Ticking the boxes. clairemp's pre op diary..

[Debs!]

Claire - sounds like you are being gently prodded so they can be assured you are ready for the life long changes surgery brings. I was given a target of 5% but they said I should remember that was a minimum! Lol. I found it hard as dieting always made me obsess more about food - go figure my head mess eh?!?


21st August isn't far away and I hope that brings the news that you will move to the surgery stage.

Take care xx

 

[clairemp]

It's been a while since I last wrote anything here.

I think I've been struggling to believe that I could do it. I've been finding it hard to get my head in the game for a lifelong change that has huge possibilities for me and my family. I think my Mum wants me to have this surgery just as much as me, if not more..!

I use a wheelchair and I'm not physically active at all really. I'm a wheelie not because I'm obese but because I have MS and wonder how I'll get on losing weight after the op. I've been wondering if I'm 'worthy'.

However, my surgeon reckons I could still lose a significant amount of weight and he's convinced that this op will change my life.

So that's good enough for me

He agreed to do the op as long as I could lose 2kg. He said he understood how difficult it was for me. What a lovely man.

So, my pre op is on the second Nov and my surgery on the 17th November.

Tomorrow I start my 3 week pre op diet and I'm terrified to be honest. You would all be familiar with the feelings of possible failure.

The choices I have are the milk diet or a slimfast one.

I have both options because I just don't know which to do.

I'll be using this diary to track my progress. I'll be so glad of your support and if I can help you in anyway just give me a shout.

Claire x

 

[beepbeepcat]

Hi Claire I have my pre op on the 5th at spire Soton but haven't been given a date for surgery yet. It's been a long journey for me too many years of eating to comfort, boredom eating and simply because I'm never full. All started for me at puberty my weight just kept creeping up and I got more depressed. I'm 5 foot 4 and 164kg after my tier 3 six month program I got to 147kg however 5 month on 152kg. I've got some support my hubby, two friends and two work colleagues however I still feel isolated in many ways.

 

[lin davey]

Hi Claire, I have just completed my first week of e milk diet, Monday is op day, I had my pre op yesterday and I had lost 7lb in 6 days. It is a little boring especially when Hubby and son are eating but I am determined to see this through. Just be strong and stay on here, I found it invaluable every time I have a wobble. Just take a day at a time

Sent from my iPad using WLSurgery

 

[clairemp]

Hi Claire I have my pre op on the 5th at spire Soton but haven't been given a date for surgery yet. It's been a long journey for me too many years of eating to comfort, boredom eating and simply because I'm never full. All started for me at puberty my weight just kept creeping up and I got more depressed. I'm 5 foot 4 and 164kg after my tier 3 six month program I got to 147kg however 5 month on 152kg. I've got some support my hubby, two friends and two work colleagues however I still feel isolated in many ways.

Hi beepbeepcat,

It is a long journey, you're so right.

I think if you're able to put your finger on one reason why you're overweight then quite honestly you're lucky. However, I think for most of us it's a combination of boredom, emotions, never feeling full etc etc. It's a nightmare..! Food for any occasion..

Well done on your weight loss. That's amazing I'm sure you'll lose your bit of a regain very soon. I hope the pre op goes well and a date comes your way shortly.

Claire..x

 

[clairemp]

Hi Claire, I have just completed my first week of e milk diet, Monday is op day, I had my pre op yesterday and I had lost 7lb in 6 days. It is a little boring especially when Hubby and son are eating but I am determined to see this through. Just be strong and stay on here, I found it invaluable every time I have a wobble. Just take a day at a time Sent from my iPad using WLSurgery

Hi Lin,

If I can lose as much as you have then I'll grab that with both hands Well done..!

I can already tell that this is going to be a hard slog for 3 weeks but it's a necessary evil. Have to keep heading for the long game.

My dietician wants me to do this for 3 weeks and I already found myself dangerously thinking that if other hospitals only ask for two then may be it's okay for me. I quickly snapped out of it

It is very boring so well done for completing the week. The end is in sight for you, are you a mixture of excitement and nerves too..? I feel your pain about watching your other half and kids tucking in. It's tortuous..!

What hospital are you at..?

Claire x

 

[lin davey]

Hi Claire, I think I had all my emotions the day of the phone call giving me my date. Haven't been too bad since but dare say by the weekend I will start to feel very nervous. I can see that goal and that's what keeps me going. Not been tempted to stray at all so far and to be honest haven't been too hungry. I'm going to heartlands which is about 25 miles from home.

The surgeon originally told me 4 weeks pre op diet so I was really surprised to only get two weeks.

Keep the positive thoughts, it will be worth it and if you want to chat I am usually around on here. X

 

[clairemp]

Yesterday, being the first day of the milk diet, went well. Have to say I struggled getting all the milk in. I'm going to try better today.

Have just found the Shaw Somers series that some very helpful person has put in YouTube.
I'm watching it avidly now, episode after episode. Reckon I could do my own surgery know

I'm just trying to contact my dietician as the programme has reminded me that I need to find out what to do with the Merformin I'm on. Do Instip it or reduce it..? As I'm not actually eating, when's the best time to take it..?

