MissSparkle

Hi Jane, I'm having my WLS surgery done at the Charing Cross Hospital in London on the 6th October. The sleeve is now one of the operations offered as standard to their patients. They offer the band, bypass and the Sleeve. I have to have the Sleeve as I have Crohns Disease, but I had already made that decision about wanting the Sleeve after doing lots of my own research into WLS. Charing Cross Hospital has won an Award for Excellence in Bariatric Surgery, and I will be opearted on by the Lead Surgeon there Mr Ahmed. (I hope my information helps you.) I do agree that the Sleeve is 'under mentioned' in the media in the UK. I know that the Daily Express and Daily Mail often run readers experiences in their papers, if you felt that you would like to talk about your experience. However I realise that isn't something that everyone would do. I think TV and media articles would help a lot but its choosing the right platform that would suit WLS the best. I wish you every success in raising awareness of the Sleeve in the UK. Let me know how you get on. Take Care Sue

Hi Jane Well Done . I am so pleased for you. Great to here of success over here in the UK, especially as the sleeve isn't so well known here. It helps so much to read of your success!!! I hope when I start my journey that I can be successful too ........ reading success stories helps so much. Take care Sue x

Hi Christie I have just looked at your blog.... Your pictures and information are great. Also thank you for your posts as well. I will be starting my journey soon, (I am due to be sleeved on 6th October....) I am going through through all the panic parts right now and saying good bye to favourite foods and then wondering how it will be for me. So to read someone elses journey is so helpful and keeps me keep focused on what lies ahead of me. I wish both you and you husband continued success. Take care Sue

Hi I am so sorry that this has happened to you.... Definately get the potasium tablets going and maybe you own Doctor could recheck in a few days to see that your levels are rasing. If you can add bananas to your pre-op diet.... My thoughts are with you and I hope that you are able to sort out this problem Take care and lots of hugs, Sue

Hi Donna, Thanks for your message. I had a look at your blog the other day and it was very interesting. I shall have another look later on. Well done on putting it together. The sleeve is not so common in the UK yet... I hope it becomes more popular as time goes by. Its usually the Bypass or a lap band and the sleeve often doesn't even get a mention. I got offered the sleeve more easily as I have Crohns and I couldn't have a band or a bypass... but I only every wanted the sleeve so it was a happy outcome for me. The NHS are funding my sleeve. It was quite a struggle to get approved for it. The UK is divided up under the NHS and each area has a different set of rules before you can qualify for WLS surgery. Some areas won't fund your surgery until your BMI is over 60. I had a BMI over 50 and severe sleep apnea and I ended up having to put on weight to get the surgery in the end. Crazy situation... still onwards and upwards.. Enjoy the rest of your day. Take care Sue

Hi Everyone Just have to share my news, I have a date for my sleeve , 6th October in London , UK. Anyone else going to be sleeved in October ??? :thumbup: Its been such a long wait (years rather than months, its so slow on the NHS in the UK) ... and now its only 9 weeks away... The count down begins. I have six weeks of pre-op diet to follow so I have got to keep focused and do well. Take care Sue :thumbup:

Hi Everyone, I have just had my surgery date today, I am just missing September by a few days.... So I will be an October Sleever, 6th October. I am in the UK and my operation is to be done in London ... Very happy :001_smile: and very scared ....:scared0: Now it seems more real.. I have waited years to get here and now its 9 weeks away. So I have just had quite a few tears, .... I can't believe that I will finally be getting the help I need. My best wishes to everyone who is soon to be sleeved.... I'm right behind you in October ....... I have loads of weight to loose so it might take me a while to catch up with you all .... :thumbup1: Look after yourselves and I hope your pre-operative diets go well. I have to do six weeks on mine.... Take care Sue Miss Sparkle

Hi I am still waiting for my date but I hope to be sleeved in September. :lol0: :cursing: I will come back to you as soon as I know. :cool0: Hope all goes well for your operation ....:thumbup1: take care Sue

Well done to you. I am so pleased to hear of your success. I hope I can post a similar story when it happens to me... ( I have a lot of weight to loose) I am still waiting for my surgery day but I hope it will be in September. Keep posting your updates as it's great to read them .... Take care Sue

Wow Christie you look great!!! Very inspiring to read your success so far... Well Done Sue

Best wishes for your operation tomorrow. I will be thinking of you ... Take care Sue

Hi Everyone, Thanks for all the help and advise. I feel much more confident about my meeting with my surgeon on Friday. Its so good to have this forum to help me.... Its been great. I think the NHS in the UK are just over cautious as the Sleeve is not so well known over here. I can't wait to start my journey and get that thin person hiding inside me out and about !!! I will let you know if I get a surgery date on Friday... heres hoping ..... Take care and have a lovely day Sue

Hi Everyone, I have just joined the forum as I have found the advice on here so useful for me. After waiting nearly 3 years (It can be painfully slow here in the UK) I am finally seeing a surgeon this Friday (18th June) to see if he will perfrom a sleeve on me. So I'm very very nervous . :scared0:.. I have a question though, all the information my hospital has given me (an information pack) tells me only to expect to lose only 20% of my excess weight. Does this sound correct ?? Seems a very low percentage? I realise that I may never get back to a 'normal' weight again but after reading about different successes on this forum it seems that most lose more than 20% of their excess. Do most surgeons do this or is this hospital I'm going to being very cautious ? Or could it be to do with the size of the stomach that they leave behind? I hope the above makes sense ...... Does anyone have any advise so I can ask the surgeon the right questions on Friday....:confused1: Thank you

Hi Deb I will definately be checking the size bougie he wants to use. I have quite a lot of weight to loose so I really want to make the most of this oppotunity. I hope everything goes well for you Deb .... Hopefully we will both be getting smaller very soon....!!!! Take care Sue

Hi Jerry, Thank you so much I will go and read that now. Take care Sue :-)

Hi MiniMe Thank you for your post , very helpful. I am excited but so nervous , I hope he agrees to operate and that it can be this year!!! :confused1: