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 ????

Well today is five weeks since surgery! The time is really flying by!

I've had a good week. Another 3lb off which is good. I am a aware that my weight loss is maybe a bit slower than for others. But I have at least been losing consistently so far which I'm pleased about,

I've been quite hungry today which has been weird. When I thought about it though I realised I hadn't drunk too much so I think that's prob why.

I am meant to stop my PPi today too so will be interesting to see what happens from tomorrow with not taking it!

I've eaten out a few times this week which has been no problem. One time was at a tapas place with my bestie and it was perfect. I was just about able to manage one plate of tapas and really enjoyed it :-)

I had a situation today that really reinforced for me why I am doing this. My daughter starts school in September and she had a taster session this afternoon. We were running slightly late so had to do a fast walk to get there in time. Made it ok and took her into her classroom, which was really warm as it's quite humid here today. Anyway, by the time she was settled and I went to have a coffee with the other mums I was hot and sweating, which annoyingly I always sweat from my head/face. I was so conscious of it as I stood there talking to the other mums I just met for the first time, feeling self conscious etc. I can't wait to have more of this weight gone so I can cope in warmer weather a bit better!

Anyway, just under two weeks until I go away with my hubby and daughter to Cyprus! I can't wait! In the past one of the main pleasures about going away on holiday has been eating too much! I say pleasure, but I would always end up feeling bloated and uncomfortable etc. I am looking forward to this holiday for so many other reasons, and not least as it won't be food centred :-)

Hello there, we are going to Cyprus 2nd September we will be going to the North Turkish side. I ll will be 6 weeks and 5 days then, self catering so no need to worry tooo much about the food! Where abouts are you going?

Im worried about the protein shakes after the op, just cant decide what to have. What did you use?

Last time I went on the plane the seat belt was so tight around me I thought my circulation would stop! I breathed in every time the hostess went by as I just would have been very embarrassed if

I had had to use the extension on the seat belt, that's if monarch even have such a thing!

You are doing great keep on with the good work .

We are going to paphos. Never been to Cyprus before but figured it was a good choice as atleast there will be plenty of Greek yoghurt for Protein I will be almost 7 weeks out when we go.

I've been drinking upbeat yoghurt Protein drinks, they are 20g protein and 145 cals and really nice! I'm not having one every day anymore as I'm

Generally getting enough protein from regular food, but they are good if you need something quick and convenient or in the early liquid stages! I've found them in tesco and online with ocado.

Hi thanks for the tip about the up beat protein drinks.

You will love Paphos. We went there a couple of years ago and we really enjoyed our time there. Getting jittery but excited waiting for my day. I have been packing my little bag and buying bits and pieces for when I come out.

Good luck to us all.

6 weeks post op and another 3lb off! Whilst I am not seeing dramatic drops in weight I have been consistent in 3lb a week for the last 4 weeks, so I'll take that! ????

So I stopped my ppi last Thursday. Whilst it didn't cause me any huge issues I started to gradually feel more and more 'hunger' and also my tummy felt a bit acidy although I didn't have any actual reflux. I'm aware the hunger was more likely acid too. So I went to my doctor yesterday and got a prescription for lansoprozole and for now am trying a 15mg dose to see how it goes, already feel better today though so that's good. Also got a prescription for a Vitamin to start taking too.

My calories are still in the 700-900 range. I can see how it would actually be quite easy to go above this range though, so I am consciously keeping within that range and focusing on Protein. I'm using my fitness pal to track.

I've still not started any real exercise to speak of, but am tracking my steps. Once I am back from my holiday I intend to start kettle bells and I'm looking forward to that.

I went out for lunch with a friend this week. I ordered a grilled burger from the menu and asked for a salad instead of fries. I ate at the burger slowly, discarding the bun, and stopped when I was full. My friend doesn't know about my surgery but she didn't notice or comment on what I'd eaten or left. What I found really interesting is that she's naturally very slim and she actually hadn't eaten much more than I had!

I'm still enjoying my new way of life and eating and remain pleased with my decision for wls!

Congratulations on all of your progress! I enjoy reading your updates.

Susan

So I am writing this, my week 7 update, from a sun lounger in sunny Cyprus! It is a real moment for reflection for me as I wrote my very first entry in this thread from a sun lounger in Florida when I was pre op. That seems like a whole lifetime ago and i feel so much better about my life in general now than I did back then.

Although we only arrived here last night already being on holiday is proving to be so much more enjoyable 40lbs lighter! I am wearing a swim suit I feel better in, I'm wanting to make more of an effort to look and feel good, the heat is a bit less of a problem (although I am still getting hot and sweaty but I do still weigh 242lb!).

It has been an interesting day in terms of food. We went to Breakfast this morning which was the usual buffet affair with anything and everything you can imagine. Whilst I had a fleeting thought of how nice it would be to have a huge plate of everything, that was quickly replaced by a sense of relief that I knew I wasn't going to walk out of there full to the brim, bloated and feeling uncomfortable for the rest of the day! I enjoyed some Greek yoghurt with honey followed by a few bites of bacon and I was full and happy :-) my hubby and daughter snacked throughout the morning and early afternoon, and I did have a bite here and there of their Snacks (again moderation not deprivation is my mantra). We had a late lunch and I ordered Greek salad. I ate the feta cheese, tomato and a few olives and I was done. Whilst my hubby's cheese toastie and fries looked lovely I wasn't feeling I needed it or that I was missing out.

