Morning
Well its a month today since I started this process so its time to review how well, or otherwise I have done....firstly however a confession.... I can't find my starting stats so I haven't got anything currently to compare to....sorry.
Anyway, a month ago I seemed to remember I was 127.7kg, or 20stone 1lb. This morning my weight had dropped to 113.9kg, or 17 stone 13lb. So, if my scales are accurate, I have lost 2 stone 2 pounds in a month: or 30lb if you are that way inclined. Quite pleased with that as my first goal is to lose 100lb or just over 7 stone. So, I am a third of a way there already.....
However, I am realistic to know that the first bit is the easy bit. It becomes harder as time goes on as the easy weight to lose will have been lost, while the willpower to lose weight also drops with time until at least the first fill. As an example, I bragged the other day about not needing to eat soft foods as everything seemed to be okay internally with me...hey, look at me, I can eat whatever I want.....well I learned that I couldn't as I eat far too much and felt sick afterwards for ages. So, today I was back on the soft stuff and on the soft stuff I will remain for another 10 days.
Oh and I did my measurements today... I'll find the one's I took at the start of the process eventually. Please don't laugh but...
Neck: 20 3/4 inches
Chest: 53 1/2 inches
Waist: 51 inches
Hips: 45 1/2 inches........ yes, I am a bit of a funny shape!
Shall we move on? Well went to the cinema on Thursday to see The Program (of course it should be Programme but what do those Americans know about speeling!) It wasn't bad but could have been so much better if it had been filmed from the journo's point of view. 6/10 perhaps?
Moving on to my cycling.... the nice gentle winds and warm days we have been having recently have gone, so yesterday it was a quick 7.1 mile ride in the rain before the Penkridge V Wetley game.... when I say "quick" my average speed was 12mph which is moving towards the speed I would like to do as an average. Today (Sunday), out early to do 16 odd miles in temps of 3C..... bleeping cold! Not quite as fast today but the mileage done is the furthest I have done since my operation. Indeed, I have done more miles this month (87) than I did in September. I am just under 1 300 for the year...perhaps I might make it to 1 600 for the year....next year perhaps twice that??? Who knows.
So my week coming then....well its school half term so perhaps a few pre work rides now that the roads will be free of school run cars....please don't get me started on the school run.... A post work ride is now a little difficult as the clocks went back last night meaning it will be dark around 4.30pm and I hate cycling in the dark.
Nothing much more to say so have a nice day and stay away from those chips!
Sunday, 25 October 2015
Thursday, 22 October 2015
Liquid period over....
Morning
Well the period during which I was permitted to "eat" liquid foods has come to an end and now I can progress onto semi solids....is a chip semi solid?
Looking back, I can't say I enjoyed the liquid stage and did "cheat" a little but mostly stuck to it. Was it worth it? Well my weight has dropped from 127.7kg to 114.7kg this morning, a loss of 2 stone or so in old money. I am pleased about that and people are already noticing I look lighter but there is still loads of weight to go!
Returning to the liquid diet; I can see why it was needed before the operation: to give them space to operate, but I wonder if it was actually needed for more than a few days after the operation from a medical point of view as I seemed to have healed up very quickly and thus, feel I could have eaten semi solids earlier than today. Is it just a way of getting you to stick to a low calorie liquid diet rather than returning to "proper" food before your first fill? I tend to think it is. Not that that's a bad thing but I have been disappointed by the lack of contact by Healthier Weight regarding dieting as, apart from one booklet and an invite to buy food from their sister company, there hasn't been any. Thankfully, I know what I am doing....although that sounds a bit strange given to how fat I managed to get myself!
One thing I haven't been doing is exercising! Again I seem to keep finding reasons not to: its cold, its raining, there is something I need to do otherwise or simply, I can't be arsed. Hummm...overall I think the latter one wins! I do get irritated with myself as I am better thinking it than actually doing it. For example, I spent some time this morning working out a C2C2C route from Whitehaven via Carlisle to Wallsend and then back to Whitehaven via Penrith. Its do-able over five nights and yes, CBH says I can have time off for good behaviour but will I do it? Somehow I doubt it. Also, for our 25th CBH and I are returning to Las Vegas.....that's 8 years time by the way.... so I spent yesterday afternoon looking up the climb of Mount Charlston.... its the 22nd hardest in the US and is on my bucket list. Will I do it? I don't suppose so.
Anyway, on a more positive point, off to the cinema to see "The Program" this evening. Its a film about seven time Tour De France winner (and yes, as everyone else was doping at the time, he was the winner. Although this is a minority view, he should not have had this wins taken off him) Lance Armstrong. For some reason CBH doesn't want to go with me, so I'll be the strange bloke sitting on his own at the back booing the goodies and cheering Armstrong......
Well the period during which I was permitted to "eat" liquid foods has come to an end and now I can progress onto semi solids....is a chip semi solid?
