SParkle

Good luck Judy....weird decision making on their part, but sometimes the world works in strange ways! Hope it all goes right for you.

Hang in there anyone who hits a stall.... it'll pass.... you have to remember what we have put our bodies thru, and give them time to adjust. My weight loss was up and down for quite a while, sticking the same for a bit then losing large amounts... but I have done 50 lbs in 30 weeks... so the average is pretty good. Have faith in your decision...it'll pay off, just do your end of the deal and the weight will fall off. Good luck

I have a regret.... that I didn't know about the sleeve before, and didn't have it done sooner! I love it, it has given me a new life, and I am still amazed when I weigh each week and the scales are still showing a loss....normally on would be gaining by now on a normal diet! I'm down to a UK size 12, my husband can't keep his hands off me, and I get complimented nearly everytime we go out by people we meet who knew me before...... Money well spent!!! Good luck.

Hi and congrats on your date, and your decision. I have no regrets whatsoever, and found this board amazing for help. support and advice on the sleeve. You'll meet some amazing people on here, and we're al in the same boat. I was also so nervous pre surgery, but now its done it was the best thing that ever happened to me!! Good luck and keep us informed how you get on.

I've lost just short of 50 lbs in 30 weeks.... with sporadic exercise.....falling back a little over the festive season as still fiesta here in Spain today and the local pool is shut, but all in all I am still very pleased with the rate of my weight loss.

They do say every 14lbs you lose it like taking an overcoat off......well this winter I am freezing, even in Spain! My hands are suffering the most tho...we have electric blankets on our bed, and most days I wear several layers including thermals...but my hands are the last to get warm!!

It took me a while to know mine again.... I was also sipping tiny sips... now I can take a couple of more or less normal mouthfuls which help quench my thirst a lot more than the sips did. That'll happen in time probably.... be gentle with it, its a major op and you need time to heal without risk of pushing it to leak. Follow your surgeons meal guidelines and keep hydrated... I took a bottle of water everywhere with me! Good luck

2010 has been the new start in my life, with the sleeve op which I had done on June 10th. I'm now within 14lbs of my target, and really cannot really comprehend how much my life has changed as a result of it. I no longer have a full plate, I no longer get the real hunger feelings that I used to, I get hungry but only for something small and that then satisfies me. I have bones, lots of them... and they show, I have muscle definition, I have more energy...... the lists go on and on....... I feel and (am told) look sexy.....I no longer worry about my double chin in photos... Money well spent for a new life..... if you're on the edge of making the decision to have the op then do so...... don't regret not being to eat food... as you'll still be able to eat everything, but in smaller portions. I've had a 2nd chance at life.... and I'm grabbing it with both hands in 2011.... I'll be at target before my birthday in April -what more could I ask for??!! Happy New Year to you all... wishing you all a happy and healthy 2011. Photos taken Xmas Day........29 weeks post op, and way, way back.... at my heaviest in 2004 I think.....

Wow - such great replies - thanks everyone...... its started my New Years Eve with a huge smile!! PamelaAM - I also loved seeing the before and after photos when I was making my decision.... it really does inspire people, so I am right there with you!! NtvTxn - I have had fun! And I spend a lot of my time rummaging through 2nd hand shops and rastros (like a 2nd hand market) here in Spain... getting some fabulous bargains....usually for 1 or 2 euros each item. So I can have a lot of new stuff for very little cost in this credit crunch time. I'd much rather have 15 new things than one new dress/top ! Thanks Lila.....the 147lbs target is one my Dr gave me, and one where my hubby said he'd quit smoking (being a 40 a day smoker for the past 37 yrs!!!) He actually gave up 14 weeks ago, under his own steam, so I have to get to target now.... I might try nd go a bit lower but thats the first stop for me. Thanks Tiff - you have been such an inspiration to so many people here. The Sexy Santa outfit went down very well at my husbands Christmas gigs.... and as I made it it was the smallest thing I have made myself size wise, and a dream to fit for the first time in my life!! LMAO!!!! Go for it!! Good luck with your date.... keep us informed and it'll come round quicker than you think. I was lucky enough to have had a tummy tuck and a boob lift 4 yrs ago now..... so my excess skin was cut away then.....although a lot of my excess fat is now left on my love handles around my back. Thank fully although I have lost some of my boobs, the shape has remained so I don't think I'll need to panic too much about them when I reach target.

