Hello everyone, well, today is Friday and I am getting sleeved, here in the UK next Tuesday. I am so excited, just a little bit scared, but mostly just cant wait! I absolutely love reading the stories on this site, so felt it only right to start my own .

I am 43, really happily married to a lovely man, and we have a gorgeous son, so I am so so lucky in my life, but have been overweight since my early twenties when I started earting naughty food, drinking and smoking too - all of which I enjoyed but they have taken their toll.

I was diagnosed with heart failure two years ago and in that time I have given up smoking, drinking and lost two stone (28lbs), but I need more help and more quickly, so having been refused the surgery on the National Health Service, we have had to pay for the operation ourselves... EEEK, its £10,000, but if it works, and from what you guys out there are saying, it really does work, then it will be so so worth it. Then I intend to sell my new body to make the money back (ONLY JOKING!!! ).

So, would love to hear from any of you who have the time, good luck to all of you too, and think of me on Tuesday

Imogen x

Hello Imogen!

Good luck next week!

My friend lives in Kingston. She had the same experience - National Health Service wouldn't pay as there was no money available. She paid for it herself in December 2009. She's lost (doing the math) a bit over 8.5 stone since then.

I'm sure you'll do as well!

Hi there, thank you so much for your reply to my FIRST post, so I am adding you as a friend if thats ok. Your friend has done so well, I just hope it will be the same for me.

Will let you know progress! x

Good luck with you surgery on Tuesday. I'm sure you will do fabulous!!!

Ah thank you, thats really nice of you, am adding you as a friend too! xxxx

Hello there Floppie! Welcome to VST!!

YES the sleeve ABSOLUTELY works!! It will be the best £10K you likely will ever spend. If given the choice knowing what I know now I'd say it's better money spent than on a brand new car. Why? Because I'm a brand new ME!!

Wishing you much success and a swift and easy surgery and recovery this coming Tuesday. Blessings!!

Hello there, thank you so much for your lovely message, I am adding you as a friend if thats ok I had my surgery, everything went so so well, and I am now one week out, and have lost 13 llbs, how exciting! And its so lovely to have such lovely support from people like you, thank you and speak to you soon x Imogen x

Wishing you all the best in your journey Floppie. Stay positive before surgery and take things one at a time! I admit I felt fine the first two days after surgery... the third day was rough!! I also came off the morphine so my body was able to realize it was hurting. They hospital was really good to me and my husband. Before you know it the hard times will be over and you will forget you even had surgery! Listen to your doctor and follow their advice!

Dear Papillion, thank you so much for your lovely reply, its so lovely to be able to speak with people like you, I am one week out today, and have lost 13 llb! Cant believe it! I too had the morphine, which certainly helped me sleep, and you are quite right I did feel a bit rough after I came off, but I do still feel very positive and happy.

Take care, and keep in touch

Love Imogen xxxxx

Hope all is going well after your sleeve. I am anxious and excited too. Will have me sleeve first week of May. This forums have really set me at ease and everyones inspirational quotes, experience and advise makes me feel less nervous. I know that I am not alone. If there is any advice for me please let me know.

Take care all.

Wow- 10k Sterling? OUCH!!!! That is so expensive- but well worth it, I think you will find out!

Congratulations on being on the other side of your surgery and full speed ahead!