6 Months since my Op. An update on my journey

[willow13 59]

Its been just over 6 months since I had my operation so thought I would give an update for people who are undecided and unsure if a sleeve is the way to go.

First off let me say the sleeve isn't a miracle cure, you have to be prepared to work with it and change the way you view food or it alone will not help you. BUT saying that I know if I had not have had my sleeve I would have gained more weight and would have ended up crippling myself or even worse. I am disabled so exercise for me is not really an option, not only do I have arthritis and fibro I also have a severely under-active thyroid and poly-cystic ovary disease. So it was never going to be a quick fix for me to loose the extra weight. My heaviest weight was 350lb.

I began my journey about 2 years before my operation date, I was working with a lifestyle advisor and despite everything she was telling me I should be doing I was still gaining more weight which was getting me further and further down. After 6 months I said look enough is enough if you cant help then cancel my appointments as this simply isn't working. She asked what I wanted and I said a referral to someone who could help. She referred me to the specialist weight management team which is where my journey really began.
I saw a psychiatrist who was lovely, we discussed everything about my eating habits, my life and what I wanted from a referral. My answer was simply to be healthier, loose weight and have people who could actually help me because I could not see light at the end of the tunnel, my weight had beaten me and I didn't mind admitting that. She told me she considered me a suitable candidate for the next step and warned I would go on a rollercoaster of emotions and I would need to be dedicated to working with them. I was prepared or so I thought for everything that would come next....................
For the next 3 months I had to attend fortnightly meetings with her, a dietician and different members from the weight loss team. With their help I lost 11kg which for me was amazing. It wasnt easy and involved making changes to portion size as that was one of my downfalls, I also had to cut the cola out which I believe was the biggest contributor to my weight and start eating 3 meals a day as previously I had been really bad for only eating one large meal a day.
I then met with the team every month for 6 months.

In december 2013 I met with the surgeon and the anesthetist, who told me they considered I was a candidate for surgery. I was still under the impression I would either be given the option of a band or a bypass I had never heard of the sleeve. He discussed it with me what the sleeve operation consisted off and gave me some literature to read and left it with me until the new year to make my decision although due to the complications involved with bands he had ruled that part out.
I went away joined as many groups as I could, read everything I could and decided the sleeve was the right option for me.

I had to go for different tests including being checked for a hiatus hernia. That was horrid, that camera down the throat almost put me off the full operation. Everything came back great and I was good to go. My operation was booked for the 3rd March.
I went to the hospital early that morning looking forward to beginning my new life. I woke from surgery in agony, I was doubled in pain and had not prepared myself for that. I had read some people suffered pain but most had no pain or very little so being in so much I was convinced something had went wrong. My surgeon was a bit worried and sent me for scans but everything looked fine except I had some lovely bruising coming out across my full stomach, which they didn't know why. It honestly felt like they had left something inside me I was that sore.
Nurses kept coming into the ward to see if I wanted something to eat and drink which annoyed me as they didn't have a dedicated ward, I was in a general surgery ward which the nurses didn't seem to know the ins and outs of gastric surgery. All I wanted was to sleep and a decent cuppa. Then I remembered the surgeon saying it would depend on how quick I was up and moving as to when I got home so I forced myself awake and got dressed and sat on the chair at the side of the bed. The surgeon was surprised to see me sitting when he came for rounds a couple of hours after. I told him I wanted to go home and was told it would be a day or two as I wasn't taking in enough fluids for his liking.
By the following day I was reaching my targets for fluids and played down hugely how much pain I was in, I wanted home and nothing was going to stop that from happening. He finally agreed I could go home as long as I returned if I didnt feel right or started running a temperature. The trip home was agony, I made my poor husband stop at a supermarket to buy a pillow so I could squeeze it against my stomach because every bump on the road felt like agony.
I slept a fair bit the following couple of days and despite drinking the thought of food was beyond me. Taking my medication was easier than I thought. My other side effect began to surface. If burping was an Olympic sport I would win gold. I also had really bad acid reflux. I phoned the surgeon who prescribed me omeprazol capsules.
A week on and the pain had subsided quite a bit and I was beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel. I was going to bed and kicked the bottom of the bed breaking my nail, my husband was in the shower so I thought ok I will try to get this myself. I bent over and got a pain from the largest of the incisions. I never thought much off it and just thought I had pushed things too far. I straightened up and went to put the piece of nail into the bin, walking past the bottom of the bed I thought I had felt something wet but never really worried, it wasn't until I went to get into bed I felt the wet feeling again and looked down at my PJ's. I shouted for my husband to hurry and bring me tissue. He immediately got on the phone to NHS 24. They suggested I make the emergency trip to the nearest hospital which was 45 miles away. I had a wound infection and an abscess had formed behind the wound which luckily when it burst had came out the way. I was prescribed a high dose of antibiotics and had to have the wound cleaned and dressings applied despite the fact I had just had the old ones removed that morning after being told I didn't need the dressings any longer. I felt like crap, burping was annoying me, food tasted vile, I cried over my husband cooking bacon and just thought what the hell have i done to myself. I knew about head hunger having read all about it but never realised how bad it would actually be. By the time I finished my antibiotics a week later I was feeling better and less emotional. I had started eating soft foods which after 2 weeks of Soups was a welcome addition. I don't like milk or anything resembling milky drinks so Protein shakes for me were off the cards. I did try but just vomited with them so gave them up. I was tolerating multi Vitamins and Calcium tablets so hoped they would be enough. I was told I needed the Protein to heal so started adding minced beef, chicken and turkey to my diet along with fish.
By week four I was eating poached egg for Breakfast. Soup for lunch and was tolerating things like spaghetti bolognaise, mash potatoes with softer meats with no vomiting or pain. Burping was still an issue and getting me really annoyed. I couldn't tolerate pork at this stage and it was one of the only things other than chilli I couldn't eat.
By 8 weeks I could eat almost everything, spicy foods still didn't sit right and would make me feel sick although I wasn't being sick.
Now I can eat some spicy foods although they still make me feel a little sickly if I overdo things but with the exception of that and fried foods I can eat normally just much smaller portions. The burping is still a bit of an issue but it is not as bad as it once was. I still take omeprazol and know all about it if I don't take them as the reflux is bad and the burping gets worse. My hair started falling out at about month 4, I went from having really long thick hair to limp thin hair, it got so bad I went and got it cut, it went from being half way down my back to jaw length, I still am not sure if I like it but it has really helped it.
SO would I do it again despite everything.
The simple answer is YES most definitely. Had you asked me that in the early days I would have said NO but I have gone from being a size 32 to a size 20, I was 350lbs at my heaviest I am now 225lbs. Yes I have loose skin which is horrid but I am happier dealing with that than I was the excess weight. My body is never going to recover fully but I have helped it by loosing weight and I am not in quite so much daily pain. I had got to the stage where I didn't want to go out because I was so unhappy with my weight, now I know I still have more weight to drop but I know its going in the right direction and no longer care what others think.
I never told anyone about my surgery other than my husband and son who live at home. I never told anyone what caused me to gain weight and I didn't want to be judged by anyone for doing something about loosing weight and felt it was nothing to do with them. I still feel this was the correct decision for me.

