8 Months Surgiversary and Stats

It has been a busy few months - we have been helping the mother-n-law sell her house and buy a smaller property, we moved into a rental cottage about 30 mins west of London, and I had a few months contracting up in Manchester which kept me away from home.

I have not been to the gym as much as possible (ok at all) but I have been walking a lot.

We are now settled into the new house, and the sell/buy for the MIL will be complete in less than a month - so life is getting calmer.

Yesterday was my eight-month surgiversary - it was also ten years since I met the Hussyband, so we have a double celebration by going out to dinner. I managed most of a starter and stole a few bites of his pudding - a lush raspberry mousse.

I have been stalled almost constantly since we moved house - alternating between 111-113kgs for the last eight weeks. To say it has been frustrating has been an understatement. I have been constipated - lots - even though hitting my liquid requirements. I am adding in fibre supplements to try and fix this as I really hate Dulcolax which I have been taking once a week just to clear the pipes (funny story, popped two the other day and the plumber - a real one - finally showed up to fix the loo just as they kicked in....OOPS!)

A bad chest infection in April which resulted in ten days of antibiotics and steroids did not help matters either.

This morning I broke the stall, for how long I do not know, and hit 109.8kgs - first time I have been below 110kgs since about 1998.

In terms of measurements, I am still seeing shrinkage on the tape measure - 12cm off the hips and another 7cm off my waist since Feb. It is also becoming evident in my clothes - I am now wearing a size 14-16 dress depending on the cut/fabric (I do prefer 50's style dresses) and thankfully the boobs have stopped shrinking with them firmly planted at the moment as 36D.

There have been a lot of shopping expeditions of late - new bras, knickers and lots of new dresses, I should be right now for the next six months or so, and everything I have bought will be able to be taken in for next year (I am being careful about getting classic styles/shapes that are tailorable - getting a new wardrobe is almost as expensive as the surgery! Well, not quite.

Other than constipation I am not noticing much in the way of bad side effects. The hair loss has slowed back to normal levels, and there are days I still get exhausted and fall asleep early (who doesn't?) The only thing that is niggling me at the moment is a pulling feeling on the right side of my belly about 2 inches above the belly button - not sure if it is muscular or something internal but will touch base with the surgeon again soon and get him to check it out.

There is a lot of loose skin on my upper arms and belly now, which is annoying me, and hotter days is quite uncomfortable. I find the flapping noise most disconcerting when I exercise (the main reason I haven't been to the gym as much of late).

Stall aside I am still on track. I have lost over half of what I want to lose in the first eight months since surgery - aiming for around 80kgs - 30kgs to go! Doctors say you lose 50% in the first 6-8 months, 20% in the next six months, then the final 30% can take another 18 months.

Will take pictures again soon that are not selfies I promise!

Facts and Figures - 5 Months Surgiversary

It has been a crazy two months since Christmas. Freelance work dried up as expected in January/February - and I have made the decision to go back into full-time work (I hate interviewing!) We are moving house in four weeks to Twyford (between Reading and Maidenhead, UK) so I have been house hunting for us, house hunting for my mother in law who is going to move into a much smaller place in West London, and helping her get this house on the market.

Oh, and I joined the gym. I made the painful decision not to go back to my beloved PT, as the gym he has moved to doesn't have a pool, and is (to be honest) kind of grotty. So I rejoined Virgin Active and been alternating between a few of their branches, concentrating on Booty Barre (a mix of ballet, pilates and yoga), swimming, aquaerobics and the gym floor where my program is mainly consisting of me not looking like a fool (rowing, treadmill, kettlebells, TRX and upper body weights).

I spent most of January stalled. Not a little stall. A big stall. The needle did not move on the scales from the second week of January until last weekend. I was seeing a difference in clothes, yay. But nothing on the evil machine. Yes yes, stalls are normal. But dammit, I am still allowed to hate them. I adjusted my calorie intake up an extra 100-200 calories and things seem to be moving again.

I am meeting my liquid targets of 2-3 litres of water a day. Some days are easier than others. Why was it so easy to drink a bottle of wine with dinner six months ago, but getting in 750 ml of water before lunch such a struggle?!?!?!?

Energy levels are good - if I do a double session at the gym I tend to crash early (or have an afternoon nap - oh the joys of the under-employed).

So the stats. This week was  five months since surgery, I had hoped to have lost more by now, but according to NOSC I am still ahead of the curve, and everyone loses at a different speed (yeah yeah - so sick of hearing that one, it is on par with "sip sip sip"). Hopefully, once we move and I go back to cooking everything from scratch again I will see more consistent results.

