Hi there,

I think this is a brilliant site. I live in England, and there is not so many sites as extensive as this available.

I had by band on 15th August privately and paid £5,000. It is something I had wanted for about 5 years! but my family were very cautious and felt it needed to be the very last resort. So even though I had tried just about everything for over 30 years, I went through another 5 yrs to prove that for me I can lose weight but then end up putting it all back on again!!! There comes a time when you either accept that or feel you are absolutely fed up and want to do something that will stop that disappointment once and for all.

For me I had done a lot of soul searching and had accepted myself as a bigger person. My self esteem and confidence was not affected by my weight, because I have always cared about my appearance, I have my hair done regularly, visit a beautician and have nails done regularly and eyebrows waxed etc. However, more and more I noticed my weight impacted on my sense of wellbeing and fitness. My husband is a very fit man who takes part in triathlons, whilst I struggle to walk up hill. I used to be a fit person who was classed as 'sporty'. I used to play badminton, tennis, rounders and loved sport. This has become a thing of the past as it is such a huge effort when you carry excess weight.

I have two grown up daughters, one is a community nurse and the other currently a trainee nurse. We have spoken extensively about how diseases such as diabetes impact incredibly on people. Unfortunately I have seen my older sister who is also morbidly obese been affected by this. She has developed diabetes and angina and problems with her knees and her mobility which has greatly impacted on her life. I began to realise that if i didn't do something about my weight that this would be my future.

So here it is, I have had my surgery over 3 weeks ago and I am already lighter that I have been in many many years.

I know there will probably be ups and downs, but I also know that I will be supported by my wonderful family, work colleagues, friends and by this site, as I have found it so incredibly supportive already. It is wonderful to have peer support from people who know what you are going through. Here's to the future, and thank you everyone already for everything you have shared. x

Welcome!!! I am also located in the UK. Who did you get your surgery through?

I had it with the Hospital group at Dolan Park with mr Sigurdsson.

What about you? I live in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, What about you?