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Lost 12st in 4 months

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We had an amazing success story sent in to us by one of our followers on Twitter and thought it was too amazing not to share!

On July 6 2011 I was rushed into hospital with an infection called necrotising fasciitis better known as the flesh eating bug. I was in a coma for 12 days and had four lifesaving operations in the first week, not only to save my life but also my right leg and due to a fantastic medical team they was able to save both.

I spent two months in intensive care due to all my organs shutting down as my body had gone into toxic shock. All together I was in hospital for three months. Then all the hard work started, as I had limited mobility, my weight rose dramatically. I went from 20stone to 31.4 stone in three years and my diabetes was out of control. I was on Victoza 1.8 mg, Gliclazide 120mls, Metformin 2000mg, Atorvastatin 10mg and my sugar levels were still in the late 20’s and early 30’s. I was rushed into hospital twice as they thought my ketones were off the scale. Then my local doctors told me about weight loss surgery.

So in January I had the weight loss operation and had a bypass done so and since then I have lost a total of 12 stone 2 lbs and the only tablet I now take is one metformin of 500m a day and now my sugar levels are always between 4-7. I used to have a body mass of 63 and now it’s 39. My local nurse is now looking at taking me off tablets and just controlling it by diet.

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Well done ! Seems so inadequate those two words but the sentiment is heartfelt.




Late onset T1, several auto immune issues.
Humalogmix25 twice a day, Methotrexate 25mg once per week, FolicAcid 5mg once per week, prednisolone 5mg daily, Allopurinol 300mg, Calcichew-D3 800iu, Levothyroxine 50mcg, Atenolol 50mg, Losarten 100mg, Aspirin 75mg, Nicorandil 20mg, Nitrolingual GTN spray, Metformin 2000mg, Allimemazine 10mg, Lanzoprazole 30mg, Atorvastatin 20mg, Co Codamol 8/500mg, Depo Medrone (Methylprednisolone) or double Prednisolone for 7 days in case of RA flare.
 
Brilliant. I am glad you have found a way to make its better for yourself.
So tell us what are the future goals.Just think where you could get to.
 
what an amazing story, and well done, your determination is showing. I am type 2 diabetes on metformin. Initially my gp let me control my diabetes
with food, and then that wasn't working and as a result having had emotional life situations, I was referred for wight loss surgery but had to prove to the hospital that I could have 12 month free of an addiction.. In that 12 month period I proved to my self and the hospital and now I am on the medical track for 6 months and then maybe I can have the surgery I am okay with that. My stubbornness and sheer determination has helped
lose weight easier for the first time in my life.
 
Kind regards to all involved in putting my story regarding my weight loss. It's been a real nightmare three years, but I could not have done it without my fantastic partner Michelle's help. She has been fantastic and I can't stop thanking her. Yes there were times I wanted to give up, but as a fighter that was never an option. I went from working six to seven days a well to not being able to work due to The very limited mobility and also the amount of pain killers I have to take. But regarding my diabetes I have proved that you can work at getting your results back to normal. Yes I loved coke loved my chocolate and all junk food. But since I had the weight loss operation its now put my life on The direction I'm happy with. And no its not a quick fix you still have to work hard to maintain your sugar levels. So Many thanks to diabetes UK for allowing my to share my story
Kind regards
Colin

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youve been through lots of horrible things, would you put your successes down to determination or the operation?
 
Both with getting the flesh eating bug restricted my mobility so therefore I had no option to go through weight loss surgery or I would of ended up dying. But believe me having a bypass is by no way a quick fix. I still have to work very hard in making sure I eat the right things.

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how did you lose the weight please? ie. what is your diet like? i mean 12 stone in 4 months must be kinda difficult, i read stories here from people that eat like sparrows and cant lose a lb what is your secret?
 
Not really got a secret, when I was told about the operation in November I was told I needed to lose a lot of weight before they would operate. So I lost five stone by change of medication and being on a liquid based diet, which ment it was the worse Christmas ever as I couldn't eat or drink anything other than what I was told to. Then since surgery I've lost seven stone making a total of twelve stone. Basically now my intake is so restricted, I will have half a slice of bread for breakfast a bowl of fruit for lunch. And also my main meal will be one or two boiled potatoes and maybe one slice of chicken. Then for supper a glass of Orange juice. And believe me I will feel full up on that. If I was to over eat it would make me feel so sick. My down full in the past was I used to drink about four litres of coke a day. Which if I was to drink fizzy now I would be violently sick.

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oh :(

thanks for the info, ill have to stick to my plan of not eating sugar :(

best wishes
 
Yes your intake in indeed restricted, mostly to carbs by the look of it. How do you manage to get enough protein and fat? Have they given you supplements to help with this? I am asking because I have done a VLC diet before and only lasted 7 weeks because I didn't have enough protein and fat. Your weight loss is indeed impressive, well done.
 
i would say most diabetics would do very badly on your diet of sugar, without the gastric bypass forcing you to eat such small amounts, once again it goes to show we are all different
 
Hi Colin

I met a guy online once who survived NF. It is a horrific thing. Well done on beating it and on your awesome weightloss. It is still early days for you and I guess you would have to review your diet again if you went "diet only". All the best to you.
 
Hi Colin

I met a guy online once who survived NF. It is a horrific thing. Well done on beating it and on your awesome weightloss. It is still early days for you and I guess you would have to review your diet again if you went "diet only". All the best to you.
Many many thanks for your kind words I have to see my diabetic nurse on Wednesday with regards to my six months review. And yes in an ideal world it would be fantastic to be diet only diabetes. But as you said that takes time and that will be down to my fantastic nurses at my local doctors. And yes regarding the NF Yes it's turned my life upside down but would I turn the clock back? No I wouldn't. I have a fantastic family support that have been so helpful. But once again thank you so much for your kind words





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i would say most diabetics would do very badly on your diet of sugar, without the gastric bypass forcing you to eat such small amounts, once again it goes to show we are all different
It was through having the bypass done that my consultant took me of all my medication. And yes my sugar levels dropped dramatically over night. Pre surgery they were 20-30 plus. After surgery they are now between 4-7. Having the operation was the best choice I was given because I knew that if it wasn't done the weight would have just piled on and obviously would of effected my health to a serious point. Obviously any operation comes with risks. Thank you so much for your interest
Colin

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Well done ! Seems so inadequate those two words but the sentiment is heartfelt.




Late onset T1, several auto immune issues.
Humalogmix25 twice a day, Methotrexate 25mg once per week, FolicAcid 5mg once per week, prednisolone 5mg daily, Allopurinol 300mg, Calcichew-D3 800iu, Levothyroxine 50mcg, Atenolol 50mg, Losarten 100mg, Aspirin 75mg, Nicorandil 20mg, Nitrolingual GTN spray, Metformin 2000mg, Allimemazine 10mg, Lanzoprazole 30mg, Atorvastatin 20mg, Co Codamol 8/500mg, Depo Medrone (Methylprednisolone) or double Prednisolone for 7 days in case of RA flare.
Thank you for your very kind words




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