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10 weeks in. My story

Spitfire

New Member
Hi all

Well I am 10 weeks out from having my gastric sleeve and wanted to update you all on how it has been. This site has been very helpful for me and I hope that this post may possibly be of help to others contemplating surgery of some sort. I've done it in chunks so as not to go on too much.

Part 1

One day in June (my Decision Day) after years of being unhappy with my every increasing size and faddy diets I decided enough was enough. Heavy boobs, inner thighs rubbing, a fear of buying new clothes, bad menopause symptoms and an unhealthy attitude to food; that was me. The previous March I'd seen a surgeon about having a band fitted but after meeting with him I decided that option just wasn't for me and I went away and got bigger. One Sunday a friend came round for a BBQ. I told her see looked lovely, she looked and me and said "errr you look errr summery" in that sort of voice that said what else can I say. That when I thought enough!!!

The very next day I started my research into the gastric sleeve.

So after research and reading and reading again on this site I knew that the gastric sleeve was what I wanted. I was at a fairly low BMI for weight loss surgery of just under 32 and on D day was weighing in at 14 stone and a size 18. Fortunately I had the funds to go privately and managed to find a fantastic weight loss group Phoenix Health who would accommodate my BMI (many wouldn't) and the following week I saw my new surgeon (a lady too!) in a local Kent private hospital. She was so understanding but also very realistic about what weight loss I could achieve, loose skin, lifestyle changes etc., however she insisted that I had a long conversation with both a dietician and psychologist. They were very open discussions about my reasons for wanting the surgery and what I had done I the past and quite an eye opener. Anyway I passed the assessment and booked for surgery the following week.

My pre-op LSD was normal food without fat and sugar and just much less of it. Around 800 calories a day. I must say it was hard but I did manage to get down to 13.7 stone. A great loss but I would never have managed to keep that going long term. So come the op day I checked in @ 11:00 and after seeing anaesthetist and physio was walking to the operating theatre by 12:15. Joy of joy I didn't have to wear surgical stockings (my surgeon/Phoenix don't think it's appropriate for this op) but had a great pair of paper knickers on. Hubby tells me that I was away from the room for about 3:30 hrs not that I would have know. For the rest of the evening and night I was pumped with antibiotics and paracetamol via a drip and I got up late evening for a stretch and a wee. Didn't get much sleep as the nurses were constantly checking me but by the morning I felt fine. I can honestly say that I had no pain other than a little back ache from being in one position in bed. Next day I saw my consultant at around midday and she said I could go home later that day as long as I rested and came back the next day for a blood test. So armed with vitamins, calcium, injections for DVT, spare plasters and a pillow for the journey I was on my way home.

To be continued.......
 

xk1rstyx

Active Member
Great story so far cant wait to read more. I will soon b a fellow sleever too.

Kirsty xx
 

Sophina

New Member
Wow, Spitfire, I can't wait to read the next instalment.

Great read so far!

I am also having surgery at the same weight but I'm having the band....like you mentioned, I wasn't allowed the sleeve due to not being heavy enough!!

Xx
 

lin davey

Active Member
Well done spitfire, I'm also having a sleeve, can't wait for the next instalment

Sent from my iPad using WLSurgery
 

los in it

Well-Known Member
Looking forward to seeing your next entry!
 

violetangel

New Member
Hi all Well I am 10 weeks out from having my gastric sleeve and wanted to update you all on how it has been. This site has been very helpful for me and I hope that this post may possibly be of help to others contemplating surgery of some sort. I've done it in chunks so as not to go on too much. Part 1 One day in June (my Decision Day) after years of being unhappy with my every increasing size and faddy diets I decided enough was enough. Heavy boobs, inner thighs rubbing, a fear of buying new clothes, bad menopause symptoms and an unhealthy attitude to food; that was me. The previous March I'd seen a surgeon about having a band fitted but after meeting with him I decided that option just wasn't for me and I went away and got bigger. One Sunday a friend came round for a BBQ. I told her see looked lovely, she looked and me and said "errr you look errr summery" in that sort of voice that said what else can I say. That when I thought enough!!! The very next day I started my research into the gastric sleeve. So after research and reading and reading again on this site I knew that the gastric sleeve was what I wanted. I was at a fairly low BMI for weight loss surgery of just under 32 and on D day was weighing in at 14 stone and a size 18. Fortunately I had the funds to go privately and managed to find a fantastic weight loss group Phoenix Health who would accommodate my BMI (many wouldn't) and the following week I saw my new surgeon (a lady too!) in a local Kent private hospital. She was so understanding but also very realistic about what weight loss I could achieve, loose skin, lifestyle changes etc., however she insisted that I had a long conversation with both a dietician and psychologist. They were very open discussions about my reasons for wanting the surgery and what I had done I the past and quite an eye opener. Anyway I passed the assessment and booked for surgery the following week. My pre-op LSD was normal food without fat and sugar and just much less of it. Around 800 calories a day. I must say it was hard but I did manage to get down to 13.7 stone. A great loss but I would never have managed to keep that going long term. So come the op day I checked in @ 11:00 and after seeing anaesthetist and physio was walking to the operating theatre by 12:15. Joy of joy I didn't have to wear surgical stockings (my surgeon/Phoenix don't think it's appropriate for this op) but had a great pair of paper knickers on. Hubby tells me that I was away from the room for about 3:30 hrs not that I would have know. For the rest of the evening and night I was pumped with antibiotics and paracetamol via a drip and I got up late evening for a stretch and a wee. Didn't get much sleep as the nurses were constantly checking me but by the morning I felt fine. I can honestly say that I had no pain other than a little back ache from being in one position in bed. Next day I saw my consultant at around midday and she said I could go home later that day as long as I rested and came back the next day for a blood test. So armed with vitamins, calcium, injections for DVT, spare plasters and a pillow for the journey I was on my way home. To be continued.......

Waiting in anticipation for the next part x

Sent from my iPhone using WLSurgery
 

Spitfire

New Member
Thanks for reading ladies. Here's the next part of my ramblings

After just 1 night in hospital (actually it was more like a hotel) I went home promising to go back the next day for a blood test. Did I mention it's impossible to get blood out of me easily. Giving blood was probably the most traumatic part of the whole process. Something about my veins being tough and every time it had to be taken from my wrist. And that REALLY hurt!! Of course everybody that came to take my blood thought that they could get it normally and I usually ended up with a plaster in both elbow before they gave up and went for the wrist. LOL on Holby or Casualty the anaesthetist always says "sharp scratch". Mine said. "This will hurt" !!!!

Anyway back to going home. Despite hubby trying to avoid them I think we found every bump and crack in the road on the journey home but with the pillow wedged between me and the seat belt we made it.

As I only had been signed off work for 2 weeks (I work in London and take train and tube to get to work), I decided that I just needed to get on with as normal life as soon as possible. First night I had to sleep on my back (never been able to do that) but pretty soon rolled over to my side with a pillow pushed into my tummy and eventually after a couple of weeks I could lay on my tummy. Medicine wise I was given Ad cal 3, Lansoprazole Fastabs, heparin injections and Forceval dissolvable tablets. I only managed one small sip of the Forceval which were meant to be mango flavour. Absolutely gross! What tester from the drug company tried that and said "yeah it's a great taste, let's go with it"?? I quickly replaced them with a chewable multivitamin. The injections were OK but to be honest I let my husband do them. Some hurt, others didn't. We found the best bet was for me a pinch a lump of flesh on my tummy and he'd jab it in. Well my tummy ended up with lots of tiny bruises and I wasn't sorry to see the last of those 3 weeks later.

My posts op diet sheet was great. Week 1 - 2, I was allowed any fluidy/ mushy type food or things that I could chew into pulp and so I had soups, smoothies, mushed up cereal, cottage cheese, mash potato and swede, tuc biscuits etc and the wonderful Danio yogurts. Wasn't a hardship at all but my portions were very small. So for example soup, perhaps I could manage 1 ramekin (these became my plate/bowl), or 2 tuc biscuits with low fat cottage cheese or low fat philly spread. I had to learn to eat very slowly otherwise I really struggled. To be honest I lost interest before I finished my food. My goto food became and still is UFit ready made shakes as they had 22 grams of protein and 170 cals for 330 ml and you can usually get then half price at Tesco or Ocado for £1. In the first 2 weeks my most adventurous food was a 1/2 ramekin portion of cod in butter sauce well mashed up with a tiny lump of mash potato. I didn't finish all that. The hardest is keeping up my fluids. I just struggle to drink 1 1/2 - 2 litres of water. But if I don't drink then I don't poop! Oh I forgot the hospital also sent me home with a catering pack of Senokot.

