Tina's Gastric Sleeve Journey

It is just over 6 months since my surgery. My current weight is 245lbs which means I have lost 68lbs (2lbs short of 5 stone). I can eat what I want now but still only small amounts. It is quite difficult at the moment as there is temptation at every turn but I am not denying myself. I fully intend to enjoy the Christmas period including eating bit of everything like chocolate and sausage rolls!! The big difference is that last year I could have eaten my way through the best part of a tin of quality street while watching TV of an evening, this year I eat 4-6 chocolates over the evening! After Christmas I will probably go back on to a more strict diet for a few weeks to speed up my weight loss but at the moment I am happy to maintain for a couple of weeks so I can enjoy Christmas. Due to Ric working on Christmas eve, Christmas day and boxing day, we are having our large family get together on 27th although unfortunately the dreaded covid means not all the kids will be able to join us. We...

Today I treated myself to a haircut and new colour. I am now just over 12 weeks post op and loving life! Today I reached 3 stone (42lbs) weight loss. I have gone from clothes size 24/26 to size 18/20 and have had to buy new underwear as the girls have shrunk from 44G to 40DD 🙊 I am enjoying exercise for the first time ever!! I do 2 or 3 aqua fitness classes a week as well as a strollercise class. I have also joined a fitness class for the over 50s (even though I am ONLY 49!!) as it is lower impact and perfect for a beginner like me lol. It also takes place in an air-conditioned studio which is amazing 😂 I can now eat anything I want but obviously small amounts. My dinner plate is a side plate and I eat with a child sized cutlery set. This was my lunch today: a lentil cake (like a rice cake but higher protein) spread with a laughing cow light triangle, a spicy chicken breat fillet, some shredded lettuce and cucumber, a dollop of light mayo and 10g of salted cashews I have my uni induc...

 Today I weighed in at 282lbs which is a loss so far of 31lbs or 10% of my starting body weight 😃 😃 The article below explains the health benefits of losing 10% of your body weight! https://www.livestrong.com/article/308193-the-benefits-of-losing-10-percent-of-your-body-weight/

6 1/2 weeks since the op. Not much to report other than that I am feeling great. I have joined a weekly aquatone class as well as strollercise and am trying to walk as much as possible. I bought a new dress this week which is 2 sizes smaller than I usually buy 😀 and had all my hair chopped off which probably weighed a pound 🤣🤣 New photo on right shows the difference in my face. Weight loss is now at 27lbs 😊

 4 weeks today! 22lbs lost so far and took some comparison photos. Pics on left taken on morning of op. Pics on right taken today. X

 It is 2 weeks today since my surgery!! My wounds are all healed very nicely. Just left with 5 inch long lines and a fair amount of yellow bruising which is gradually fading day by day. The 2 weeks of liquid only diet has been a bit of a faff if I'm honest but today I am moving onto puree 😀 The picture is the view from my dining table - my beautiful fish tank and clock. Over the last 2 weeks I have spent a lot of time here timing my 'meals' by the big clock and the fish have kept me entertained and relaxed while doing it. The next few weeks will be similar as I start on puree then mashed then onto soft foods. Today has started with my meds (anti-reflux capsule, 2 psyllium husk capsules and 7.5ml liquid iron) followed by a caramel latte with added marvel powder for protein. Sipping over 30-45 minutes. I will then jump on the treadmill and walk a km ish before my breakfast of 1 weetabix with milk made to the consistency of first baby food 😋. In between breakfast and lunch I...

 These were taken on the morning of my op 14th June 2021

 Today marks 1 week since I was 'sleeved'. Anyone who thinks this is an easy option,  THINK AGAIN!! My daily regime of vitamin/mineral supplements consists of multivitamins, vit D and B12 boosts and liquid iron. I will have to take these FOR LIFE. I will also need regular B12 injections. I am also taking anti reflux medication twice a day which I will need to stay on for 6 months and the blood thinning injections (last one today 🎉🎉). I have to take in at least 2 litres of liquid a day in the form of water, protein water, milk, protein shakes but am only allowed to sip as gulping could dislodge my staples 😬 This is a full time job! I am sipping constantly to get wnough liquid in! From tomorrow I will also be adding psyllium husk capsules twice a day too for bowel stuff 💩 🙊. As well as the liquid I also need to ensure I take in at least 60g or protein each day - my milkshakes and protein water help with that and I have a tasteless protein powder I am mixing in hot chocolate...