Looking back, I can't say I enjoyed the liquid stage and did "cheat" a little but mostly stuck to it. Was it worth it? Well my weight has dropped from 127.7kg to 114.7kg this morning, a loss of 2 stone or so in old money. I am pleased about that and people are already noticing I look lighter but there is still loads of weight to go!
Returning to the liquid diet; I can see why it was needed before the operation: to give them space to operate, but I wonder if it was actually needed for more than a few days after the operation from a medical point of view as I seemed to have healed up very quickly and thus, feel I could have eaten semi solids earlier than today. Is it just a way of getting you to stick to a low calorie liquid diet rather than returning to "proper" food before your first fill? I tend to think it is. Not that that's a bad thing but I have been disappointed by the lack of contact by Healthier Weight regarding dieting as, apart from one booklet and an invite to buy food from their sister company, there hasn't been any. Thankfully, I know what I am doing....although that sounds a bit strange given to how fat I managed to get myself!
One thing I haven't been doing is exercising! Again I seem to keep finding reasons not to: its cold, its raining, there is something I need to do otherwise or simply, I can't be arsed. Hummm...overall I think the latter one wins! I do get irritated with myself as I am better thinking it than actually doing it. For example, I spent some time this morning working out a C2C2C route from Whitehaven via Carlisle to Wallsend and then back to Whitehaven via Penrith. Its do-able over five nights and yes, CBH says I can have time off for good behaviour but will I do it? Somehow I doubt it. Also, for our 25th CBH and I are returning to Las Vegas.....that's 8 years time by the way.... so I spent yesterday afternoon looking up the climb of Mount Charlston.... its the 22nd hardest in the US and is on my bucket list. Will I do it? I don't suppose so.
Anyway, on a more positive point, off to the cinema to see "The Program" this evening. Its a film about seven time Tour De France winner (and yes, as everyone else was doping at the time, he was the winner. Although this is a minority view, he should not have had this wins taken off him) Lance Armstrong. For some reason CBH doesn't want to go with me, so I'll be the strange bloke sitting on his own at the back booing the goodies and cheering Armstrong......
Tuesday, 20 October 2015
That wasn't supposed to happen and an update
Morning....not very good at keeping this blog up to date am I!
So, an update.... not wanting to make this a blog about my poo but I had a really nasty case of "the runs" on Thursday. However, this lasted just one visit to the loo so what was behind it was not clear. Since then, my pooing was returned to a once a day event: down from three or four visits a day previous to my operation.
Talking about my operation, the opening seem to have fully healed and I am not getting any pain from them or internally, apart from when I try to sleep on my front. Its quite irritating but it seems where the port was placed is right against the skin so I knock it when trying to sleep that way. I managed to do the blood thinning injections as ordered without any real pain.... I hate injections... and wore the support stockings for the 10 days required to reduce the risk of DVT. Indeed, I was quite sad to take them off in the end as they did keep my legs nice and warm!
Food.... I wish I could eat some! I am still on the liquids only diet but blimey, its really hard to stick to it. For example, last week CBH and I went to the AmDram theatre in Horsehay which is based right next to what CBH brother says is the best chippy in Shropshire.... The God Father. So, we sat there at the break discussing whether we should get something small and lower fat from the place after the show.... a decision was made that it wouldn't hurt.... afterall it had been a week since my operation and I hadn't had any issues.......................... thankfully (or otherwise if you are me), the show finished at 10pm and the chippy closed at 9.30pm so we never got the chance......sob. I suppose someone is looking over me!
Cycling.... I did a little last week (only five miles) as for some reason I just couldn't get my legs moving but on Saturday I had more energy and did a quick 13 mile spin at nearly 12 mph over some of the lumpier bits around Penkridge before heading to Brocton FC for their disappointing game against Hereford FC.... the replacement club for Hereford United. The match was disappointing in two ways. Firstly Brocton must have spent days getting the ground ready for a large crowd given that Hereford get an average home attendance of over 2 000. However, only 336 turned up. The club deserved at least 200 more than that. And secondly, they had a burger bar at the ground which did a veggie burger but I couldn't have one....its not fair!...... well it is but I am still a fatty with fatty thoughts!
Okay, best wrap this up as I should be working....so what wasn't supposed to have happened then.... it seems over the weekend, despite cycling for 13 miles and spending an hour in our gym (we have a treadmill, a multi gym and a rowing machine) I managed to put on a pound! That certainly isn't supposed to happen! I suppose its just a blip but it does get you worried when you avoid food like you are supposed to but still put on weight!
So, an update.... not wanting to make this a blog about my poo but I had a really nasty case of "the runs" on Thursday. However, this lasted just one visit to the loo so what was behind it was not clear. Since then, my pooing was returned to a once a day event: down from three or four visits a day previous to my operation.
Talking about my operation, the opening seem to have fully healed and I am not getting any pain from them or internally, apart from when I try to sleep on my front. Its quite irritating but it seems where the port was placed is right against the skin so I knock it when trying to sleep that way. I managed to do the blood thinning injections as ordered without any real pain.... I hate injections... and wore the support stockings for the 10 days required to reduce the risk of DVT. Indeed, I was quite sad to take them off in the end as they did keep my legs nice and warm!
