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 ????

Good to hear that your surgery went well and recovery is going smoothly. Don't feel nervous about your uncomplicated recovery, many of us had no issues after surgery. Good luck going through the post op. food stages, some can be rather challenging. You are doing well!

2 weeks since surgery and I feel fantastic! Get to start purees today so had a weetabix for Breakfast, heaven!

I'm feeling all round great, a little tender in my tummy but getting better every day.

I'm noticing the difference in some of my clothes already and must confess I've already been shopping for new stuff! I'm going to have to have some self control with clothes shopping lol! It's such a sign for me though of how much better I feel already, I want to take care of myself and look nice, which is something I lose all interest in when I'm at my biggest and my eating is out of control.

I actually feel a bit emotional at how well things are going and how strong and happy I feel. I'm so glad I had the courage to do this. I'm still realistic there will be challenges and tough times, but I couldn't have wished for a better start. Admittedly when I saw a 4lb loss for week two I was a little disappointed initially...but then I thought it's a loss, going in the right direction, and I will never see those 4lb again :-)

Hi Madforit! Im in Uk and just waiting on my surgery date. Hoping for mid July. How are you doing after your op. hope all going well for you and that you are losing the pounds.

Good luck to you

Hey Chris, yes doing great (see my last post above yours). Good luck with your surgery :-)

Sorry I did not see that there was page 2! Glad you are doing OK

Three weeks since I had my sleeve surgery...16lbs down since surgery and 28lb since start of pre op diet. Woohoo!!

I'm still feeling great and very positive. Purees going well, not had any probs with any food I've tried so far, fingers crossed I continue this way.

It's a strange relief not being able to binge eat or gorge myself on food to the point of feeling unwell. I was out with my bestie and our girls today, sat in the sunshine enjoying a cold drink and I caught sight of a lady with a huge plateful of BBQ ribs, corn, onion rings and fries. It did look delicious! But rather than feel sad that I'll never be able to eat a huge plate of food like that again (which I did regularly pre surgery) I felt a sense of relief that I can't put myself through that destructive behaviour any more. It's like having the option to binge/overeat taken away from me has liberated me! Kinda odd, but I'm happy I'm feeling this way!

Still have a bit of tenderness below my main incision and a kind of pulling sensation?? I've read on some other posts there's perhaps an internal suture in there?!!

We have booked a weeks holiday in July to Cyprus too! Can't wait! Altho I'll still have a long way to go, just knowing I'll be carrying less weight around and won't get so hot and sweaty all the time will make the holiday so much more enjoyable :-)

Forgot to mention, had my first non scale victory too! Over the last 5 years I've had plantar fasciitis, first in my right foot and then my left. This has undoubtedly been due to my weight and I've had trouble finding shoes, particularly in the summer as I've been unable to wear flat shoes, I've needed a bit of a heel but not too much. Well...yesterday I bought a pair of toms, and I wore them all day today with no issues!! Whoop! Such a small, insignificant thing to many, but to me it's such a fantastic sign of all the great things to come! So glad I did this :-)

Four weeks out today! 19lbs off since surgery, 31lb total since pre op. I'm pleased with my progress. I know some people at my starting weight lose significantly faster, but I'm heading in the right direction in a consistent manner so far, so that's good for me!

Things continue to go well. I've had no problems with anything I've eaten so far. Started soft foods and they are actually a bit easier to eat than purees. I had a ham and cheese roll up for Breakfast and that went down really well. Strangely I find that less filling than eating Greek yoghurt!

I've eaten out a couple of times with no issue either. Looks like I've hardly touched the meal but I've enjoyed what I've eaten so that's all that matters. I'm not depriving myself either, moderation is key for me not deprivation, so by using myfitnesspal I'm ensuring a good balance across the day and keeping my carbs relatively low. Calories are between 600 - 800.

I'm measuring inches lost too and they are also going steadily down in the right direction.

Still feeling good in myself. Had a few instances where I've been stressed or emotional and would normally have turned to food, but I've coped fine knowing that's not an option or solution.

