YORKSHIRE GIRL ANGE

GRRRR!!!!! Here I am, all ready to go to the hospital for my op tomorrow when I get a call to say it has been cancelled !!!!!!!!!! I’m having the op on the NHS here in the UK. There is a shortage of beds and my surgeon’s list has been cancelled for tomorrow as the op is non urgent. All I can do now is wait to get another appointment, not sure how long that will be. The hospital are saying a couple of weeks, the appointments centre say it could be the New Year. Hopefully I’ll still become a December sleeve sister to you all. Keep your fingers crossed for me. Best wishes A very fed up Angela ( UK member ) xx

Hi there to all my fellow December sleeve brothers and sisters. I just wanted to send lots of good luck and hugs to all of you for your ops to go smoothly and for your speedy recovery. I can honestly say that this is the best ever Christmas gift that I have had.!!! No more of the stuffing my face at Christmas and New Year’s resolutions to loose the weight. No more thinking “ it will be different next Christmas because I’m going to loose the weight “. No more beating myself up when next Christmas arrives and I’ve not only not lost the weight, but put on even more !!!!!! I wonder what Christmas 2011 will hold for all of us ?????? Once again good luck and hugs to all of my new December sleeve family Angela xxxx ( UK member ) Sleeve date Tuesday December 7th

Hiya Daisymay, I'm Angela joining you from the UK. I'm being sleeved the week after you on Dec 7th. I could have chosen the same day as you, but I turned it down because that would have meant getting it as a birthday present!!! Although I can't wait, I didn't really fancy that LOL !!! I've just started on the liquid torture, I have 3 weeks of it, lucky you to only have 2 weeks LOL !!! Keep us posted on how it all goes, I'll be thinking of you on the day. Best wishes Angela x

Hiya Libby, Wow that is absolutely fantastic !!! You are a true inspiration to all of us pre-op members. I'm starting my pre-op liquid diet tomorrow, really looking forward to that LOL !!! My surgery is scheduled for Dec 7th. If I can do only half as well as you are doing I will be more than pleased. Keep up the amazing work. Best wishes Angela x ( UK member )

Hi there Cindy, Lots & lots of good luck and hugs for tomorrow. I'll be thinking of you. Best wishes Angela x ( UK member )

Hiya Viv ! I'm Angela joining you from Yorkshire. I'm having my op, also on the NHS, on Dec 7th at my local hospital. My journey hasn't been as long as yours. From start to finish it will have been a year in total. Every PCT has its own procedures and conditions and I'm lucky that mine follow the nice guidelines. My only condition for acceptance was to loose a stone as a sign of my commitment. I start my pre-op diet next week, really looking forward to that LOL!!! How long have you had to do the dreaded pre-op, mine is 3 weeks. Are you all prepared for post op ? You'll get lots of help, advice and support from all the members here. They have all really helped me to make my final decision to go ahead with the op. Keep in touch and let me know how you are doing. I'll be thinking of you on the 18th GOOD LUCK !!!! Best wishes Angela x

Hi there Angel and welcome. I'm Angela, joining you from the UK. I'm pre-op & due to get my sleeve Dec 7th, I can't wait !! You will get such a warm welcome from everyone on the site, as i did. The other members will help, advise, encourage and support you every step of the way down the road to your new life. Congratulations on your acheivement so far, you're doing a brilliant job. I've bookmarked your blogg so I can follow your journey from this side of the pond !! Best wishes Angela x

Hiya Sacha, WOW 15lbs IN A WEEK THAT IS BRILLIANT!!!!! I think the fastest I've ever lost that much is in about a month. You're doing a brilliant job, keep up the great work. Good to hear thet you are feeling so well. It makes me feel very encouraged for when I have my op on Dec 7th. Best wishes Angela ( UK member )

Hi there, I'm Angela joining you from the UK. My surgery is a week after yours on Dec 7th. I do keep getting the odd flash of " What am I doing ? " this is permanant no going back. Do you know what, I just think to myself what would you rather do ? A ) Stay fat and risk ending up with a long list of co-morbidities ( I have none at all right now, goodness knows how I've missed them after spending my whole life abusing my body with food.) Carry on for the rest of my life with my weight going up and down because, although I can loose some, I always end up putting it back on again and then some ! I also can't bear the thought of having to have someone take care of me in later years purely because of weight related issues that will crop up. OR ............ B ) Take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to help put an end to this cycle for once and for all. I know it isn't going to be easy for us, it isn't magic and we'll have to work hard at it. Just think though, how many times have we struggled to loose the weight only to end up feeling a total failure, in your own and everyone else's eyes, when it does go back on ? I also read, read and better read the posts on this site from everyone who has been there and come out the other side. The inspiration I find and the advice the members give is absolutely priceless and I am truely greatful that I happened upon the site, purely by chance. Try to think positive, do yourself a list of pros & cons and I'll bet I know which list comes out longest !! I have to start my pre-op milk based diet next week for 3 weeks (yeuch !!! ) really looking forward to that !!! LOL Keep in touch and GOOD LUCK for the 1st Best wishes Angela x