Food.... I wish I could eat some! I am still on the liquids only diet but blimey, its really hard to stick to it. For example, last week CBH and I went to the AmDram theatre in Horsehay which is based right next to what CBH brother says is the best chippy in Shropshire.... The God Father. So, we sat there at the break discussing whether we should get something small and lower fat from the place after the show.... a decision was made that it wouldn't hurt.... afterall it had been a week since my operation and I hadn't had any issues.......................... thankfully (or otherwise if you are me), the show finished at 10pm and the chippy closed at 9.30pm so we never got the chance......sob. I suppose someone is looking over me!
Cycling.... I did a little last week (only five miles) as for some reason I just couldn't get my legs moving but on Saturday I had more energy and did a quick 13 mile spin at nearly 12 mph over some of the lumpier bits around Penkridge before heading to Brocton FC for their disappointing game against Hereford FC.... the replacement club for Hereford United. The match was disappointing in two ways. Firstly Brocton must have spent days getting the ground ready for a large crowd given that Hereford get an average home attendance of over 2 000. However, only 336 turned up. The club deserved at least 200 more than that. And secondly, they had a burger bar at the ground which did a veggie burger but I couldn't have one....its not fair!...... well it is but I am still a fatty with fatty thoughts!
Okay, best wrap this up as I should be working....so what wasn't supposed to have happened then.... it seems over the weekend, despite cycling for 13 miles and spending an hour in our gym (we have a treadmill, a multi gym and a rowing machine) I managed to put on a pound! That certainly isn't supposed to happen! I suppose its just a blip but it does get you worried when you avoid food like you are supposed to but still put on weight!
Thursday, 15 October 2015
The 14th October 2015
Morning; an update on Wednesday 14th October follows.......its quite an important day in the year as you will note.
Why is it important? Well to start with its 17 years since CBH made me the most lucky man in the world by marrying me. It doesn't seem like 17 years ago we were in Las Vegas getting hitched but it was. Indeed, we have plans to return there in 8 years for our 25th. Talking about it last night we decided that we would like to fly there First Class (better get saving) and spend a month touring around the area (we have already down six weeks worth of touring around there but there is so much to see, it is worth going back!). Also....and I haven't told her this, it I am fit enough then I intend to cycle up the mountain just to the south of Las Vegas and would like to do at least the part from Scotties Castle to Death Valley ranch on my (or more likely) a hired bike. Lets see how that pans out during the forthcoming years eh!
Oh, and the 14th is also the Mother In Law's birthday. She was 66 yesterday..... blimey, I remember her when she was in her late 30's! So, CBH and her went off for a meal yesterday lunchtime leaving me home alone. Well there was no point me going out for the meal as all I can have at the moment is a little water and some dust.... not quite but those who remember Little Britain will get the reference! It was hardly fair of CBH to come back smelling of curry and talking about how she eat until she felt like exploding while I waited for nearly three hours for some peas to cook so I could have a home made pea soup! It never happened so in the end I had a bowl of mushroom soup. As you can guess, I was less than impressed.
Talking about eating, I am finding liquids only a right struggle now given that I am not getting any pains from my guts and that my bowels are working again, if rather slowly. So, being the rebel without a clue I am, I had some proper food for a late night snack....... Now before you grass me up to Healthier Weight, all I had was some well chewed cucumber and a small beetroot. And lovely was it too, especially the having to chew bit! It did feel a bit funny going down and did make me burp again, but nothing I couldn't live with. I was actually wanting a piece of cheese on toast but didn't feel I should risk it at this stage!
So anyway, while CBH and MIL were out, I decided to take myself out for another ride and see if I could improve on my Monday ride. Well I did as I covered 13.1 miles this time including the climb of the massive mountain which leads up to Gnosall....okay, its not really a mountain just a long slope which causes for constant power; something I am not very good at. I was however pleased at the end of the day...the boy did good in that I got my second best ever time on the segment according to Strava.
I did have to cut the ride short: I was feeling okay, due to a rather embarrassing wardrobe malfunction... the pad on the cycling tights I was wearing seems to have a mind of its own and was not covering the bits it needs to cover. This made it rather uncomfortable to ride but also put on display my "package." Anyone looking could see that there isn't a Colt 45 down there....sob.
What else. Well, I forgot to weigh myself yesterday but did so this morning and I am now down to 116.0kg. That's nearly two stone off in about a month, which is.... I am not really sure. Its better to have lost the weight than still be carrying it around, but is nearly 2 stone in a month too fast? I suppose I will find out over time.
Oh and lastly, 14th October is also my birthday. I was 54 yesterday.
Why is it important? Well to start with its 17 years since CBH made me the most lucky man in the world by marrying me. It doesn't seem like 17 years ago we were in Las Vegas getting hitched but it was. Indeed, we have plans to return there in 8 years for our 25th. Talking about it last night we decided that we would like to fly there First Class (better get saving) and spend a month touring around the area (we have already down six weeks worth of touring around there but there is so much to see, it is worth going back!). Also....and I haven't told her this, it I am fit enough then I intend to cycle up the mountain just to the south of Las Vegas and would like to do at least the part from Scotties Castle to Death Valley ranch on my (or more likely) a hired bike. Lets see how that pans out during the forthcoming years eh!