Height: 5'10" (nope, still haven't gotten any shorter)
Weight: 118.4 kg/261 lbs (a loss so far of 28.3 kg/62.4 lbs) 

Measurements: A total of 86 cms so far. The most noticeable being 28 cms off my hips. My boobs have shrunk (sob) but it hasn't been too bad, the majority of the shrinkage has been across my back, and I have gone from a 38DD to a 36C. The plus side of going to a C-cup means I can buy cheap bras from Primark for the first time ever! And they still have a great shape (my boobs that is). I am finding that whilst I am not losing a lot of cms on my arms, the skin is a LOT looser - future plastic surgery there I predict!

Foods I have loved this month: Prawns (that won't change - the ultimate post-gym lunch), Whipped Philadelphia Cream Cheese with Garlic and Chives, Burrata with roasted pumpkin, confit egg yolk and pine nuts (Charlottes W5), fresh mint tea (my go-to for getting in ridiculous amounts of water), Potted Mackeral (Hare and Hounds), and Microwave Poached Eggs - perfect eggy goodness in 90 seconds.

The joy of moving - I will be creating recipes again this time next month. I miss cooking. Almost as much as I miss being able to run around the house naked! Almost. 

Facts and Figures - 12 Week Stats

Seasons Greetings Festive People!

What a crazy year it has been....contracts all over the country, singing on stage, this surgery, and another year with my beloved, all gone by in the blink of an eye.

The last few weeks have included closing two bids, a week in Cornwall with a friend from Oz and her squidget, a week soaking up the sun in St Lucia (god I needed some sun this year!) and now Xmas is upon us, and we are readying for a week in Scotland in a secluded cottage, just the two of us,

Food consumption has been good, getting most of my liquid targets, and whilst I haven't started at the gym yet, I have been walking a lot (usually lugging a heavy backpack!)

So onto the nitty gritty...

Height: 5'10" (this really will never change!)
Weight: 125.1kg/275lbs (a loss so far of 21.6kg/47.6lbs) - I got a bit excited earlier this week thinking I had hit the 50lbs mark, but I just can't count!

Stats: A total of 69.5cm lost since surgery. 

	15-Sep-15	01-Nov-15	19-Dec-15
Arm Left	46	44	42.5
Arm Right	44	44	42
Calf Left	56	55	54
Calf Right	57	54	52
Thigh Left	89	84	80
Thigh Right	86	80	77
Bust	116	112	108
Natural Waist	109	105	102
Hips	160	148	136

I Almost Forgot....6 Weeks Post Op Pics!

My beloved is up and I have made him take pics. So here we go, six weeks post-op pics...can you see a difference?

Facts and Figures - 6 Week Stats

Morning Ladies and Gents,

Sorry I have been so quiet of late - not much to say. I get up, schlepp into London, work, schlepp home, eat, sleep and repeat. Bleurgh.

I have been stalled for the last two and a half week, not getting enough water, and not enough fibre has meant I have been seriously constipated. As a result my body has gone into starvation mode. I think I have managed to address that the last few days - been getting my two litres of liquids last three days, and have stopped having a protein bar for breakfast on the Tube (gone back to Weetbix). Movement has returned on both the scales and my bowels (thank fuck!)

Last weekend we went to Bath for a belated birthdaversary (my 44th birthday and our 8th wedding anniversary were on the 13th of October). I caught up with a school friend who I have not seen for...well, a lot of years. And it was great to spend time (albeit too short) with her and her partner. Gerry and I had lots of soaking time in hot baths, massages for him and facials and manicures for me.

But we are not here today to talk about what I have been up to. Today is all about the stats...so without further ado.....

Height: 5'10" - well that should not, and has not changed!

Weight: 134kgs (295lbs) - so far I have lost 12.7kgs (28lbs)

Measurements: I have lost 34cms in total from various body parts. I see a distinct difference in my face, neck and boobs - I would say that I have dropped a cup size, and am now on the last hook on my bras. Also see a difference in my ankles - my winter ankle boots sit nicer. I think I am losing from the top and tail - everything is squeezing into my bottom! cms gone from the hips which is AWESOME.

My energy levels have been low, but I am getting through. sleeping like a log. I am managing to eat a quarter to half a cup of food at lunch and dinner...will add half a protein bar in  on the Tube home in the afternoons to see if I can keep my protein high, whilst not going overboard on calories. I am also finding a pint of milk a day helps both in getting my liquids in and not letting my calories drop too low.

Some foods are easier to eat than others, and I find I am getting sick of smoked salmon. But will post later this week on foods.

Stay well peeps - this tool is a journey, and the road is long and twisty with hills and valleys.

Level Up - Phase 1 Complete

Sorry for the radio silence - settling into a new job left little energy for anything else the last week.

Thank god Phase 1is over. I feel like I need a gold crown and an animated facsimile of myself jumping up and down to celebrate.

