marie's operation diary
Read all about Marie's gastric band in Belgium...
Go to the latest entry... 7th June 2008
| Mar 2008 |
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| 28 |
I am more depressed about my weight than I can remember. There seems no deliverance from a life of yo-yo dieting and uncontrollable eating patterns. I have thought about weight loss surgery several times, but it’s so expensive and not available to me in Ireland. While browsing on the internet I have found the WLS Group and the possibility of having surgery in Belgium at half the UK price! Maybe I should make a call?
| Apr 2008 |
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| 10 |
I can’t believe it! Here I am traveling to Dublin for a consultation with Wendy, the bariatric nurse with the WLS Group. It’s only been 2 weeks since I made that life changing telephone call. I’m extremely nervous yet excited at the same time. At 51 years old, could I have finally found the solution to 25 years of battling obesity? I have chosen to have a gastric band fitted and Wendy was amazing, she made me feel at ease right away as she explained in great detail just what Gastric Banding could offer me and what I could expect if I went ahead with the surgery. She told me all about Dr Dillemans, the Surgeon in Belgium who is one of the top Weight Loss Surgeons in Europe. I left the consultation knowing the Gastric Band was my only hope to achieve a healthy, slim body. I begin my slimfast, high protein diet in preparation for surgery at the beginning of May. Wendy had explained to me that it’s really important to eat a high protein, low fat diet to help shrink the liver which makes fitting the band easier for the surgeon.
| May 2008 |
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| 5 |
My husband and I arrive in Bruges and check into our hotel. It’s beautiful and the staff are extremely friendly. I’ve already lost some weight, thanks to slimfast soups and drinks, however I know I’d never have stuck with such a diet if it weren’t for the fact that I’m having surgery. Already my mindset toward food has changed!
| May 2008 |
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| 6 |
I have my consultation with Dr Dillemans and I’m greeted by Michelle Bowater the MD of the WLS Group. Both she and Dr Dillemans are such charismatic and likeable characters that I feel totally at ease. Michelle is a fantastic ambassador for weight loss surgery having shed almost 15 stone herself. Over the next few days she proves to be such an encourager and supporter. Dr Dillemans leaves no stone unturned in explaining everything I need to know about my surgery and answers every question I have. I’m also confident about the hospital which is a large modern building.
| May 2008 |
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| 7 |
The rubber finally hits the road and after being admitted to my hospital room I’m now feeling extremely anxious. I realize that following surgery my life will never be the same again. Do I really want to take the step that will mean giving up huge plates of food, stacked so high they could feed an army? Do I really want to give up giant chunks of cake – family size packets of crisps – fish ‘n’ chips – huge steaks – boxes of chocolates blah blah blah. I find my mind is consumed with thoughts of food, the first I’ve experienced such a mental attack since my weight loss surgery journey began. However, I hold tight and soon I’m being wheeled down to theatre and a NEW LIFE!
| May 2008 |
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| 8 |
I can’t begin to describe how sore I feel. I have acute heartburn that takes my breath away and I’m wondering if I’ve made the right decision. The anesthetic is also taking quite a while to leave my system and I have terrible pains in my shoulder due to trapped gas. It’s only been 24 hours since my surgery but I’m being discharged from hospital to recuperate in my hotel room which is the normal procedure. My hospital care has been second to none but I’m feeling absolutely wretched and my husband is really concerned about me.
| May 2008 |
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| 9 |
Michelle is concerned about my heartburn and has Dr Dilleman ring me at the hotel. He assures me this is quite normal and suggest I take some indigestion medication such as Gaviscon. Thankfully my husband never travels without gaviscon tablets and in a short space of time the pain is relieved and I can’t believe how good I begin to feel. Just 48hrs after surgery a private nurse comes to my room to change my dressings and then I’m up and about site-seeing in Bruges. I cannot believe the difference 24hrs make. I can only eat fluids for 3 weeks, but to be honest I don’t really feel like eating anything at the moment. I’m quite happy to drink lots of water and the occasional slimfast drink.
| May 2008 |
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| 28 |
I’ve survived three weeks of soup and slimfast and today’s the big day when I can have something soft to eat. YEAH! Pasta never tasted so good lol!!
| Jun 2008 |
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| 4 |
Exactly 4 weeks since surgery my doctor looks at me walking into his
surgery and says he can hardly recognize me! He is delighted with
how tiny my scars are and in his words says ‘it’s a very neat job’!
I’m feeling absolutely fantastic and can really feel my weight loss.
The doctor asks me to get on his scales and announces that I’ve lost
10 kilos since my surgery day! That over 1½ stone in four weeks.
Unbelievable! Add to that the pounds I dropped before surgery, I
reckon I’ve lost around 30lbs in total in 2 months. I surprise
myself every day with how focused I am and how much my mindset has
changed. My initial weight loss is incredible given that I haven’t
had my band adjusted yet. What will my weight loss be like when I
have greater restriction in what I can eat?
I’m feeling quite the crusader for weight loss surgery and if it was
acceptable behaviour I would grab hold of every obese person I see
and urge them to have surgery! Irrespective of the difference in
cost, I would encourage patients to have their surgery in Belgium
because Dr Dillemans is just amazing and the hospital care second to
none.
| Jun 2008 |
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| 7 |
My appetite is growing and I’m really keen to have my first adjustment which is scheduled for June 17th. I know I have to be very careful over the next 10 days because as I feel hungrier I’m tempted to push the boundaries with my portion sizes. Thank God for a great husband who’s supporting me all the way and keeping a close eye on me. He’s really thrilled with my weight loss and has lost over a stone himself as a result of eating smaller portions as well.