Hi Chilo, what brilliant news and you've got there in next to no time you'll be at goal before you know it. I think the best thing is that the sleeve will help us to stay there this time. My weight has gone up and down, like a fiddlers elbow, my whole life. I'm so looking forward to my surgery Dec 7th. Thank you for telling me of your experience on the pre-op diet, I start it in about 10 days can't wait LOL !!!!! Keep up the great work Best wishes Angela x

Hi Sacha, I'm Angela joining you from the UK. Glad you're home and feeling so well. My surgery is due Dec 7th. I'm also a stomach sleeper and was pleased to hear that you managed it so soon after your surgery. I had a knee op a couple of years ago and wakened up on my stomach in my hospital bed the evening of the surgery, my body just natually migrated to that position while I was asleep from the anaestethtic. I couldn't turn over onto my back because it was sooooo painful and I had to have 2 nurses help me to roll over again ! I may have to ask them to tie me down to the bed to stop it happening this time LOL !!! Can't wait to join you on the loosers bench Best wishes Angela

Hiya Coops, phew sooooooo pleased that you managed to get tickets to see our boy & his mates!!!! What a nightmare, was thinking about you this am and keeping fingers crossed. I'll warm them up for you on the 7th LOL!!! As I'm due for my op Dec 7th, I'll be 6 months out in June. Although I won't be at target, I will be using the " Power of the Williams " to help and inspire me !!!! Last year when I went to see TT in Manchester, I felt a bit uncomfortable " letting myself go " NO CHANCE of that next year, I'll be as near to the front as I can get, within grabbing distance LOL !!!!! We may have to contact himself when we both reach target to thank him in person for his help !!!! Well we can dream anyway, can't we LOL Best wishes Angela x

Hi there, good luck for tomorrow, I'm sure everything will be fine. Looking forward to hearing your post op news. Best wishes Angela ( UK member )

Wow that is absolutely fantastic, you don't even look like the same person !! The more I see of the success stories of people like yourself on this site, the more I know I have made the right decision to have the surgery myself. Huge congratulations to you and thank you for posting, it really is the very best encouragement that all of us pre-op members could receive. Best wishes Angela ( UK member ) Surgery date due Dec 7th.

Wow that is absolutely AMAZING !!! Congratulations, I only hope I can do anywhere near as good after my surgery on Dec 7th.. I know from my visits to Florida that it is lovely and flat and great for walking. I don't think I'll be able to do the same walking mileage as you so soon after surgery as I live in a very hillly area. I might manage to stagger a few up hill yards to start with LOL !!! Keep up the brilliant work. Best wishes Angela ( UK member )

Hi everyone I could probably give at least 100 reasons, but here goes with the main ones. 1) To feel healthier, I have no co-morbidities but I just feel so tired all the time. I want to feel better both physically and mentally. 2) To not getting backache after walking around for more than a few minutes. 3) Hopefully reducing the crippling migraines I have suffered from since I was about 16. 4) Not living in fear of seeing someone I haven’t seen for a while because they’ll see how much more weight I’ve put on. 5) Being able to walk into any shop and buy clothes because I like them and not just making do with whatever they have that fits me. 6) Being able to get more than a couple of items in the washing machine at a time. 7) Not standing for hours doing the ironing because everything is so big LOL !! 8) Going on holiday with a case that is not overweight due to the size of the clothes. 9) I’ve always wanted to learn to dance. I’m watching Strictly Come Dancing (Dancing with the Stars to my sleeve brothers and sisters in the US ) as I type this. This time next year folks LOL !!!!! 10) To round up I want to get my life back and to have a voice instead of keeping to the background so as not to draw attention to myself. Phew, that’s better out than in LOL!!!!!! Roll on Dec 7th, can’t wait !!! Angela x ( UK member )

Hi there, you are both looking great, what a brilliant weight loss for both of you and in such a short time too ! I have around the same amount to loose and it is so encouraging to see how well you are doing. I am due to have my surgery Dec 7th. Keep up the good work both of you and thanks for the inspiration. Best wishes Angela ( UK member )

Wow you look brilliant !!! The difference in your whole body shape from the start to now is just amazing. How is your husband doing ? I am using you as my inspiration Christy. I am a similar weight and shape to you, although very much older LOL, so you are my template for the future LOL !! I only hope I can do nearly as well as you after my surgery in December. Keep up the brilliant work and here's to getting to your 100 next month !!! Big meows to Phoebe from my cats Mr Malcolm and Mr Sunny Bunny. Best wishes Angela x ( UK member )

So pleased to hear that everything went well and that you are safely home. Keep smiling, between the burping LOL ! I'm sure you'll feel much better soon. Best wishes Angela x

Hi Christie, wow you really give massive inspiration to those of us who are waiting to sit on the losers bench with you. You look amazing and your weight loss is outstanding, you should be so proud of yourself. I've been following your progress on this site and on your blog and the difference in you in such a short space of time is incredible. I love all the attention to detail and hope to follow your example after I am sleeved on Dec 7th. Keep up the good work Best wishes Angela ( UK member )

