SParkle

You took the words out of my mouth Mini me... Marsha - welcome... and good luck with your surgery. Kathy

I've got 'normal' BP and no major problems but I am on a course of 20 heparin injections, one a day in my stomach. My husband does them. Weirdly sometimes they sting, sometimes they don't.... if he pumps it in quickly to get it over and done with then they tend to sting more. Sometimes they bruise as well... there seems to be no rule with my stomach flesh!! I hate injections, but I'd rather go thru this than have problems from blood clots etc. Kathy

I was bloated as well but it went down after about a week... I gained 2 inches around my waist! although the external scars are small remember they've been rooting around inside you so you'll be swollen from the trauma of surgery. Kathy

You're loosing inches then! My hubby is hoping I'll not lose too much up top!! Although its always anice excuse to go shopping for some sexy underwear!! Well done so far Kathy

That makes a lot of sense for me..... thanks!

Carole - he's good. This operations isn't without risks and you need to be in the best possible health going into it... so in order to avoid causing you and your family any more stress than you're already going thru its better to wait. I understand this must be SO frustrating... but you'll be that much fitter when you do have it done in the long run. Good luck with your follow up next week - let us know how you get on Kathy

Hi there Theres some good advice there.....I'll see if I can add anything: How many more appointments will i have before surgery - The amount of appts will be peculiar to the NHS so if you can find someone who has gotten it via them then thats your best bet - there is a UK part of the forum where you might find others as well as Jane going thru it... also many people lurk in the backgroudn rather than post so your question might evoke private messages relating to it. * Is all these appointments necessary If the NHS are footing the bill then I'd say yes - you have to be seen to be making the effort to do your part in the system as well. If you can go private then I did here in Spain (as an ExPat) and I had a first consult to talk things thru before making my decision who to go with, then having made the choice I did my pre op tests and met again with the surgeon before the op. Both times I saw the nutritionist and the shrink as well. * How are your emotions pre and post op Pre op - Scared, concerned, busy saying goodbye to foods you think you'll never eat again (but will!) trying to convince yourself that you should be able to do this on your own when you see how much weight others loose on the pre op diet. The pre op diet is hard..... you'll be hungry and I'd advise secluding yourself as much as possible to avoid temptation as its an important part to stick to to shrink your liver and to get yourself into as best shape for the op as possible - it also shows the Dr your commitment to change. Pre op try and get yourself into the mind set of smaller portions, not drinking with meals,sipping Water all day long. Post op - the first 48hrs were the worst for me theres a little bit of what have I done... but I think that is normal.... but after that when you get home its fine. I was scared to drink in hospital for the leak tests... scared to take my first pill even cut in half... had slight discomfort rather than pain but I have a high pain threshold. 2 weeks on seeing the drop in my weight boosts me 100% - I only wish I'd done it sooner. * How long till you are up on your feet again Like others have said I was up and walking the same day in the afternoon. I have walked every day but the first 7 days for me there was a huge lack of energy. I would say if I had to work that I would have been comfortable taking 2 weeks off to get my head around the drinking all day thing and now 2 weeks out I feel normal - the odd twinge but nothing bad. * Is there a limit what i could loose Your Surgeon will give you a ball park figure of what to expect, theres some on here that mould their diets to shift the weight as quick as possible while others take a more leisurely route. You will find a healthier eating plan will give the best results. * Does your mindset change post op Yes. I was obsessed with food 24/7. During my pre op I managed to get into the right place where I knew I had to stick to it... I went out for meals with others and only stuck to my liquids. Post op whereas I used to have huge portions now the thought of even contemplating a chicken breast is scary! I no longer feel hungry and I'm sure when i move onto mushies and normal food that'll lessen even more. Its like someone has waved a magic wand for me. * How long did it take to adapt yourself to new eating habits Can't really say as I'm not yet onto mushies... but it'll sound weird when I say you have no choice but to listen to your body - you can't eat large portions. The not drinking when eating thing will be the hardest thing for me to cope with. * Does the NHS have much to do with yourselves post op No idea.....but I would imagine as they have a vested interest then they'd have a few post op visits. Good luck - I don't think its a decision you'll ever regret! Kathy

See I was done a day before you and stalled for 3 days then lost 0.75lb..... but still a loss... so don't think I have hit it just yet, just a mini version!

