Weigh In at 4 Weeks Post Op

Just under 104 Kg, 14Kg off or one third of my target! 4 weeks post op and 6 weeks after the start of the pre op diet.

This is good, still loosing even though I feel like I am eating all the time. I am eating every two hours and feel as if I never stop. I know the portions are not very big but I do feel as if it is all I am doing..... eating.



I am not doing any exercise yet, except walking. I can't do anything until the doctor gives me the all clear at about 6 weeks. However I do still have that little pain in my side but not as often, and I think it is mainly when I have been driving or sitting very low.

So everything is on track and I am getting there slowly, just what I want .

Taking Food Seriously

So today, I decided to take the food unit counting a bit more seriously. I am at home for a few days so thought I would cook a few meals properly.

I cooked traditional Irish vegetable Soup with a little chicken. Chicken in Piri Piri Sauce and Chili Con Carne; and whilst I had the oven on I baked a potato.

Then when it was all cooked I bagged it all up for the fridge and freezer. When your portions are as small as I am eating the food goes a long way.

Doesn't sound too exciting does it? But if you know me, you will know how unlike me this is. So I made a real effort and hope I benefit from it.

I Am Not The Problem

I thought I was going to blog everyday, I thought I would be on the scales every five minutes, and I thought I would have the most organised diet of any post op patient.

I was wrong, 4 weeks in and it is all I can do to finish the work day, all the things I do outside have been relegated in favour of sleep or simply doing nothing. In a previous post I went to the doctor and he said it was me being inpatient. But I have had surgery before and bounced right back so why not this time?

I did persuade him to take my blood and test to see if there was a problem, and yesterday I got a call to say, yes I do have an iron deficiency and that means the oxygen isn't getting around my body properly and yes it makes you tired. In a way I am really pleased, it means I can take an iron supplement for a few weeks and I will be OK. It is not simply me being impatient.

I can't blame it all on people not taking me seriously. I was very ill in hospital and on the last day they did say if my blood count was not good enough they would give me a blood transfusion for this very reason. however on that last day it was fine, so I got away with it. They did say to have my blood tested when the stitches came out but I forgot the paperwork on the day and they couldn't do it. I popped back into the hospital a few days later and they said I looked so much better so not to worry. perhaps if I had done it properly we would have known earlier I needed a little help.

So no big deal, I will be fine soon, and with some more energy.

Doing As You Are Told!

At 2 weeks in, I thought I was great, weight was falling off and I was getting back to normal, apart from the being tired.

I went to the doctor last Thursday, my 3 week point and he said all was fine. He told me I needed to rest more and I have tried a little, but I think I have been a little too ambitious.

Over the weekend I had a pain every time I stood up, and I have to say I was getting worried. At one point yesterday my daughter thought I should go back to the hospital, but there was no ongoing pain just a sudden sharp pain that soon passed.

However today I have not had the pain, although I have been moving gingerly. Perhaps I do need to take things slower and not be in such a rush to be back to normal. I have been through too much to get it wrong now.

More About The Operation

I can't tell you how much the hospital has been good to me. The doctors made everything clear and always had time to answer questions. My surgeon Mr Michael Van den Bossche is just excellent.

You can read about the clinic here but the case studies here don't show my procedure, the gastric sleeve although they do talk about it.

Three Weeks Post Op

Three weeks today since the op and a quick check up with my local doctor. He says I am doing really well and the picture of health. so healthy he let me have my flu jab today.

I changed my Lansoprazole tablets - melt in the mouth - disgusting strawberry - makes me gag, for beautiful capsules. need to take these for a few months till the stomach heals completely.

I complained about being tired and he told me that was normal, but my lifestyle isn't, and prescribed time out at least twice a day.  He took a blood test for my benefit but doesn't expect any issues.

The nurses were full of questions neither had ever had a patient with this specific procedure before.

And best of all - weight is now -12.5Kg - just 29.5Kg to go!

Back to Work

Today was my first day back at work. I was in London and had my laptop which I am sure got heavier as the day went on. I think I need to change to a wheelie laptop bag tomorrow.

I also thought I would walk from Baker Street to Piccadilly which was about 1.5 miles but oh my, did it tire me out.

However the biggest issue of the day logistically was food. Dinner last night was fine, Sainsburys had hot food and I had chili and rice although I hate to throw away food, it was far, far too much. I had yogurts for breakfast, then a milky coffee for a snack, soup at lunchtime and then another yogurt for the next snack. Then I had to wait till I got home for some fish. I need to plan better when I am on the road for these last 3 weeks of the post op diet.

So finally I am back in my own house. tonight I will be in my own bath and then my own bed. Heaven.

I am so tired.

However I also have to say thank you to my daughter, my extended family in Guernsey and my friends in Denmark, who looked after me and made sure my first few weeks were comfortable and relaxing.