Not doing any exercise to speak of, but I did attend a kettle bells session yesterday to observe! I plan on taking that up as soon as I'm cleared by my surgeon at 8 weeks.

My clothes buying habit is rampant lol! And has spilled over into shoes and handbags But I figure I'm enjoying it and for years I've lived in the same few outfits as there's been no joy in clothes shopping and very few options, so I'm making up for it! And although I know I will move down the sizes and perhaps therefore not get much wear out of things, they can all go to charity shops or clothing banks so it's all good.

So I continue to be thrilled and feel blessed by my journey so far ☺️

Awesome progress!!! Happy to hear that you are doing well in your recovery.

Re: eating out - maybe share an entree with whomever you're dining; that's what my hubby and I do - saves $$ plus I'm not tempted to eat more than necessary.

Keep up the great work you're doing!

Awesome report! I'm very jealous because I am still waiting for a date for surgery. Stories like yours are very encouraging to me. My greatest fear is not the surgery itself, but I fear "cravings". I don't know if that makes sense, but I'm terrified that I will keep craving and not be able to eat and satisfy that crave.

Awesome report! I'm very jealous because I am still waiting for a date for surgery. Stories like yours are very encouraging to me. My greatest fear is not the surgery itself, but I fear "cravings". I don't know if that makes sense, but I'm terrified that I will keep craving and not be able to eat and satisfy that crave.

I understand as I had the same concerns pre surgery. I can't say I don't get any cravings, there are times I think I'd like something's. Mostly I make the choice not to have them, but I have had a few things like an icecream....but after a few bites I decided I'd had enough and let my hubby finish it. That's a revelation for me...I could have eaten it all, but I didn't want to! Similarly I have also felt a sense of relief at knowing I can't binge even if I want to. It's an adjustment certainly but if you're prepared then I'm sure you will do fine :-)

Love reading about your journey! Thank you for sharing! I have my surgery on July 1! I hope my journey goes as well as yours! Keep up the wonderful work! ????

Yesterday was my one month surgiversary! I can't believe how quick the time has passed!

Usually I would jump straight on the scales! However, I resisted the urge as part of the lifestyle change for me with being sleeved has been to get control of my obsession with the scale. Previously I would weigh multiple times a day, even when I wasn't eating well or on a diet plan, I was obsessed. It never did me any good, as on the inevitable days that I hadn't lost or I stayed the same (or gained!) it would knock me and I would end up falling off the wagon and feeling rubbish. So, I decided I would weigh only once a week on a Thursday, as that was the day of my surgery. That way I still see my progress in numbers but I don't focus on it the whole time.

Instead, to mark my one month I did measurements and compared them to surgery day measurements. It's another great way to see progress and I'm glad I took my pre op measurements :-)

Here's the results so far. Still a loooonnnggg way to go, but I am slowly but surely unzipping this fat suit ????

Pre pre op diet Measurements in inches

Full bust 57.75

Under bust 52.75

Tummy button 51.75

Full tummy 56.5

Hip 55.75

Upper arm 18.5

Neck 17.5

Top thigh 27

Mid thigh 25

Calf 18.25

Total 380.75

Measurements at one month post op

Full bust 52

Under bust 47.5

Tummy button 49

Full tummy 52.25

Hip 51.75

Upper arm 16.5

Neck 16.75

Top thigh 24

Mid thigh 23

Calf 17.25

Total 350

Lost 30.75

How marvellous to see the inches coming off as well as the weight. I think I will measure myself the day I go in for my op which is Thursday 16th July. I veer from being excited to being very scared, but its got to be done. Looking forward to doing as well as you

How marvellous to see the inches coming off as well as the weight. I think I will measure myself the day I go in for my op which is Thursday 16th July. I veer from being excited to being very scared, but its got to be done. Looking forward to doing as well as you

Good luck with your surgery :-) I was the same, nervous but excited! U will be fine, just focus on why you made the decision in the first place, as you made that with your logical head without the nerves!