Choosing My Package.

Hello friends.  I thought I would tell you about how I started on my journey to choose a surgeon and company to help me with my Weight Loss Surgery.

If any of you know me then you know I take for ever to make a choice and then once my mind is made up I commit.  The joys of being a Libra - looking at both sides always.

I knew I wanted to choose from three companies.  I did not want to delve in to who is cheaper than who.  What I searched for is who is going to care for me the most.  Who is going to offer me the best packages for aftercare.  I searched relentlessly online, back and forth from site to site.  I made a few telephone calls.  I joined the WLS forum and scanned over the forums before I decided to  join in.  I was on youtube, I read articles.  So in preparation and I don't think that we are really ever prepared, I did a lot of paper research before I started to reach out and ask questions.  I never went to my own Doctor as past negative experiences I made a choice and did it my way * Bursts into song*

I picked my three companies

• The Hospital Group - Mr M Richardson - Spire Parkway.  Solihull
• Ramsey Health  -  Mr N V Jayanthi - Springfield Hospital.  Chelmsford
• Spire Health - Mr Mannur - Hartswood Hospital. Brentwood

I whittled it down to these choices.  I had been researching over a month or so, going back and forth between hospitals.  Below is a brief summary of pro's and con's.

The Hospital Group - Mr M Richardson - Spire Parkway.  Solihull

Pro's.

• Very nice clinic
• Very professional
• Clean and modern
• Reception area welcoming
• Staff very happy to help
• Consultant spent time explaining pro's and con's of the operation
• Consultant spent time answering any questions
• Consultant was very honest about my health and weight
• Patient Adviser, professional yet explained on a level I understood
• Lots of time spent going over all the pro's and con's
• Not pressured in to making a decision on the spot
• Given lots of information to mull over in my own time
• Given contact number for any further advice
• Free consultation, with no obligation
• Felt like I was the only patient they ever had

Con's

• Nearest clinic is in London
• Surgery to take place in Solihull

Ramsey Health  -  Mr N V Jayanthi - Springfield Hospital.  Chelmsford

Pro's.

• Nearest clinic Essex
• Surgery Essex
• Consultant spent time explaining pro's and con's of the operation
• Consultant spent time answering any questions
• Consultant was very honest about my health and weight

Con's

• Clinic also dealt with NHS Patients
• Felt like a Sheep
• No personal care
• £200 consultation fee
• No written information
• Appointment - I was 40 minutes late - they couldn't even find me on the system because the secretary never booked me in.
• Consultant focused more on the fact I might spring a leak or even die
• Consultant wanted me to go back for another consultation (£200)
• NHS Nurses were busy and forgot I was there
• Rushed appointment
• For any information I had to call the secretary.
• Questioned if he could deal with someone my size as I felt like he was continually covering his arse.

I got to this point before I even went in to see the consultant I had decided I am not going with Ramsey and decided to go with the Hospital Group.  Maybe it was a bit rash but it felt right for me and after much thought I called Rachel.  I am lucky I can go private and have a choice, if I were going NHS then I would have no choice.

So I am super happy with The Hospital Group.  Rachel the Patient Adviser has been my little angel.  Any questions she is there answering for me. I call or email and she is answering as soon as she can.  Yes I am a paying patient and yes for the money I am handing over I should be treated like a queen.  But still regardless of all that I actually feel fabulous and comfortable and relaxed.  I liked Mr Richardson, I love Rachel and you know the whole experience for me was professional from the initial telephone call and even now.

Waiting on the Dietitian to call tomorrow - will have more news to share.

See you on the flip side xx

When we need a little help.

I touched on this briefly when I was telling My Story.  But I knew I wanted to come back and really look in to this.  Even if it is to get off my chest.  Have a look at the estimated stats below.

In the UK there are approximately:

• 1.6 Million have an eating disorder
• 1.1 Million - 2.7 Million people are addicted to or using drugs
• 1.4 Million people are alcohol dependent 
• 9 Million People smoke cigarettes
• 2.7 Million People are smoking e-cigarettes
• 500,00 People contracted an STi
• 24.9% of the population are obese

So a few facts a figures for you to mull over.  All of the above can be fatal.  All of the above are self-inflicted - maybe mental illnesses - maybe addictions, whatever they are to the individual, if any of these individuals do not get help they all can be life threatening.  

So why is is when it comes to getting help from the NHS you have to turn in to a performing monkey and start having to jump through hoops?  Yes the NHS run lots of campaigns for these different disorders but are they really addressing the actual problems, which I believe stem from society and lack of education.

