Gastric Band patient diary

Mother of two Michelle of Nottingham reveals her gastric band diary to Gateway Health

Day of Consultation.
13 th August 09
I went to the consultation with my Mum, I had written down lots of questions I wanted to ask.

The appointment took more than an hour. Everything was explained to me clearly, everything I needed to know about the surgery and what would happen afterwards and it was explained about how important the aftercare and follow up is.

I left the hospital feeling happy and confident that I knew all I needed to know, I was given a contact number to call in case I thought of anything else I wanted to ask before the day of surgery. Worried about pre band diet!

Started the pre-band diet.
29 th August 09
This was definitely the worst bit about having a gastric band!

I stuck to it as I knew it was important to shrink my liver prior to surgery, I also knew it wasn’t going to last forever, not like other diets, there was an end to it! 

Pre-assessment at the hospital .
2 nd September 09:

 Pretty straight forward!

Day of the gastric band surgery.
9 th September 09:
Pretty exciting but scary as it went through my mind that I was being selfish, I thought about my two children and what would happen if something went wrong during the surgery.

My surgeon is one of the most experienced bariatric surgeons in the UK, but I suppose it’s natural to worry. On the other hand I knew that losing weight would greatly improve my children’s quality of life.

After the gastric band surgery:  

Day 1:

‘What have I done!’ My stomach muscles are sore, hope this doesn’t last much longer.

Day 2:

In some pain still, but not half as much as yesterday. I’m up and moving around.

Day 3:

Up and around as normal, walked the kids to school.

I have been very pleasantly surprised at the thoroughness of my follow up, I’ve been contacted and checked on so many times! I can call my nurse at any time.

During the next four weeks I followed the dietary advice, I graduated from liquid food to solids. Following the ‘Golden Rules’ as explained to me. I kept in regular contact with my specialist nurse and rang if I had any questions.

• Gateway Health weight loss progamme
  
• Gastric band
  
• Gastric Balloon