Hi all

Although I had my gastric sleeve 8 months ago I have to be honest and say that, whilst I have dipped in and out of weight loss forums both leading up to and after my op, I have not really been actively involved.

Now, I feel so passionate about my weight loss surgery and the results that I have already achieved that I thought why not share it with people who are either going through the same thing and feel as on top of the world as I do, or are maybe considering having the sleeve and want to talk to somebody who can give first hand experience (and because I have most likely run out of friends and family to bore with my elation now!!).

I can honestly say that there is nothing better I have ever done in life than have the sleeve! And I doubt that anything else will ever match the feeling of happiness that it brings (aside from having my kids of course, but thats a given!).

I have so far lost 92lbs and feel amazing!! I have about another 14lb to lose which just seems incredible since, all of my adult life I can never remember being less than at least 5st (70lbs) overweight - it just feels like a small mound to overcome now as opposed to the mountain that I was always faced with.

Life is fantastic!! - I cannot stress that enough!

I could go on (and on, and on) about how I feel but dont want to bore you all - just to say, im friendly and approachable and would be more than happy to speak to others about their journey, share ideas of just answer questions from those of you who have either decided to have the surgery or are still thinking about it.

Bye for now

Kellie x

Congrats on your loss and welcome to VST!

First and foremost, congratulations on your loss =) 92 pounds is great! What a difference. And second, welcome to VST!

Great work! You'll hit goal in no time.

Welcome!

~Cheri

Hi Kellie,

Congrats and I am so happy for you! You are definitely inspiring! I am scheduled for my VSG in September and am working on losing some weight before my surgery. What do you feel was your biggest challenge in regards to your keeping on track? What do your meals consist of 8 months out? How much do you exercise?

I will stop here with my questions.

Thanks and good luck with your lat 14 pounds!

Dottie

Hey thanks all - how lovely to hear your support and encouragement!

And Dottie - how great that you have your surgery coming up, you will never look back, I promise.

OK - as far as challenges go, I dont think there are any! I guess the one thing I have to be aware of food wise now is not using things like crisps to snack on as they go down really easily, but as we all know, are sooooo bad for you! Other than that I find the whole thing plain sailing.

Honestly, before the surgery I was a food lover - I seemed to snack all day long, eat portions that were far too large and basically - although my excuse was "I dont really eat that much, and I dont understand why im overweight" I knew in my heart that I did and it was all my fault - that is why the sleeve is so fantastic - not only does it take away your desire to want to eat, it also stops you eating too much.

So - the only thing left is to ensure that you eat enough of the right foods - thats probably the challenge of sorts, but hey, im in a routine now and its working!!

I do try to vary my foods but at the same time, since I am not really a food lover any more (dont worry, your love of foods will be replaced with the love of your legs not rubbing together, the smaller clothes you can buy, the compliments you receive, the sidewards glance from the odd man ..... yep, its finally happened to me!! and so many other things that food just cannot give you the same level of joy for).

My average day goes something like this:

Breakfast - 1 egg scrambled on a ryvita (no butter)

mid morning - a small handful of mixed nuts

lunch - well today I had two slices of ham wrapped around some salad leaves to make a kind of wrap (sounds boring but I cannot eat bread so its the next best thing) and a packet of snack a jacks.

For dinner tonight I am planning to have a small piece of salmon (about the size of a credit card if that makes sense, and maybe a centimete thick) with a bit of mixed veg. Simple!

I find that I mainly stick to eggs, chicken and fish but really, there is nothing that I miss - I dont even fancy chocolate these days which is an absolute miracle as I used to have at least one chocolate bar a day!

Hope that that helps Dottie? Im notorious for going off subject but hopefully I have included answers to your questions somewhere in my ramblings!

Trust me - and I cannot empahsise this enough ....... it will be the most life changing, exhilerating and rewarding thing you have ever done!

Very best

Kellie x

ps - Dottie ...... although I dont go to the gym I move everywhere at 100 miles an hour now, am always active, walk the dog probably far more than she would care me to and actually run (yes, run) around the with kids ...... must sort out some sort of routine soon with regards to swimming or cycling, but so far I cannot say that exercise has been high on my agenda.

xx

Kellie,

Thank you for the reply. I am envious that you are already 8 months out. September can't get here fast enough. But, I know the time will be flying by and it will be here before I know it.

I live on a tiny island in the Caribbean with about 180 residents. So, no gym.... we have one tiny grocery store on island and our bank is open two days a week. I work as a scuba instructor/dive master and work/dive 6 days a week. My job is very physical...lifting scuba tanks and dive gear all day long. I take my 2 cats for a walk in the evening... and that is about it. I need to ramp my exercise program up. I have been thinking about trying the indoor walking with Leslie Sansone. At least, I can do it in the comfort of my own home with the AC on.

Again, you are an inspiration!

Cheers, Dottie

OMG Dottie ...... you are envious!!??? I live about 14 miles from London in a built up area, with an average of around 12 hours sunshine a year, nowhere to scuba dive and nobody ever walks their cats .... they are too streetwise to be treated like such royalty!! lol - that sounds idyllic hon, and cannot think of a better place to start and enjoy being the new you!

Your job sounds amazing - I am a photographer and writer, so half on location, half sat at the desk (well, thats the theory anyway but it seems to be more like 90% of my time at the desk at the moment - which doesnt do much for firming the buttocks - but hey, they are a lot smaller than they were!!).

September will come around soon enough, and just think, by Christmas you will be well on your way to the new you - hang in there - but I completely understand what you mean as that was me this time last year when I began the process.

xx

What were the items that you needed to have after surgery, I know the ones that are recommended, but was there anything else that made life easy for you?

Hi Newbie

Sorry - what items do you mean? food wise?

Happy to answer any questions but just wanted to check what you mean.

Thanks

Kellie x

Great to Meet Ya and Love your story! Congratulations on your success!

Sorry, my name is Sabrina... I am having surgery on the 15, and any info you can give is helpful. Was there something not on the list that you found to make life easier? Special Protein drink, Vitamins, or Soups...anything

Hi kellie, I love your before and after pics! Your hairstyle is great. You've given us some great positive info. I'm just 6 days after my sleeve but our stats are almost the same from where you began, so it is great to see:). Hope your going to enjoy the Olympics!

oh I love how happy you are. what a great journey you have had.

Thanks for all our lovely comments - it means a lot.

And Sabrina - I am thinking that you need some tips for the diet you have to do just after surgery? I stayed on liquids (including smooth thin yoghurt) for about 3 weeks. The one thing I really enjoyed was warm cordial - you know like orange squash and Ribena with warm Water - that seemed to go down really well. I also found that I enjoyed pot Desserts as they were a bit different - just watch out for the calorie content!

I think that's all really, suffice to say you won't really be fancying much so go with it, enjoy the fact that food is no longer in control of you - you'll be amazed how easy it is!

Xx