Yay, you are still with us! Great to hear.
How's it going?
thanks .
i am still alive and a interesting experience .
i feel very delicate and its very strange --i feel i have to be introduced to myself again so much has changed .
firstly i wish to thank everyone who wished me well --it really mattered and i would now wish anyone good luck -people are more fragile than you think .
there was a huge funeral in Kilkenny recently of a woman who was highly regarded -------- person who was utterly dedicated and had rose to a senior level .
the entire town was shocked to their core at her sudden death and it made us all think if a moment can occur to a person of this caliber then keep an eye on your self do not let the tank run low you never know when you may have to go somewhere .
the surgery which has reduced my stomach to the size of an average banana was carried out yesterday at 1200 and i woke up at 530 with 5 holes in my front over a wide area and many holes in the rest of me as i am a working man i have muscle and i am notorious to find a vain in .
my great wife drove me up and i sent her off early to enjoy some time in Dublin before her stage work.
i sat in the reception where a full security check was carried out on me and then i was collected from upstairs and brought to my room which was very nice and well kitted out to a high standard .
i was called for theatre and in the waiting room i met others for surgery -some had cancer some had other problems and some spoke when it was my turn is said TOMORROW THEY WILL CALL ME GEARLDINE --there were two elderly ladies who took me serious and it was they who provided the laughs .
when in my pelt with a pathetic small bare assed gown on my front sort of i heard shouting from the lift beside me and i got up and pressed open and the hospital boss lady was there with a VIP and ( due to the terrific security on the lifts she had no access as only theatre staff could open the door) they were shocked to be greeted by such an horrific figure and i told the VIP "" give me a minute and ill do your surgery "" i was lucky the bosswoman took it well and lots of nervous laughter .
on to the theatre and i met the surgeon and i had formally asked to speak with him before the operation and i found out it was his policy to do this anyway as he is such a professional and he without being asked said we are going the do the option 1 the simplest the sleeve where you lose most of your stomach .
i said thank you i believe it is bad luck to have a concern and not address it.
he told me everyone has this concern and that is why he formally meets people before the operation.
i only discovered afterwards he is (WILLIAM ROBB) a world leader in robotic surgery and my surgery was robots operated by him in an adjoining room on a big screen the robots are stainless steel and have interchangeable heads on so that they can cut and then grab and remove the stomach through three small holes piece by piece all without damaging the liver ,
and i had to go on a special liver reducing diet for the past 3 weeks to enable him to work and if you came with a too fatty liver it could prevent him from doing his job safely .
the robots are much smaller than the human hand and allow a surgeon to work without all the paraphernalia normally required in surgery -- i can see a time in a not too distant future where AI surgeon's will operate 24/7 and certain operations are simple in concept .
the staff were outstanding and i was given royal treatment .
one person took sugar bloods 4 times -another was the dietician who explained a great deal -i was visited by a very elderly Carmelite nun who i would have spoken to all day -i had 4 different nurses all with their specific roles and they were busy .
my name / code /date of birth was printed on about 40 stickers which appeared again on all medicines and any interaction and was scanned regularly .
i had a band on my arm and while it was attached i had to repeat all my details address everything and i could not receive any medicine or injection without stating my date of birth-
security was impressive in the hospital and there were strict electronic limits placed on your movement and others ..
overall the pain is not bothersome i have painkillers and we stopped for enough baby food to do me a week and it is small.
everyone i met in the last year approx 10 said it was the best thing they ever did and should have done it years ago .
i had no choice on about 5 levels -i was simply going to die soon if i did not do something and i figured a lifetime of taking ozyempic was not an option for me .
i paid 4000 for aftercare and i am told i will receive half that back from the VHI -- when i add in my other costs i figure the entire thing will cost me approx 3500 in real terms as i am in the VHI -someone told me you walk in off the street it could cost you 20,000 and i got the choice of where to have it and an independent eating disorder specialist told me he was the best and had referred many patients over the years without a problem .
i wrote this post in order to provide a resource for anyone thinking about it and over the years do not be afraid to ask me again if i can help in any way -and like ALL on this forum we would be glad to help anyone .
i will send photos shortly of the vegetable/animal/mammal and i will tape a can of coke to my body to give scale and you will see BIG FAT HOOR is the only decent description and i will enclose the diet medicine plan as some people need to go abroad for this and you will see the MEDICINE LIST YOU SHOULD HAVE AND THE EATING ADVICE YOU SHOULD HAVE .
All the best and thanks to you all again . BFH