loobylou238

Loobylou was the name of one of my cats. She was 23 when she died. 238 was my old house number.

Loobylou was the name of one of my cats. She was 23 when she died. 238 was my old house number.

Mick, whether you are a man or a woman doesn't come into it. I have just turned 62 and I was sleeved on 09/18. The last time I looked I was most definitely a woman! Since my op I have lost 46 pounds (still to update my ticker!) and I do not regret it for one moment. I only wish I'd had the funds sooner as I was self pay.
Of course you want a better quality of life and it is NEVER too late to do so.
I am down from 7 HBP tablets to 1 and feel and look so much better.
Your daughter should understand rather than query your motives.
I sailed through my op and with HBP and asthma I thought otherwise. You go for it and start writing up your bucket list of things to do!

Madam R, I believe you are a fellow Scot like me? It is all in the genes. Fine, thin hair. Pale skin. It's all those midges and haggis that have done it! Hang in there and why not buy a wig?
I already had alopecia(spelling?) before my gastric sleeve op in September last year. I started off just like you. My fringe disappeared, followed by most of my crown.
It has definitely worsened since my surgery. The sides have disappeared completely. I really don't like looking at myself in the mirror. When I go swimming I wear a wide headband to disguise most of my baldness.
I get four wigs per year on the NHS (free thank God) and some of them are absolutely stunning. If I get a compliment on my hair I will always tell the person that I am wearing a wig. Go get yourself a wig in a totally different style and colour to what you usually are and pretend you've just been to the hairdresser and fancied a change.
At work, I've been known to wear a different wig each day and nobody has batted an eyelash. They all think I'm crazy!

Madam R, I believe you are a fellow Scot like me? It is all in the genes. Fine, thin hair. Pale skin. It's all those midges and haggis that have done it! Hang in there and why not buy a wig?
I already had alopecia(spelling?) before my gastric sleeve op in September last year. I started off just like you. My fringe disappeared, followed by most of my crown.
It has definitely worsened since my surgery. The sides have disappeared completely. I really don't like looking at myself in the mirror. When I go swimming I wear a wide headband to disguise most of my baldness.
I get four wigs per year on the NHS (free thank God) and some of them are absolutely stunning. If I get a compliment on my hair I will always tell the person that I am wearing a wig. Go get yourself a wig in a totally different style and colour to what you usually are and pretend you've just been to the hairdresser and fancied a change.
At work, I've been known to wear a different wig each day and nobody has batted an eyelash. They all think I'm crazy!

Happy New Year to you.
I was sleeved on 09/18 and since surgery I've lost 46 pounds. However my journey really started in May 2013 and since then I've lost 72 pounds in total.
I too have had a couple of drinks over Christmas and New Year but I'm not ashamed of it. Everything in moderation is what I say. I most certainly have not over eaten as in previous years. I'm still struggling with dense Proteins and getting all my fluids in as well. It is hard trying to eat slowly and to not drink whilst eating. But then again we're trying to change a lifetime of habits.
I feel and look so much better and looking forward to visiting my sister in the States on Saturday 04 January. She hasn't seen me since before my op, so hopefully she will see a big difference in me.
Here's to 2014!

I think you're maybe rushing to eat 'normal' food too quickly. I was sleeved on 09/18 and still have problems with dense Proteins like chicken. Cottage cheese was also a no-no. bread, vegetables and fruit, I still have problems with. I have always been able to eat mashed potatoes with some grated cheese and that is my standby meal. Am fine with salmon and tuna as well.
It all takes time and you can't rush things.
On the plus side I wouldn't change what I've done, it's been the best thing ever. Am 42 pounds down, I feel and look so much better. Down from 7 HBP pills to 1, no lymphoedema in my legs and have come down 4 dress sizes.
Give your body time to recover, stay positive and you'll be fine. Best of luck.

I think you're maybe rushing to eat 'normal' food too quickly. I was sleeved on 09/18 and still have problems with dense Proteins like chicken. Cottage cheese was also a no-no. bread, vegetables and fruit, I still have problems with. I have always been able to eat mashed potatoes with some grated cheese and that is my standby meal. Am fine with salmon and tuna as well.
It all takes time and you can't rush things.
On the plus side I wouldn't change what I've done, it's been the best thing ever. Am 42 pounds down, I feel and look so much better. Down from 7 HBP pills to 1, no lymphoedema in my legs and have come down 4 dress sizes.
Give your body time to recover, stay positive and you'll be fine. Best of luck.