Phase 1 was hard. The first three weeks post-op were liquids and purees the consistency of custard. For excitement, I could have chocolate mousse made with skim milk - whohoooo. I am so rock and roll baby.

Things that got me through Phase 1 included:

• Nutribullet - for turning chunky soups into smooth ones
• Set of scales for measuring food
• Measuring jug for liquids
• Measuring spoons - tablespoons were my most used, but I found the smallest measuring spoon was perfect for eating with the first week!
• Small/Medium plastic storage containers (for example breakfast was generally three tablespoons of Weetbix - I would squash two to three Weetbix up in a tub at a time, that lasts me just over a week, in the storage tub I keep a small 1 tablespoon measure so I don't have to go hunting,)

If you are UK based, the following foods will help give you some variety:

• Tesco Diet Chocolate Mousse (3 tablespoons was about 2/3 of a tub)
• Tesco Crab Pate (also the Smoked Salmon or the Mackeral) - half a container was one meal
• Ambrosia My Mini Custard - perfect serving size!
• John West Infusions Tuna - the chilli and garlic is best, half a tub plus a small dollop of cream cheese and a squirt of lemon or yuzu juice was amazing - throw it all together in a mini blender and pulse until smooth
• Lighter Life ready to drink shakes from SuperDrug - they give you 20g of protein per serve, perfect for drinking on your way to work for breakfast.

Foods that anyone would find useful that are generic:

• Miso soup - packets of instant miso, make as directed and just don't eat the chunky bits
• Flavoured Teas - I have been, and continue to, struggle with getting my 2 litres of liquids a day. Flavoured teas help. My current stash has all sorts of stuff - jasmine green tea, mixed berries, apple and mint.
• Speaking of Mint. Fresh mint, leaves only steeped in hot water. You can drink it hot, cold, luke warm. You can gargle it, You can even wash your face in it. It is fabulous, great for the inevitable gas that lurks like an unwanted guest at the end of a party.

So, now onto Phase 2. Adding texture, slowly increasing portion sizes and flavours.

Peeking Through A Keyhole

Most doctors now do gastric sleeves through keyholes - it is far less invasive and quicker to heal (and hurts a hell of a lot less!)

I was lucky - I had four keyholes, one of which was tiny, the other three have 4-5 staples sealing each, together with surgical glue.

Most people have between three and five keyholes, some a few more if they are also having their gall bladder removed or hernias fixed.

Fixings vary - from staples, dissolvable stitches, glue and steri-strips - you could have just one, or a combination deal, all depending on the tastes of your surgeon.

I was lucky - I had four keyholes, one of which was tiny, the other three have 4-5 staples sealing each, together with surgical glue. I have hardly any bruising, which makes me very grateful to my surgeon.

Yesterday I had the staples removed - it was quick and except for a few bits where the healing skin had caught, painless, and the little bit of pain was just a pinch. So don't worry.

Now I pushed myself yesterday, I went to a meeting with a client at 8am in town. That meant taking the Tube. In peak hour. My worst nightmare. Walked about a mile to get between stations office and home. Then I walked to the doctors - about another mile round trip. By the time I got home, I was knackered and had a little nap.

When I woke up I checked my stationery-less stomach and noticed that two of the keyholes the skin had split from each other again - well, not so much because the skin split, but the surgical glue did. I am now repatched with steri-strips and waterproof patches for another few days (all these years of having a Senior First Aid certificate have come in handy!)

Spoke to my GP, it is totally normal and I don't need to freak out. Just need to take it easy for a few more days.

On the plus side....being on a moving jolting train was like being burped - I let out a ton of gas yesterday!

Self Love

Ha - tricked ya! This is not a post about masturbation - it is about pampering yourself post-op. You lot really do have filthy minds.

In the last few days I have felt more like my "normal" self. This has been helped by doing little things to cheer myself up and pamper my poor battered body.

I have given myself a lovely manicure so that my fingernail are bright happy pink, gotten a massage and pedicure, and used nice smelling Body Shop products to moisturise my skin (well the skin that I can reach that is!)

Now, these just sound like nice things to do, but they have added benefits.

The massage and pedicure helped to ease my gas pain - I could actually hear the air escaping and it eased the muscles that are tense from sleeping strangely and from surgery. Additionally it helps general circulation, especially when you are not moving much yet.

The Body Shop coconut butters hydrate the skin, as I am struggling to get my 2 litres of water in still, and the oils in them soothe the soul (I do love jasmine).

If you have just had surgery, you feel bleurgh - it is good to do little things for yourself in this first week or so to pep yourself up a bit, and they are things that you can control.

Hell, it is good to pamper yourself any time - why should we need an excuse!

Timing Is Everything

As part of my post-op routine, you have to aim to drink 2 litres of water a day I am struggling to do this, as you are not allowed to drink for 30mins pre- and post meals, as well as no drinking WHILE you eat...and some "meals" can take me 30-60mins to get down!  Did I mention I am having to do six small meals a day*? Urgh.

