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 ????

That is fantastic news . It seems a long time ago since the start of our journies. I remember reasing about u going to Cyprus and how you were doing . I'm 20 weeks today and I feel fantastic . Clothes shopping is fun and shopping for underwear has been a revelation as I have gone from a 42 DD to 36 E! So pleased for you and well done to us both !

So my wish was to be in onederland by Xmas day...and I've been hovering just above 200lbs for a few weeks. Today I am 200.8..... One more weigh day before Xmas....hoping this will keep me focused this week and keep the temptation of all the Xmas treats under control!!

Just realised that means total loss so far of 81lb! Whoop!

Woop is right ! Well done to us all ! Have a great Christmas and enjoy it back to the routine afterwards. Our sleeves will not allow us to mad as I certainly have done in the past !

Very quick post just to say WOOOHOOOO!!!!

Congratulations!!!!

Wow what a great Christmas Present to yourself. Very well done and you have earned your pass into onederland. Have a fabulous Christmas, and I know that neither one of us will overindulge. Thank heavens for the sleeve!

@@madferitchick - ONEderland!!!!

I am about 3 weeks ahead of you, surgery 5/6/15.

I hit Onederland about a month or so back and now I am at 185...hang on the ride may have slowed...but we are in until the lights are turned off

Edited December 22, 201510 yr by jane13

Just found the below on the notes section of my phone. I'd forgotten about it but it's made me quite emotional. This year has been life changing and I'm reminded of all the reasons why I took the pretty drastic steps to get sleeved. I'm very proud also to have achieved two of my three goals, and today I'm 198 lbs so feel a bit more safely into onederland! As for the 5k run I'll start work on that in the new year. I'm so much fitter and healthier now due to my weight loss and all the work I'm doing with my personal trainer.

Here's the list: (Matilda is my daughter btw)

"Sleeve

Tired of fighting, all my life

Get control

Be healthier, feel better

To be here for longer for tilly

To run and play

Stop sweating

Breathe easier

sleep better

Move easier

Stop people laughing/pointing/making fun

Feel more confident

Affects every part of my life

Is tillys probs due to my weight

Work confidence

Going out in eve/socially

Aeroplane seat

Theatre seat

Will a chair break

Will I fit through a gap in a crowd/between cars etc

So tilly isn't teased at school cos of me

Want to be a participator not spectator

Wear my hair down without getting hot and sweaty

Can't ever have another baby if stay this weight

In and out of car door

Toiletting

For Matilda

To play with her

To run with her

To carry her

Stop ache pain in my

Knee

Feet

Finger

Back

Pelvis

General aches

Short of breath

Sweat

Pins n needles back

Goals

Get into wedding dress

Run a 5k

Get to onederland"

I wish you all a very merry Christmas and may 2016 bring us all a year of health love and happiness. Xxx

So probably the hardest week of the year in terms of food management and I have maintained :-) very very pleased with that and I have enjoyed the week, not felt at all deprived and have enjoyed the food I have had whilst maintaining control. Happy new year everyone and here's to a fabulous 2016. 2015 has definitely been a game changer :-)

3lb off this week, very pleased With that and to have got back on the horse straight after Xmas :-)

I'm now in the 13 stone bracket too, whoop!

Hope everyone is well and doing good too :-)

This update feels very poignant. I started this thread in May last year laid on a sunbed at typhoon lagoon whilst on holiday in Florida. It was 9 days before I saw my consultant and 23 days before I had my sleeve surgery.

Today, 10 months later, I am again laid on a sunbed in typhoon lagoon whilst on holiday in Florida - and life is incredibly different in many ways! I am fitter, healthier, happier, have more self confidence and self esteem, few if any aches or pains and notably the day I left for Florida I weighed in at 183lbs - 98lbs lighter than I was when I wrote my first post last year!!! I was really hoping to have hit the 100lb loss but you know what, I know I will so really it doesn't matter and I'm just celebrating the achievement

This journey has been incredible and I am so very glad I took the decision and had surgery. I had to be brave, I had many fears and worries, but I needn't have had as I have been blessed with an uneventful experience with everything happening smoothly and text book.

My weight loss has been slowish but steady and my approach to eating has been moderation rather than deprivation and I am happy with both my lifestyle and progress to date.