My slight downfall has come with a bag of seasame coated peanuts I bought myself as a Proteins snack if I needed one, I haven't been able to leave them alone and they have been on my mind, and I just ate too many of them before I started writing this and feel quite full right now. It's almost because I bought them for me I've had this overwhelming urge that I have to eat them! Anyway, lesson learned and I won't be buying them again!

Today would be weigh day but as we were coming away I weighed yesterday, 2.5lb down so I guess that's another consistent week as I weighed a day early! I am really hoping I can stay focussed this week and return from holiday for the first time ever having lost a bit of weight! We go home on 22 July and my first follow up with my surgeon is 23 July which will be 8 weeks, so I hope he will be pleased with my loss so far. I plan to speak with him about two things at my follow up, pregnancy and plastics. Neither are an immediate thing, but both are things I am pretty sure will be in my future, at least I hope so anyway :-)

Edited July 17, 201511 yr by madferitchick

So glad to be reading this after my op ! You are doing so well and I hope I can follow in your footsteps. It's interesting to read about your food choices on holiday too . No more peanuts !

Enjoy the rest of your holiday I can't wait to be in Cyprus in September xx

8 weeks today and hit my first stall as no weight loss this week :-( can't help but feel despondent even though I know I'm lucky to have not hit a stall before 7/8 weeks. Also as I have been on holiday this week my calories and carbs have been a bit higher. I hoped I had counteracted that as I did lots of walking and swimming.

So I am 8 weeks out of surgery and 27lbs down, 39lbs since start of pre op. Not feeling so positive about those numbers today....

I had my first flow up with my surgeon and nut today. They were both happy and the surgeon set me a target to lose another 45lbs by my 6 month follow up, so I need to average 2.5lbs per week. I hope I can do it....

Well I think you are doing well . If you are like me to have lost weight before the sleeve might well have been doable but I know with going on holiday I would have broken out in a big way put lots on and got home and then thought sod it and just been out of control. Ok u have been on holiday and been a bit relaxed . Back at home now you will be guarded about what you have to eat . You will easily do that 2.5 you have the sleeve as your number one tool . Bet u have lost some inches ! All the best from Chris - 1 week post op and very happy xx

Thanks Chris, that's good advice and you're right, I'd usually have put on atleast 7lb and then be totally off the rails now I'm home!

Glad to hear you're feeling good, are u on full liquids still? What's your post op diet plan like?

I'm on soups like Heinz tomato or posh Covent garden ! I'm eating Greek yogurt and that's whst I have to have till I see surgeon which will be another two weeks . I'm quite happy on this so I will go by what he said . My surgeon did not ask for pre op diet so I'm paying the price now by being on this food regime now ha ha . Keep in touch with me it's good to have other UK sleevers to talk to . Uk Kate had her op yesterday doing well too . All the best xx

I'm on soups like Heinz tomato or posh Covent garden ! I'm eating Greek yogurt and that's whst I have to have till I see surgeon which will be another two weeks . I'm quite happy on this so I will go by what he said . My surgeon did not ask for pre op diet so I'm paying the price now by being on this food regime now ha ha . Keep in touch with me it's good to have other UK sleevers to talk to . Uk Kate had her op yesterday doing well too . All the best xx

That's the same as I had for first few weeks and it was quite manageable, seems like ages ago now too! Ah glad to hear kate got on well too! Yes def nice to know others in UK :-) xx

Had a busy day yesterday so didn't get chance to do my 9 week update.

Things continue to be good :-) lost 6lb this week so that helps make up for the no loss while I Watson holiday! The greater thing tho is that I've managed to come back from a holiday and get back on plan, which is a big achievement for me and another sure sign the sleeve is a good decision for me :-)

So I'm no in the 16's and started in the 20's (stones). Love it!!

Had another shopping splurge this week bought some gym gear which was equally as exciting as the dress I bought to wear to my besties 40th bday party at the end of August! Both of these are wonderful nsv's for me I just need to start using the gym gear now! I have s training session to get some tips on using kettle bells with a friend next week and then I can get started with that. I'm thinking of starting a few other classes too.

I had a chat with my mum this week, she was just generally asking how I am feeling and coping, I said to her I honestly haven't had a minute of regret and feel better physically and emotionally than I ever have. It truly is the best decision I ever made :-)

Edited July 31, 201511 yr by madferitchick

You are doing very well! I go to see the surgeon on 11th August and I will be asking him if I can start to go to the gym. Its marvellous that you are in the 16s instead of the 20s! I am feeling good too, I still get a bit tired in the afternoon but apart from that I am just so glad that I had this op. I look forward to being on my holidays in Cyprus in September, as last time I was there all I could do was think about the op and getting OH on side. I will enjoy myself this time, knowing that it all done.

Totally know where you are coming from about getting back on track after holidays, so easy to go mad on hols and then say oh Ive blown it and never get back.

Well done you!

PS Kate UK was thinking that sometime in the future we might be able to get together ... Im in how about you?