Marian Hawke

Name: Marian Hawke

Age: 38

Pre-operative weight: 120kg

Time since operation: 1 year & 11 months (op date 28 October 2004)

Current weight: 74kg

Before

After

When I look back to my life before my surgery I can honestly say I was very happy in spite of my weight. My professional and personal lives were exactly where I wanted them to be and in fact there wasnt much about my life I wanted to change.

But I really wasnt happy about my weight, and if I had known more about this surgery a little sooner, then its something I wish I could have done earlier. I had been overweight or obese since I was nine years old, and had learned to live with it. I had done everything in my power to manage my weight, and had had some success for short periods of time. I managed, two or three times, to lose 20 or 25kg over a period of a year or so, and then maintain the loss for another year or so. But 25kg was never enough, I knew I needed to lose another 20 or 25 and I just couldnt do it. Then of course even the maintenance got too hard and the weight would go back on with interest. I also tried prescription medication for a while, and again lost 20kg, but couldnt get any further than that and then started gaining again even though I was still taking the medication!

So I weighed 118kg, only 10kg less than my highest-ever weight and was gaining in spite of everything I could do. I was on expensive medication which I knew I could not keep taking forever, and basically I felt I had to resign myself to remaining obese and accepting all of the health risks that went with it. I hated that feeling, and every time I saw a news item about the co-morbidities of obesity I would have to change the channel or skim over it.

I had never considered weight-loss surgery as a viable option like many others Id thought it was only suitable for super-obese people, a drastic measure with too many risks and lifestyle changes. It wasnt until a family member mentioned that they knew someone who had had some success, and suggested it might be a solution for me, that I began doing proper research. What a revelation! It didnt take me long to decide that the Fobi Pouch was the procedure I wanted, and I was amazed to discover that many of the people who had undergone this procedure had been at the same level of obesity as me, and that their lives post-op were not nearly as restricted as I had thought.

So to cut a long story short, I made the decision (after extensive research) to have the operation and have really not regretted it for one moment. I have lost 46 kilos, and have maintained a BMI of 23 for nearly 12 months now. For the first time in my life I am a healthy weight and Im 100% confident that I can maintain it. My insulin resistance (a pre-diabetic condition) has disappeared, as has the acid reflux which had been affecting my professional life as a singer and singing teacher. My joints and feet no longer ache, I have more energy and find all of those day-to-day tasks (walking, climbing stairs, fitting behind the steering wheel) so much easier.

Even though I wasnt really unhappy with the way I looked before surgery being tall I was always told I carried my weight well I cant deny its more fun shopping for clothes now. And I can borrow from friends as well! My decision to have the surgery was never really about my appearance I always managed to keep my self-confidence and self-esteem at a good level but it is certainly a real buzz to get compliments about the way I look now. In fact my biggest problem is people not recognising me and constantly having to re-introduce myself!

Its hard to think of anything about this surgery that Id really describe as a challenge yes, it really has been that easy! Even my week in hospital was kind of fun I had a textbook recovery with no complications, was up and about on the afternoon of my surgery and just went from there. The staff were totally professional and really anticipated my every need hence it was all very straightforward. It was nice to know that theyd done this so many times before that nothing was going to faze them. It was also great to have lots of support and visits from family (especially my husband) and friends the time flew by!

The toughest time was probably my first few weeks at home, getting used to my new ways of eating (or not eating!). It really did take several weeks before I could make my brain accept that the small amounts were really enough. Luckily it wasnt up to my brain to decide the pouch was in charge! It was certainly a big adjustment but after a few weeks I realised that I was starting to feel more normal again. The fact that I was losing weight steadily at this point (most of the time) meant that I didnt mind putting up with the adjustment.

Food just gradually became less and less of an issue during the next few months I no longer had to measure everything, but was just able to gauge when to stop. Sometimes I got it wrong and would feel a bit sick or sleepy for 10-15 minutes, but I soon worked out which foods were risky and stayed away from them most of the time. It was an easy thing to do; I just didnt feel like eating them.

Anyway, at nearly two years post-op I am happier and healthier than I have ever been. Food (and the associated anxiety and guilt) is no longer a problem for me, I can finally just trust my instincts about what I do or dont feel like eating. I do still occasionally get it wrong, but I know that the queasy or sleepy feeling will quickly pass; I just need to sit somewhere quiet for 15 minutes and Ill be fine again. Im very open with people about having had surgery, so its easy to just say Ive eaten something that doesnt agree with me, I need a time out. I dont feel in any way restricted in what I can or cant eat my eating has changed, but mostly just in quantity. I can still eat treat foods in small quantities, and thats as much as I want. Thats the difference between this surgery and every single diet Ive ever been on I feel full after only a small amount of food, so I never feel deprived and dont have to fight cravings.

I do sometimes miss being able to take anti-inflammatory pain medication, as I have migraines (less severe since losing weight) and find the approved medication less effective. But I have found a way around the problem with the support of my GP and the staff at Wakefield, and its really only an occasional minor issue now. Im also on B12 injections every 1-3 months, but again a minor thing when compared to all the positives.

I would certainly recommend this surgery to other obese people and in fact have done so on several occasions when asked! During the course of my research into this surgery I discovered just how difficult if not impossible it really is to accomplish and maintain a significant weight-loss using diet and exercise alone. The statistics are overwhelming! My advice to anyone considering this would be to find out as much as you can, read everything you can get your hands on and spend time talking to people who have been through the process. Theres no such thing as too much information, it will allow you to make a truly informed decision which you feel good about, and will also allow you to feel really prepared for whatever might occur during or after your surgery.

Prepare for the worst but expect the best it worked for me!