So for anyone who has just been sleeved or about to begin their journey I wish you luck. Its not always plain sailing the emotions do go through a massive roller coaster ride but it is definitely worth it at least that has been my experience.

Edited September 16, 2014 by willow13

[scrapbasket 83]

thank you for your story and your honesty.

[Lateese92 49]

Thank you so much willow13 for sharing your experience. I am scheduled for surgery on October 1st and I am excited, scared and all the other emotions that go along with pre op. Congratulations on ur success and continue 2 encourage others.

Edited September 16, 2014 by Lateese92

[willow13 59]

Thanks guys.
When I was reading posts before my surgery I found most were made by the people in America and found things differed vastly to over here. I also found most sadly didn't keep the updates going after their operation so I wanted to do an update so people knew what it really was like months down the line from someone who had undergone a sleeve operation in the UK.
Not everyone will have the pain or discomfort I went through or the burping situation I faced but I wanted to let them know that in the early days is common to think "Oh hell, I have made a huge mistake" but that it does come good and it is worth it. If it can help me it can help others too.

[EJS 6]

@@willow 13

I can't tell you how great it is to have found your post!

I was sleeved on the 14th April 2015, 4 days later rushed into hospital with a Wound Infection. Last day of antibiotics today but can honestly say I've never felt so ill.

Very tearful & full to the brim of regret ????

[willow13 59]

@@willow 13

I can't tell you how great it is to have found your post!

I was sleeved on the 14th April 2015, 4 days later rushed into hospital with a Wound Infection. Last day of antibiotics today but can honestly say I've never felt so ill.

Very tearful & full to the brim of regret

EJS I know how hard it is to stay cheery, the early days were really horrid and I had so many doubts about what I had done and seriously regretted having the operation after getting the wound infection BUT it does get easier and I can honestly say it was worth it in the long run. I was 25 stone when I went to the weight management team, today I am 14 stones, yes I still have weight to drop and the weight loss has slowed drastically but I would never have got to where I am today without the op. Stick with it hun it does get easier. If you want to PM me if you are feeling down I am happy to chat.

[chrisredjeep 357]

Hello there. Im in Uk and I will be having my op in July. Good to read these posts.

[willow13 59]

Hello there. Im in Uk and I will be having my op in July. Good to read these posts.

