Smoleskis Land

Just been tidying my hard drive and found some pictures of me from the day before my op last October and some from after. Nothing really recent though.

The trousers I was wearing in these pictures are 60″ waist and they were too tight! A few weeks ago, I bought a pair of 42″ jeans from Primark! Not been able to get into jeans for ages.

Tuesday, I went to get some birdseye chillies from Tesco on my way home form Greek Dancing class, and got myself a pair of trousers as well. This time, 40″ waist. This is amazing.

Weightloss

29 July 2010 29 July 2010	The day before surgery The day before surgery	The day before surgery 2 The day before surgery 2
Ten days later Ten days later	Ten days later Ten days later	ten days later ten days later
	10 December 2009 10 December 2009

After many, many years of buying clothes from on-line retailers for the “larger man”, I finally got a new shirt ‘off the peg’! Couldn’t find a changing room to try it on, but it went over the shirt I was wearing.

It makes a change. I’m now wearing shirts that fit properly; not baggy or too tight. More people at work are noticing that I’ve lost weight and stop and ask me questions.

Still get some negativity, though. Even the dietician at the hospital, who should know better, said although I had lost some weight (around 100lbs), I had a long way to go! I won’t say what I thought. I hope I don’t see her again.

And today, when I told someone I was walking to and from the town centre once a week, a round trip of 2.5 miles, she said I should be doing more! Considering I wasn’t doing any exercise a few months ago, I think that’s pretty damn good.

The problem, I think, is that people who have never had a weight problem can’t understand the challenges that face us.

I do my Greek Dancing once a week. 90 minutes non-stop. I can now dance the whole session without stopping. Before, I had to sit-out some dances, simply because I was out of breath and couldn’t continue. Now, I’m trying dances I wouldn’t dream of doing. And I’m practising at home. At night with the curtains closed! The cats think I’ve gone mad. They might well be right.

Last week, I cleared out most of my old clothes. I’ve kept a pair of trousers and a few shirts, just to remind me. I found some things I out grew twice. Once on the way up and once on the way down. Next challenge is to get into the jeans I found. Can’t remember the last time I wore jeans.

Off for my three month check-up with the surgeon. 74lbs gone. Blood pressure going down. Waist 12″ smaller. No seatbelt extention in the car. Cinema seats fit. I can walk AND talk at the same time. Just too marvellous for words.

Just need to say thanks to my family, friends, colleagues and students for all the support.

Ps. In the last year, I’ve lost 120lbs.

I went to my GP last May, asking for a band. I had been talking to my older sister about it. GP was very supportive, but we had to follow the rules. I had taken Xanical a while ago. It worked for a bit, but then stopped. Appetite suppressants worked too, but not as well as hoped.

My GP then referred me to the West Essex nhs trust. I had to meet their criteria; BMI over 30, hypertension and either type 2 diabetes or sleep apnea. We knew I had impaired glucose tolerance, so I was in with a chance. Gits turned me down. GP was more pissed off than I was, so she appealed and they approved Out of Area Treatment at Homerton University Hospital in Hackney.

My first appointment was in February. Saw the consultant. Apparently, the band is not effective on people with a BMI over 45. Mine was 56 and I weighed 29 stone! He suggested a sleeve first, then if I needed it and after I had lost some weight, convert it to a gastric bypass. He was very helpful and explained both procedures.

I also had to see dieticians, who would tell me about the foods to eat pre- and post-op and what to expect. Also had to speak to the psychologist to see if I was mentally ready for the op. Because I had spoken to my GP first and had tried other weight loss programmes, I was fine.

I also had a sleep apnea test. It was an overnight stay attached to loads of equipment to check my breathing. Turns out, I have mild sleep apnea so I don’t need treatment for it.

I wasn’t given any target weight to get to. I was just told I had to lose some weight to prove I was serious. The easiest way for me was to have slimfast for breakfast and lunch and a healthy dinner and drink plenty of water. Always a good idea.

I saw the registrar at the end of June. He was pleased with my weight loss and told me the surgery would be going ahead. He wanted to do the bypass. One op now instead of one now and another in six months.

