luckyknickers57

Seen them on the top shelf in the Isle of Wight store. The strawberry on offer just at the moment x

Go for it Lornadoone, please yourself and not others.

Good for you.... So true, you don't get it, unless you got it. Unless we look after ourselves, we won't be able to look after others, so, its another reason to put ourselves first. Cant wait for your postings, keep us up to date please. So many of the UK postings are so old Best of luck to you

Hi CBF So sorry you feeling like this. Did you feel the same with your first appointment with the surgeon? I did. I keep hoping that my second appointment will suddenly be moved forward. And because I'm anxious about the timing I'm not that worried about shall I or not. It's a chance to change our lives, it is drastic, but we need all the support we can get. And to me it is my last chance because if I don't take it then I can't see a way forward and I'm sure I'll regret it. So many people postpone or cancel and then regret it. So think twice if you're thinking of that luv.

Hi Willow I haven't had an accident, but I understand the bit about having less and less mobility, and it's horrible isn't it? And you're so right about the questions you ask yourself. You really do know it is your last chance, but because of all the stuff in the media, and peoples very strong opinions we of course question ourselves and balance everything in our minds. And do you know what I think? It's about time we were a little bit selfish and put ourselves first, for a change. Get rid of the excess weight, get more mobile and have less pain doing it. Good luck to you, not long now...... Best wishes

Well done

Ahhh, poor you, the anxiety builds, when it's over, you won't mind. The beginning of a new life

Congratulations, keep up the good work. You KNOW it's worth it

Oh no, what an experience, but you came through it, and as you say, best thing you ever did. I hope I'm going to be saying that in the near future. I'm so worried about the timing that I am not at all (yet) worried about the procedure. When you think back do you think you should have gone straight for the sleeve? You've done really well, what was your BMI at your heaviest? I'm on the Isle of Wight, you ? My daughter had the by pass and has since had a double tummy tuck and her boobs lifted, with implants, as there wasn't much left of her breasts after five children and losing 12 stone Oh my , you're so going to enjoy the new you. Good luck and keep in touch

Hi Selena OMG what a lovey man!! You are sooo lucky, lol, to have had Shaw Somers as your surgeon. I had my first consultation (NHS) on January 3td and my next appointment in on the 11th of March. I really need it over and done with (doesn't everyone) as I'm self employed and need to be fighting fit for the holiday season. I think we're cutting it a bit fine here, but I can live in hope, right? When did you have you're sleeve done?

Has anyone here been referred to the Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth Hospitals? Be really great to contact anyone who has, or, is with this team. Hope to hear soon

Good on you Ballermom

hi daynadanelle You are so right when it comes to friends, or people who you think are friends. I had what I thought was my best friend, then, when I started to lose weight she put so many obstacles in the way. When I look back she has done it over the years many times. When I mentioned this to my dietician she said that it is common. Some people like big people as friends, to massage their egos, this can be subconscious, or deliberate. It made me reconsider my relationship with my friend, all very sad, as I thought we had been best friends for over twenty years...... This friend started to tell me I was looking to skinny... Makes you think doesn't it?

HI CBF1000 It's just how Willow says, some health authorities are insisting that we go through this six month programme (stage two they call it) and complete it successfully before the service provider can refer us to the next stage. The paper work then goes off to your GP, they assess what has been done, do a bunch of bloods, get you on the scales, and say if they agree to refer you. Then some time later you get a phone call for your first appointment at the hospital where they seem to have their own systems. This is the beginning of stage three. You are constantly reminded that there is no guarantee that you will be accepted, throughout these stages. Stage one is going to the usual clubs (with evidence) dieticians, other diets and exercise, and not being too successful, or, not keeping the weight off. I understand that other areas are slightly different how they manage it, and us. But yeah, I guess it's to make sure that we understand the life changing commitment. We are proving that we can hit our targets, work with professionals and show that we are serious. Also I guess that it is also a way of saving some money for the NHS, by sifting through and identifying the people that are more likely to succeed. Hope this is clear, sometimes I rush things!!!!!!

Thanks Willow, I hope you are too, but, I understand where you are coming from too. You don't want anyone to get carried away, with false expectations, and I am grateful. Bet we all think the same thing, let it be over with, let me start new life. X

Hi fatgirlsim How you doing post op? It's always great to how much everyone is dropping pounds, but how are you feeling? Willow wants to be out of pain, I do too, but sounds as though Willows suffers more.... I've heard that energy levels can be low, and other complains. I want to feel better, besides how people treat you, you know, more able to get around, join in with activities without terrible pain, not huffing and puffing and being able to charge around the supermarket without my back killing me. Although I don't think I'll regret the procedure, I don't want to be held back.....when I have it done...... Best wishes.

