Hello all,

I am going to be sleeved on Tuesday (19th September 2017) and I found myself on this website this evening creating a profile...

I suppose I am on here for some support and guidance, but also because I thought it might help center my own thoughts about my journey to 'have to' type it out. Mini therapy, I guess.

I also couldn't find - maybe I was being lazy - too many people sharing their journey with my sort of stats, so many I will be helpful to some younger, female patients on the 'light' side of the scale in terms of what to expect etc. We are all in this together!

VITAL STATS

Age: 26

Height: 159cm or 5'1"

Weight: About 86.5kg, or 190lbs - I will verify this and put it on my signature when I am weighed pre-op.

Female

Location: Australia, home for the operation but I live in London, UK.

Surgery + Date: Gastric Sleeve 19/09/17

JOURNEY TO NOW

I suppose I always had a bit of a problem with my weight. I have certainly gone through periods in my young adult life where I was slim. The trouble for me, I suppose, is that I have an identical twin sister who has always been slimmer than I have (maybe 5-7kgs) and, as such, I have always subconsciously felt like the 'bigger' twin. My twin is tiny - she is now about 20kgs lighter than me and it really gets me down. She lives in Australia still and I am in London, but imagine living with a 20kg lighter version of yourself! Someone who is exactly like you but 25% less weight. It can be hard, although she is really supportive.

I am a really emotionally stable and rational person, but I have self-control issues and I emotionally eat. In the last 2.5 years, I have gone through 2 serious break-ups. The first was with my boyfriend of on-again/off-again 9 years...and the second was with a man I loved possibly more. I turned straight to food and alcohol (which I seldom drank prior) to forget the pain I was feeling and to be able to get on with work. Over this 2-2.5 year period, I have gained about 25kgs. I remember being 62kgs at Christmas 2013, and when I was weighed a month or so ago at the surgeon's office I was 86.6kg. To say I was devastated was an understatement.

Although I admit I have self-control issues, I certainly have it within me. I guess I would classify as an 'all or nothing' person; I can easily eat and eat and eat, but when I reallllllly get on a roll with a diet, I am the type to be able to starve myself. This has lead in the past (over 10 years) to yo-yo dieting and I have tried it all; starvation, protein shakes, exercising, duromine/metermine pills...really anything. Sometimes it has worked, sometimes it hasn't.

My mother has been overweight my whole life and although she doesn't have diabetes, her mother did. I live in a family of eaters and providers, and I see patterns in my own behaviour that mirror my mother. My mother was a very attractive woman in her youth - she is still attractive now actually - but I do not wish to see the same health and aesthetic issues she has repeated in my own life.

I find myself not wanting to go out and socialise because I have nothing to wear; my clothes don't fit and I always tell myself I should lose weight before I buy more...I say no to outings, I hide away and eat. I am embarrassed about my weight - I hear myself telling people that I 'put on weight recently' and over-compensate for it by saying how I used to be slimmer....I go shopping and I don't even bother to look at perfectly normal, lovely clothing because I seem to have subconsciously (or otherwise) decided that I could never wear something like x, y, z. All of this might seem extreme given that I seem to be less overweight relative to some people on this forum - but I am sure these are issues we all share to varying degrees. Also, I am so short and small in frame that my weight is probably largely as evident as others.

All in all, I suppose I subconsciously 'decided' I was chubby years ago and have become obese as a result. It is such an unhealthy pattern.

GOALS

1. First goal: get under 80kg. Second: get under 70kg. I want to take it as it comes. But, longer term: to be 60kg or under. 55kg would be ideal. 60kg would be great, too.
2. NSV: Throw out all the old clothing I have been wearing to cover up - aka my 'fat' clothes.
3. NSV: Buy size 28 jeans for comfort, like I used to. I am currently in a 32 of the same jean.

To be honest it's really hard to write my goals as I have not yet even conceptualised this working! It has been so long since I lost weight and felt good that I can't even remember....perhaps I will work on the goal list later!

I'm also gonna post some headless pics....I think that will help me...

Anyway, this is a start. I have an appointment on Monday to see the Dr and take bloods...then it's straight to it on Tuesday.

Wish me luck!

Edited September 16, 20178 yr by ahsleeve

Prayers for you. You'll love making this decision. Take care and keep posting your progress . I'm new here too and I can use some inspiration [emoji120]


Elena Farah

Prayers for you. You'll love making this decision. Take care and keep posting your progress . I'm new here too and I can use some inspiration [emoji120]


Elena Farah

Thanks Elena! When is your surgery?

PHOTOS

Top is tonight and bottom is 2014...the last time I was sort-of happy with my figure. I suppose I was about 63kgs in those days.