Being in Florida almost 100lb light has been a real eye opener. The heat for starters seems so much less intense without all the extra fat! I have even had to wear a cardi a few times due to being cold and had the heating on at night rather than air conditioning!

Yesterday was a real milestone and NSV in a big way. We spent the day at Busch gardens. Last year I avoided going there as I knew the harness for the rides wouldn't fit me and I was really sad as I love that park and was desperate to ride the new Falcons fury at the time. Well...yesterday I rode all the big rides, and in a standard seat with plenty of extra room

And slack on the seat belts!!!! And it felt A-MAZ-ING!!!!! I have never ridden in a standard seat, always needed the one for bigger people. But yesterday I was just one of the crowd, blending in and unremarkable. That's felt sooooo good. And the Falcons fury...well the ride was good but the thrill was more in fitting in the standard seat

Another thing about being in Florida is the food. I normally couldn't get enough and the huge portion sizes was always what I loved! This time I look at portion sizes and can't believe I ever ate all that! I wondered if I would feel deprived or like I am missing out but I really don't. I'm ordering what I like, whilst still being mindful of Protein and drinking Water, but as I said my approach is moderation so whilst on holiday I am having treats...but when I'm full that's it and I move on, no over stuffing myself to the point I can't hardly move!

I still have a way to go. My stretch ultimate goal is 149lb but my realistic goal is 161lb. I have a lot of loose skin which I knew would be the case and I will likely have plastics which I will discuss with my surgeon at my 1 year check. Progress from here is slow going I know, but I'm ok with that, it's a lifestyle not a race and I know I will get there. I also know I have to remain ever vigilant. I am an emotional eater and that hasn't changed. Hunger is also making a return at times. So I have to keep on top of these things but I believe I can and will.

Tomorrow is a day at magic kingdom for my daughter to meet all the princesses. Then Friday I will be shopping shopping shopping!!! I can't wait to shop in regular size stores and treat myself to all the things I have longed to buy in the past when in Florida but they didn't fit! This year there's no stopping me!!!

Life is good ️

Hi I'm so glad that all is going well for you. I can remember writing to you when we were both at the start of our journeys. You are ahead of me by a little but I am happy to report that I am under 12 stone and fit into size 14 at Next which is an absolute dream for me. In 5 weeks I will be going to n Cyprus and I will be over 6 stone lighter than I was when I went last year. I've been slow and steady, and I too have the loose skin but I'm a good bit older than you so I won't be doing the plastic surgery thing. Anyway just wanted to reach out and say very well done and yes you are right life is good !

Hi I'm so glad that all is going well for you. I can remember writing to you when we were both at the start of our journeys. You are ahead of me by a little but I am happy to report that I am under 12 stone and fit into size 14 at Next which is an absolute dream for me. In 5 weeks I will be going to n Cyprus and I will be over 6 stone lighter than I was when I went last year. I've been slow and steady, and I too have the loose skin but I'm a good bit older than you so I won't be doing the plastic surgery thing. Anyway just wanted to reach out and say very well done and yes you are right life is good !

Thanks Chris and yes it seems time has flown so quickly since we first started our journey! So pleased to hear you are well and your progress is fab. Isn't it amazing to fit into standard sizes in next etc! I will never take that for granted! Oh have a lovely time in Cyprus - it will be very different for you than when u last went! I really can't get over how different the heat affects me...I used to get hot and sweaty and want to be inside or under he sunshade and was still hot and sweaty! Right now I am sat under a sunshade so I don't burn but I have a hoody on as I am a bit chilly in the shade and its 31 degrees lol!!

Yes I must say that being to walk into normal shops and buy normal sizes is just fantastic. I have given away so many clothes and I still do a double take when I catch a glimpse of myself in a mirror in a store when I am not expecting to see myself. Emotional eating can get me too, but I'll tell you something I don't get so upset and agitated like I used to do. My daughter says I am the calmest coolest person she knows !!!

Enjoy your holiday

Chris

Back from an amazing holiday which was a real milestone in many ways...going on all the rides I wanted to, shopping I stores I only ever dreamed of, and to top it off losing 1lb while I was away despite allowing myself to enjoy the food I wanted whilst I was away!!

And today is weigh day, and I have hit the 100lb lost milestone!! Whoop! In fact I have passed it as an now officially 101lb lost since I started my surgery journey (109lb from highest weight ever).

Delighted is an understatement :-)

Edited April 7, 201610 yr by madferitchick