Yeah, I know what you mean. Also you look toward the future, it'll only get worse unless we do something about it. Your time is coming, I'm excited for you, no pain, all gain

Blimey Willow, why do they have all these different programmes? Sometimes I wonder if they put obstacles in the way to ensure that not only are we committed, but will do anything to get to our goal. I can appreciate that we have to be mentally ready for after the operation, have the knowledge, determination, and the right mind set, but there seems a big hole in offering information about the type of procedure we would like or need. Over half of my group fell away at the mid term point. Twelve of us to start, and three completed, with all the training, education and weight loss. Who ran your 'Weigh Ahead Programme'? ours was the Spire, Southampton. Good luck with the pre-op diet, remember, you've come sooo far, and been through so much, for so long, this is the last obstacle before you get what you deserve. The hospital bit should be OK, I've heard that the staff in these departments are really kind, they know you don't want to be there, you'd rather be at home, and will help you through it. Best wishes Keep me up to date will you?

Oh Yazzy, so pleased to hear about your experience and success. Slow but steady, hare and the tortoise???? Good on you. Keep it up. I know I'm probably being unrealistic, but my daughter had the bypass, and after her consultation, January 2013, she had the procedure ten weeks later, in Chichester. She hasn't looked back. So that's my goalposts, but willow told me I probably won't get it that soon, but ya can't shoot a girl for dreaming, hey? It's interesting how different health authorities have their own hoops for us to jump through, and timescales too. There should be national standards, then we would know where we are, and can plan accordingly. Good luck to you love

ohhh, I really hope so mummytolewis, They're not so easy here, really strict, had to complete the six months, minimum programme, had to convince the psychologist, and then they spoke about the referral. They wouldn't even talk much about that stage, they wanted us to concentrate on that stage at that time!!! Well I just hope they are going to be as professional as your hospital where time limits are concerned. But I keep forgetting, what a wonderful outcome I could have, and you're having.... I keep thinking about the obstacles, and I should be thinking about the outcome. Well done to you, keep up the good work. Have you had any regrets?

Tried to resist it, but it was the only way forward here in Hampshire. Just missed the boat.... If I had been referred a month before I would not have had to do it. Story of my life. Hey, but that was my GP for you, 'Oh, you don't want to do that, it's a bit extreme'. Well!!!!! So there I was surrounded by fat people, all looking as miserable as me, not wanting to make eye contact, in a surgery waiting room, with the smallest of chairs - with arms- it turned out that none of us had been to before. It was a hot day, parking was at least a mile away, getting the picture? So, by the time we were ushered into a small room that had no open windows I was ready to go. The assessments began, the dietician handed out leaflets and made individual appointments, the psychologist sat rubbing his beard, OMG, what was he thinking? Then he made a group appointment, ahhh, the lovely group work, of course I was happy, wanted to chuck myself under a bus rather than face this. However, it had to be done, as my husband kept reminding me, grrrr. And I did do it, the many trips, the dieting, to prove I was committed and was able to work with professionals, the group work, to prove I was able to overcome problems. I lost the weight, had to be 10% of your excess weight, so, I got my referral to the surgeon, 3RD January 2014. Waiting to see the dietician again, and the anaesthetist, appointments in April. So, in all that's almost a year, my first 'The Weigh Ahead' appointment was in May 2013.

Tried to resist it, but it was the only way forward here in Hampshire. Just missed the boat.... If I had been referred a month before I would not have had to do it. Story of my life. Hey, but that was my GP for you, 'Oh, you don't want to do that, it's a bit extreme'. Well!!!!! So there I was surrounded by fat people, all looking as miserable as me, not wanting to make eye contact, in a surgery waiting room, with the smallest of chairs - with arms- it turned out that none of us had been to before. It was a hot day, parking was at least a mile away, getting the picture? So, by the time we were ushered into a small room that had no open windows I was ready to go. The assessments began, the dietician handed out leaflets and made individual appointments, the psychologist sat rubbing his beard, OMG, what was he thinking? Then he made a group appointment, ahhh, the lovely group work, of course I was happy, wanted to chuck myself under a bus rather than face this. However, it had to be done, as my husband kept reminding me, grrrr. And I did do it, the many trips, the dieting, to prove I was committed and was able to work with professionals, the group work, to prove I was able to overcome problems. I lost the weight, had to be 10% of your excess weight, so, I got my referral to the surgeon, 3RD January 2014. Waiting to see the dietician again, and the anaesthetist, appointments in April. So, in all that's almost a year, my first 'The Weigh Ahead' appointment was in May 2013.

Have you thought how much you want to shed, or are you going for a clothes size, or is it when you feel right? Good luck to you, I can't wait!!!

Lol, he keeps looking at me all funny like, watch this space...........

What makes me angry is this is discrimination, how they make other people feel. I tried Zumba and went to several classes, only to be singled out after the class by the instructor. She wanted my name and telephone number, to put me in touch with someone who had helped her. The penny dropped, she thought I needed to shed some weight. I couldn't believe her, I had lost 38lbs by then, without her friend! AND what if I didn't want to diet? REALLY!!! needless to say I lost my courage, and have not returned. To make things worse, the pretty little things at the front of the class started giggling and whispering. I felt like saying I'm fat, not hard of hearing. These people are poorly educated, let's hope they don't catch the fat bug hey?