The Government campaigned hard to combat smoking.  It was hugely successful  and it has been a whole different game out there in society.  Smoking is not socially acceptable.  How did they change people's mindsets?  What did they do?  They re-educated the people with scare tactics and brutally true information.  They offered cessation to smokers, every surgery is swamped with literature about the effects of smoking and smoking related diseases.  They banned advertisement for any smoking products. They banned smoking from social places, such as work places, pubs, hotels, restaurants etc.  They have put taxes up on cigarettes so they are hardly affordable.  I can see in my lifetime that smoking will become obsolete as each year less and less of the UK population are smoking.  Brilliant, why can't they do the same with Alcohol and Sugar? (Drugs are tricky as there is no control of the substances as a majority of drug related addiction is illegal)  So OK the STi campaigns come and go depending on the most popular STi.  Alcohol campaigns are only usually around the Christmas period.  Where are the drug campaigns, the eating disorder campaigns???  Some are just forgotten.  

I don't know! 

I can remember when I was a youn'un I had road safety shoved down my throat when I was a kid.  The Green Cross Code Man and Tufty made us aware.   There they were popping up during peak time advertising.   Children's safety adverts about strangers etc.  Yes by the time were were 11 and going off in to secondary school we were sick to the back teeth of it.   But we were aware, and very steet wise.  So why not bring back the awareness campaigns having age approprate campaigns at the cinema's, on video games, in magazines on the Poster Boards, I mean where have they gone, you don't see them really.   Pubs to close during the day or not be able to serve alcohol.  Sugar taxes for consumers.  The list can go on, couldn't it.  As a society we have the tools to obtain safe advice on how to get help for different treatments.  Hmmm!! I think more campaigns.  We are living in an impatient world where information has to be given freely.  Why is help limited. All boils down to the same thing MONEY!!!!!!!  Whats my point here?  Well look at this:

• Eating Disorders and related treatments costs the NHS £1.26 Billion (2016)
• Drug Addiction costs the NHS £15.4 Billion 
• Alcohol Addiction and related treatments costs the NHS  £21 Billion
• Smoking Cessation Services and related treatments costs the NHS  £5.5 Billion
• 2.7 Million People are smoking e-cigarettes - not yet known
• 500,00 People contracted an STi and related treatments costs the NHS 11.4 Billion
• Obesity costs the NHS between £6 - £8 Billion each year (2015)
  
  (All figures are rough cut from the internet)

That is a heck of a lot of money.  And that's only information what I swiped from the internet.  I suspect the spending is a lot more.  Isn't prevention better than cure?  But if there were no taxes being taken from cigarettes or alcohol where is the money coming from?  I feel like I have uncovered a government conspiracy. 

What I really want to talk about is obesity.  After all this is why I am here.  Would have I become morbidly obese if I had the help I needed 30 years ago?  I think no or I maybe would be a little overweight.  I think the information we needed was in front of us all the time.  But as with everything it is swept under the carpet.  Why was I not listened to, I was told to stop eating the junk.  UMMMMM If it as that easy why would I go to my GP?  Why was I pushed aside as if I deserved to be fat?  Like eating fruit and veg was the answer.  well of course not it ran much deeper than that.  I should have been asked if I wanted to speak to a councillor or be referred to a dietitian who could have helped me, explained to me what the sugars and fat are doing to my body.  Re-educate me on eating healthy, why I needed carbs and proteins and what they do for you.  Yes I think so.  

As you may know I work in a secondary school with students who range from 11 - 19.  It's sad to see how many of these students, both girls and boys are struggling with weight issues and subsequently, their self-esteem, confidence, self image and self worth.  It's even sadder to see how we cant properly address it because of government guidelines.  A bowl or cup of fruit in the canteen area is hardly introducing healthy eating or even promoting healthy eating in schools.   

Maybe my concerns are wrong?  Is there too much of a choice these days?  The town I live is not very big and yet there are so many food places to eat.  It's teeming with food places and not any of them offering a healthy option.  

Maybe because I am embarking on a new path that my eyes have been opened to all what I knew and now I am thinking normally, instead of ignoring what little information there has been who knows why I am thinking differently.  I think I have made my point.  

I am hoping this is not a negative post but more of a post for you to go forth and make your opinion known.  

All it takes is one person to change the world..

See you on the flip side xx

The Real Question...

Start Weight: 26st.3lb |166.8kg |368lbs (Approx)

Measurements: Bust - 61in | Waist - 57in | Hips - 64 |
BMI 55

Goodness me!! When you put it like this.  That is a whole lot of me and three other people.  I am not even going to ask how I got here, I know the answer to that.  The real question I need to ask is why did I let myself get here?  What a wake up for me!  Now I could spend hours beating myself up about this.  I must say I am disgusted and embarrassed. I am also going to move on.  I am at a place in my life where I can let go of things that have impacted me over there years and this journey is going to be the best one yet.  But before I go getting all positive, I wanted to share with you guys how ill I look.  My skin is harbouring a dirty yellow colour.  That is not me, I used to glow.  I don't like what I see.

So let us find the positive and look at the happier side of the coin.

