Snoop101

My surgeon said I could swim after 10 days - providing the incisions weren't sore or inflamed. I started swimming on day 11 and it's been great and seems to have helped the scars healing too. I agree with comments on pool swimming vs lake swimming. I also make sure I keep the scar sites well moisturised so they stay supple.

Yep have felt the same - 48lbs since the start of the journey, 40lbs of that post surgery in 11 weeks. Have to keep reminding myself that my obsession with instant gratification is how I got to be so big in the first place! Then I get some perspective on it and acknowledge I have dropped 4 dress sizes and feel better than I have in years. People are noticing the weight loss and giving me compliments - which is great! I have had to give away nearly all my pre-surgery clothes... costly but liberating! Best thing is I am seeing muscles starting to emerge through the blubber - and I ran up a flight of stairs without thinking the other day! Concentrate on your NSVs - it seems that your scales sometimes take a bit longer to catch up with the changes you feel and see! Good luck and chin up to all yopu losers!

Swizzly - my ticker isn't up to date as I haven't worked out how to update it yet!!!

Hi swizzly I was sleeved on 5 May by Dr Marc Focquet in Brussels. The cost was 6200 euros for the surgery, hotel and hospital stay. I was in hospital for 2 nights. For me the surgery was very straighforward and uneventful. I had little or no pain and was back on my feet very quickly. Eleven weeks out I have lost a total of 48lbs - and I am feeling great. The doctor's attitude seemed a lot more relaxed in Europe - the guidelines on food were pretty much stay on liquids - Soups, broth, yogurt - for the first 10 days and then gradually introduce solids if/when it feels ok. Other than burping a lot in the beginning and being a bit constipated now and again I haven't had any side effects. If there's anything else you want to know feel free to ask either through the posts or pm me. I'd recommend the surgery and depending on how much post-op support you want from your surgeon (I didn't) I think Belgium is a good option. Good luck with whatever you decide! Lyn

:frown1: Bummer that you've got it but that positivity and determination to tackle it is brilliant :lol0:. Keep up the exercise and we'll all go through the pain barrier together

This may be tmi - but every time I eat for about 30 minutes after I am just burping all the time. Beginning to get on my nerves as well as my husbands. Have tried slowing down and smaller bites but still the same. I am a month post-op and on normal food - albeit small amounts. Think the sleeve is fab - have lost 30lbs since my consult date in March, 23 of those since the surgery. Just want to know if the burping issue passes? Lyn x

Thanks all - just glad I am not alone with some weird and unique side effect! Hopefully it will go over time and interested that it may be a sign I am full - think I'll stop eating at the first sign of a burp and see how that goes! Lyn x

Hi - I think it depends on how you feel. I was driving 4 days post op and felt fine. I did have a week off work but felt a bit of a fraud as have a largely desk job job and would have been fine. Surgeon said I could start swimming after 10 days which I did and am doing about a mile a day now just over 3 weeks out and feeling great! Lyn

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Hi all - I'm nowhere near that yet! But I am feeling good 3 weeks out and have started swimming again after work. I can feel a difference in my clothes but still a long way to go. Why I'm posting though is that I am beginning to believe I might be a normal sized person one day in the not too distant future and I'm really curious to find out what sort of figure I'll have once the layers of blubber have melted LOL! I love this site by the way - it is always so helpful and people are so great! Lyn xx

Hi Michelle I wasn't asked to do a pre-op diet (sleeved in Belgium on 5 May) - but for the 3 weeks before I did stay low fat and stopped drinking any alcohol and lost 7lbs. So I am sure you'll be fine! Since the surgery I'm feeling great and am moving slowly onto mushies now although surgeon said I could try soft solids after 10 days but I think they might stick a bit! The major thing I have found is to keep drinking the Water this seems to be beneficial to every aspect of the weight loss. Since surgery I have lost 10lbs - which is great. Also my skin and hair haven't looked so healthy in years! We can all only do the best we can - so just try to stick with it as much as possible and everything will be good. Lyn x