Food wise, did I feel hunger? No - sometimes I had grumbling but water seemed to help. I know when I've had enough to eat as I know that if I put even a tea spoon into my mouth I am going to feel ill. I don't feel sick but there is a tightness in my chest and throat which makes me feel very uncomfortable. Back then I found the best thing to do was to have a lay down which is strange as I'd have thought being upright gravity would take over. But hey ho I'm never one to say no to a sneaky lay on the bed.

Straight off I used Palmers coco butter bust firming cream every night and once the plasters came off I used Bio oil on the scars . I've definitely come down at least a cup size or maybe 2 (was 34H) but right now I've still got a pretty decent pair :). Been pretty lucky with the scars. One small dot between boobs where bra goes so not seen, then one about 2cm long above belly button, another about the same size to the left and right of that and another small dot only left hand side in line with the others. Been on holiday in bikini since the op (around 6 weeks) and really didn't worry about them at all. So after 2 weeks of resting, walking and healing it was time to move to the next stage. 2 week Weight loss since op. 12.78 lbs

Part 3 . Telling my 80yr old mum. Food changes, constipation, throwing up, Going back to work. To come .....
 

xk1rstyx

Active Member
Another great installment the way you put things into words is really captivating. Cant wait for the next installment xx
 

dellam760

Member
I have a sleeve scheduled for 13th November at Kings, I live in Kent too. BMI was 49.9 but now about 44. I am very interested in your posting as it seems very honest. Look forward to the next installment..........
 

violetangel

New Member
Thanks for reading ladies. Here's the next part of my ramblings After just 1 night in hospital (actually it was more like a hotel) I went home promising to go back the next day for a blood test. Did I mention it's impossible to get blood out of me easily. Giving blood was probably the most traumatic part of the whole process. Something about my veins being tough and every time it had to be taken from my wrist. And that REALLY hurt!! Of course everybody that came to take my blood thought that they could get it normally and I usually ended up with a plaster in both elbow before they gave up and went for the wrist. LOL on Holby or Casualty the anaesthetist always says "sharp scratch". Mine said. "This will hurt" !!!! Anyway back to going home. Despite hubby trying to avoid them I think we found every bump and crack in the road on the journey home but with the pillow wedged between me and the seat belt we made it. As I only had been signed off work for 2 weeks (I work in London and take train and tube to get to work), I decided that I just needed to get on with as normal life as soon as possible. First night I had to sleep on my back (never been able to do that) but pretty soon rolled over to my side with a pillow pushed into my tummy and eventually after a couple of weeks I could lay on my tummy. Medicine wise I was given Ad cal 3, Lansoprazole Fastabs, heparin injections and Forceval dissolvable tablets. I only managed one small sip of the Forceval which were meant to be mango flavour. Absolutely gross! What tester from the drug company tried that and said "yeah it's a great taste, let's go with it"?? I quickly replaced them with a chewable multivitamin. The injections were OK but to be honest I let my husband do them. Some hurt, others didn't. We found the best bet was for me a pinch a lump of flesh on my tummy and he'd jab it in. Well my tummy ended up with lots of tiny bruises and I wasn't sorry to see the last of those 3 weeks later. My posts op diet sheet was great. Week 1 - 2, I was allowed any fluidy/ mushy type food or things that I could chew into pulp and so I had soups, smoothies, mushed up cereal, cottage cheese, mash potato and swede, tuc biscuits etc and the wonderful Danio yogurts. Wasn't a hardship at all but my portions were very small. So for example soup, perhaps I could manage 1 ramekin (these became my plate/bowl), or 2 tuc biscuits with low fat cottage cheese or low fat philly spread. I had to learn to eat very slowly otherwise I really struggled. To be honest I lost interest before I finished my food. My goto food became and still is UFit ready made shakes as they had 22 grams of protein and 170 cals for 330 ml and you can usually get then half price at Tesco or Ocado for £1. In the first 2 weeks my most adventurous food was a 1/2 ramekin portion of cod in butter sauce well mashed up with a tiny lump of mash potato. I didn't finish all that. The hardest is keeping up my fluids. I just struggle to drink 1 1/2 - 2 litres of water. But if I don't drink then I don't poop! Oh I forgot the hospital also sent me home with a catering pack of Senokot. Food wise, did I feel hunger? No - sometimes I had grumbling but water seemed to help. I know when I've had enough to eat as I know that if I put even a tea spoon into my mouth I am going to feel ill. I don't feel sick but there is a tightness in my chest and throat which makes me feel very uncomfortable. Back then I found the best thing to do was to have a lay down which is strange as I'd have thought being upright gravity would take over. But hey ho I'm never one to say no to a sneaky lay on the bed. Straight off I used Palmers coco butter bust firming cream every night and once the plasters came off I used Bio oil on the scars . I've definitely come down at least a cup size or maybe 2 (was 34H) but right now I've still got a pretty decent pair :). Been pretty lucky with the scars. One small dot between boobs where bra goes so not seen, then one about 2cm long above belly button, another about the same size to the left and right of that and another small dot only left hand side in line with the others. Been on holiday in bikini since the op (around 6 weeks) and really didn't worry about them at all. So after 2 weeks of resting, walking and healing it was time to move to the next stage. 2 week Weight loss since op. 12.78 lbs Part 3 . Telling my 80yr old mum. Food changes, constipation, throwing up, Going back to work. To come .....

