Home recovering and guess what?

July 2016

Start weight: 25 stone, 6 pounds (161.4 kilos)

Final weight: 11 stone, 9 pounds (74kg)

Total loss: 13 stone 10 pounds (87.4 kilos)

Been a few weeks since surgery and things have gone pretty smoothly. I am a dab hand at the recovery stuff now. Got my routine down. Got some photos to show you though, please don’t be too shocked, I recovered quickly I promise. So here are my arms,

After discussions I decided not to post a photo of my boobs in the flesh, I am sure you understand 🙂 However, here is a photo of them in my 36 B bra,

Aren’t they fab? I’ve had a few stitches that decided to push out, it seems I heal faster than the time the stitches take to dissolve. Had some gross moments pulling them out and a course of anti-biotics for a little infection in my arm pit but all in all I have recovered very well. My surgeon and the nurses are very happy with me.

Now for my other news. You know that alongside the huge lifestyle and physical transformation I have been through these last few years that I have have been studying for a business degree? Well, I am extremely proud to announce that I graduated with First Class Honours. As I was still wrapped up like a mummy I decided to go for a suitable outfit, check me out!

I also had a wonderful time shopping for my sister’s wedding, got me a gorgeous dress, and I bought my first ever pretty padded bra!

So this is what I look like now. I feel fantastic, and though there have been really difficult and traumatic times, I am still very confident I made the right decision to have all of my surgeries. I have to stress here, that although my appearance has changed dramatically, and for the better, this was always about taking care of my health and my future. Yes, I have experienced side effects from the gastric by-pass and will always have to live with various associated issues such as the terrible fatigue, and forever have to take various supplements, personally, for me, it has been worth it. I understand it is not the path for everybody, but it has worked for me and I thank everyone that has been a part of my journey. I’d like to sincerely thank the Homerton hospital, the Oaks hospital, my GP and my family and friends.

It is time for a new journey and I am both nervous and excited. With new confidence I feel I can take on anything! I have a lot of exciting things happening including a new venture in which I plan to offer help and support to people who are considering making changes too. Watch this space 🙂

Huge thanks for reading my blog, please do share.

Comments very welcome

Lots of love and light

Claire xxx

Surgery day is here

June 2016

I have finished university HURRAY 🙂 I have to say that was quite simply the most stressful and difficult couple of months EVER. Four years of study and assignments and exams over. My last exam was just last week, now the wait for my final results. Am I nervous? Ha ha, just a teeny bit, but now there was my surgery to prepare for. I kept myself busy in the week leading up to my surgery and to be honest my brain had run out of petrol and I was exhausted anyway so it was a bit of a blur thankfully.

So, here I was once more, same hospital, same room. I knew most of the staff and they recognised me from last year. Having been back and forth to the hospital for over a year now it almost felt like home from home which was quite comforting and certainly calmed the nerves, I felt in good hands. After settling in it was time to undress and put on the socks AGAIN, I own quite a few pairs now! First the anaesthetist arrived to talk to me about the procedure, though I am a seasoned professional by now I listened to all the information, it is still quite scary when you you consider the possible dangers. Soon after in comes my surgeon to prepare me for surgery. Look at the pretty drawings…

The circles are where my nipples are supposed to be and where he was going to put them. I know, it is unbelievable. He measured 12cm distance. He explained that due to the excess there was a chance that he would not be able to keep the nipples attached to the blood flow and that they may have to be grafted back on afterwards but that he would do his best. He also marked up my arms and I was ready to go. I said my prayers, said goodbye to Tony and was taken to theatre.

I am a mummy! Wrapped up like a Christmas present ha ha. Came round in recovery room and had a lovely chat with the nurse. I wasn’t in any pain just a fuzzy head and very stiff. First thing I did was look down and to my delight, even with a surgical bra on I could see the difference. Couldn’t really see my arms as they were all bandaged up, but I could feel they were different too. After about 30 minutes I was taken back to my room. All I could think about was FOOD. I was very hungry as I had hadn’t eaten for almost 24 hours. I had a cup of tea and a sandwich and felt much better.

As expected I got very sleep the first night in hospital. It is hard to get comfortable attached to 4 drains and the anti-DVT suction pads inflating and deflating constantly. I was also woken at regular intervals for various injections of pain killer and anti-biotics through my I.V. Apart from all that I felt fine. In the morning my surgeon came to see me and I got to see my breasts for the first time. WOW, I was in love. Soooo cute and pert and in the RIGHT PLACE!!! Woooo hoooo I had nice boobs, well, sort of, they were in a right state and swollen and hard, but they were fab. My arms were also very swollen and feeling very tight, but were so slim, they were amazing. So, my nipples. The surgeon was able to save my left nipple and keep it attached to my blood flow and so it was just stitched back into place, however he had had to remove my right one completely and graft it back on. Only time would tell if it would survive or not.

I thought I might get away with it this time, but alas no. I felt fine in the morning and managed breakfast and some lunch but in the afternoon the dreaded post anaesthetic sickness arrived to say hello. After 2 doses of anti-sickness drugs and about 2 hours I finally recovered. I slept a little better the second night and woke up feeling fine, luckily I was not experiencing any pain as such, just discomfort. One by one the drains were removed and this time they all came out without too much trouble and I was able to go home. Before I left I was measured for my surgical bra, 36 C. I’m sorry, I have to say that again, 36 C. Before I lost weight I was a 48 L and before surgery I was a 38 GG. I put on the 36 C, and was given a 36 B for when the swelling reduced, yes I did say 36 B HA! Packed off with my goody bag of dressings, creams and surgical bras I was off home.

 Thank you for reading my blog, see you next time

Claire x

Here we go again, final surgery coming

January 2016

Weight – 74 kg

Can you believe that I have lost 112% of my body weight? It seems quite unbelievable. And now I am about to lose another kilo or two by having my last surgery. Back off to the surgeon to discuss sorting out my breasts and arms. Now, some people have asked me why I am considering more surgery and told me that my boobs look great.  I get that, in a bra my boobs look fine and you don’t see anything out of the ordinary. However, I promise you they are not in good shape at all. I have absolutely no structure and they literally hang down to my knees! OK, so I will show you, as much as this pains me it will hopefully convince you that this surgery is very necessary.

There we go world, my boobies. I had already discussed the breast surgery with my surgeon, but as yet I had not mentioned getting my arms done too. After long discussions with family and friends I decided I would go for it. After all, I wanted to get the job finished. The sheer amount of lose hanging skin made it impossible for me to wear sleeveless tops and with my new boobs I felt they would be even more noticeable. My surgeon explained that arm surgery is actually more severe than breasts and can be problematic in regards to healing. I did a bit of research and saw some images and I was happy to go ahead. Surgery was booked for just after my final exams in June 2016. Now all I had to do was work my arse off finishing my degree.

Thank you for reading my blog, see you next time.

Claire xx