the gas extraction, just wanted to go home at that point. Been home for a bit now, feel lots better, even managed a protein shake and a teeny but of yoghurt. Anyways, thanks for all your messages, glad I got checked out, as it shows that everything is ok, and this pesky COVID is most probably the culprit. Better safe than sorry though! Thank you for all your support and messages

Thanks, I'm off to docs in an hour, I'll keep you posted. As for bowel movements, they are either bullet hard (codiene induced perhaps!) But yesterday were watery. Not had one today. Yeah was worried about tomato soup, it's the only one I could stomach, but I might change for chicken (I struggle with chicken soup though) or maybe carrot and corriander perhaps. Thanks for the reply

Hi thanks for the reply. I'm currently having a protein shake and a little bit of (usually tomato) soup, maybe half a standard tin. I was on 2 protein shakes but since COVID that has gone back to 1. I don't think I get acid at night, I take an antacid everyday as per my surgeons prescription, and haven't woken up with any acid. I do sleep with a CPAP though. Hope this helps

I'm currently 8 days post surgery, I had it in Istanbul (from UK originally). If you message me I can tell you more about it if you like, I'm sure you have loads of questions. Headline, it's fine. I didn't really see that there was anything different to a UK hospital, my surgeon had 8600 previous surgeries, so I was comfortable with him. The thing is the psychological side. You aren't as well prepared as you would be in the UK. It's not a small operation and it can be unnerving waking up on your own, miles from home and in pain. Saying that, it's only a few days, it's ok, if you're pretty tough then it will pass and you are home before you know it. I went to the doctor's when I got back, just to let them know the deal and they could check me over. I am in actually awesome health, which is a bonus. So no ill effects. All in all, it's pretty good. I'd imagine far less frills than the UK, but the surgery itself felt safe and well organised.

Hello everyone, Brit here who went to Turkey for the sleeve, had it done on the 12th August, and here's a little about how it went... Surgery went well, apparently, so that's nice. Woke up in intense pain, I'm guessing from the gas, but I was shocked at just how much that actually hurt. It probably didn't help that I'd never had surgery before. After 2 days in hospital, I was discharged to a hotel but found myself totally unable to sleep - I just had this wave of anxiety and regret, despite the fact I was excited for the future. It's odd, and it lasted a full 72 hours before I broke yesterday and went to my doctor and they put me on zopiclone. Holy hell that stuff knocks you out! Flew back on the Monday, and yesterday went to my doctor, who checked on me and my vitals and it seemed ok. That was until about 2pm, where I broke into the most incredible hot sweat, agonising pain to the point that 999 was called. Cut a very long story short, bloody gas again! The pain (I was on dihydrocodeine at the time too) was massive, and because of the sweats they were worried about a leak. It wasn't, and today is loads better. Anyway, that's where I'm at, I'd love to meet up with any east midland Brits going through this, would be awesome