Edited September 16, 20178 yr by ahsleeve

I'm not female, I'm not young (47), and I didn't start on the lighter side, I was 450 pounds. But I'll chime in anyway!

Really, the fact that you realize there is a problem and are ready to make a change is a huge part of the battle. I was sleeved almost 3 years ago. It was hard. There were times I questioned if I had made the right decision. But 3 years later I would not change a thing.

I lost more than half of my self, 265 pounds. Everything in life is better. My social life, family life, professional life and even sex life has all improved drastically. It's not because I'm different, I am still the same person. It is because I see myself different. I don't use my weight as an excuse to not be my best.

Just jump in and don't look back. It is 100% worth it. Best of luck to you! You have got this!

I am 26, but I would not consider myself young lol so that is interesting.

Goodluck

I hear lighter people do not lose as fast ( some do) but this is what I have been told, I am maybe 10+ weeks out and honestly i feel every slow move ha but i am so happy with my choice i can wait to see were i am in a year, goodluck

10 hours ago, SuperDave said:

I'm not female, I'm not young (47), and I didn't start on the lighter side, I was 450 pounds. But I'll chime in anyway!

Really, the fact that you realize there is a problem and are ready to make a change is a huge part of the battle. I was sleeved almost 3 years ago. It was hard. There were times I questioned if I had made the right decision. But 3 years later I would not change a thing.

I lost more than half of my self, 265 pounds. Everything in life is better. My social life, family life, professional life and even sex life has all improved drastically. It's not because I'm different, I am still the same person. It is because I see myself different. I don't use my weight as an excuse to not be my best.

Just jump in and don't look back. It is 100% worth it. Best of luck to you! You have got this!

Thank you! I am glad to hear it has had a positive impact on all aspects of your life...I think that's the key for me - maybe I am not yet in the risk category for all manner of horrible health issues (although heading that way fast!) but it is in the other areas of my life that the lack of self esteem and confidence has really caused havoc.

7 hours ago, dreamingsmall said:

I am 26, but I would not consider myself young lol so that is interesting.

Goodluck

I hear lighter people do not lose as fast ( some do) but this is what I have been told, I am maybe 10+ weeks out and honestly i feel every slow move ha but i am so happy with my choice i can wait to see were i am in a year, goodluck

I wouldn't consider myself young anymore either! I suppose maybe I was wrong and there are many people on this forum in my age group making this choice! So many people when you are in your 20's just say 'go for a walk, stop eating!'...as if it were that easy when you know you have THIS much weight to lose!

2 hours ago, ahsleeve said:

I wouldn't consider myself young anymore either! I suppose maybe I was wrong and there are many people on this forum in my age group making this choice! So many people when you are in your 20's just say 'go for a walk, stop eating!'...as if it were that easy when you know you have THIS much weight to lose!

Its nice to feel we have made this change nice and early instead of waiting 20 years because we have tried to listen to doogooders who know it alls advice Its an exciting process. Emotional and full of ups and downs but so so so worth it! If you want to ask anything please feel free, i am pretty new under 3 months post sleeve.

I am 26, but I would not consider myself young lol so that is interesting.
Goodluck [emoji4]
I hear lighter people do not lose as fast ( some do) but this is what I have been told, I am maybe 10+ weeks out and honestly i feel every slow move ha but i am so happy with my choice i can wait to see were i am in a year, goodluck [emoji4]

Age IS all relative but I did chuckle to your "don't feel young".... I just turned 39 & I BARELY remember 26 ? I didn't get what all the "old ppl" were talking about.... til I was one of them [emoji87] kidding. Sort of. That's all. Hope you have a great day tomorrow! [emoji4]


- No idea what I'm doing but I'm here!

So....today I met my doctor for the first time - surgery tomorrow!

I live in London so I organised everything in Australia remotely. I saw my doctor and a surgeon in London, then spoke to my GP in Australia on the phone and was referred to my surgeon here. It made more sense to come home in terms of insurance, but mostly because my recovery will be so much easier and more comfortable at home with my family. Gotta love being waited on hand and foot!

Anyway, it has made my process fairly hectic and rushed...but I did like my surgeon today so that was something. He doesn't have much of a bedside manner....but I guess he was comfortingly straight-forward in his approach.

It is currently 7pm...I am admitted tomorrow at 12.30pm. Fasting from 8.30am.

He told me that I will be in hospital for 3-4 nights....is this normal? It's going to be fairly bleak I think!

2 nights in hispital are typical, so you should be feeling pretty good by time you get home!

Good luck!

Up in the middle of the night before. Feeling pretty nervous!! I don't know why in a logical sense.
It is probably because my family are really conflicted about it and nervous about it all. Perhaps my will of iron is flailing a tad....I'm sure nerves are normal.