Hiya Coops Sorry you're struggling post pneumonia. I've never smoked but I often joke with the patients where I work who have put weight on after stopping smoking that maybe I should start so I can loose some weight ! LOL COPD is a nasty lung disease prevellent in smokers particularly. It stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Hats off to you trying to quit cold turkey. I actually remember my dad doing that years ago after he had a heart attack in his 60s. He was doing really well and went to the doctor with a chest infection one day. The doctor was appalled that he had stopped cold turkey and actually convinced him to start smoking about 5 a day and gradually cut down before stopping. Can you imagine that happening today, the doc would probably get struck off !!! LOL If you do struggle at all, go to your GP and book in for smoking cessation. There are lots of different things they can give to help you, Patches, inhalators, Champix, gum etc. I understand you lucky people in Wales don't pay for prescriptions so its a freebie too ! Loads of our patients have quit using Champix and kept off the ciggies. We even had one man who used it who was on 70 a day ( must be very rich now ! ) who is still not smoking nearly 2 years later. Stay focussed in your Quest by thinking of chasing Mr Williams, you could be his one to one smoking cessation counsellor. Of course you would probably have to move in with him to do the job right, maybe you wouldn't want to do that ? Yeah..... course you wouldn't LOL Keep up the good work Angela

Hi there, I'm Angela joining you from the UK. First of all, please let me tell you that I myself am not a very religious person. I do, however, have great respect for the beliefs and chosen religion of others whatever they my be. Who am I to knock whatever comfort people get from their beliefs. I would like to say, surely if God has given the skills and knowledge to perform this surgery to our doctors it was intended to be used. Why should we not take advantage of the help that they can offer to us ? It is very easy for people who have never had serious weight issues to simplfy it by saying stop eating, if only it was so easy !! They must realise that if that was the case there would be no world wide obesity epidemic. I personally have never smoked, taken drugs or had issues with alcohol. My addiction throughout my life has been food. I do, however, have the sense to know that you can't say to an alcohilic for instance " just stop drinking " and the problem will go away. I see this surgery as an amazing tool that will help me to loose the weight and keep it off, but only if I work hard at it. It has not been an easy decision to make, in fact I would say it is the most difficult decision I have ever made in my life and it has taken almost a year for me to make it. Like yourself, I have lost the same 30lbs over and over again only to see it go back on again. I am lucky to have no co-morbidities at all and I hope this surgery can help me stay that way. I know I am not going to wake up thin after the surgery IF ONLY !!! LOL It has taken nearly 52 years for me to arrive at this weight and it isn't going to magically melt away with the surgery ALTHOUGH WOULDN'T THAT BE WONDERFUL !!! LOL I too am due to have my surgery Dec 7th so we will be sleeve sisters. Keep me posted on how you are progressing pre and post op. I have to start a 3 week milk based diet mid Nov, won't that be fun !! LOL Look forward to hearing from you Best wishes Angela.

Hi Bella, I'm Angela joining you from Yorkshire. Wow you are doing brilliantly, congratulations on your amazing weight loss !! Its so inspiring to hear how well you are doing and in such a short time too. I'm not sleeved yet but I have a provisional date of Dec 7th. I am also having my op on the NHS, although I have no co-morbidities. My PCT follow NICE guidelines and my only condition of being accepted was for me to loose a stone to show my commitment. I'm so looking forward to joining you and our other sleeve brothers and sisters on the loosers bench !!! Keep up the good work Best wishes Angela.

Hiya Pip, I'm Angela and I'm still getting the hang of posting, they could be ending up anywhere at the minute LOL! I'm in Yorkshire and also having my op done on the NHS, I've got a provisional date of Dec 7th at my local hospital. I originally had the lapband in mind but, once I started my research, I saw all the things that can go wrong with it I dismissed it and would not consider it now under any circumstances. My surgeon is an upper GI cancer specialist and has been performing gastrectomies on cancer patients for years now so I have every confidence in him.He actually performs VSG privately through the Spire Medical group, so I'm thankful to be able to receive funding for the op. The NHS team who have been helping me since my first appt last November have been brilliant. Every time I've gone to see them I've taken them loads of questions and they've answered all of them for me. Don't be afraid to ask questions. I found it easier to take notes as I thought of them between appts then print them off and to take with me so I didn't forget anything. Do you have contact with an obesity nurse speciallist ? If you do I would give him / her a call and I'm sure you'll have your mind put at ease. If you trawl your way through the posts on this site you will find a wealth of personal experiences and support from all the members who have been there and are now wearing the T shirt !! I have got so much help and reassurance through everyone on here, even though I only posted for the first time last week I have been lurking in the background since March. Let me know how you get on, keep in touch Best wishes Angela

Thanks Maddie. Its good to have the support of people like yourself who have already been through the procedure and to see how brilliant your progress is. Congratulations on your weight loss so far. I'm feeling quite chilled about it all at the moment. This feeling will probably evaporate slowly as I get nearer Dec 7th LOL !!!! Best wishes Angela