 Old me

• Dishonest with my eating habits
• The mirror telling me I am beautiful and look good
• Out of control with my eating habits

Crikey! When I say I am true to myself, what a big fat liar I really am.  I am lying to myself all the time, telling myself 'this wont hurt'  When actually its killing me slowly.

New Me:

• Telling myself the truth and being completely honest
• Not listening to the mirror.  Weight loss will make me feel great.  Even so I need to get to my ideal BMi.
• Controlling my eating

I mean lets face it there is a lot more going on here than I would admit.  I have a seriously negative relationship with food.  I am not seeing it as a fuel, I am seeing it as a treat.  Maybe that was a thing from when I was a kid?  There wasn't a lot of money around and sweets, cakes and chocolates were not on the top of the list.  However,  mum would treat me every now and then.  I would have a 10 pence mix.  In the old days 10p was a huge amount of money.  For 10p I could get:

1. 5p pack of crisps
2. 4 mojo's for a 1p
3. 2 strawberry laces 1p
4. 2 chocolate sticks 1p
5. 4 flying saucers 1p
6. 2 milk bottles 1/2p
7. 2 cola bottles 1/2p

And that would get you a huge bag of sweets and you could swap the crisps for an ice pole in the summer.  I wouldn't make these last though.  I would gobble them all down and not share at all.  Was I greedy? Was I selfish?  I don't know but thinking about it now I think it was because I couldn't save anything for later.

Anyhoo I did develop horrible habits when I was young.  I think it was a control thing.  The point is that I am going to be in control.  I need to be to make this work and I am going to have to learn to control my eating habits, my portion sizes.  This is my second chance.  If I blow it, I am but a fool.

Catch you on the flip side x

What clothing I am taking..

Good evening friends.  Last night we had a wonderful rolling storm.  The flashy forked lightning did take me back to the early 90's when raving was new and hot on the scene.  Ahhhh those were the good old days, when you could dance all night and sleep all day.

Today I started my hospital checklist.  I am stupidly, obsessively organised and like to prepare, so I thought I would share what I am doing, maybe it will give you some idea's or maybe not.  I want my hospital stay to be as comfortable as possible.   First thing I took in to consideration the weather.  I am a hot blooded gal and I get very hot very quickly.  So light weight is a must for me, not forgetting that I will be wearing those man luring sexy surgical stocking numbers.  (I'm sure Keanu would go for them!)  So NO long legged nightwear that gets all wrapped round your legs like an octopus on heat.  I also know that I will need to be comfy around my mid-waist so I want fabric that is going to work with me, and that is jersey cotton.  It's cool light weight and stretches with me when I fidget, and I fidget a lot. Also, I will probably will be getting my tummy out for all and sundry due to checks on the wounds (where they will put the laparoscopic thingys)

2 Nights - at Spires Parkway Solihull

Nightwear

• 2 x Shortie Pyjama's.  Loose waist, jersey cotton, easy access to mid section for wound checking + cool for adorning sexy surgical stockings
• 1 x Dressing Gown, lightweight cotton a good cover up for the walk of your life
• Socks - My feet can become like blocks of ice.
• Slippers for skipping round the corridors Post Op.

I am dressed for comfy and dignified few days of on and off sleeping and recovering. 

The Basics

• 2 x Bra's
• 3 x Knicky noo knack, a spare just in case.
• Leggings for the journey home 
• Comfortable top for the journey home

That is all the clothing I am taking.  I am not over packing.  I am trying to be as mini as I can.  You know what happens, you pack everything and then only use a toothbrush.

So I will be back for more packing tips for toiletries, this is my nemesis, I know already I will over pack.  I am not going to be sucked in.   AH HA! NOT I!! No Sirree I am going to be minimal...

See you on the flip side x

This is it

Hello all how are you?   Welcome to my new bloglet.  I hope that through my journey, trials and tribulations you will be able to find some positive inspiration, so you too can go forth and be a happy, healthy, beautiful you.

Do you like my title?  Its a bit tongue in cheek.  You know how it goes, you spend years dieting feeling like what you are eating would barely keep a bird alive and it's no wonder one can't keep it up.  I am that one.

So this blog is totally dedicated to my journey.  I will be travelling back in time and also forward, but mostly the present.  I do hope to get some video diaries in too.

But for now you have to put up with my appalling spelling and grammar.

I decided to document my journey and I call it a journey because I have no idea where I am going, but I know I want to travel forward.  I decided to document my journey because when I researching all my different options for Bariatric Surgery there was hundreds in the US but hardly any in the UK.  So here I am...

In this blog I will not be all flowers and unicorns, there are going to be a few weeds and wart hogs my friends.  This is about ME and MY journey.  There will be all kinds going on..  I'm guessing??

I would love to hear your comments and thoughts but please remember that I am human and I do have feelings, so if you are about to write something ugly then it's probably going to impact somehow on my journey.  Saying that don't dress it all up, all I am asking is that you think about what you are saying and how what you say may have a lasting impact.

Let's do this .......