Before and (right) after my operation
David Parish
Before I had my operation, my eating habits were very different. I remember I would always look for snacks after my main meal. If I ordered takeaways, I would always order an extra portion or two. I had tried various diets to lose weight, but this was without success. I tried diet pills and if I lost some weight, it would always go back on after I stopped taking the pills. Although people never commented on my weight to my face, I was always very aware of the stigma attached to obesity. I was very aware of my own obesity and would never let myself be photographed.
I had seen coverage in the national press about the gastric band, but it was only by chance that I noticed an advert in the local paper. The advert was rather vague, and I decided to make an enquiry. I had tried and failed at previous diets, and I felt that I could no longer carry on living a reasonable lifestyle at my weight. At over 20 stone, my weight was affecting all aspects of my life, especially my work.
I was actually unaware that surgery was available on the NHS, but I am happy to have had it done privately – the whole process from start to finish was very easy. I was referred to Mr. Fiennes at St Anthony’s by my GP, and I had to have a GP referral before I could see him. Before having the operation or any pre-operative consultations, I joined the St Anthony’s support group for a session, which I found very beneficial. I had a consultation with my surgeon, and after discussion together (about my health, eating habits, medical and personal history etc) it was decided that that best procedure for my circumstances was the sleeve gastrectomy. My main fear about going ahead with the operation was that I might not wake up from the anaesthetic, as I understood this to be a risk for overweight patients. However, Mr. Fiennes and his team are very experienced in treating overweight patients, and they use specialist equipment, so I was in safe hands. After this consultation, further arrangements were made for my operation. The month prior to the operation I started the pre-operative liquid diet, which kick-started my weight loss.
When I came around from the anaesthetic, I was in very little pain, but nevertheless glad to have it over with! Two hours after waking, I was sitting by the side of my bed and watching the football!
Following my discharge I remained under St Anthony’s care. I followed the advice of the hand out booklet and all the dietary recommendations, and the weight dropped off steadily. I had follow-up appointments with my surgeon, and I continued to attend the monthly meetings. My immediate family members have all been very supportive. Other people are interested in how I have lost so much weight. Most people just say how well I look! If I had a pound for every positive comment I have received, it would have paid for the operation!
As I lost weight after the operation, I noticed my relationship with food changed drastically, and so I lost more weight. I found the sleeve to be very unforgiving – if I ate too much, or ate something that didn’t agree with me it soon let me know, but it didn’t take long to adjust to this. I still look at the foods I used to eat, but now I know that they are not for me. I have learnt to make the right food choices to suit the sleeve – I know for example that I would not be able to manage a T-bone steak! Not only have my food choices changed, but also my portion sizes. I still enjoy what I eat, but the portion sizes are very small. I used to eat off a large dining plate, but now I just eat out of a small bowl. The only problem I would say I have encountered as a result of the operation is constipation, but I have now learnt to deal with this by keeping my intake of fluids up.
As well as the changes to my physical wellbeing, I have also noticed changes to my emotional well being. I have much more energy now, and I enjoy my hobbies much more. I spend more time outside gardening and less time asleep on the sofa! I was able to return to work within seven days of having the operation. I have had to buy a new wardrobe since the operation – but I now really appreciate being able to buy my clothes straight off the peg, something I was always too big to do previously! I have more energy, and generally much more interest in life – my day to day life is no longer governed by food. Life has just got much easier! I have also noticed much higher confidence levels – as you can see from the picture of me below. My wife is delighted at all the jobs that now get done around the house – things I didn’t have the energy for before. We go out more together, and I am no longer conscious of my weight.
Given a second chance I would have the operation again. The care I received was excellent and the team can not be faulted – I would not hesitate to recommend the operation to anyone else in the same position. A strong bond is created between the patients and the surgeon and nurse counsellors, and this bond plays a big part in the success of the operation and weight loss.
