The story so far

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.

Back home

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.

Post Gastric Bypass Surgery

Went to theatre at 12.30 and was back in the recovery room by 3pm.

The last thing I remember was the anaesthetist asking me if I was still awake. Next, I was being asked my name. I was given some morphine for the pain. I remember asking if I had the sleeve gastrectomy or the bypass. I had the bypass. OK.

After a while, I was wheeled into my own room. I feel special! The next few hours I was in and out of sleep; I was aware of nurses coming and going and taking my sats and BP asking how I felt. Everything was fine.

A friend called to see if I was ok. He said he was my brother. Mum would be surprised!

Staff were amazed at how alert I was, so soon after the operation. I put it down to Arnica, a homoeopathic remedy that aids recovery after trauma, and lets face it, I did have some major trauma.

Mum and Alex came to visit last night. They got here at 7.30. Visiting hours finish at 8. Hey ho. Mum was pleased that I was ok. That’s all she wanted to know.

I had a restless night, as always in a strange bed. Should have used my pzizz sleep system. Hindsight is always 20/20!

Had a trainee doctor come to speak to me this morning. He wasn’t one of my doctors, but needed to interview some patients. He was learning to get patient history.  Nice chap. His fiancée has a cat phobia!

Another doc came by later. He was part of the surgical team. He decided to take me off the drip and oxygen and told me I could get up and walk around a bit. Yay. Still a bit sore, but I’ve been given soluble paracetamol.

Next, the bariatric dietician came to give me a list of what to eat when I’m dischared. It’s a four stage plan. Still going through it to see what I’m allowed. I asked if she knew when I might be discharged. Apparently, doctors are talking about tomorrow.

That’s all for now. getting tired. sleepy time.

Pre op checks

Went to the hospital on Friday for a pre op assessment.

The tube was delayed “due to someone under a train at Mile End”. When did they change it from “an incident”? I call ahead to tell the hospital I might be late. As it happens, I was about five minutes late and terribly out if breath because I was rushing.

The good news is I’m alive! I’ve been told I’m heartless, but the ecg shows my heart is ok.

I’ve lost 5kg, blood pressure is under control, lungs are clear and the mrsa test was negative. A nurse swabbed my nose and my throat and I had to swab my groin. The one down my throat was bad. I gagged. Luckily I hadn’t eaten for a while.

I then met with an anesthetist who explained what would happen and asked about my breathing.

It didn’t go as quickly as it sounds. There was loads of hanging around between tests and meetings and bad Internet access in the phone in the hospital. Hope it’s better in the ward.

It was decided that I should go for a blood test, so I dutifully trotted down to the phlebotomy department only to discover it was closed! I’ve got to go back on Monday for that! I can’t have it done locally cos the it systems are incompatible. After all the money spent an the nhs it systems, they still dint work together.

Silver lining, I get another afternoon off.

Watch this space for more news and progress.