I think you're maybe rushing to eat 'normal' food too quickly. I was sleeved on 09/18 and still have problems with dense Proteins like chicken. Cottage cheese was also a no-no. bread, vegetables and fruit, I still have problems with. I have always been able to eat mashed potatoes with some grated cheese and that is my standby meal. Am fine with salmon and tuna as well.
It all takes time and you can't rush things.
On the plus side I wouldn't change what I've done, it's been the best thing ever. Am 42 pounds down, I feel and look so much better. Down from 7 HBP pills to 1, no lymphoedema in my legs and have come down 4 dress sizes.
Give your body time to recover, stay positive and you'll be fine. Best of luck.

Lifeliver don't give up. I was sleeved 09/18, had a stall at 3 weeks, then the weight started to fall off again. Am now 12 weeks post surgery and have just had another stall which lasted 4 weeks. Am still 33 pounds less and dividing that between the 12 weeks means a loss of between 2-3 pounds per week.
You are roughly 8 weeks post op and down 18-20 pounds? That's the same as me, 2-3 pounds per week.
When we started this journey we knew it wasn't going to be easy, but stick with it, things will get better. Our bodies are trying to hang on to everything we through down our necks! Keep your doctor's appointment, you still weigh less than when you started and that is an achievement.
I don't regret my surgery, this has been the best thing I've ever done.
Chin up and good luck!

Lifeliver don't give up. I was sleeved 09/18, had a stall at 3 weeks, then the weight started to fall off again. Am now 12 weeks post surgery and have just had another stall which lasted 4 weeks. Am still 33 pounds less and dividing that between the 12 weeks means a loss of between 2-3 pounds per week.
You are roughly 8 weeks post op and down 18-20 pounds? That's the same as me, 2-3 pounds per week.
When we started this journey we knew it wasn't going to be easy, but stick with it, things will get better. Our bodies are trying to hang on to everything we through down our necks! Keep your doctor's appointment, you still weigh less than when you started and that is an achievement.
I don't regret my surgery, this has been the best thing I've ever done.
Chin up and good luck!

It is natural to feel scared about your surgery after all it is elective.
However you must have been in the right frame of mind when you first made the decision to go for surgery. Do you have other health problems?
I am only 12 weeks out after surgery. Water has never been a problem for me. food and trying to eat it is my problem. I feel full very quickly, probably after two spoonfuls. But then food was my downfall to begin with. I am so, so glad my previous poor food choices have all now been removed. If I eat out the majority of food goes home with me! I've saved a ton of money by not going to the grocery store.
I don't regret my operation for one moment. It was the best money I've spent in all my life. Down from 7 HBP pills to 1, no more lymphoedema in my legs, I can walk more, have more energy and I like myself for the first time in a long time!
You go for it girl and reclaim your life back.

I am 61, from the UK and funded my own sleeve op on 09/18 in France. Since then I have lost 21 pounds. In four weeks I am well pleased with that. But the biggest result has been my high blood pressure. From seven, yes seven, pills a day I am now down to one!
I emailed my French surgeon and his co-ordinator yesterday with my results and they were absolutely delighted with my progress. The co-ordinator has even invited me to post my progress on their testimonial page. Their emails back to me were so positive and encouraging it give me a real boost. Being self pay I have no NUT and a lot of food items have been trial and error.
I read a lot of the topics on this forum and people worry about the craziest things. Their common sense seems to have flown out the window.
I say to anyone in their sixties to go for it, you will not regret it. Especially if like me you take a lot of pills. It doesn't matter if you lose it slowly and it maybe takes two years to get to your goal. You WILL get your life back. The doctor does his job but the rest is up to you.
Best of luck to everyone who has surgery coming up. You CAN do it and my thoughts are with you.

Came out of WW May 2013. Was a helper. Loved meeting people but no good for my weight. When I left I weighed 392.
During the summer months I looked at my options, said enough is enough, and went for sleeve surgery on 09/18. I weighed in at 365.
Since surgery I've lost 33 pounds and I feel great. So I thought I would share my pros and cons.
Pros
I am losing weight almost effortlessly.
I am not hungry.
Sometimes I crave a food but it passes.
Fitting back into clothes I couldn't wear.
My knees don't hurt anymore.
My feet and lower legs are not swollen anymore.
I don't leak urine when I cough or sneeze.(Major bonus, haha).
I can put on my socks and shoes with no problem.
If I drop something on the floor I can pick it up.
My BP meds are down from 7 per day to 1.(Another major bonus).
I feel better, happier and healthier.
Cons
I have to remind myself to chew slowly.
Still struggling with my Water intake.
Food has lost some of its appeal. (Although this could be a pro as well!)
For me the pros far outweigh the cons. I am under no illusions that this will be a tough journey . But the doctor has done his job and the rest is up to me. I intend to succeed. This has been the best money I've ever spent (self pay) and I will never regret it.
Good luck to everyone out there who has made the decision to have the surgery.
Look out life here I come!!

