I used to weigh 31 stone (196kg)

[Sleeved111]

I now weigh half that thanks to weight loss surgery.

Ask me anything, about being fat, the surgery or whatever else..

Besides the obvious like being smaller how has it changed your life? Are there any changes that people wouldn't expect?

Congratulations.

Why do you think you became so large in the first place?

Has having weight loss surgery also resolved any Psychological issue surrounding food?

How has it changed my life?
Well, I actually have a life now. Before the surgery I became quite the hermit, wouldn't leave the my house for months on end. Now I work full time, I go out and about, take dc to activities etc life has completely changed for me in that regard.
I can't think of any unexpected changes.

Why do I think I got that fat?
I've always been 'chubby' growing up, I would eat untill physical pain, I just loved eating. I've also always had issues with foods, I have a fairly restricted diet.
I think those two things combined, plus quite bad PND (I stopped doing much/any activity) are what lead to me reaching that weight.

Has having weight loss surgery also resolved any Psychological issue surrounding food?

I'm not sure I had psychological issues with food, I just really loved eating and had little feeling of fullness.

(When I say issues with food I mean to do with texture, smell not psychological issues)

What does a typical days food look like for you now compared to before?

Food before: 6 slices of toast with lashings of butter, whole packet of cookies, huge bowl of cereal, 6 packets of crisps, medium saucepan full of macaroni cheese, whole garlic bread, 1 family sized bar of chocolate, a 4 slice sandwich, a litre of cola, lots of tea.

Food now: two slices of toast with butter, 4 cookies, small portion of chips with cheese and one slice of bread, one packet crisps, a cheese scone with butter.
On days off I drink about 8 cups of tea, when working I drink 2 cans of flat cola (HC role, 12/13 shifts and the cola keeps me going).

It's still a terrible diet but a lot better portions than before.

What surgery did you have? I'm on waiting list for bypass in the summer

I had the sleeve procedure (2/3rds stomach removed).

Good luck with your surgery, what made you decide on that procedure?

How long ago was your surgery and what weight did you lose in day Month 1, Month 2 etc?

I decided on bypass as it is gold standard and I have a lot to lose. It has taken a lot to get to this point and I don't want to regret not having bypass.

Did you lose the weight quickly after surgery? Was recovery painful?

My surgery was about 4 years ago. I have no clue what I lost on on what months, I took no notice of the scales. I lost most of the weight the first year though.

Are you going to do any work on improving your diet now that you've lost the weight?

How long was your recovery time?

Surgery was extremely painful! It turns out that morphine doesn't work for me, I woke up in recovery screaming. I had the maximum dose and it just left me in a completely drugged up out of it state (but still in pain) for 2 days. I was offered tramadol after that but that had no effect either and just made me vomit. Calpol was all I could tolerate.
Yes, I lost weight quickly after surgery.

How old are you?

Do you wish you had used a lower calorie diet and exercise instead of having the surgery (and then having to follow a lower calorie diet anyhow)?

What stops you eating a more balanced diet with fruit, veg, whole grains etc.?

Did you try dieting before?

What was it like physically being so heavy? Do you have a partner? How were the kids cared for during that period or your life?

I'd tried dieting many times, my mother tried to help but I think just didn't know what to do because of my restrictions.
In my later teens I managed to gain some degree of control over my eating and was quite active so lost weight and stabilised at about 13 stone for a couple of years. Then the PND happened and I just lost control and ballooned.

what stops me eating fruit and veg?
The texture and smell. I struggle to chew and swallow certain textures and likely to just bring the food straight back up. I'd actually love to be able to eat fruit and vegetables.

Do you have folds of skin where you have shrunk, and are you considering plastic surgery for those?

What was it like physically being so heavy? Do you have a partner? How were the kids cared for during that period or your life

It was awful being so heavy, everything was a huge effort. I struggled to stand for a minute, I'd have to rest halfway through going up the stairs. I broke two beds and a sofa due to my weight too.

We were in the fortunate position that we could afford DH not working for a while. He basically became my carer and the main parent to DD.

Could a dietician help with your fruit and vegetable aversion?

Thanks op.