Another great cliffhanger x

Sent from my iPhone using WLSurgery
 

Spitfire

New Member
I have a sleeve scheduled for 13th November at Kings, I live in Kent too. BMI was 49.9 but now about 44. I am very interested in your posting as it seems very honest. Look forward to the next installment..........

Oh good luck for the 13th time will fly now and well done on getting your BMI down. I'm trying to do a warts and all account of my journey. Warts to come :)
 

Spitfire

New Member
Just remember this little gem.

Day 2 at home (day 3 post op) and decided that I should try and find a bra that wasn't under wired for my post op convalescence. I had a couple of vest tops but I was finding them quite tight. Anyway off hubby and I pop to Bluewater.

Previously I wore Prima Donna "Deauville" as they did a fairly pretty bra but as I hope my boobage was going to change I didn't want to spend a heap of money so off to John Lewis I trot for their fitting service.

So there I am I the changing room, boobs out being eyed up by Mrs Slocombe (70's sitcom character for you babes out there). I mentioned to her that I was 34H in Rigby and Peller and was looking for a non underwired bra. Well I then found out all about her ex-life working at Rigby and Peller and how she'd measured the rich and famous all the while I am standing there boobs hanging out. "Well yes dear you are a 34H, but you have 36 shoulders". Really?!!! Big shoulders!

Anyway off she pops for what seems like ages and returns with a box and a smile. "Here we are dear, this is Doreen and is just what you need" and out comes this contraption. " No wires in this dear, let's get you in it". OK call me a child of advertising but I expect my bras to have names like Belle or Alicia but Doreen??? Apologies to all you Doreen's out there, but Doreen looked like it was out of the 50's.

Once in it, I had the pointiest boobs ever. Everest would have been jealous of those mini mountains. The boobs pointed not straight but left and right. You could have driven a bus through the gap. "Stunning" said Mrs S "Unusual" said I.

"It's a bit err old fashioned" I said "Do you want fashion or comfort dear" came the response with the emphasis on dear. "It will look wonderful under your jumpers in winter". I want fashion, comfort and some chance of a sex life I thought. "Anyway that's all I have that would suit you". She said. Really with all those bras out there that's all you can offer me. I thanked her for her help, struggled out of Doreen, flung my clothes back on and legged it.

The next few days were spent hanging low until it felt comfortable enough to put my bra back on but at least I didn't get "Doreen'd!
 

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los in it

Well-Known Member
Its like reading a book and the next chapter is still been written!
ps those doreen bras are terrible, so un sexy ! I wore them as no other bra fitted so I gave up looking good for boulder holders....now a year on im wearing such sexy bras I want to wear them on the outside of my clothes! Marks& spencers do a lovely range and in your size!
 

violetangel

New Member
Hilarious!! Xx

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xk1rstyx

Active Member
That made me laugh. You have such a way with words you should consider writing a proper book about your journey id certainly buy it.

Kirsty xx
 

violetangel

New Member
When I picture you, I imagine Miranda xx

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