Gastric Band patient diary
Mother of two Michelle of Nottingham reveals her gastric band diary to Gateway Health
Day of Consultation.
13th August 08
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 weight loss surgery 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.
29th August 08
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 .
2nd September 08Pretty straight forward!
Day of the gastric band surgery.
9th September 08
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
7th October – 4 weeks post surgery, I had my first clinical gastric band adjustment today.
Just an injection through the skin in the out patient's clinic.
We discussed the ‘Golden rules', the basic things that I need to learn about how the band works and how to get the most out of it. We discussed changing habits, we agreed what habits I would work on first. I went onto a liquid diet for 24 hours as advised after the band adjustment. I could tell a bit of a difference in my hunger levels after this adjustment, my portions were reduced slightly again. Again I am told as always that if I have any concerns until my next appointment in November- I am encouraged to call my Nurse.4th November – Had another band adjustment, this time I found that I needed to go onto a liquid diet for 2 days. Again I felt another reduction in my hunger levels.
Discussed and given a handout to take home on how to stabilise my blood sugar.2nd December- My 3rd band adjustment, I felt a huge difference in my appetite this time. I'm now at the ‘sweet spot', this is where I can now eat only 3 very small meals a day and not feel any hunger in between. Can't eat bread any more, switched to having my sandwiches on wraps. Discussed more elements of the support and education programme.
6th January - I don't need a band adjustment at this appointment as I'm at the ‘sweet spot.'
I'm still making lifestyle changes. Things have to be changed step by step, I'm learning new things along the way. I'm getting to grips with how the body works. I realise now how important the follow up and support and education is. I thought before I had the band that it was a quick fix. It's really not! There are psychological changes that need to be made.I've now lost 3 and a half stones! 50% of my excess weight in 4 months!!
One year on from my gastric band
It's now a year on and I couldn't be happier I never thought I would be at this place in my life again but with the help and support from gateway (Louise and Andy) and loved ones i have. The 09/09/08 was the first day of the rest of my life, my start weight was 18st 5lb and now 20/09/09 i weigh 12st 3lb. That's a hefty 6st 2lb. I can now say I am proud of myself. Throughout the year i haven't hesitated in phoning either Louise or Andy if I ever needed anything and the help was always there , I was never made to feel like I was burdening anybody. Most of all in my own head I still kinda thought for a long time I took the easy way out but was never made to feel like this. At every appointment I came away always feeling like I was floating, even on those bad months (because i think we all have 1 or 2) but every bodies words always made me feel like i was only human and to carry on the good work because look how much weight I had lost already.
Finally my children (8 and 5yrs) love their new mum. We do so much more together and not just mum on the side watching. We have just done a family fun run of 2 1/2 miles. Not only was i praising the children for finishing, inside i was ecstatic with joy at sharing the experience with them because a year ago I wouldn't have even thought about entering.
THANK YOU Gateway.
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