Oh, and the 14th is also the Mother In Law's birthday. She was 66 yesterday..... blimey, I remember her when she was in her late 30's! So, CBH and her went off for a meal yesterday lunchtime leaving me home alone. Well there was no point me going out for the meal as all I can have at the moment is a little water and some dust.... not quite but those who remember Little Britain will get the reference! It was hardly fair of CBH to come back smelling of curry and talking about how she eat until she felt like exploding while I waited for nearly three hours for some peas to cook so I could have a home made pea soup! It never happened so in the end I had a bowl of mushroom soup. As you can guess, I was less than impressed.
Talking about eating, I am finding liquids only a right struggle now given that I am not getting any pains from my guts and that my bowels are working again, if rather slowly. So, being the rebel without a clue I am, I had some proper food for a late night snack....... Now before you grass me up to Healthier Weight, all I had was some well chewed cucumber and a small beetroot. And lovely was it too, especially the having to chew bit! It did feel a bit funny going down and did make me burp again, but nothing I couldn't live with. I was actually wanting a piece of cheese on toast but didn't feel I should risk it at this stage!
So anyway, while CBH and MIL were out, I decided to take myself out for another ride and see if I could improve on my Monday ride. Well I did as I covered 13.1 miles this time including the climb of the massive mountain which leads up to Gnosall....okay, its not really a mountain just a long slope which causes for constant power; something I am not very good at. I was however pleased at the end of the day...the boy did good in that I got my second best ever time on the segment according to Strava.
I did have to cut the ride short: I was feeling okay, due to a rather embarrassing wardrobe malfunction... the pad on the cycling tights I was wearing seems to have a mind of its own and was not covering the bits it needs to cover. This made it rather uncomfortable to ride but also put on display my "package." Anyone looking could see that there isn't a Colt 45 down there....sob.
What else. Well, I forgot to weigh myself yesterday but did so this morning and I am now down to 116.0kg. That's nearly two stone off in about a month, which is.... I am not really sure. Its better to have lost the weight than still be carrying it around, but is nearly 2 stone in a month too fast? I suppose I will find out over time.
Oh and lastly, 14th October is also my birthday. I was 54 yesterday.
So what happened there then?
Blimey, I am a bit confused by this as I come to write some more....sorry, when I discover that at least two posts are missing. Not sure how that's happened: is there a Grammar Queen out there who cuts poorly written posts, or did I fail to press the correct button or something? Most confusing and to a degree, especially for me, rather irritating!
So to recap then, I managed to have a poo after about three days with the aid of a fibre powered purchased from Mr Tescos fine emporium and ever since have been regular once a day. The wind issue I have been having has calmed down quite a lot which is nice and I am no longer in pain from the operation, although I am still not comfortable laying on my front and am still need to drink quite a bit when in bed.
Sunday saw my first attempt at a cycle ride since the operation. Only 3.1 miles to the end of Burton Manor and back and only 16 minutes spent on the bike but hey, its a start. On Monday I went out for a slightly longer ride around Haughton (7.7miles). This ride didn't go as well as I had hoped due to breathing issues: I was burping so much that I couldn't get my breath at times. Yesterday's ride will be covered in my next post.
What else? Went back to work for a day on Tuesday, 3 1/2 days after the operation. No real issues doing so as my job requires me to make epic life changing decisions.... sit at a desk and push papers around mindlessly: it used to be a great job until the changes brought in recently. Now, if they didn't pay me a reasonable sum of money, I would be off to playgrounds new.... I wonder if that Team Sky contract is still available..... surely they need someone to hand out caps and stuff at Crits....
Ah, had a phone call from the Nurse at Healthier Weight to find out how I am getting on and to book my first band filling....not looking forward to that: 12th November. Irritating thing is its back onto a liquid diet for three days after that and then three more days on semi solids. Grrrr. I will moan at length about the post op diet in my next post.
Right, that's about enough of this post. More later in a new one.
So to recap then, I managed to have a poo after about three days with the aid of a fibre powered purchased from Mr Tescos fine emporium and ever since have been regular once a day. The wind issue I have been having has calmed down quite a lot which is nice and I am no longer in pain from the operation, although I am still not comfortable laying on my front and am still need to drink quite a bit when in bed.
Sunday saw my first attempt at a cycle ride since the operation. Only 3.1 miles to the end of Burton Manor and back and only 16 minutes spent on the bike but hey, its a start. On Monday I went out for a slightly longer ride around Haughton (7.7miles). This ride didn't go as well as I had hoped due to breathing issues: I was burping so much that I couldn't get my breath at times. Yesterday's ride will be covered in my next post.
