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@@Hiraeth you can do anything - I have found the more the weight has dropped the more active I have been, I am doing things now I would never have dreamed of before and loving every minute. I go to anything up to 8 classes in the gym a week and try to fit in 5 resistance sessions (but don't always manage it) my strength still needs some work but it will get there it's still better than it was when I was nearly 250lbs heavier.

I'm just coming up to 13 months out now and at my biggest I was a tight UK 32-34 I'm now a UK 8-12 depending on style and shop, you can do it, just be sure to be realistic and don't get disheartened enjoy your journey

To be very honest I have had a very easy ride, I haven't had any real troubles I don't really have any hunger or particularly crave any foods, I had very little pain and was up and about within a couple of hours being back to my room and although I was signed off for two weeks I was back working from home in a few days. I still don't eat very much but am quite careful with what I do eat - I'm not a saint though I do occasionally have something sweet or a couple of glasses of wine. I'm struggling to tell you anything negative.

I'm in Wiltshire, I went private through Spire Southampton. 5.5 stone might seem like a lot but the sleeve is a great tool and will undoubtedly help you. Where are do you live, are you going with the NHS or private?

Life's good thanks, I've had an amazing year with better results than I ever expected - I'm probably within 20lbs of deciding I am at my goal weight I don't know how much you have to lose but I had plenty and this was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Hopefully you are feeling good about your choice and you will be blessed with a pain free successful journey

Hey @@jackiemanning I'm UK based, I'm a bit further along this journey than you one year post at the beginning of October this year but if you want to keep in touch or have any questions give me a yell

Yes I definitely share your pain so to speak - I find sitting for long periods very uncomfortable both in my backside and shoulders, I guess I'm just bonfire than I used to be and I no longer have the additional padding I did previously. I've taken to having a cushion on my chair in the office but even that doesn't solve the problem

@@LisaMergs what have you done - you made me go shopping with one astounded highly amusing husband in tow ???? So one pair of knee high boots with a higher heel than I was planning (3 inch) and from the standard section - no wide fit here???? and I bought a couple of new jumpers UK size 8 OMG my world is insane.

Cool, I'll take a look for those next time I'm in - sounds really useful for an emergency tea option

I can't wait to buy boots that aren't wide calf! Literally coming from doing JUST THAT! And they are SMOKIN' Hot with 4 inch heels all the way to my knees. Looking at a pair now that come over the knee. Beauties by Ralph Lauren.... Mmmmmmmmm. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App I am seriously jealous, I still have quite chunky legs and am short so still struggle to find boots that fit well and you can wear four inch heels - I think you're my new hero Mind you I'd probably be banned from going into our office as I work with a lot of blokes that are desperately easily distracted and apparently I've stopped being invisible...

Apologies if this is an odd question - I'm coming up to one year post sleeve and have seen significant weight loss, I currently weigh 154lb and am about 5ft 4, personally I feel that the absolute most I should consider losing is 35lb but am not precious about that number. I have never been set a goal weight or even considered it at the beginning of this journey as it was so far from where I started and it would have had a negative effect on me emotionally if I did not achieve smaller more sensible targets, but anyhow how do you know what's right is it obvious? Any input gratefully received as this seems to be a more difficult decision than originally making the choice to have the sleeve. ???? Thanks

Absolutely brilliant - new jeans are looking good. I've never worked out why guys seem to lose their backside ahead of almost everything else but that's the way it looks

Congratulations, you look amazing

It amazes me that I am still discovering things that make me want to post on this thread, I honestly thought that after a year some of these things would be normal, obviously not I went to the gym this morning in a pair of leggings and a tee-shirt (previously the thought would've horrified me) and I have been quite brave and ventured into the free weights area, this daunted me for several reasons, mirrors other people and general lack of confidence probably the most significant - anyhow I realised as I was stood in front of said mirror this morning I took a glance (or three by the time I understood what I was thinking) and saw a whole different person, it was a person that wasn't fat and didn't need to hide from people or the mirror (far from perfect too I hasten to add) but that is probably one of the most accepting moments I have had of myself in my whole life and all I can say is wow, I really need to stay in touch with this person inside me. I'm sure lots of other people have had this epiphany and I'm not sure why it took me so long to find it - but it was such a good feeling this morning I felt inspired to share.

Congratulations - I remember that day well, what an awesome feeling it was the small things that made me feel normal again

I'm about 6lbs shy of a normal BMI, a few people have commented I shouldn't lose any more weight but personally I am letting my body make it's own decisions. I am conflicted as I still have some issues with my body image although it is a lot better than it was, just occasionally I'm overly self critical. I am seriously bony in places now it's a very odd feeling to contend with. Being this close I kind of feel I'd like to make it to a normal BMI if only for once in my adult life

I use the centrum chewable multivitamins, sorry I don't know about the Bassetts ones are OK. I don't buy anything else particularly special to be honest. Good luck with your surgery and let us know how things are going for you ????

It's similar to me - I lost 34lbs in the first month post-op. Enjoy your journey, it's one heck of a fun ride

Cheese and cocktail onions are my absolute guilty pleasure

There are a few of us around here, hope everything is going well for you and you are beginning to see the benefits of your surgery already

OK I've finally decided to be brave and post a couple of photos, apologies they are pretty poor quality as I'm not overly fond of pictures but before was June last year, the latest one is yesterday (I was obviously concentrating on something else in that one ????)

Thanks @@Omieliz it sounds like you're doing pretty well yourself, your surgery wasn't long ago. I love reading all of the positive threads on here it makes me believe everyone has the power to succeed

@@jodi2727 I think I've been very lucky, I still don't have any hunger and only really eat as a function to live but still don't eat a huge amount. I'm not a saint and do indulge in a very occasional treat as I want this to be a way I can live long term not something where I feel I have to deprive myself as I don't think that is sustainable or sensible. In the main I eat meat, vegetables, eggs, yoghurt, cheese and some fruit I avoid anything which is carb heavy as I don't like the bloated feeling that comes along with it although I confess to having a couple of glasses of wine in the last couple of weeks but I am very conscious of drinking generally. Yes it was the sleeve I chose, I try not to weigh more than once a week because I know myself and I would rather not get obsessed by a number on the scale (some weeks it might end up being twice if I really get distracted though). Well done on your weight loss so far, I hope it helps you feel positive that you are in control of this and that you are preparing yourself emotionally to make the most of the opportunity you have with the sleeve, it was certainly the best hope for me to achieve the weight loss I needed to survive long term. I do have a new found love of exercise which helps and I'd recommend getting into exercise as soon as you can, it does make a world of difference to energy levels and general outlook on life (I waited too long and let myself down in that respect - it takes a lot of guts to walk into a gym at not far shy of 400lbs, but I realised everyone has their own demons and reasons for being there and that I really wasn't their primary focus and it was all in my head). Apologies for the long rambling post, I'm sure there are a million other things I could tell you, but most importantly please remember you have made an important choice for yourself, don't judge your progress against others, you risk damaging your own well being. You will be successful, there will be challenges but focus on why you chose this route and they will fall into perspective. I wish you every success on your journey, if I can be of any help or you want to chat drop me a line

I'm feeling good, thanks, it'll be a year next Saturday for me and I have to tell you honestly it has been an amazing year so much has changed it's pretty unreal - I've been lucky I've had an uneventful journey, I've had a few bad days physically and emotionally but I will say without a shadow of a doubt I have no regrets and would do it again in a heartbeat. I'm excited for you to start your journey, keep in touch and let us know how you're getting on