Hi - I went to Belgium from the UK last week for my surgery and so far it's been really straightforward. I can honestly say I didn't have any real pain after the surgery - a little discomfort for the first few days around the incisions but nothing major at all. I was very sleepy for the first couple of days - and always think sleep is a great healer. But when awake I walked a bit and sipped a bit. I did not experience any nausea at all. Of course everyone's different but if you go into the procedure with a positive mind state then I think that helps. Good luck - you can do this!! Lyn xx

Hi Lori Welcome! I'm pretty new here too although got sleeved last week - like you self pay so could schedule it to suit me. I'm UK based - and though there aren't too many of us Brits on the forum the principles of what we're all trying to do are the same the world over! I need to lose about 150lbs in total - which would get me down to a healthy 140lbs, so it's going to be a bit of a journey, and I'm a lot older than you (47) so I think my loss will be slower. Good luck and keep us all up to date on your date, pre-op routine etc. Take care Lyn

Hi - I had my sleeve surgery last Wednesday. For the first night I slept on my back although propped up - the bed in the hospital could be adjusted. From the 2rd night could sleep on my left side because the right side was a bit tender where the drain had been. But from then on I've been able to sleep normally - even on my stomach, which is my preferred position. So I think it depends on how you feel and how tender the incisions are. Lyn

Hi everyone! Just back from Belgium where I was sleeved on 5 May by Dr Marc Focquet. Really positive experience couldn't have been looked after any better - would recommend. First couple of days felt a bit groggy mainly from anaesthetic but feeling great now and have lost 7lbs since sleeve date :thumbup: Just been supermarket shopping and didn't crave any carby or chocolatey Snacks. Bought lots of healthy veg and am now going to stock the freezer with yummy homemade Soups. This site is inspirational and really helped me to make my decision and I'm confident I won't look back - must go now need to sip, sip, sip :001_smile: Take care! Lyn

Thanks guys - I'm really trying to stay positive and focus on the results. Think I've pretty much worked out when I'm full - get uncomfortable trapped wind feeling and need to burp (very ladylike - not! lol) - but not yet used to anticipating that feeling and stopping before I get there. Think I need to slow down even on liquids - trouble is that's really hard for me as have always been a really fast eater. Probably one of the contributors to my getting so heavy. Anyway onwards and upwards - or should that be downwards!! Lyn xx

Fantastic - what an amazing difference! You must be so proud of yourself - brilliant!

Amazing - well done and keep it up! Hope I do as well as you in just 6 weeks - fantastic!!!!

Hi - will be sending you lots of good wishes for your big day! I know how you're feeling - I fly out to Belgium tomorrow my surgery is on Wednesday. Like you I just want to get it done and start moving on. I have a lot more weight to lose than you - probably about twice as much :frown1: but I'm absolutely determined to work the sleeve. Keep us updated! Lyn

Congratulations Bookleen! Glad everything went well for you and that you are home safely! I fly out on Monday and surgery Wednesday - just wish it would get here now! Keep in touch and with your progress. Lyn

Hi Bookleen - when do you go out to Belgium and how are you feeling about it all now? Lyn

Hi there Sorry haven't been in touch I've been away for a few days! I'm sure that the flight situation will sort itself out shortly - fingers crossed. I haven't had my detailed information through yet - which hotel are you staying at and for how long? I'm arriving earlier than necessary on the 3rd may - will you still be there? Love to hear from you! Lyn x

Hi Tiffy - you look amazing!!! I am starting at about the same point as you came from - surgery 3 weeks today - woo hoo! I find your pics inspirational and keep looking at them as an icon of what can be achieved! (Not in some weird stalker way you understand - lol!). Your posts are great too have found the info and support you give others really helpful! Thanks and well done! Lyn

Hi Bookleen Who is doing your surgery in Belgium? Mine is Dr Marc Focquet. I had a consultation meeting in Glasgow last month and was pleased with the package offered and level of support. Just wish it was sooner so I can get started. Have over 100lbs to lose :lol0: so the quicker I get started the better! I'm sure you'll do great on 26th April - would love to hear how you get on, will you keep in touch? Lyn

Hi Bookleen I am based in Scotland and have surgery scheduled for 5 May in Belgium. Have researched some am confident but stilll nervous....... would like a buddy! Lyn