able2cope

well done - you are looking terrific

I'm 2.5 years out and d yes, I have loose skin, but I'm 46.. so I do think that age has something to do with it - the elasticity of your skin in the first place. To me, I'd rather be healthy on the inside and have some loose skin, than be forever unhealthy and have skin covering the fat.. To start with, about a year and half a go, my arms were really gross with the loose skin, but after putting cream on most days... it has really improved.. things take time to settle down. don't lose heart straight away..

I'm so glad that you had a nice time and felt this way when you were out - yes these moments are wonderful. I've not been to a club (yet), but nowadays I can eat in front of people (strangers) and not feel like everyone must be looking at me and thinking that I'm an oddity... moments to cherish

I would drool a lot just before I was sick...? I'm 2.5 years out now and it doesn't happen often at all nowadays.. I know my limits better I think and know how much I need to chew food. Do you think this could be what is happening to you?

I think that cutting it into really small pieces and chewing is the best advice. I am 2.5 years out and still try to do this - on occasion that I haven't, then yes, I still get the stuck feeling

I don't think we are advised to have rice due to it expanding in our tummy..

hi Mandyboo - Surgery won't be so long now - and we are all rooting for you!!! You can do this - remember the hurdles you have overcame to get this far already Stay strong. See you on the other side

So sorry to hear you had to go through this - glad that its done now and you are feeling heaps better

I'm 5ft, and have lost over 100lbs so far - my boobs hang, there some loose skin on my butt, but what I hate the most is the skin on my arms and my over hanging belly... in saying this though I have noticed some improvement on my arms in the past 6 months since I started putting more body butter on them and really rubbing it in... I'm 2.5 years out now - so improvements do come with time... no change on my belly though - think that will have to be a tummy tuck.. I think everyone may be different.

I can totally understand that you don't want to lie to the kids (young adults), I think you just need to put your trust in them... Like Hanna said, I know that mine would likely be hurt if others knew and they didn't. As for your elder daughter, although you want to surprise her, is it likely that she might feel left out if you did tell her siblings and not her? just a thought..

As a mother myself... I'd say tell the kids if you think they are mature enough to take it on board what you are really saying and how important it is to you that word doesn't get out... if they are younger than say 16 though, theres more chance that they won't really realise - older teens will though - mine are 18 and 19 and I would trust them with this... Do what you feel is right in you gut. (no pun intended)

Great news!

I totally agree with Blue Sky - you are so above that kind of cr*p!

Congratulations! It sure is a great feeling

I would go - don't delay

I've gotten to the stage that I take 2 dulcoease and 2 dulcolax each evening - I tend to find that if my body needs to release it does in the morning and no cramping...

I've thought about joining up, but it would have to be online, which sort of takes away the part where you are accountable for the weight loss - no weigh ins. Will have a look to see if there are any places near by me that do it.

I have days like that too - some days I'm just not hungry - like yesterday - I had to force myself to have a yogurt, then Cereal - I'm diabetic and was having an off day.. so that's all I felt like. Being diabetic, just eating the Protein doesn't always work for me.

@@suesleeved - does this goal take into account any skin that you might/have had removed? Im 5ft also (46 years old) and my goal at this moment is to get down to 150 - was told when I get about there then I can get skin surgery...

I'm 2.5 years out and haven't had a cold since surgery... I used to always have at least one per year.. and bad ones at that. Well pleased - hoping it lasts. I wonder if it has anything to do with all the Vitamins and supplements that I now take...?

I'm much the same - I'm over 2 years out - how far along are you? I need to get rid of the slider foods (its crackers with me) - and just make tomorrow, or even better right now, the new start! We just put all those slider foods onto the 'we don't eat those' list - I've not had any bread since before my surgery... I know we can do this emk101009

No regrets at all - I've lost over 7 stone and feel as if I'm finally 'living my life' other than just chugging along.. Wish I had got this op earlier, but had to wait over 6 years on the NHS for it, going through all their hoops to get it.. If I had the means to do it with paying, I would have done it far quicker. I do find myself sometimes going back to old habits nowadays, but pull myself in and trying to stay away from slider foods - mainly crackers! Eating just a piece of chicken nowadays though - and just a small piece reminds me that I still have a lot of restriction..

Hi Mandyboo, whereabouts in UK are you? I'm in Aberdeenshire. Had surgery 2.5 years ago in Aberdeen. Just take the pre-op one day at a time - keep your eye on the bigger goal. It is all so worth it! Good luck x

for me, its crackers and chips... those are the bad boys.

I've had 3 C-sections - my first was the very worst - but that was 25 years ago... with each one it got easier, but I'd say they were still more painful than the sleeve..