When all you can do is sip sip bloody sip, it really is a struggle.

Timelines seem to work, and I am using my alarm to prompt me to sip away. An example is what today is planned out to be...

0800 - 0830: Breakfast - 3 tablespoons of Weetabix mixed runny

0830 - 0900: No liquids allowed

0900 - 1015: Liquids

1015 - 1045: No liquids allowed (took a shower - bliss)

1045 - 1130: Snack - 200mls of semi-skim milk sipped

1130 - 1200: No liquids allowed

1200 - 1330: Liquids

1330 - 1400: No liquids allowed

1400 - 1500: Lunch - 330m Lighter Life meal replacement shake

1500 - 1530: No liquids allowed

1530 - 1700: Liquids

1700 - 1730: No liquids allowed

1730 - 1745: Snack - 3 tablespoons of low fat runny custard

1745 - 1815: No liquids allowed

1815 - 1900: Liquids

1900 - 1930: No liquids allowed

1930 - 2030: Dinner -  Lighter Life meal replacement shake or soup

2030 - 2100: No liquids allowed

2100 - 2130: Liquids

2130 - 2200: No liquids allowed

2200 - 2230: Supper -  3 tablespoons of pureed peaches

SLEEP

This is bloody exhausting! Would write more, but my alarm wont shut up.

* Note: One meal is 2-3 tablespoons of puree, or 200mls of soup or a meal replacement shake.

Post Op

Well, it is done.

Surgery was put back a few hours, so I didn't actually get to the theatre until about 6pm on Thursday night. The surgeon was happy with how it went and I was home less than 24 hours after arriving at the hospital.

Post Op - I am gassy, tired and achy. No really bad pain since coming home, I have taken one soluble paracetamol the first night, and one anti-nausea, other than that not needed anything pain wise. Minimal bruising as well.

I am having daily Clexane injections by my beloved (he has gotten good at that over the years!), and wearing my stockings, walking as much as possible, and I even managed a shower at the neighbours (as I need a walk-in shower for a few weeks rather than the one in our bath).

I am slowly getting protein in, and my liquid consumption is increasing daily - still not at the 2 litres a day, but only a few days away from hitting and maintaining that goal.

Taking it easy, resting lots and will be back on my feet in no time.

Whoever said weight loss surgery is the easy way out though has obviously never HAD weight loss surgery!

Bone Broth - It's Just Stock For Fuck Sake

So there is a huge furor over the last year or so about Bone Broth being the next big thing in healthy eating. As part of my pre- and post-op diet I have to drink clear liquids - water, tea, broth.

Let me get this straight. There is NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BONE BROTH AND STOCK. Yes, this may get me stoned by some hipster gods and goddesses, but come on, I am an Aussie, and I call a spade a fucking shovel.

I am doing a mixture of store bought clear soups/stocks as well as making a batch a week each of chicken and beef stocks. It is dead simple, especially if like me you use a slow cooker as you can just bung it all in and forget about it for 24 hours.

Hint: Make friends with your local butcher - especially if he breaks down his carcasses (not all do these days) - they will be free or very cheap.

Ingredients:

• 2-3 kgs of beef bones (or 2 chicken carcasses) - Note: the beef ones I like to roast them for an hour or so at 180 degrees to get some colour into them which brings a bit of depth to the stock - Oh, and you can also use lamb/mutton for variety, or a mix
• 1 large onion, roughly chopped
• 2 leeks, white part only, roughly chopped
• 2 carrots, roughly chopped
• 2 celery stalks, roughly chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, bashed and peeled
• A splash of apple cider vinegar (optional - but it helps break the bones down)
• Water
• Salt and pepper, to season to taste as you go

Bung all the ingredients into your slow cooker, or a stock pot, and cover with water - ideally about 2 inches above the bones. Turn it on high (slow cooker) and then go and have a life for 24 hours. Seriously, you don't NEED to touch it. You can skim the foam from it every so often if you want, but it isn't essential. If doing it on the stove, bring to the boil, then turn it down to a simmer and treat it with the same indifference for 12-24 hours.

Allow to cool fully before straining through a fine mesh sieve, or a thicker colander lined with muslin, throwing out all the bits. Season to taste and refrigerate. Once it has cooled, remove the solid fats from the top of the bowl.

You can keep the stock in the fridge for up to 3 days, or a couple of months if you portion it up and freeze it like I am doing. I am portioning in 1 litre lots but go for whatever works best for you.

The plus side of this is that when I can move onto thin soups (strange how that thought excites me!) I will have a ready stash of good home-made stock as my base to ensure healthy nutrient and protein rich meals.

Tell me my friends, what are your favorite soups?