Hi everyone ????

I'm a newbie (almost, I've posted a couple of times before but have been a lurker for quite a while) and thought I'd use this as a place to track my journey.

I'm pre op at the moment. I've been thinking about getting the sleeve on and off for the past few years. I'm in the uk so it's not that common to have wls, altho getting more so. A friend of mine got sleeved 4 years ago and at the time I thought she was crazy. However, another 4 years of trying to do it by myself and I've decided it's right for me.

I've been overweight my whole life. I was 'tubby' as a child but continued to get bigger as I reached teenage years. My life has been a series of failed diets. Some more successful than others, I've lost as much as 6 stone a few times, only to regain it. For the past 7 years I've been fluctuating between 280lbs and fighting to get down to 260lbs, at one point a few years ago I got to 248lbs but then crept back up.

Even when I'm not actively on a diet I'm constantly focussed on food, what I ought to be eating, feeling bad for what I am eating etc. If I get in the 'zone' on a diet I do really well...until something changes like I go on holiday or take a break for christmas, and then I just can't get back in the swing of it and gain it all back. It drives me crazy as when I am losing I always feel so good, physically and mentally. It's a well trodden path most people on here know all too well I'm sure.

My weight affects every part of my life. Most notably my self esteem and confidence but there is nothing I do that my weight doesn't blight in some way. I have a four year old daughter who is my world. She has some additional needs but that's not really relevant. I just want to be able to have fun with her and be here and able to support her as long as possible. Although I don't outwardly acknowledge it my weight affects my health. My knees hurt at times, my back too sometimes. I don't have diabetes etc but I'm sure it's only a matter of time if I don't change something. Generally getting about can be damn hard work at this weight and I'm always getting hot and sweaty. I have pcos and found it hard to conceive. I don't know if we will ever decide to have another child, but I know I won't ever choose to unless I lose weight.

So anyway, I have decided to take active control. I have my surgeon appt and pre op tests on 14 may. I am hoping for surgery on 28 may. I am self funding, I've not tried the nhs but just want to get on and do this. I'm scared of the surgery as I've never had a general anaesthetic. I did have a c section though and coped well with that. I'm scared of recovery and complications too, but I'm also excited to start this process and take control. Failure is not an option this time.

I'm currently on holiday in Florida: we come every April. For the first ever time I needed a seat belt extension on the aeroplane. I've also avoided some theme parks for fear of not fitting in the ride restraints, despite loving rollercoasters etc. all this has cemented my decision. Everytime I come on holiday I vow that it will be the last time I come away being so fat, and that as soon as I get home I will commit to changing things and loosing weight. I have at times fantasized about being able to unzip my 'fat suit'. Well this time, it's going to happen. I am realistic and as prepared as I believe I can be for a tough journey and lots of hard work, but with the right tool (my sleeve) I'm determined to take my fat suit off for good ????

Hi

I too am in the UK SW London. I had my sleeve done 10 days ago by Dr Mannur. To be honest I feel really good much better than anticipated. I was up walking about the evening of the op and out 2 days later. I am in liquids and it's fine just rather boring. Looking forward to some puréed food. Have started walking and purchased a pedometer to track my steps. I am a stats person like to compare stats so am logging everything my intake my steps weight measurements and am trying to keep a video diary so I can look back

So far I think it is a good thing. I have been fat for the last 45 years and just fed up about it. It prohibits me from doing so many things. I want to start enjoying life. Would be great to keep in touch as very few people on here from the UK. Let me know how your Doctor's appointment goes. Who is your doctor? Where are you based?

I am realistic and as prepared as I believe I can be for a tough journey and lots of hard work, but with the right tool (my sleeve) I'm determined to take my fat suit off for good

Good for you! You have already begun using one of my best tips... Believe in the "new you" that you see in the mirror, and never look back over your shoulder waiting for the "old you" to drag you back. Let that person... in the "fat suit"... fade away into history. Good luck!!!

You sound exactly like the kind of person who does so well with WLS. So positive, smart, determined, and most of all ready for change.

You're going to love what this surgery can do for you. Naturally, you have to work it, work it hard. But I have no doubt that you will do just that.

Best wishes.

Hi

I too am in the UK SW London. I had my sleeve done 10 days ago by Dr Mannur. To be honest I feel really good much better than anticipated. I was up walking about the evening of the op and out 2 days later. I am in liquids and it's fine just rather boring. Looking forward to some puréed food. Have started walking and purchased a pedometer to track my steps. I am a stats person like to compare stats so am logging everything my intake my steps weight measurements and am trying to keep a video diary so I can look back

So far I think it is a good thing. I have been fat for the last 45 years and just fed up about it. It prohibits me from doing so many things. I want to start enjoying life. Would be great to keep in touch as very few people on here from the UK. Let me know how your Doctor's appointment goes. Who is your doctor? Where are you based?

Yes def be great to keep in touch, as you say it's much less common in the uk. I'm in Southampton, doctor is Michael van den Bossche. I'm seeing him next thurs, and hoping for 28th may for surgery. How are you getting on now, have you started purrees yet? Do you have a goal weight? I'm aiming to lose 130lbs! In the past I've always set my goals much higher to be 'realistic' and as a result I've always messed it up when I hit the goal. This time I'm going for broke and aiming for a bmi below 25! Surreal to even imagine it!

You sound exactly like the kind of person who does so well with WLS. So positive, smart, determined, and most of all ready for change.