Then I had to wait. I spoke to someone at the hospital enquiring about the date. Work needed to know so they could do the timetables for September. I work at Harlow College. I was told they hoped to do it in August. Fine. I should be back for the start of term.

Eventually got 6th October. Verified the date, told work. They are all very supportive.

The dieticians sent me my pre-op diet. Liquids; slimfast, weightwatchers soup and yoghurt. Post-op diet is much the same, only less of it.

I lost nearly a stone in the two weeks before my op.

Had to be at the hospital at 7am. Younger sister took me there.

I was taken to a waiting area with everyone else who was being operated on. Told to go to cubical 17, get undressed and put on the gown. You know the ones? Very fetching with your bum hanging out the back!

The came the questions. So many questions! Name, DOB, address, GP, medications, weight – on and on and on!

Then blood pressure, temperature, pulse, Blood Oxygen levels. Look up, look down, in out shake it all about!

Then the anaesthetist came. He asked questions. He was happy, so off he went. Then the surgeon came to visit. A quick visit. No time for tea and cakes!

Apparently, the sleeve tends to stretch over time, which leads to more eating which leads to weight gain so it negates the surgery. If everything was ok inside, they would do the bypass. If not, they’d do the sleeve and in six or so months, they’d operate again and do the bypass. Looking at my records, there should be no problems and the bypass would be done.

They were looking at me going to theatre at 11. Only 2 and a half hours away. As it happens, I went down at 12.30.

All the staff in theatre were great. They introduced themselves and told me what part they play. Everything was stuck to me. I was given gas. I remember being asked if I felt drowsy twice. The first time, I said my fingers and toes were feeling tingly. Next thing I know, I’m being asked my name. I told whoever it was and asked what they did. A bypass I was told. Fine. I was in and out for a while, then taken to the ward.

I felt really special, I had my own room. Kept dozing off until about 5. Came to and was given water to sip. Mum and sister came to visit at 7.30 and left at 8. Then boredom set in.

Nothing to do and no one to talk to. I did have my laptop with me connected to the internet, but I was not in a fit state to do much.

Wednesday, I got up and walked around a bit. Dietician came and gave me my post-op diet. First two weeks liquids. Ugh! Fed up with that already. Next two weeks pureed foods, the two weeks of soft food (mince, mash, soft cooked beans etc.) then back to a normal diet.

I was moved to the main ward mid afternoon. My room was needed for someone else.

Registrar came to see me and told me I could go home on Thursday. Two days after my op. Wow.

Didn’t do much for a few days. Slept mostly over the weekend.

Got my dressing changed at the GP nurse on Monday and walked the mile home. That knackered me out proper!

Bus to the town and back on Tuesday. Met mum for a coffee.

Doc gave me three more weeks off work yesterday, then drove to my dancing class last night. Didn’t do much dancing. Felt a bit sick, but I’m getting better.

I’m starting on phase 2 of post-op diet tomorrow. Porridge or weetabix of breakfast. Scrambled egg for lunch. Woo Hoo!

I feel great.

What helped was a positive attitude and arnica. It’s a natural remedy for healing after trauma. And let’s face it, it is a major trauma! I started taking them a week before surgery, two on the way to hospital then as directed on the pack. £5 from Boots or Holland and Barrett.

It’s been two weeks since the op and I can get into trousers I haven’t been able to wear for years. And I don’t need my seatbelt extension in my car.

Hope you find something out of my rambling to help you.

Two days after my gastric bypass, I’m back home.

I’m feeling fine. Soreness is slowly going and I’m getting used to my new life. Got to go to the surgery later to get a sharps bin. I’m on Clexane for two weeks to help stop blood clots forming. Been given liquid paracetamol for pain, but I haven’t had any (pain) since Wednesday morning.

Also been given suckable tablets for my acid reflux. That should go eventually, I’ve been told.

The rest of my medication can be crushed and dissolved in water. That also applies to my multi-vitamins, althogjh I’ve been given liquid vitamins to take after two weeks.

Have to be careful with Zaphod. He hasn’t left my side since I got home and wants to sit on my tummy all the time and gets upset when I tell him off.

Time for my breathing exercises.