Came out of WW May 2013. Was a helper. Loved meeting people but no good for my weight. When I left I weighed 392.
During the summer months I looked at my options, said enough is enough, and went for sleeve surgery on 09/18. I weighed in at 365.
Since surgery I've lost 33 pounds and I feel great. So I thought I would share my pros and cons.
Pros
I am losing weight almost effortlessly.
I am not hungry.
Sometimes I crave a food but it passes.
Fitting back into clothes I couldn't wear.
My knees don't hurt anymore.
My feet and lower legs are not swollen anymore.
I don't leak urine when I cough or sneeze.(Major bonus, haha).
I can put on my socks and shoes with no problem.
If I drop something on the floor I can pick it up.
My BP meds are down from 7 per day to 1.(Another major bonus).
I feel better, happier and healthier.
Cons
I have to remind myself to chew slowly.
Still struggling with my Water intake.
Food has lost some of its appeal. (Although this could be a pro as well!)
For me the pros far outweigh the cons. I am under no illusions that this will be a tough journey . But the doctor has done his job and the rest is up to me. I intend to succeed. This has been the best money I've ever spent (self pay) and I will never regret it.
Good luck to everyone out there who has made the decision to have the surgery.
Look out life here I come!!

Came out of WW May 2013. Was a helper. Loved meeting people but no good for my weight. When I left I weighed 392.
During the summer months I looked at my options, said enough is enough, and went for sleeve surgery on 09/18. I weighed in at 365.
Since surgery I've lost 33 pounds and I feel great. So I thought I would share my pros and cons.
Pros
I am losing weight almost effortlessly.
I am not hungry.
Sometimes I crave a food but it passes.
Fitting back into clothes I couldn't wear.
My knees don't hurt anymore.
My feet and lower legs are not swollen anymore.
I don't leak urine when I cough or sneeze.(Major bonus, haha).
I can put on my socks and shoes with no problem.
If I drop something on the floor I can pick it up.
My BP meds are down from 7 per day to 1.(Another major bonus).
I feel better, happier and healthier.
Cons
I have to remind myself to chew slowly.
Still struggling with my Water intake.
Food has lost some of its appeal. (Although this could be a pro as well!)
For me the pros far outweigh the cons. I am under no illusions that this will be a tough journey . But the doctor has done his job and the rest is up to me. I intend to succeed. This has been the best money I've ever spent (self pay) and I will never regret it.
Good luck to everyone out there who has made the decision to have the surgery.
Look out life here I come!!

Came out of WW May 2013. Was a helper. Loved meeting people but no good for my weight. When I left I weighed 392.
During the summer months I looked at my options, said enough is enough, and went for sleeve surgery on 09/18. I weighed in at 365.
Since surgery I've lost 33 pounds and I feel great. So I thought I would share my pros and cons.
Pros
I am losing weight almost effortlessly.
I am not hungry.
Sometimes I crave a food but it passes.
Fitting back into clothes I couldn't wear.
My knees don't hurt anymore.
My feet and lower legs are not swollen anymore.
I don't leak urine when I cough or sneeze.(Major bonus, haha).
I can put on my socks and shoes with no problem.
If I drop something on the floor I can pick it up.
My BP meds are down from 7 per day to 1.(Another major bonus).
I feel better, happier and healthier.
Cons
I have to remind myself to chew slowly.
Still struggling with my Water intake.
Food has lost some of its appeal. (Although this could be a pro as well!)
For me the pros far outweigh the cons. I am under no illusions that this will be a tough journey . But the doctor has done his job and the rest is up to me. I intend to succeed. This has been the best money I've ever spent (self pay) and I will never regret it.
Good luck to everyone out there who has made the decision to have the surgery.
Look out life here I come!!