Yes nerves was Norma for me but it was all worth it

Sent from my LG-K373 using BariatricPal App

Good luck to you my friend. I am also scheduled to have my VSG tomorrow (9/19/17)

SLEEVED 19/9/17

Well...I got sleeved! I am still in hospital just waiting for my doctor to come and visit me today. I got sleeved on the afternoon of Tuesday 19th September, and it is currently 12pm on the afternoon of Friday 22nd September - so I am almost 3 full days out - or almost exactly 72 hours.

I thought I would take you through my experience!

TUESDAY 19th - I got to the hospital at 12.30pm for admission and went in around 3.30pm. I was lucky to have a lovely private room with a big window onto a garden, and I got to check in and sort all my stuff out while I waited. I was given the first of 4 anti-embolism injections in my thigh and it hurt.

Tuesday night I was post surgery, I told the nurse in recovery that I felt nauseous and she loaded me up on anti-nausea. My whole family was there when I got wheeled back into my room but I barely remember it as I was so spaced out on drugs.

During the night I had to get up to go to the toilet a few times and it was painful because of my stomach. I was on morphine, though, so I noticed this less than the night after and I got loads of help from the lovely nurses. All was well.

WEDNESDAY 20th - This was my worst day in terms of the recovery so far. This is probably a good sign though - aka every single day I have woken up, I have felt better.

When I was laying in my bed I felt ok. I was dosed up on intravenous panadol, IV fluids, IV anti-nausea and at night an anti-reflux med. Also another painful thigh injection for the anti-embolism.

I truly did feel ok in bed, but the difference with Wednesday was that the surgery meds had worn off and I felt the pain in my stomach more. It was not internal pain - it was - and remains - external muscular pain. Imagine your personal trainer makes you do 2000 sit ups. That is what you are dealing with. Getting into and out of bed to go to the toilet was dreadful - but once back in bed I really couldn't complain. I was full of gas from the operation and this made it really difficult to breathe while I did simple things like walk 2 meters to the toilet.

The other gross aspect to Wednesday was my 'swallow x-ray'. I was wheeled in a wheelchair to the Radiology department whereupon I promptly informed the nurse that I was not feeling my best. She vowed to only make me stand up for the shortest possible time. I was then given a shot glass of milky liquid which tasted a bit like liquorice - but not in a good way - told to swallow some and get on the X-ray platform to stand. The doctor came in and they started taking pictures. This was a disaster. I only lasted about 50 seconds before I almost fainted and asked to be sat back in my chair. A look of genuine concern crossed the face of the doctor and he had me promptly sent back to bed - saying we would try again tomorrow. LEARN FROM THIS - I KNEW it was too soon and I went for it anyway. Don't. Tell the nurses if you aren't feeling up to something. Take your recovery at your own pace.

After this, it was more of the same in terms of bed/toilet trips. I did not sleep well that night...I stupidly did not ask for morphine so I just had IV panadol but the pain wasn't the issue. It was a feeling of discomfort and helplessness.

THURSDAY 21st - Yesterday was a mixed bag.

On the negative side, it was when serious cabin-fever really began to sink in. I just wanted to be well and get out of my room. I am sick and tired of feeling pain when I launch myself out of bed and I resented my guests for their mobility. I knew I had two nights to go in the hospital and I just was not happy.

On the positive, it was when I started to feel better. I had my first shower and new sheets - life-changing. I first began to really notice how gassed up I am. I was absolutely full of gas - and trying to fart or burp it out was difficult. I needed to walk around, which my mum assisted me with and which really helped. I started liquids - just sips of water. This also helped move the gas. I began to feel less tight in the abdomen and I could breathe better.

NOTE: If you are getting excruciating pain in your shoulder, it's the gas!!!! get them to give you a heat pack for it - it really, really helps.

Last night I also asked for morphine to help me sleep - this was another huge win as I really did sleep and sleep does so much for recovery. I was out cold by 10pm and woke up only once or twice before 8am.

FRIDAY 22nd - So far, so good. Another shower - new sheets again - and I am not back in civilian pyjamas. The sun is out, my window is open for fresh air and I have some flowers. Life is beginning to look like it could go back to 'normal' again. I am in a pretty good mood.

A lot more gas left me last night...so I feel less stuffed. I am sipping apple juice and water and it makes an unpleasant bubbling of gas in my belly....is this normal??

I am on fewer drugs - just anti-nausea which I barely needed and I am still on my IV fluids. They are making moves to remove certain bits and pieces from my care, so I know they are preparing to let me leave....probably tomorrow I would say.

There is some talk of only letting me go if I have had a bowel movement....is this normal? I wouldn't have thought I had much in there to come out....