Hi everyone, I'm not sure if this is the place for introductions and I'm usually allergic to forums and stuff, but anyway....

I haven't had surgery yet, am still looking for a good surgeon in my city, am researching my options, and saving up. I have got to the stage where I can't bear photos or looking in the mirror and am totally despairing. Someone recently called me the "fat lady in the circus" (on a day when I was feeling quite svelte )and I have got to the end of my tether after years of yo-yo dieting. Anyway, I intend to find out all I can on here, ask lots of questions and I'll be taking the VSG leap when I'm ready.Do bear with me please because I think that some of my mountains of bodyfat has leaked into my brain (I'm a bit slow at times).

Um, thats it I think. Feel free to chip in and tell me I've posted in a weird place or sound like a nutter.

Hi there Smoggy.

Welcome! I'm pretty much a newb here too. I just had the sleeve done a few weeks ago and this is a great place to get info and support from other Sleevers.

Start prepping as you will have to lose weight before hand to get rid of fatty liver to make surgery easier as they have to move the liver to get to stomach.

I lost 60 pounds before surgery by simply looking at labels and tracking calories and Protein. I changed to fat free milk, fat free cottage cheese, nonfat cheese slices, egg white only, vegetables and fruits for Snacks. I eliminated chips, Cookies and other junk food (yes, I had once in a month treat), more turkey and chicken, cut fat off all meats.

There is a lot of good low fat, non fat, lower sugar foods and drinks out there.

Also got personal trainer and went to gym three days a week, walked another three days. Was running 30 minutes and then weight training 60 minutes at gym. Walking was like 2 hours. Grocery store only 1/2 mile away so for those forgot to get items I walked, wife once had me walking four times for as soon as I got she remembered something else she needed.

Start prepping as you will have to lose weight before hand to get rid of fatty liver to make surgery easier as they have to move the liver to get to stomach.

I lost 60 pounds before surgery by simply looking at labels and tracking calories and Protein. I changed to fat free milk, fat free cottage cheese, nonfat cheese slices, egg white only, vegetables and fruits for Snacks. I eliminated chips, Cookies and other junk food (yes, I had once in a month treat), more turkey and chicken, cut fat off all meats.

There is a lot of good low fat, non fat, lower sugar foods and drinks out there.

Also got personal trainer and went to gym three days a week, walked another three days. Was running 30 minutes and then weight training 60 minutes at gym. Walking was like 2 hours. Grocery store only 1/2 mile away so for those forgot to get items I walked, wife once had me walking four times for as soon as I got she remembered something else she needed.

Thanks for the advice and the welcome peeps!