Came out of WW May 2013. Was a helper. Loved meeting people but no good for my weight. When I left I weighed 392.
During the summer months I looked at my options, said enough is enough, and went for sleeve surgery on 09/18. I weighed in at 365.
Since surgery I've lost 33 pounds and I feel great. So I thought I would share my pros and cons.
Pros
I am losing weight almost effortlessly.
I am not hungry.
Sometimes I crave a food but it passes.
Fitting back into clothes I couldn't wear.
My knees don't hurt anymore.
My feet and lower legs are not swollen anymore.
I don't leak urine when I cough or sneeze.(Major bonus, haha).
I can put on my socks and shoes with no problem.
If I drop something on the floor I can pick it up.
My BP meds are down from 7 per day to 1.(Another major bonus).
I feel better, happier and healthier.
Cons
I have to remind myself to chew slowly.
Still struggling with my Water intake.
Food has lost some of its appeal. (Although this could be a pro as well!)
For me the pros far outweigh the cons. I am under no illusions that this will be a tough journey . But the doctor has done his job and the rest is up to me. I intend to succeed. This has been the best money I've ever spent (self pay) and I will never regret it.
Good luck to everyone out there who has made the decision to have the surgery.
Look out life here I come!!

Came out of WW May 2013. Was a helper. Loved meeting people but no good for my weight. When I left I weighed 392.
During the summer months I looked at my options, said enough is enough, and went for sleeve surgery on 09/18. I weighed in at 365.
Since surgery I've lost 33 pounds and I feel great. So I thought I would share my pros and cons.
Pros
I am losing weight almost effortlessly.
I am not hungry.
Sometimes I crave a food but it passes.
Fitting back into clothes I couldn't wear.
My knees don't hurt anymore.
My feet and lower legs are not swollen anymore.
I don't leak urine when I cough or sneeze.(Major bonus, haha).
I can put on my socks and shoes with no problem.
If I drop something on the floor I can pick it up.
My BP meds are down from 7 per day to 1.(Another major bonus).
I feel better, happier and healthier.
Cons
I have to remind myself to chew slowly.
Still struggling with my Water intake.
Food has lost some of its appeal. (Although this could be a pro as well!)
For me the pros far outweigh the cons. I am under no illusions that this will be a tough journey . But the doctor has done his job and the rest is up to me. I intend to succeed. This has been the best money I've ever spent (self pay) and I will never regret it.
Good luck to everyone out there who has made the decision to have the surgery.
Look out life here I come!!

Came out of WW May 2013. Was a helper. Loved meeting people but no good for my weight. When I left I weighed 392.
During the summer months I looked at my options, said enough is enough, and went for sleeve surgery on 09/18. I weighed in at 365.
Since surgery I've lost 33 pounds and I feel great. So I thought I would share my pros and cons.
Pros
I am losing weight almost effortlessly.
I am not hungry.
Sometimes I crave a food but it passes.
Fitting back into clothes I couldn't wear.
My knees don't hurt anymore.
My feet and lower legs are not swollen anymore.
I don't leak urine when I cough or sneeze.(Major bonus, haha).
I can put on my socks and shoes with no problem.
If I drop something on the floor I can pick it up.
My BP meds are down from 7 per day to 1.(Another major bonus).
I feel better, happier and healthier.
Cons
I have to remind myself to chew slowly.
Still struggling with my Water intake.
Food has lost some of its appeal. (Although this could be a pro as well!)
For me the pros far outweigh the cons. I am under no illusions that this will be a tough journey . But the doctor has done his job and the rest is up to me. I intend to succeed. This has been the best money I've ever spent (self pay) and I will never regret it.
Good luck to everyone out there who has made the decision to have the surgery.
Look out life here I come!!

Came out of WW May 2013. Was a helper. Loved meeting people but no good for my weight. When I left I weighed 392.
During the summer months I looked at my options, said enough is enough, and went for sleeve surgery on 09/18. I weighed in at 365.
Since surgery I've lost 33 pounds and I feel great. So I thought I would share my pros and cons.
Pros
I am losing weight almost effortlessly.
I am not hungry.
Sometimes I crave a food but it passes.
Fitting back into clothes I couldn't wear.
My knees don't hurt anymore.
My feet and lower legs are not swollen anymore.
I don't leak urine when I cough or sneeze.(Major bonus, haha).
I can put on my socks and shoes with no problem.
If I drop something on the floor I can pick it up.
My BP meds are down from 7 per day to 1.(Another major bonus).
I feel better, happier and healthier.
Cons
I have to remind myself to chew slowly.
Still struggling with my Water intake.
Food has lost some of its appeal. (Although this could be a pro as well!)
For me the pros far outweigh the cons. I am under no illusions that this will be a tough journey . But the doctor has done his job and the rest is up to me. I intend to succeed. This has been the best money I've ever spent (self pay) and I will never regret it.
Good luck to everyone out there who has made the decision to have the surgery.
Look out life here I come!!

