TwoStepsBack

Scary isn't it? When you realise just how big you actually are. :tongue_smilie: Good luck to all you sleevers! One day those photos will have proud feelings attached. Or so I'm trying to convince myself!

They might get posted one day. But only once I have something to compare them with! :001_tt2: Like you said, BRING IT ON! xxx

What a surreal moment that must have been for you! I'm not sure how I'd react in that situation. Probably :thumbup: with confusion! Next time you see him at the gym, ask him! xxx

Hey All, As you know I've been freaking out about my surgery in a fortnight, and whilst not exactly having second thoughts, I have been doubting my own sanity at resorting to such drastic measures. However.... As this is pre-op diet day one, and potentially the biggest I am ever going to be ever again (hooray!), I decided it might be an idea to take some "before" photos as a comparison like a lot of you have done. Well! All I can say is one look at those photos was enough to put me back on track and I'm now more certain than ever before that this is the right thing to do. I am putting those photos away and they are not coming out again until I can see a real difference. Hopefully that won't be long! BLEUGH!!!! :crying::ohmy::thumbup::crying::confused1: If you have been going through doubts too, you should try this. Nothing is more shocking and upsetting than the hard truth. Best of luck to all! Lyndsey xxx

Thanks Chilo. You're doing great!!! Keep it up!

Thank you Jane, you are such an inspiration and always have such warmth in your posts. It is nice having someone in the UK around too, stops me feeling so isolated here in lil old Guernsey! On another topic, this pre-op diet is TOUGH! I have been starving hungry all day, and can't handle the thought of another two weeks to go like this. This too shall pass :confused1:

Hi BlackBerry, I agree with what you put above. I had been very good up til now and only told those people very close to me. Yesterday I made a stupid mistake and told someone who tried to talk me out of it, and I really don't have the energy for that BS just now. I learnt my lesson! Mouth shut from now on! I too have already tried the "proper way" many many times, and gained back all the weight I lost and more. I know that I can't lose weight and keep it off by myself. But a part of me is angry that I'm so useless, and I feel that I SHOULD be able to. I just don't want any regrets. I have too many already. Krista, best of luck to you. Seems we are in a similar mindset at the moment. I hope it all works out for us both. CWalker, thanks. That is good to hear. I hope your loss continues and your stall is a short one

Hey Guys, I am sorry to repeat what I know others have said many times, but I just have to vent somehow. I start my pre-op diet tomorrow, due in on 9th Sept. And I am really really afraid. The problem is I'm not really sure what I'm afraid of.... one minute I think I am afraid of going under anaesthetic, then a couple of days later I am freaking out about the flight over to Southampton. Just when I've convinced myself that the flight is going to be fine, I start fearing complications. Then I get scared of never being able to comfort eat ever again. But I got over that.... NOW I am scared that for some reason I will regret my decision. That for some reason I am going to have to admit that I was weak and should have just done this the "proper way" by exercising more and getting further therapy for my eating problem. That I am going to have to face "I told you so's" from those who haven't supported my decision. Right now I honestly wish I could look into the future and make sure that I'm doing the right thing. I know that no-one can tell me what is right for me. I also know that you all have your own fears and concerns and probably don't want me adding mine to the table. But I also know that some of you have been through this and now have no regrets. I honestly hope I can be strong and become one of you. Thanks for listening. Lyndsey xxx

Ouroborous, I concur with everything you said. Having tried every medication and therapist available to me I finally had a breakthrough with CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) What it made me understand is that feelings, thoughts and actions all affect each other. By changing one, the others will follow. So if I'm feeling really down and that makes me want to lay in bed and feel blue, I should do the exact opposite because positive actions make for positive feelings and positive thoughts. It seems obvious, but when you are stuck in a negative cycle it is so easy to miss. I am a pre-op who is also nervous about how my depression is going to pan out after surgery. But I feel that if I stick with my meds (Fluox 40mg/d) and watch my behaviour, keep active etc, then everything should be fine. All the best, and I hope you continue to do those things which you know you need to :thumbup: xx