So I went down for my surgery about 5pm on Monday and it was all a bit of a blur from then until about 8am the next morning!! I was brought back to my room about 7.30pm but I really struggled to keep my eyes open for anything longer than a couple of seconds so I spent the night being prodded and poked at regular intervals and finally managed to be awake long enough to get up for a wee about 5am.  I then dozed until about 8am when I finally put my glasses back on and had a few sips of water.  The rest of Tuesday consisted of fluids, nebulisers, anti-sickness meds, antibiotics, anti reflux meds, painkillers and blood thinning injections plus trying peppermint tea and chicken soup as well as water. BBC 1 kept me company for most of the day! I wasn't in a lot of pain really apart from a lot of trapped gas which was, and still is, quite uncomfortable at times!! Wednesday morning saw a small yoghurt and some more peppermint tea followed by soup and jelly at lunchtime.  I manage...

 I arrived at the hospital at 12 and a porter took me to my room. WiFi, 42 inch TV, air conditioning and mini toiletries all included! By 2pm I have seen a health care assistant who checked who checked me in and gave me mybgown/wristband etc, the anaesthetist who canulated me, my surgeon who went through the op and consent forms, the pharmacist who went through meds and physiotherapist who gave me breathing exercises to do after the op, instructions on how to get out of bed and gave me a rolled up towel type thingy to hold against my belly if I need to cough or sneeze!! They will also be coming to see me tomorrow to help me with walking! It is very thorough and I am impressed. It is definitely not like any hospital.I have been in before!! I will be going down about 5.30 so will attempt part 3 later....

  Today is the day! I cannot eat after 6am so got up at 5.15 and enjoyed a bacon roll and hot chocolate for breakfast 😋 Just sips of water from now until 11. Have to be at the hospital for 12.  Before we leave this morning I am going to have my 'before' photos taken so I can keep a record and do the 'before/after' comparison thing at some point! More to follow......watch this space ❤

 I spent the afternoon at the BMI London Independent hospital having my pre-op assessment. It's a lovely place, FREE coffee in the waiting room!! I filled in an 8 page health questionnaire then spent 35 minutes going through it with the nurse then onto blood test (about 10 bottles of the stuff!), ecg, blood pressure check, and getting weighed and measured.  After all that I had an MRSA swab which involved a giant cotton bud (😖)  up the nose a la covid test followed by a couple of wipes in the groin area (🤢). Of course I also had to have a Covid test before I was allowed to leave with instructions to self-isolate u tol my op on Monday. I also paid for the op so it is very real now!!! I am to be there Monday at 12pm for day one of my journey with the sleeve!! Today's weight is 142 kg (313lbs/22 stone 3 lbs) 😔 but it will only be going down from here 😊

 My surgeon said he had booked my operation for Monday 14th June and that the hospital would contact me to arrange a pre-op assessment and covid test. This morning I realised that it is only 6 days until op day and I have had no contact from the hospital. I called them first thing and was told that they do not have me on the list as they have never received a booking form from my surgeon 😲😲. Cue PANIC !! Instantly called surgeon and was met by answerphone 😖. Left a garbled message and then emailed surgeon, dietitian, surgeons secretary and the nurse.  Spent the entire day clutching my phone waiting for a call/email which didn't arrive until 4.30pm!!! Surgeon said he sent booking form weeks ago and would sort it out. Spent another hour stressing until the hospital finally called and said I am definitely on the list for Monday and I am going in on Friday for the pre-op 😬😬 VERY stressful day but finally sorted. I would really like a glass or two of gin right now but am not a...

 10 days until my op!! Had a lovely hour long telephone appointment with Gail my dietician today. She went through everything I need to know about food for the liquid stage (up to 4 weeks) then puree stage (another 4 weeks). No alcohol for at least 6 months so will be looking forward to my Christmas day bucks fizz! I will have another session with her at 3 months post-op then 9 months post-op as I progress onto a more normal (albeit vastly smaller) diet. It's getting very real now!! P.s. have already lost a couple of pounds this week due to restricting carbs 🙂

 So, this is all new to me!  At 48 years old I am writing my first blog 😁 As some of you may know, I have struggled with my weight for almost my entire adult life. 3 pregnancies, 3 caesarean sections, a love of food and a hatred of exercise have all helped to get me to where I am now - 5 ft 4 inches tall and over 22 1/2 stone.  NOT GOOD! 😟 So I made the decision earlier this year to do finally do something about it.  On 14th June 2021 I will be having a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (gastric sleeve operation). This was by no means an easy decision but I did a lot of research and have done a lot of preparation. I have cut down my carb intake over the last month and bought a treadmill so I can up my exercise at home. Today marks the start of the final two week countdown in which I have to cut all carbs from my diet in order to shrink my liver a bit before the op. Following the op I will be on a high protein liquid only diet for up to 4 weeks following by another 4-...