Came out of WW May 2013. Was a helper. Loved meeting people but no good for my weight. When I left I weighed 392.
During the summer months I looked at my options, said enough is enough, and went for sleeve surgery on 09/18. I weighed in at 365.
Since surgery I've lost 33 pounds and I feel great. So I thought I would share my pros and cons.
Pros
I am losing weight almost effortlessly.
I am not hungry.
Sometimes I crave a food but it passes.
Fitting back into clothes I couldn't wear.
My knees don't hurt anymore.
My feet and lower legs are not swollen anymore.
I don't leak urine when I cough or sneeze.(Major bonus, haha).
I can put on my socks and shoes with no problem.
If I drop something on the floor I can pick it up.
My BP meds are down from 7 per day to 1.(Another major bonus).
I feel better, happier and healthier.
Cons
I have to remind myself to chew slowly.
Still struggling with my Water intake.
Food has lost some of its appeal. (Although this could be a pro as well!)
For me the pros far outweigh the cons. I am under no illusions that this will be a tough journey . But the doctor has done his job and the rest is up to me. I intend to succeed. This has been the best money I've ever spent (self pay) and I will never regret it.
Good luck to everyone out there who has made the decision to have the surgery.
Look out life here I come!!

Came out of WW May 2013. Was a helper. Loved meeting people but no good for my weight. When I left I weighed 392.
During the summer months I looked at my options, said enough is enough, and went for sleeve surgery on 09/18. I weighed in at 365.
Since surgery I've lost 33 pounds and I feel great. So I thought I would share my pros and cons.
Pros
I am losing weight almost effortlessly.
I am not hungry.
Sometimes I crave a food but it passes.
Fitting back into clothes I couldn't wear.
My knees don't hurt anymore.
My feet and lower legs are not swollen anymore.
I don't leak urine when I cough or sneeze.(Major bonus, haha).
I can put on my socks and shoes with no problem.
If I drop something on the floor I can pick it up.
My BP meds are down from 7 per day to 1.(Another major bonus).
I feel better, happier and healthier.
Cons
I have to remind myself to chew slowly.
Still struggling with my Water intake.
Food has lost some of its appeal. (Although this could be a pro as well!)
For me the pros far outweigh the cons. I am under no illusions that this will be a tough journey . But the doctor has done his job and the rest is up to me. I intend to succeed. This has been the best money I've ever spent (self pay) and I will never regret it.
Good luck to everyone out there who has made the decision to have the surgery.
Look out life here I come!!

Came out of WW May 2013. Was a helper. Loved meeting people but no good for my weight. When I left I weighed 392.
During the summer months I looked at my options, said enough is enough, and went for sleeve surgery on 09/18. I weighed in at 365.
Since surgery I've lost 33 pounds and I feel great. So I thought I would share my pros and cons.
Pros
I am losing weight almost effortlessly.
I am not hungry.
Sometimes I crave a food but it passes.
Fitting back into clothes I couldn't wear.
My knees don't hurt anymore.
My feet and lower legs are not swollen anymore.
I don't leak urine when I cough or sneeze.(Major bonus, haha).
I can put on my socks and shoes with no problem.
If I drop something on the floor I can pick it up.
My BP meds are down from 7 per day to 1.(Another major bonus).
I feel better, happier and healthier.
Cons
I have to remind myself to chew slowly.
Still struggling with my Water intake.
Food has lost some of its appeal. (Although this could be a pro as well!)
For me the pros far outweigh the cons. I am under no illusions that this will be a tough journey . But the doctor has done his job and the rest is up to me. I intend to succeed. This has been the best money I've ever spent (self pay) and I will never regret it.
Good luck to everyone out there who has made the decision to have the surgery.
Look out life here I come!!

Hi all- I ham still going okay- the weight loss has reduced to about 0.5kg (about 1 pound) per week. I am exercising 5-6 times per week- running or doing ballet- who would have thought!!! I have about 30 pounds to go still though and I have trouble with excess skin on my upper arms. I have lost about 200 pounds though since September 2013 - so I am lucky that my tummy is okay and it's just my arms.
Here's a comparison shot cheers Liss