Booklean

Hi EmmaLouise, Wishing you all the best next week and also on your entire weight loss journey. Where are you having your surgery? Booklean

Hello all April Sleevers. I haven't much new to relate since my last visit here. I have lost 47 lbs since being sleeved on April 26th. My BMI is 27.5 now. I am happy with my life and weight loss, but I feel that my energy is still lower than I would like.I don't seem to have this surge of energy that others are referring to. I have lost the weight from everywhere except my spare tyre which is still a huge problem area. Maybe it will come off there soon! I love reading all the posts from other April sleevers and I wish you all the best. Booklean

Well done Jane. I am a little late in hearing your news, but still wish to join in and say a big congratulations!

Hi Lookinup, Thanks for your lovely long reply. That's good news you gave in that tone continues to improve for a couple of years after the weight loss. You are doing really well with the exercise and weight loss. Well Done!

Hi Val, Thanks for your reply. Once the loose skin and the rate of weight loss are not linked then we don't have to be careful in the way we lose weight. Unfortunately, we can't do much about genetics, age or indeed our past BMI at this stage! I suppose its best to just concentrate on what we can do.

Hi Carla, Thats good news your surgeon has, and also good news for you on the treadmill. I started with a BMI of 35.6 and am now down to 28.5. I have lost the weight that I recently gained. I seem to have been around this weight for several years so I expect that what I have left is stretched to this size.

Hello Everyone. I am wondering if anyone would be able to help me and answer a question regarding any correlation between the speed of weight loss and the resultant loose skin that people get after significant weight loss. It would appear to me that if we deliberately slow down our weight loss then we might have less excess skin and more toned looking bodies. I am also wondering if anyone has any advice to give in the early stage of weight loss that might be helpful in achieving a more natural shrinkage. I assume that exercise should be helpful. I do not wish to have to resort to plastic surgery if at all possible. I would be happy to deliberately slow down the weight loss if I was sure that it would make a difference. All comments and advice welcome.

Congrats! Well Done! I SO identify with you. I also am 5ft 5 inches tall and also started out with a weight of 213 lbs just 3 and a half months ago. I feel good that I have lost 41 lbs so far. I am interested in your exercise regime and especially the fact that you have toned up nicely. Where was your problem area of your body? Mine is the spare tyre area and I seem to be losing from everywhere else but there. How many inches have you lost from your waist? Congrats again

Hi Everyone and thanks for your replies. I am just back from a trip to Italy where I toured the cities of Pisa, Siena and Florence on foot with great ease and enjoyment. These cities are best toured on foot but I was able to keep up with everyone else and enjoy the walking and standing around all day every day. I also enjoyed the food and still lost weight! What a bonus!

I find this fruit and veg topic very interesting. I am 3 months post surgery. I have developed a new habit or routine that is working very well for me. Every weekend I make a large quantity of soup with a large variety of veg, and I also add some soup mix ( barley, lentils) and also some beans. I also add some potatoes to this soup. Separately I roast some turkey or chicken. When everything is cooked I toss the soup and meat into a blender (not liquidizer) and then divide into portions and freeze. I take one of these portions to work everyday and I enjoy the smell and taste and nutrition. It is high in protein, veg and also has some carbs. It is really convenient and works well in my lifestyle. I feel this combination agrees with my digestion and also satisfies me better than eating in a canteen or restaurant. I occasionally eat this meal a second time in the day especially when I am not organised to prepare an evening meal or am running late etc. etc. I believe this is a very balanced meal and an excellent way of getting all the necessary food groups.

Hi Everyone, It is exactly 3 months today since my surgery, so I would like to give a summary of the main changes and improvements in my lifestyle now. I started with a BMI of 35.44 weighing 213 lbs. I am 55 years old and was having huge problems with aches and pains in my lower limb joints. I need to wear orthotic inserts in my shoes and have stopped wearing high heels. The lack of mobility was contributing to my weight gain, and my weight gain was contributing to my lack of mobility. Both problems were getting worse. Now, I have lost 37.4 lbs since surgery and have a BMI of 29.22. (I did not do a pre-op diet.) I have noticed a marked improvement in my joints and overall agility and flexibility. I still need to wear flat shoes but can now feel comfortable in sandals without orthotics for short periods and also can wear a much greater range of footwear again. I have a wedding coming up in October and hope to be able to wear high heels for the day. I am also sleeping much better recently. I have dropped approx 1 size in clothing from a UK size 18 to a 16, and sometimes a 14 and lost 4 inches from my waist, which was and still is my real problem area. I am enjoying this change in eating habits and newly acquired lifestyle and I am very pleased with my overall results. Regards, Booklean

Hi Swizzy, It is exactly 3 months for me today and I have already given the details here on this thread of where I got it done in Belgium, which is exactly the same as Snoop101. Today, I would like to emphasise again just how pleased I am with this surgery, the surgeons and the whole trip to Belgium. I have had no problems and am enjoying this new lifestyle. I would not hesitate in recommending Belgium. Regards, Booklean

Hello to all ye April Sleevers! It has been a while since I've posted on this thread and now I wish to sign in and say a big HELLO. Today is my 3 month out day. I am pleased with my progress as it has been slow and steady and I have every confidence that it will continue. Sometimes I wish I was losing faster, especially when I read how well others are doing, but then I convince myself that my body is reacting the best way for it! Perhaps, with the slower weight loss it might have time to firm up and tighten back and not leave any loose or hanging skin? Well, since it is exactly 3 months, I would like to summarise my progress. I started at 213 lbs with a BMI of 35.44. I now weigh 175.6 lbs and have a BMI of 29.22. I have lost 4 inches off my middle ( is that a waist!) which is my real problem area. I notice that I am sleeping much better now and also notice a great improvement in aches and pains in my lower limb joints. I am enjoying my new lifestyle and am very pleased with absolutely everything. Good Luck to all you April Sleevers. Booklean

Hi Christie, Well Thurs has arrived, so I suppose you are getting ready to head off? You are really doing so well with your exercise and I can see that you are getting a great mix. I am being very slow to start but I won't give up. Slow and steady gets us there! I try to go out most evenings for a stroll with my 2 little dogs. They love it! I am still feeling a little tired at the end of the working day. It is now approx 7 weeks since surgery so I am not quite sure if this is to be expected. Maybe, I am just a little lazy? Exercise is a habit , and it is a hard one to get used to. Enjoy your weekend, Booklean

Hi Jemma, I have sent you a pm. hope you can retrieve it? When is your op planned for? Best of good luck, Booklean