What else? Went back to work for a day on Tuesday, 3 1/2 days after the operation. No real issues doing so as my job requires me to make
Ah, had a phone call from the Nurse at Healthier Weight to find out how I am getting on and to book my first band filling....not looking forward to that: 12th November. Irritating thing is its back onto a liquid diet for three days after that and then three more days on semi solids. Grrrr. I will moan at length about the post op diet in my next post.
Right, that's about enough of this post. More later in a new one.
Saturday, 10 October 2015
T+1 The first day after the op.... no poo today, my poo has gone away.....
Morning and sorry for starting with such a crap pun but its very interesting: to me at least, that I haven't passed a stool now for over 48 hours. For some people such as CBH that's not unusual, for me, it is very much so. I suppose I put it down to being off solids at the moment. Give it time and I suppose something will pass in the end....
Well rewinding somewhat to yesterday operation day plus one, things seemed to go okay. I wasn't in much pain and seemed to have quite a bit of energy so went for a half an hour walk down to the doctors to drop my discharge papers off with them, and then to the chemist to get some more surgical stockings as the hospital only gave me one pair and I'll need a spare pair when these goes in for a wash.
The afternoon was spent having a bit of a kip and lazing around calling CBH: "a git" every time she brought food into the room...food I can not eat at the moment such as a lovely looking salad. Sigh. Talking about food, yesterdays in take consisted of 2 shakes (one Healthier Weight one which wasn't as bad as the Strawberry one for oversweetness and one home made one) and one can of tomato soup and a vegetable soup. Not too bad and at no time did I feel hungry: which is nice.
Apart from that, I did notice that I was burping a lot which causes a couple of hiccup attacks. Not pleasant when you wonder if your guts are going to come out of the holes in your skin.... I know they aren't but it doesn't stop me worrying!
And T-2 morning update.... well just weighed myself and I am now down to "only" 119.7kg, a drop of 1.7kg since just before the op and about 8kg since I first saw the clinic. Quite pleased with that, but as the saying goes, every journey starts with a single step. This is very much the first step.
Well rewinding somewhat to yesterday operation day plus one, things seemed to go okay. I wasn't in much pain and seemed to have quite a bit of energy so went for a half an hour walk down to the doctors to drop my discharge papers off with them, and then to the chemist to get some more surgical stockings as the hospital only gave me one pair and I'll need a spare pair when these goes in for a wash.
The afternoon was spent having a bit of a kip and lazing around calling CBH: "a git" every time she brought food into the room...food I can not eat at the moment such as a lovely looking salad. Sigh. Talking about food, yesterdays in take consisted of 2 shakes (one Healthier Weight one which wasn't as bad as the Strawberry one for oversweetness and one home made one) and one can of tomato soup and a vegetable soup. Not too bad and at no time did I feel hungry: which is nice.
Apart from that, I did notice that I was burping a lot which causes a couple of hiccup attacks. Not pleasant when you wonder if your guts are going to come out of the holes in your skin.... I know they aren't but it doesn't stop me worrying!
And T-2 morning update.... well just weighed myself and I am now down to "only" 119.7kg, a drop of 1.7kg since just before the op and about 8kg since I first saw the clinic. Quite pleased with that, but as the saying goes, every journey starts with a single step. This is very much the first step.
Friday, 9 October 2015
Operation Day....
Why are hospitals normally painted a light green? I believe its to reduce stress as its a neutral but friendly colour if you can have such and yes Mr Blogger owner, colour is spelt with a "u"!
The Spire Hospital near Solihull, also spelt with a "u" was quite green; from the walkways, to the room and no doubt to the operating theatre (Oh come on Mr Blogger owner, its "re" and not "er"...goes off to find the Turn this into proper English button) but by then I had given up having my eyes open and was awaiting my fate with some trepidation. Looking back I am not really sure why as apart from some minor discomfort around the main wound site, I feel okay 18 hours later.
To outline the day in detail would take many thousands of words and by then, I am sure I would have got bored writing and no doubt you would have found something much, much more interesting to do, like watch BBC Breakfast News or TOWIE.......grrrr. So, here is a condensed version.
After a few minutes wait in reception wondering what other people there were going to have done, I was taken to my private room....before you get too excited by that thought, think Travelodge room. Fully functional and comfortable but nothing else. I can't see I can argue that I needed more than I got: a bed, a couple of chairs, a telly and somewhere to have a wee.
Over the next couple of hours there were quite a few visitors each doing their bit and to an extent, asking the same questions over and over and over again. And paperwork! Blimey, I know I like paperwork doing the job I do, but there seemed to be loads of it! Saw the bloke who was going to knock me out....he thought he would outpace me over 200m if I made a run for it: I asked.....35 years ago he wouldn't have had a chance...that was before the chip years really kicked in, and then Mr Super the surgeon.
Mr Super is a nice, friendly bloke who was impressed by my pre op weight loss and said he had predicted I would do well: "you seem the sort of person to achieve a goal when set. However, there is no way you could have gone on with losing weight at that rate." He is so right! On thing about Mr Super, he is always, always in a rush it seems. Perhaps its the job as no one in the hospital seemed to have time to stop and chat.
