My journey to a new life           

Step one;

Battled with my weight since being a teenager, having temporary wins occasionally, but always ending off worse than I started.

Step two;

Watch TV series about Supersize Surgery, interesting & inspiring. I discuss the idea with my dietician, she surprisingly does not 'poo poo' the idea but suggests  we try other alternatives first.

Consider weight loss surgery and research. Too expensive, put idea to one side, try new medications on offer from dietician. Just about manage to maintain and make small weight loss over a few years but no real progress.

Step 3;

Sadly my Mother dies and after years of caring for her she has left me some money and a big hole in my life. Is now the time to make the big step & care for me?

I contact the private hospital in the TV series for surgery costs and more information.

Step 4; 1st September 2006

I mention my thoughts to my GP in relation to my future and health pain problems, I'm now nearer 50 than 40!

Surprisingly she doesn't discount it and offers to contact a bariatric surgeon for me to discuss surgery with, without having to commit myself. She knows that the surgeon has performed surgery on his own sister. So guessing that they have a good brother/sister relationship this sounds like a good recommendation and it might be possible on the NHS. This was a HUGE surprise, I hadn't counted on this, (I can save my money for my house, yippee). My GP contacts the surgeon in London.

Step 5;

More research, lots of reading & posting on 'Obesity Help' website. I've now decided the lap band could be my saviour and would work with my health pain issues eg. it's reversable, shorter op., smaller incisions, no malabsorption problems (for medication, vitamins etc.)

Step 6;

I receive a short note from hospital to say I should hear from surgeon within 6 months. I'm on my way!

Step 7; 14th October 2006

Surprise early arrival of contact letter from St. George's Hospital in Tooting (London). I fill in simple information form & questionnaire to say I want to be seen ASAP and that I want surgery, I post off form next day.

Step 8; 27th December 2006

My appointment to see surgeon Alberic Fiennes at St. George's hoorah! Weighed & measured first 137.5 kgs (bad, bad Christmas eating) 5'5 1/2''ish - I forgot to ask) Then in I go, he is very friendly and asks why I want surgery. I specifically mention Lap Band and he asks why, and that there are different types that may be suitable.

I am happy to be open minded re type of surgery, and will see where the assessments lead. I have to have four types of assessment and also due to my health difficulties extra assessments. These will be done along side the normal assessments, so that I won't have to wait longer than I have to. Asked if I had any questions of course my mind went blank. Afterwards I wish I had asked how long it would take to assess if I was able to have surgery and then how long would I have to wait to have surgery. So I was sent home to consider and to send a post card to Mr Fiennes in a few days time, to say whether or not I wanted to continue,

 OF COURSE I DO!

Step 9;  23rd January 2007

Next appointment!! Hurray, so soon, Hurray!

I arrived late due to traffic stand still for last 10 miles (oh no I'm never late). I was rather upset as I thought I had missed my appointment. Fortunately I was very lucky and was told I could still be seen. (Glad I went in to own up and didn't just drive back home). I saw Marco Adamo, he said not to worry about being late, that he had been late too as he had got lost. I was under the impression he was new to St. Georges. I had further questions about my health, weight history and eating habits and he asked to see my 'tummy', had a probe around and said I had tender areas (I'm tender all over). All was friendly and at ease and he explained pros & cons of banding & RNY. It seems RNY is favoured as more is known about long term results, and Lap band is more for people below BMI 50 (I'm BMI 50).  Also with my sensitivity due to Fibromyalgia I would probably find the port of the band uncomfortable. He didn't see any reason why an operation would not be suitable for me, but obviously I have to have more testing yet. I asked about timescale. He said that once on the waiting list (after all assessments) time is 4 - 6 months. So as long as it doesn't take too long to get on the waiting list, I was pleasantly surprised, I was expecting longer. So I'm now another step further along the line. I will have to do more reseach on RNY board, shame as I like the 'band aid friends' board.

Step 10; 26th January 2007

Not really a step, more a pause for thought. When I first started considering WLS I only considered it because of the key hole surgery of Lap Band surgery, less risk, less time in hospital, less pain etc. Now look where I am, progressing toward major WLS needing life long vitamin & calcium supplements and longer in hospital etc. (I've only been anaethetised once to remove a fish bone - which disappeared by itself!) Now I must admit to being  a touch concerned. Weighing up pros & cons though I am going to continue, despite operation fears. I can't go on as I am. I hurt my knee badly a few months ago trying to run a dog agility course. I desparately want to be able to do more activity. The pain from my knee and Fibromyalgia is getting worse not better and I just can't lose and keep off the weight AND I'm not getting any younger. A new life is beckoning and I can't jump on board (I'm just hanging on by my finger tips). So surgery it is.

May 2008!!!
You may well wonder what has been happening, that is if anyone has ever looked at this .
Well I had appointments with; dietician, psychologist, endocrinologist (re my under active thyroid) etc. and all seemed ok. Info. was requested from my Pain Clinic which I agreed to, and then nothing..............
I didn't want to pester, infact on a previous letter it said not to add to their burden of paperwork by keep enquiring and I knew the waiting can be quite a while. Eventually I decided to write and was telephoned to come for another appointment (today). Appologies for time kept waiting, some crossed wires somewhere along the line, anyway if my GP is still ok about me having op. (letter being sent to her post haste) then it seems all ok for the go ahead. Shock, worry, relief, disbelief and excitement are all flowing around my body at the moment. Mr Adamo is the poor surgeon who has to get to grips with my stomach, I wish him lots of luck and steady hands .

23rd June 2008 Pre. Op. assessment day - Finally the op has been agreed and I have given many tubes of blood for many tests, had an ECG, given a urine specimen, had blood pressure taken and puffed into a machine to check my lung capacity. All's well so far, so as long as blood tests are ok, I have a provisional date for 8th July. So soon - no time to worry. The draw back is the diet from now to 8th for liver reduction. 4 weightwatcher soups and 4 Muller lite yoghurts aday! No probs. with yoghurt, but soup, and not home made!!!! Oh well it's in a good cause so off to the shops tomorrow to find said cans - and it might not be too bad . I need to lose 8 - 10 kgs so ABSOLUTELY NO CHEATING, this is the beginning of the rest of my life and just think a nice party dress for Christmas.

5th July 2008
Well the 8th it is! 2  1/2 days to go - nervous, excited all sorts of emotions, will now just be glad when it is over and I'm recovering safely. I've made my will and put my affairs in order - just incase, but I am quite fit for a 'fatty' so here's to the 9th