The very start of it....

Well, after 20 years or so of attempts to gain control over my fluctuating weight issue, I had a natter with my brother (S1)* about it all. He is a GP. He knows stuff. He is clever and sensitive and kind. He agreed to join me as I tried to embark on a serious journey once and for all.

August 2012: The appointment is made. S1 is going to accompany me to see my GP to ask about bariatric surgery. The extremity of the decision is rather scary, but I am living in scary times. My knees are shot, I cannot do anything, my clothes are all horrible, and my life is not what could be called at 'optimum level for enjoyment'.


* S1: Sibling 1 - he is 17 months younger than me.


September 2012: S1 and I sit in the GP's office. I talk. They listen. An agreement is made for a referral.

October 2012: Am invited to attend an appointment in Kidderminster with Dr Stage One. S1 comes with me, so I feel less of a fat coward. I am informed that I have a very good chance of getting NHS funding for a full-on Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass. Now is the time to run away, but I can't, because my knees hurt!

November 2012: Letter arrives, with a flurry of joy. I have been approved funding for the operation. Just in time, as I go in for an arthroscopy to try to fix knackered knee - being so heavy isn't helping at all.

December 2012: S1 and I attend a clinic with the wonderful Mr P who is going to perform my surgery. AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!!!!!! I need to go and see some lovely nurses who will support me all the way, and talk about something called a 'pre-operative liver-shrinking diet'. Eek. This is getting more serious.

Come on baby, light my fire.
June 2012 before the final decision for action was made.
Laughing on the outside, crying on the inside.......... yeah yeah yeah.