Then at 3pm, two and a half hours after I arrived, it was the long walk to the theatre. Again I challenged the gas man to a foot race but this time he had a Dutch assistance who looked fast on her feet, so my chances of running away were further reduced! And then, 40 minutes later, it was all done.
Of all the day, Recovery was what I disliked most as I was so uncomfortable laying down but they refused to let me sit up for at least 20 minutes. Looking back I can see the reasons but it did seem so unfair at the time...stamps feet and whinges..... I did get a drink and blimey over the next few hours did I drink to try and get my fluid levels back up.
Then back to my room for observations and a quick chat with Mr Super who said I had done well on the chopping block: my liver was a lovely size and the band went on with no problems at all. Indeed, he was very pleased with my progress and expected this tool to be a great use in my battle against the lard. He did say I would be fit to go home after 7pm........
Going home after 7pm was always my plan but the nursing staff had other ideas given my pulse refused to drop down under a ton despite sitting around for a couple of hours. After seeing the Senior House Officer or whatever they are called now days, part of the problem was put down to "Green Coat Syndrome" and part due to the fact that I was still dehydrated. So, at 7.45pm I was discharged, a little against their wishes but I think they got fed up with me moaning!
The trip home was uneventful..... I did what you aren't supposed to do and made my own way home.... for me it was easier than having CBH with me for reasons I won't go into, and I arrived home by 10pm, tired but overall okay.
This morning T+1, I am still a little tired: didn't sleep brilliantly due to needing the look a few times due to the liquids taken while trying to get over dehydration needing to come out again, while I do have some discomfort from the wound site, but nothing some painkillers won't, er, kill off. Off out for a walk later and then a day in front of the telly watching the cycling.
One closing word...actually, it wasn't as bad as I thought. However, THE HARD WORK STARTS NOW!
The Spire Hospital near Solihull, also spelt with a "u" was quite green; from the walkways, to the room and no doubt to the operating theatre (Oh come on Mr Blogger owner, its "re" and not "er"...goes off to find the Turn this into proper English button) but by then I had given up having my eyes open and was awaiting my fate with some trepidation. Looking back I am not really sure why as apart from some minor discomfort around the main wound site, I feel okay 18 hours later.
To outline the day in detail would take many thousands of words and by then, I am sure I would have got bored writing and no doubt you would have found something much, much more interesting to do, like watch BBC Breakfast News or TOWIE.......grrrr. So, here is a condensed version.
After a few minutes wait in reception wondering what other people there were going to have done, I was taken to my private room....before you get too excited by that thought, think Travelodge room. Fully functional and comfortable but nothing else. I can't see I can argue that I needed more than I got: a bed, a couple of chairs, a telly and somewhere to have a wee.
Over the next couple of hours there were quite a few visitors each doing their bit and to an extent, asking the same questions over and over and over again. And paperwork! Blimey, I know I like paperwork doing the job I do, but there seemed to be loads of it! Saw the bloke who was going to knock me out....he thought he would outpace me over 200m if I made a run for it: I asked.....35 years ago he wouldn't have had a chance...that was before the chip years really kicked in, and then Mr Super the surgeon.
Mr Super is a nice, friendly bloke who was impressed by my pre op weight loss and said he had predicted I would do well: "you seem the sort of person to achieve a goal when set. However, there is no way you could have gone on with losing weight at that rate." He is so right! On thing about Mr Super, he is always, always in a rush it seems. Perhaps its the job as no one in the hospital seemed to have time to stop and chat.
Then at 3pm, two and a half hours after I arrived, it was the long walk to the theatre. Again I challenged the gas man to a foot race but this time he had a Dutch assistance who looked fast on her feet, so my chances of running away were further reduced! And then, 40 minutes later, it was all done.
Of all the day, Recovery was what I disliked most as I was so uncomfortable laying down but they refused to let me sit up for at least 20 minutes. Looking back I can see the reasons but it did seem so unfair at the time...stamps feet and whinges..... I did get a drink and blimey over the next few hours did I drink to try and get my fluid levels back up.
Then back to my room for observations and a quick chat with Mr Super who said I had done well on the chopping block: my liver was a lovely size and the band went on with no problems at all. Indeed, he was very pleased with my progress and expected this tool to be a great use in my battle against the lard. He did say I would be fit to go home after 7pm........
Going home after 7pm was always my plan but the nursing staff had other ideas given my pulse refused to drop down under a ton despite sitting around for a couple of hours. After seeing the Senior House Officer or whatever they are called now days, part of the problem was put down to "Green Coat Syndrome" and part due to the fact that I was still dehydrated. So, at 7.45pm I was discharged, a little against their wishes but I think they got fed up with me moaning!
The trip home was uneventful..... I did what you aren't supposed to do and made my own way home.... for me it was easier than having CBH with me for reasons I won't go into, and I arrived home by 10pm, tired but overall okay.