Hi Ericka I have told my close family and friends and boyfriend. A couple of people at work know because I figured they are bound to notice something when I'm on a liquid diet after the op. We socialise quite a lot at work, so I'm going to be out of the loop for a little while when I'm recovering. I actually asked this same question a little while back when first looking into the surgery, and the best answer I had was "tell as many people as you feel comfortable to tell, and those you think need to know". I'm certainly not shouting about it on Facebook or anything, cos it's my business and I'm also worried I might jinx it somehow! Once it's done I'll tell anyone! xxx

Mine are: No thigh rash friction burn from walking when I wear a skirt Not crying in disbelief every time I see a photo of myself Bumping into my ex and seeing his reaction when I look and feel fantastic Not avoiding my friends in case they notice I've put on weight Feeling sexy and not turning my boyfriend's advances away because I'm ashamed of my body Walking into a room with a smile on my face, and not wanting to hide under a table Not being so crazy jealous and bitter about anyone who isn't overweight

Great advice everyone, thanks very much! xx

Cool, yeah I'll do that. I didn't realise that is something surgeons will consider, I've not seen anything about it before.

It may be worth attending the seminar tonight, if only to get more information. I have spoken with three surgeons so far, and they have all given different info and had various advice to give. The more opinions you can get the better in my opinion! xx

Hey Guys, I was just wondering if the op can be performed, but not quite as extreme? ie) Can they reduce the size of the stomach, but not to the degree of a normal VSG? I only have about 87lb to lose, and feel that if I were able to eat perhaps 1cup of food per sitting then that would be enough restriction for me to lose weight, but still be getting enough nutrients and have energy etc. Is there some reason why it has to be taken down so very small? Thanks, L xx

My Mum, Dad, sister and two best friends are totally supportive, but a little worried about me which is understandable. But they all agree with me that the risks are worth it. My boyfriend doesn't really get it, and thinks I'm copping out. That I should be able to just do more exercise and then I won't have weight problems. For a while I was upset that he didn't understand but I haven't really got the energy to convince him anymore. I'm doing this for me, so he should respect that. I hope your Mum comes round! xxx

9th Sept here! xx

Hey Guys, I finally have a date for my sleeve op, 9th September! Woohooo! The time can't go quick enough, so I've been hanging in there by thinking of the things I'm looking forward to post-op. Not having sore thighs from them rubbing together! Finding some jeans that fit me Not eating the same amount as all the men in my family and still being hungry! Being able to wear all my gorgeous high heels without feeling like a transvestite! Not sweating like a fat old man when I'm exercising! Seeing my ex, and knowing that I look great! What are yours? :thumbup: xxxx L xxxx

17th is the date of my consultation. May the time fly by for both of us! Hope your teeth feel better soon :laugh0: xx

Your symptoms sound very much like how I felt when I gave up caffeine. I felt like someone had been sitting on my legs for hours, and I just couldn't get comfortable. Has your pre-op diet cut out coffee/tea/coke etc? Glad you are a little better at least. Hope it goes well! xx

Thanks very much for your feedback everyone. It is good to hear that with some sensible choices and subtle changes, the calorie intake can be upped enough to maintain ideal weight or thereabouts. Now I only wish I could speed up time and get my consultation to come round sooner! I have spoken with three surgeons from different providers about my options and they all think that the sleeve is the way forward for me. Now I only wish I could get on with it! It is great to read your stories, and to know that if before or after surgery I have any questions, I have someone I can ask who has been through it. Invaluable. xx L xx

Hi Everyone! I've been browsing your forums for a week or so now to help me make my decision whether to go for the surgery or not, and I thought it was about time I introduced myself. If all goes well I am looking at being sleeved in early September, but there is just one question I have which I can't seem to find the answer to anywhere online... Once you reach your ideal weight how do you stop losing? I have seen a few people whose tickers are now showing underweight, and I know someone who lives near me who has had it done and is now painfully thin. Does this happen a lot? How do you stabilise your weight when you can only eat such small amounts? I have been underweight before as an aneorexic teenager and I looked terrible. I really don't want to end up there again :tongue_smilie: I hope someone can give some feedback. Thanks for taking the time to read my post. L x