Purple Sparkle
New Member
Hi everyone
I wasn't sure if I was going to do a diary, but I think I would like to be able to look back over the next few months and be able to remind myself of the journey I have been on, so I plan to make an entries on a regular basis. Most of which will probably be me rambling
So, the story so far - I have had weight issues since my early 20's - I am now 42. No particular reason for them, just ate too much and did not move enough - basic maths, too many calories in and not enough out. Been on various diets and became an expert in all of them in theory - struggled with the practical application of them for any duration of time - could lose 4-5 stone, then I would stop, and gradually put it all back on plus a bit more, then start all over again - you get the picture.
Started to look at WLS about a year ago, then got cold feet and convinced myself I could do it myself and re-joined (yet again) another slimming club.
After Christmas I began looking into it again and approached my GP, however, I did not meet the local PCT criteria - not fat enough! - so no referral could be made, so pursued the private route, spoke to several different providers, googled everything I could before making a decision. My other half has been so supportive; I could not have asked for more – love him to bits.
From there everything went really quickly - I had an initial consultation on 8th May, meeting with surgeon, pre op tests, and I was banded Tuesday 28th May. I had to do pre op liver shrink diet for 10 days prior to surgery - I lost 18lb on it - I know it's not designed for weight loss but it's a massive boost.
The surgery was ok - I was last on the list, didn't go down to theatre til just after 6pm, so the waiting was not good, but I was ok and excited right until I got down to theatre. I started to shake uncontrollably; never experienced anything like it before, but the staff were great, reassuring, calm and so kind and the next thing I was waking up. I could feel that something had happened; it felt like something was resting on my chest, not restrictive, just that something was there. I was back in my room for 7.15pm - so quick.
Throughout the night the nurses check on blood pressure, temperature and discomfort - I had a tramadol about midnight and that sent me back off to sleep for a few hours. Nurse came to give me the anti blood clot injection and taught me how to do it for when I get home. I was also sipping water throughout the night as had really dry mouth. I woke up about 5am and the nurses got me up, checked my dressings, and all was good, so actually got up and had a wander round. I looked lovely in my surgical stockings!!
I can't say I was in any pain at this stage - just a bit uncomfortable. Surgeon came round about 7.30, everything had gone well and in medical terms I had had an 'unremarkable recovery' - this is good apparently, so the pharmacist issued me some meds - soluble paracetamol and Tramadol, 10 anti blood clot injections and a sick note and I was allowed home about 10am!
I was pre-warned about trapped wind by my provider and also had read about it on this forum, but I did not expect it to hurt so much – I have never been a ‘burper’ but right from when I first woke up and started sipping water the burps started – however on Thursday, 2 days after op, I got a really bad stabbing pain in my left shoulder. Tried windeeze, calpol, moving about, windmilling my arm, other half massaged my shoulder and back, nothing would shift it, it took about 4 hours for it to ease off. I have had no pain from the actual surgery, just the bloomin’ trapped wind!
Food wise – I started to ‘eat’ again on Thursday, slimfast, few spoons of soup, runny custard and yoghurt. They taste lovely! Have been making sure I drink enough – I am filling a 2 litre bottle of water each morning and drinking it throughout the day – it’s hard though – I used gulp a pint of squash back in about 10 seconds, now it takes about an hour – but I know it’s important and I don’t want dry scaly skin!
So that brings me up to today, I am sat drinking my hot water looking out at the sunshine and looking forward to the future instead of dreading it – life is good
Justine xx
I wasn't sure if I was going to do a diary, but I think I would like to be able to look back over the next few months and be able to remind myself of the journey I have been on, so I plan to make an entries on a regular basis. Most of which will probably be me rambling
So, the story so far - I have had weight issues since my early 20's - I am now 42. No particular reason for them, just ate too much and did not move enough - basic maths, too many calories in and not enough out. Been on various diets and became an expert in all of them in theory - struggled with the practical application of them for any duration of time - could lose 4-5 stone, then I would stop, and gradually put it all back on plus a bit more, then start all over again - you get the picture.
Started to look at WLS about a year ago, then got cold feet and convinced myself I could do it myself and re-joined (yet again) another slimming club.
After Christmas I began looking into it again and approached my GP, however, I did not meet the local PCT criteria - not fat enough! - so no referral could be made, so pursued the private route, spoke to several different providers, googled everything I could before making a decision. My other half has been so supportive; I could not have asked for more – love him to bits.
From there everything went really quickly - I had an initial consultation on 8th May, meeting with surgeon, pre op tests, and I was banded Tuesday 28th May. I had to do pre op liver shrink diet for 10 days prior to surgery - I lost 18lb on it - I know it's not designed for weight loss but it's a massive boost.
The surgery was ok - I was last on the list, didn't go down to theatre til just after 6pm, so the waiting was not good, but I was ok and excited right until I got down to theatre. I started to shake uncontrollably; never experienced anything like it before, but the staff were great, reassuring, calm and so kind and the next thing I was waking up. I could feel that something had happened; it felt like something was resting on my chest, not restrictive, just that something was there. I was back in my room for 7.15pm - so quick.
Throughout the night the nurses check on blood pressure, temperature and discomfort - I had a tramadol about midnight and that sent me back off to sleep for a few hours. Nurse came to give me the anti blood clot injection and taught me how to do it for when I get home. I was also sipping water throughout the night as had really dry mouth. I woke up about 5am and the nurses got me up, checked my dressings, and all was good, so actually got up and had a wander round. I looked lovely in my surgical stockings!!
I can't say I was in any pain at this stage - just a bit uncomfortable. Surgeon came round about 7.30, everything had gone well and in medical terms I had had an 'unremarkable recovery' - this is good apparently
, so the pharmacist issued me some meds - soluble paracetamol and Tramadol, 10 anti blood clot injections and a sick note and I was allowed home about 10am!I was pre-warned about trapped wind by my provider and also had read about it on this forum, but I did not expect it to hurt so much – I have never been a ‘burper’ but right from when I first woke up and started sipping water the burps started – however on Thursday, 2 days after op, I got a really bad stabbing pain in my left shoulder. Tried windeeze, calpol, moving about, windmilling my arm, other half massaged my shoulder and back, nothing would shift it, it took about 4 hours for it to ease off. I have had no pain from the actual surgery, just the bloomin’ trapped wind!
Food wise – I started to ‘eat’ again on Thursday, slimfast, few spoons of soup, runny custard and yoghurt. They taste lovely! Have been making sure I drink enough – I am filling a 2 litre bottle of water each morning and drinking it throughout the day – it’s hard though – I used gulp a pint of squash back in about 10 seconds, now it takes about an hour – but I know it’s important and I don’t want dry scaly skin!
So that brings me up to today, I am sat drinking my hot water looking out at the sunshine and looking forward to the future instead of dreading it – life is good
Justine xx