This morning T+1, I am still a little tired: didn't sleep brilliantly due to needing the look a few times due to the liquids taken while trying to get over dehydration needing to come out again, while I do have some discomfort from the wound site, but nothing some painkillers won't, er, kill off. Off out for a walk later and then a day in front of the telly watching the cycling.
One closing word...actually, it wasn't as bad as I thought. However, THE HARD WORK STARTS NOW!
Wednesday, 7 October 2015
T day.....
So here it is..".Merry Christmas, everybody's having fun...." Perhaps not but here it is, operation day; the day I have been dreading. So, how am I feeling? Well, apart from a sore throat which came on last night, okay I suppose. A bit nervous, a little tired (although I slept better than I thought I would. I did wake at 6am but that's not really Tom Jones...) and hungry! Blimey do I want some breakfast but for some reason, I am banned from eating until after this is all over. Or am I? The paperwork says so, but then says if my operation is in the afternoon I could perhaps have a light breakfast? A bit peeved with Healthier Weight as no one has been in touch about this, or from the hospital. I was expecting a call regarding admission but nothing came.
Yes, that is a bit of a moan and yes, I could phone them but given that I paid over six grand for this operation, the least I would expect would be good customer services: can't say I am impressed so far by the company. I'll explain why...first, our first meeting was booked for a Wednesday but two days previous to this, they phoned me and re-arranged it. I don't like being mucked about. Then when we arrived for the appointment after battling school run traffic (talk your bloody kids to school or they will get fat and have to have weight reduction surgery.....oh. And before you ask, I used to cycle the 2 miles each way to school every day) the surgeon was half an hour late and was quite rushed in the consultation. Then we were "forgotten" at the contract signing session: I had to go and find someone to talk to! Finally, there is the lack of pre op phone call and no call from the dietitian as I was expecting. Thus, overall, I doubt I would give the company more than a 5 out of 10. They better be good today or I won't be happy.
Moving back to today.... as well as not eating, I am supposed not to drink more than a few sips of water. You can bugger right off if you think I am starting the day without a cup of tea! I am BRITISH, we have to have tea or we dehydrate and die..... perhaps not but you know what I mean....Mum get run over by a truck...."Have a cup of tea dear." House blown up in a friendly fire incident...."Tea, yes please" Wife runs off with the milkman..... his loss (JOKING.... my loss as it means I'll have to walk to the shops now). So here is, a very small cup of black tea. I might be a rebel without a clue, but I think adding milk to it might just be a little too much rebellion for one day!
Moving on. I weighted myself this morning: 121.4kg. So, down 6.4kg since the start of the pre-op diet. That makes me 19 stone 1lb in old money, or 267lb in American. When CBH gets up, I'll ask her to measure me so we have an idea of how many inches I have lost since the pre-op diet began and how many I lose over the years to come.
Talking about years to come, the surgeon and all the books I have said say thatvictims persons with gastric bands fitted lose between 50 and 60% of their excess weight. In my case, that would be between five and six stone....unless of course they cheat and include the weight lost during the pre-op diet! While losing such weight would be great, it would still leave me being obese. Lets be honest however, I am never going to get down to my ideal weight of 10 stone 10lb maximum (or 150lb if you are that way inclined), so somewhere just inside the overweight category would suit me (sir) as a long term goal: so around 12 stone 10lb. That would give me just over 7 stone or 100lb to lose. I have no idea if that's possible, but I am going to give it one hell of a go!
So, anyway, my plans for the day are to leave here at around 9.45am, walk the 2 miles to the station and get a train to Birmingham International railway station, followed by a taxi to the hospital. Not looking forward to it all, but I am signed up now so it looks like I will have to go ahead and have it done otherwise, as my GP said two years ago... I only have five years to live before something major gives out.
Wish me luck eh, my journey to a new life starts with this single step.
Yes, that is a bit of a moan and yes, I could phone them but given that I paid over six grand for this operation, the least I would expect would be good customer services: can't say I am impressed so far by the company. I'll explain why...first, our first meeting was booked for a Wednesday but two days previous to this, they phoned me and re-arranged it. I don't like being mucked about. Then when we arrived for the appointment after battling school run traffic (talk your bloody kids to school or they will get fat and have to have weight reduction surgery.....oh. And before you ask, I used to cycle the 2 miles each way to school every day) the surgeon was half an hour late and was quite rushed in the consultation. Then we were "forgotten" at the contract signing session: I had to go and find someone to talk to! Finally, there is the lack of pre op phone call and no call from the dietitian as I was expecting. Thus, overall, I doubt I would give the company more than a 5 out of 10. They better be good today or I won't be happy.
Moving back to today.... as well as not eating, I am supposed not to drink more than a few sips of water. You can bugger right off if you think I am starting the day without a cup of tea! I am BRITISH, we have to have tea or we dehydrate and die..... perhaps not but you know what I mean....Mum get run over by a truck...."Have a cup of tea dear." House blown up in a friendly fire incident...."Tea, yes please" Wife runs off with the milkman..... his loss (JOKING.... my loss as it means I'll have to walk to the shops now). So here is, a very small cup of black tea. I might be a rebel without a clue, but I think adding milk to it might just be a little too much rebellion for one day!