Congrats!! Good to hear it all went well. Kathy

Another good thing to try and get into the habit of is not drinking with your meal or about half an hour afterwards....its amazing how hard that one is, especially if you eat out a lot.

HI and welcome Congrats on your date - I'm sure you'll find all the information you need on here together with loads of support too. Fire away with the questions if you have any Kathy

Good luck!! Let us know how you get on. Kathy

Hi there I'm only 2 weeks out and I'm sure you've read it before on here from others that my only regret is I didn't do this before. I'm a lower BMI and while still obese people don't see me as that overweight as I do carry it fairly well. I was a self pay, and petrified to die in the op.... but on the risk of things being a lower BMI as well it wasn't that much of a deal in the end. For me the decision about the sleeve was the fact you can still eat everything.... somethings your body may not tolerate, but in general you can have everything but just in much smaller portions. That was a massive plus, the downsides of the band and the hassles people have with it for me made a band the first one out of the equation when I was researching. I think this could be the best gift you can give yourself and your family for years to come. Good luck in your decision, and I'm sure you'll find all the support you are looking for on here with loads of information as well. Kathy

I was bloated too.....I put on 2 inches on my waist! It lasted for about 9 days for me before I was back to normal even tho I was losing weight i was still pumped up! :thumbup: If you're feeling ill do see your Dr... if yo're just down 'cos of thre bloating don't worry it'll pass, just give it a bit of time. Kathy

I was told walking is ok right away, swimming when my scabs heal and nothing else until 6 weeks out..... which I presumed included yoga and also more 'dramatic' cardio stuff....So I'm going to wait. I figured I've waited this long.... 4 more weeks won't hurt me. Kathy

I'd be inclined to ring your surgeon just to check up on it.....I get an odd twinge in my drain one but nothing bad enough to make me concerned. Good luck And way to go with your weightloss!! Well done Kathy

Hi Amy One thing I noticd when I was doing my research is the variety in the pre op requirements from different surgeons. Mine wanted only 1 week pre op and put me on liquids only based on Optifast Protein shakes. Some require less time than that some require more - a lot of it is also based around your start weight as well. Probably a good place to start would be to adopt a low carb diet like Atkins. But I expect there will be loads more ideas from others which may help as well.... Good luck Kathy

Congratulations - you've had a great month from the sound of it. I dropped 6lbs pre op, and gained it all back in hospital.... but now am 14lbs down on my pre op weight. My pre op was only one week, and I had already been dieting prior to that for 6 months. But doing well thanks! Good luck everyone else! Kathy

I'm having the same at the moment, although I don't find it too hard getting my liquids in, I still feel thirsty! I've been having skimmed milk (with 4.2g Protein per 100ml for me its a good way to boost my protein intake too). I also made my own popsicles out of no added sugar fruit juice. But I do find my tastes changing and being very fickle... one day I 'll love something and the next I can't be bothered with it. Kathy

I'm 2 weeks out today, and have been on 10 days clear, 10 days full, then Mushies for 7 and finally normal after that. Although there are some similarities between surgeons there are some that are very cautious - in the end you have to stick with what they say - I know theres no way I would want to risk my sleeve (being a self pay as well) especially having to go thru those first 2 days again.... I didn't enjoy them. Its hard, but maybe you need to get out the house when you start to feel tempted.

Yeah! Well done - good to hear you're home. Congrats on the 8lbs! Kathy

Congratulations!! Hang in there for the first couple of days - for me they were the worst, but it will get a lot easier, Kathy

Thats incredible! Well done - keep up the good work and you'll storm to target!! Kathy

Just a cautious note - do check with your surgeon about taking them up to and during your surgery..... I had unrelated surgery 3 yrs ago and wasn't allowed to take and contraceptives for I think 6 weeks prior to surgery. So if you do stick with them, make sure you're ok to continue for that operation time, otherwise seek out an alternative for that time and revert after your Dr gives you the all clear. Kathy

Also did you drink a lot of caffeine filled products before? Some of it might be related to that..... hang in...think of it like a detox for your op. Good luck Kathy