Hi, good luck with your op in July. Honestly having a sleeve done was the best decision I ever made. I was just over 25 stone at my heaviest, I am now just under 14 no its not been the quickest way but I have had slow but steady weight loss even though I do have an underactive thyroid and very limited mobility so if I can do it anyone can.

Let me know how you get on with your op and if you ever need someone to talk too then sing out as I am happy to talk to you.

[ExcitedButNervous 2]

@@willow13 Thank you for this.

I looked into the surgery back in March 2015, and ummed and aaahed and then decided no I could do this on my own. Surprise surprise I am now nearly 1 stone heavier. I was successful at LighterLife a few years ago, but could not maintain it without constantly returning to packs and then a couple of years ago went through a very stressful period in my personal life. That just caused all my success to go back on. Packs are now something that I can't face.

So last week I decided, surgery is my only answer to getting the help. I saw the surgeon 3 days after I made the decision and luckily have managed to get in on 23rd July. So 5 weeks today, I will be waking up after a life changing operation.

I am sacred, I am nervous, I am worried that it will be the biggest mistake of my life. Yet with all these fears, I know that this is my last chance at a slimmer life. I am 41 and have children who are in junior school and I want to see my babies grow up with a mother that can do everything they want her too, instead of sitting on the side lines.

So, 5 weeks and counting!

[willow13 59]

Exitedbutnervous you wouldnt be human if you didnt have some nerves about surgery.
Honestly the early days and getting round the head hunger can be tough, it is a bit of a rollercoaster for the emotions but once you get past that and can start eating soft foods it does become a lot easier. I had serious doubts about what the hell I had done to myself after the operation because I took an infection in one of the incisions and had a fair bit of pain, couple that with the head hunger and I never felt so sorry for myself EVER but it passes and gets easier, the weight loss is steady and your energy levels increase and you will find yourself doing more and as you find yourself being able to do more with your kids you will not look back. If you ever need someone to talk things over then shout out. I am no expert but at 15 months since my operation I will try to help.

[_Kate_ 2,224]

@willow13 Thank you so much for posting this. Like you mentioned there doesn't seem to be many sleevers from the UK here and it's good to hear from someone who is 6 months out. Your honesty is refreshing and I feel the emotion behind it all so thank you for sharing. My date is 23rd July.... whohooooooooooo

Kate

[willow13 59]

Good luck for your operation Kate. I remember sitting waiting on my date coming round and feeling like a kid waiting on santa at christmas with a whole heap of nerves thrown in to the mix.
I am a 15 months out now and have lost just short of half my body weight which without the operation I would never have been able to do.

[madferitchick 163]

@@willow13 Thank you for this.

I looked into the surgery back in March 2015, and ummed and aaahed and then decided no I could do this on my own. Surprise surprise I am now nearly 1 stone heavier. I was successful at LighterLife a few years ago, but could not maintain it without constantly returning to packs and then a couple of years ago went through a very stressful period in my personal life. That just caused all my success to go back on. Packs are now something that I can't face.

So last week I decided, surgery is my only answer to getting the help. I saw the surgeon 3 days after I made the decision and luckily have managed to get in on 23rd July. So 5 weeks today, I will be waking up after a life changing operation.

I am sacred, I am nervous, I am worried that it will be the biggest mistake of my life. Yet with all these fears, I know that this is my last chance at a slimmer life. I am 41 and have children who are in junior school and I want to see my babies grow up with a mother that can do everything they want her too, instead of sitting on the side lines.

So, 5 weeks and counting!

@@ExcitedButNervous I have a very similar story. I did lighterlife in 2007 and managed to lose 6 stone for my wedding. Immediately after I was married the weight started coming back and I have spent the last almost 8 years on and off trying again with packs but never succeeding. I honestly believe a vlcd like lighterlife only works once and as soon as you deviate from it, it's impossible to go back to.

I first attended an info session about wls in august 2013 but decided again that I ought to be able to lose weight by myself so I set about using myfitnesspal and started exercising. Up to Xmas that year I lost 40lb but then fell off the wagon at Xmas and spent all of 2014 trying to get back on it! Xmas 2015 I made my decision to have gastric sleeve and decided the timing would be late may as I had a holiday booked to Florida in April and I was leaving my job at end of May. My decision was helped by having a friend (another former lighterlifer!) who had sleeve surgery in aug 2011 and has been very successful and happy with her decision.

Had my consultation with my surgeon mr michael van den bossche at spire Southampton 14 may. Started pre op diet immediately and had surgery 28 may. It has been the best decision of my life. I have been very fortunate in my recovery, both physical and emotional. My pre op weight was 281lb, day of surgery 269lb, today I am 4 weeks out and am 250lbs.

I am keeping a kind of diary of my journey here if anyone is interested http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/339330-taking-off-my-fat-suit/

Good luck to everyone awaiting surgery and with their journey :-)