Moving on. I weighted myself this morning: 121.4kg. So, down 6.4kg since the start of the pre-op diet. That makes me 19 stone 1lb in old money, or 267lb in American. When CBH gets up, I'll ask her to measure me so we have an idea of how many inches I have lost since the pre-op diet began and how many I lose over the years to come.
Talking about years to come, the surgeon and all the books I have said say that
So, anyway, my plans for the day are to leave here at around 9.45am, walk the 2 miles to the station and get a train to Birmingham International railway station, followed by a taxi to the hospital. Not looking forward to it all, but I am signed up now so it looks like I will have to go ahead and have it done otherwise, as my GP said two years ago... I only have five years to live before something major gives out.
Wish me luck eh, my journey to a new life starts with this single step.
T -1 Ian, the man chips built.
Well with one day
to go to surgery I got thinking about what made me the man I am today. Was it
chocolate: nope, hate the stuff and would happily see it banned for no other
reason that it would piss some people off (I’m like that at times!). Was it
booze? Nope again. While I can drink, I don’t as frankly the taste is normally
nasty and the headache I get after only a few slips simply isn’t worth it.
Also, its much more fun watching people get drunk and acting the fool, than you
be the fool yourself.
How about
snacking? No again, I don’t really do that. I do have a nasty habit of eating
while preparing food though, something which has been cured to a degree by CBH
taking over the cooking duties in our house after 20 years of leaving it to me.
No, my down fall
comes from chips….. yes that’s right, the MIGHTY CHIP. All hail to the deep
fried potato. Let’s worship at its feet (yes, I know they have eyes but not
feet) and raise it to the status of a god like invention.
I won’t bother
going into the history of the chip, although there was a rather good BBC 4
documentary on fish and chips a few weeks back for those who are interested,
but my history of chip eating is the subject of this post….dissolves back to
the dim and distant past……well 1973 to be exact (what do you mean you weren’t
born!!)…….
Back in the day, I
enjoyed nothing more than going to watch our local team play. Their ground, the
great and sadly missed Green Pond Road was some 10 minutes walk away from our home….10
minutes which gave me plenty of time for a post match bag of chips. My
expenditure for the evening would go like this…admission 12 ½ p, 2 ½ p for a
programme, 5p for a can of coke at half time and 5p for a bag of chips on the
way home. So, an evening entertainment for 25p…. try telling the kids now days
that you could have an evening out for five bob and they would look at you all
strange and ask who was Bob and why did you need five of them?
Moving forward a
few years, well about 10, the next incident which comes to mind was a football
trip to Yeovil. My bother Gary and I arrived at the ground on the team coach
about two hours before kick-off so headed out for something to eat…..and of
course found a chip shop in which my now late brother (he died at aged 49 after
he fell off a ladder…. Yes, his weight meant that he was unable to fight the
infections he caught in hospital….) gave a master class in chip eating
finishing off not one, but two large bags of the steaming greasy love
torpedoes…. Er, perhaps I should have worded that differently? And to top it
all off, after the match he had another two bags while we waited for the coach
home… Gary, a man for all chips.
We move forward
Dear Reader to 1994. I have moved to the West Midlands and find myself working
with the shittiest people I have ever worked with…. Thinking about it, I would
have preferred to stay working as a temp putting rubbish in a waste compactor
than working with these low life back stabbing scum. And of course, that’s
their good points. I really hated working in the office, so would take myself
off out at lunchtime and to go and sit in my car. Yes, I know it’s antisocial
but that’s how I am at times. Anyway, whilst trying to get away from my work
colleagues I made a discovery the love of which has stayed with me
since….battered chips.
Like we don’t have
“wallys” in the Midlands, I am almost completely sure you don’t get battered
chips in the South East….its such a shame and I feel for you, I really do
(actually, on my last trip home I noted the loss of many fine local chip shops
with many of them being turned into “fast food” outlets….yuk yuk and double
yuk. Perhaps I should start the “Campaign for Real Chip Shops”). How to
describe their taste is beyond my literary skills (which as you will have noted
are quite limited anyway) but let’s say I would walk a mile of two to a shop
which sold them, rather than have normal chips. That’s not to say that normal
chips aren’t worth eating but why have ordinary when you have extraordinary. To
this end, I was so pleased when King Cod opened only half a mile from here…..
they know me and my order by heart. I feel sorry for them now that I am no
longer able to buy from them; their trade is going to suffer badly.
To bring us up to
date, given my increasing weight, CBH has moved me away from fried chips, to
something she calls “oven chips.” No, not the nasty frozen over priced rubbish
you can get from Tescos etc, but to homemade ones tossed in a little oil and
some pepper and roasted in the oven. While they don’t have the fattiness of a
fried chip, they aren’t bad.
Overall therefore,
chips have made me the man I am today. By chips, I am going to miss you…sob.
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