I am very sorry for the long overdue post. It has been a wild ride.
Let me start of by saying I have had the surgery and am now 2 months post op. I haven’t had the chance to come on here and update you because it has taken some getting used to, but I am back and ready to spill the tea. So I still need to let you know how my journey began and then we can go from there.
Once upon a time…
…I called my GP because I was feeling really tired all the time, like ALL the time. I could sleep for 12 hours and wake up and still be exhausted. I did not know why, so I called the doc to find out. Anyway after asking me a load questions and stuff he started talking to me about my weight and asked if I would be interested in bariatric surgery, and I said yes without thinking about it or knowing what it was. I hate speaking on the phone to people I get nervous.
Turns out that was the start of my bariatric journey. I hadn’t thought too much about the conversation as he then made me go in for a blood test to figure out what tiredness issue was.
That conversation happened over 2 years ago. Just a mindless yes answer and look what came of it.
I got a letter not long after that conversation to meet with the bariatric team at St Georges to discuss the operation. I bought my mother along. We talked about what it would entail, the operation, the before and after and everything in between. It was a lot of information to hear all at once and I encourage to do a lot a research on the matter so you are prepared. If you are planning on going down this road especially via the NHS then bear in mind that the wait list is long and you wont hear anything for months at a time. During the waiting period I honestly thought they had forgotten about me. As I heard nothing for like a year after that first appointment. Then it all starts at once.
I remember getting a letter to go in for tests. Then another letter for more tests, thankfully on the same day. I had to meet the nurse to get:
- height
- weight
- blood pressures
- blood tests
This was to see if I was even fit for surgery. Turns out I was healthy as a horse except for being fat. I did have to have a test to check my heart, like a proper echo cardiogram, I saw my heart on a screen it was very cool.
And to answer the question of why I was so tired all the time. I have sleep apnea. I had to be tested for that as well ( I am also anemic which does not help). My fat neck causes my airway to close up when I’m sleeping, which causes me to snore, and means I don’t get enough REM sleep which is what keeps you rested. I now have a CPAP machine (sexy) which I use every night.
I think that brings you up to date with what I had to do up to getting my surgery date. So I will leave it here. If you have any questions let me know.
Peace out
Cherelle
Cherelle Nicole 