You're going to love what this surgery can do for you. Naturally, you have to work it, work it hard. But I have no doubt that you will do just that.

Best wishes.

Thankyou :-) I have to admit, I do have a tendency to worry a lot and can be quite anxious/negative so I'm working really hard to be positive about this from the start!

Here we go!!!!!

Here we go!!!!!

Haha love this! If only it were that easy too ????

So, I am all booked in for two weeks today, Thursday 28 may! Arhhhh! Scary and exciting and a real mix of emotions! Start my pre op tomo, so it's my last meal tonight! Just want to get on with it now so I can just deal with it rather than worry about dealing with it!

I've been given the option of a fobi ring, does anyone have any experience with these they can share?

For me, one of the BEST of many great things about this surgery is that I'm not focused on food every minute of the day. I'm not hungry in the way I used to be. Yeah, I get hungry but not so much I'm willing to eat the carpet anymore; I can slow me down and go for the healthy stuff. And then when I do eat, its so much less than before. For sure, it still takes work, but its been a miracle for me even so.

Good luck to you!

@madferitchick.

I was sleeved 5wks ago... It so isn't the easy option, I'm struggling with eating soup, drinking water, fitting in protein shakes!

It's hard, it's really hard, but everybody tells me it gets better.

I met somebody who had surgery a year ago and she has the fobi ring (I don't) and she Cannot eat meat & is still sick aprox twice a wk!

Fobi ring is a Def no if you ask me. Your new stomach will be small enough hun ????

Good luck for surgery, I am also in the UK. Had my sleeve at The Princess Margaret Windsor by Mr Humadi.

I'm here for you if you have Any questions at all ok x

Thanks @@EJS, it's good to hear about someone who's had the fobi ring as I hadn't even heard of it before. I'm

Going to stick with just the sleeve! The point of the ring is to prevent regain in the future I believe but if I learn to work with the sleeve correctly then I don't plan on regaining anyway!

How is your recovery going, are u ok physically? Is the difficulty getting food in because u literally don't have space, or it makes u sick? I hope it improves for you soon. I'm really apprehensive of how tough it will be post op to drink and eat, but know I need to do this and the health benefits will make it worthwhile! How is your weight loss going?

@@madferitchick - Hopefully, post-surgically, you won't find being sleeved difficult at all. I'm about 6 months out and love being sleeved!!! Wish my PCP had suggested WLS years ago, but then, I probably wouldn't have done it because I kept thinking I can lose this weight on my own (and how many times have I lost that weight over the years only to regain it and more). Why do I love being sleeved? It's a hard "stop" to overeating. Plus, because I am so limited in how much I can eat, I am making more healthy choices than not, focusing on getting all my Protein in, which hasn't always been the case. My husband and I still go out to eat, I just eat from his plate or will order a child's portion or will only eat part of what I order and take the rest home for another meal or two. Most servers are happy to accommodate my requests. Needless to say, we don't spend as much on eating out as we used to.

The best thing I can suggest to you right now is to DEFINITELY follow your surgeon's/NUT's food plan. Early on it will be difficult to get all your liquids and protein in, so just do the best you can. In time it will get better. Go into surgery with a positive attitude - I can do this!!! - and don't look back.

Even though I experienced complications 7 days post-op and had to be admitted to the hospital again - this time for 13 days and then 6 more days in inpatient rehab for intensive physical therapy, the way I'm feeling and living today makes it all worth it.

Having the sleeve surgery is one of the best health decisions I have made for myself in years. I would do it again despite the complications.

Thanks @mrssugarbabe.

I'm starting to get a lot of pre op nerves!! My pre op diet is quite flexible, basically low carb and calorie, which I'm finding easy to stick to and is also flexible enough that I have been away for the weekend and eaten out at restaurants etc ok. It's starting me thinking why can't I just do this by myself, and also if I'm honest seeing the menu in various restaurants gets me thinking about all the food I'm going to miss!! Which is EXACTLY why I need this op and why I can't do it by myself. I'm just getting anxious of what life post sleeve will be like! I'm going to keep trying to be positive and accept that some nerves are normal, but believe I can do this and it will be ok!!

So, I am 1 week from surgery today and I actually can't believe how amazing I feel! Surgery went well, I was in Hosp two nights which is standard for my surgeon. I had a bit of gas on my chest but nothing major, and two small bouts of nausea, but otherwise I have felt fantastic! I'm actually nervous about how good I feel, like it's too good to be true!

The day of surgery I was sleepy all day, so just sat in the chair and drifted in and out. The second day I was up walking etc, and emotions were a bit up and down, but by day three when I went home it's been getting better and better every day. I've had no regrets and amazingly no head hunger! A little real hunger but easily satisfied.

I'm drinking ok, I feel it going down and am working on taking in less air when I drink, but I can do 250ml Water or Protein shake in 10 mins.

My mood is great, I thought I would struggle emotionally, and I know there will be tough times ahead, but for 1 week out I'm so pleased :-)

And, I am 9lbs down since surgery, 21lb since started pre op diet.

Very very happy right now :-)

That's great news, @@madferitchick!! I'm very happy for you!!

As long as you keep doing what your surgeon and NUT tell you to do, you will be fine. You will run into stalls along the way, weight loss will even slow some once you start eating regular food again, and you will probably lose some hair when you're out about 2-3 months, but don't let those things worry you. You can search these topics on BP to see how others have handled them. Just keep doing what you're supposed to be doing and realize that everyone's journey is different, although we all have similar (not the same) instructions to follow.