Claire X

 

[lin davey]

Claire you will be fine, I struggle during the day to get my milk in but have been Having a milky drink at night, which seems to be working ok. Lost another 2lb since Monday and had a phone call from the dietician, asked how I was doing and all seems to be ok. Countdown now to Monday. Hope you manage to get your meds sorted. Stay positive the days will fly by. X

Sent from my iPad using WLSurgery

 

[clairemp]

Claire you will be fine, I struggle during the day to get my milk in but have been Having a milky drink at night, which seems to be working ok. Lost another 2lb since Monday and had a phone call from the dietician, asked how I was doing and all seems to be ok. Countdown now to Monday. Hope you manage to get your meds sorted. Stay positive the days will fly by. X Sent from my iPad using WLSurgery

You must be a bag of mixed emotions Lin. Not long at all now. I'll be 2 weeks behind you and so looking forward to your updates when you can. Just think where we could be this time next year..!

Day 4 of my 3 week pre op milk diet. Quite honestly I don't feel great.

I have a headache, I'm tired and I have low level nausea all the time. But the nausea of
the milk diet is so much more doable than my hatred of Slimfast

I'm drinking tons of NAS squash, trying to use up some of my milk allowance in milky coffees and eating weight watchers yoghurts.

My nurse specialist rang today just to see how I was getting on. She reminded me to have Bovril or stock cubes so I'll throw some of that in.

I have to say that I don't feel particularly hungry, this is a very good thing. Strangely I'm feeling quite empowered by being in control of my eating whereas I've been a complete failure previously.

Xx

 

[lin davey]

Hi Claire, well today is the last day of the milk diet, then on to new beginnings.

I can't believe how quickly the last two weeks have gone,

I found it helped having oxo/Bovril in a cup when Hubby was having his evening meal, felt like I was having mine as well.

I have been really fortunate in not having from headaches whilst on the diet, so hope they soon disappear.. Have you started taking your multi vitamins.? I was advised to take mine as soon as I started the diet, perhaps that has helped!

Didn't sleep too well last night, lots of demons racing round my head, going to be busy today and hopefully will manage to get some sleep tonight, early start tomorrow, will be leaving at 6am to miss the Monday morning traffic. The joys of the M6 traffic delays?

You have a good day, keep up the good work, it will be worth all the effort. X

Thanks for your support, will keep you updated. Lin x

Sent from my iPad using WLSurgery

 

[violetangel]

Hi Claire

If you remember I was exactly the same. I constantly felt nauseas and had permanent headaches. In the end I came if the milk and yogurts and went on to four slim-fasts per day. I got through it and you will too because you've got sheer determination. Very proof of you x

Sent from my iPhone using WLSurgery

 

[clairemp]

Dear Diary,

I'm hanging my head in shame today..

I ate 3 slices of pizza yesterday and I bloody loves it!

I'm not sure which I'm most ashamed of..? The fact that I succumbed to it or that I enjoyed it so much.

13 days til surgery..

Can I pull it back..?

x

 

[lin davey]

You enjoyed it Claire, put it behind you and carry on looking forward, I'm sure it will be ok. X

Sent from my iPad using WLSurgery

 

[violetangel]

Of course you can Hun and please don't worry.

I've never told anyone this, but the night before my op, I was on the ward and I decided to have a walk down to the Costa coffee within the hospital. I had my nightie and slippers on and I had a panini and a piece of cake!! It was so lovely, but my god I felt so bad. They never weighed me but I don't think it would of made much difference in any case.

I don't know what came over me!!!

Xxxx

Sent from my iPhone using WLSurgery

 

[clairemp]

What came over you was probably what came over many of us..!

Problem is I think we're all so scared of surgery being cancelled that we panic over the slightest indiscretion..!

Quite rightly they put the fear of God in to you

The good thing is that the pre op diet must put you in the right frame of mind for life post op..?

I hope so anyway..

Xx

 

[violetangel]

I think I thought that was my last shot at having some proper food. You're right they do put the fear of God in you but it's for a good reason.

Xx

Sent from my iPhone using WLSurgery

 

[Caroline jess]

Hi Claire just think that in a few months time you might have one slice of pizza for tea and not have to have that sense of guilt. I occasionally eat pizza I just have it with lots of veggies on top and a thin crust. You will then be full and not feel the need to keep eating!
Also if you could keep away from food you wouldn't need the surgery anyway, I had my op abroad and was allowed to go and have a meal in a restaurant the night before as long as I made reasonably good choices.

 

[clairemp]

Hi Claire just think that in a few months time you might have one slice of pizza for tea and not have to have that sense of guilt. I occasionally eat pizza I just have it with lots of veggies on top and a thin crust. You will then be full and not feel the need to keep eating! Also if you could keep away from food you wouldn't need the surgery anyway, I had my op abroad and was allowed to go and have a meal in a restaurant the night before as long as I made reasonably good choices.

Caroline, I can't wait..!

I can't believe that this time next week I'll be getting ready to go in.

It's so difficult to imagine how one slice of pizza can fill you up but I guess I'll soon find out

My NHS journey compared to others has been quite fast - 8 months - but it has felt like an uphill struggle at times.

The milk diet hasn't been without it's problematic days but by and large I'm really proud of how well I've stuck to it.

Xx

 

[violetangel]

No sneaking down to the Costa the night in your pj's like me the night before lol xx

Sent from my iPhone using WLSurgery