Drink anything you can manage, its better than nothing, and you need to stay hydrated. It will pass.... but you've put your body thru hell and back, and the first 2 weeks aren't the best, but its the start of a whole new life for you. I made sure I had whatever I wanted in the house... so if its liquids you can manage then make sure they are ones you really fancy.... try and get as much Protein in them as possible - I made a squash Soup with some bacon in it, blitzed the whole lot and strained it too.... and it was really tasty. Good luck

I'm no Dr, but I think a lot of people have had this burning, me included. I think at the start for me it was heart burn, but possibly mixed in with a little hunger too. I'm now over 6 months and do get hungry, but nothing like I used to, more like a feeling I need to eat a little something.... not the echoing emptiness I used to get. So I hope for you it also improves.... the first few weeks are the worst, so hang in there and do tell your Dr everything so he can help as much as possible. Good luck

Looking very dapper I must say! Keep up the great work. Happy New Year - and what a way to start it!!

I bet he can't keep his hands off you! Brilliant moment - I'm grinning hugely for you!!

I came out 6lbs heavier.... but it soon came off, and more! Good luck with your recovery.

You look fabulous!! Keep up the great work!!

We eat out a lot, and it was one of the things I worried about as well..... but to be honest, I much prefer being slimmer to being the size I was so that balances it out in my head. I also find that I only order a starter now, and eat that while hubby eats his starter and main course. I sometimes have a bite of whatever he is having, and also a spoonful of his dessert, but find the portion sizes very daunting now whereas before I would have eaten everything. Do I miss it....I won't say I don't, but I find I don't now live my life around food. The vets who are about a year out do say their capacity increases a little..... if I eat really slowly I find I can get thru most of a starter, but I do find myself yearning for foods which there is just no point in me ordering as I'll never finish it and it seems a waste to pay the money for me to take it home. So those things (like steak) I tend to cook at home, so it works out cheaper) or nab a bite of someone elses so I still get the taste I desire. At 3 weeks out your stomach is also probably still swollen and recovering from surgery - its a slow road, but one I've not regretted for a moment. Good luck.

I went thru stages with my nails, until about 4 months out they grew like crazy, having previously been very prone to splitting and flaking, then they just went right back to where they were, along with the hair loss kicking in. Now they are growing again, although I did also find a nail strengthening pen in the chemist which is supposed to help, but I am still taking 5000mcg of biotin and my protein every day as well.

I started with coffee again gradually at about 3 months or so.... started with decaf first. Now I have a normal coffee in the morning, but find if I have anything but decaf later on i just can't sleep as I'm not used to the caffeine anymore!

Thanks babe.....You hit the nail on the head.. sweet stuff.... I've never really been one for chocolate, until now...so am trying to balance it as you say as I want to make sure I lose those last few lbs. I think I got hooked on holiday when I ate things I've not had for years and still lost... but realised I wanted to make sure I shifted those last lbs as well. I know I can still eat everything, which is wonderful, but I know I also have to achieve my dreams first!

Hi Hun I'm fine thanks.... doing well and haved dropped the 'bad' stuff I was creeping towards so hope to have better weightloss now and get to target quicker! My breast lift wasn't painful at all..... uncomfortable yes, but not really what I would call pain. Despite having gained weight since and shed it with the sleeve they still look great..... I didn't have implants, nor personally would I, fearing the ongoing cost in the future, but I suppose never say never, as I've always been 'booby'! We were hoping to join a gym, but are conscious of money in these tight times so I need to get my Wii out more and do more stuff at home... maybe start jogging again! I'm still in touch with my plastic surgeon, as he was curious to know how the sleeve went with me... as its not widely known over here. So when I hit target I'll email him and let him know.

Its a fab feeling isn't it??!! Mine promised to give up smoking when I hit 147lbs.... but he has in fact given up early and not smoked now for over 7 weeks.... but I fear he is gaining more than I am losing at the moment due to boredom eating! Fighting one demon at a time tho!!

You need to have a word with your Dr and your Nutritionist for a pre op and post op diet sheet. My advice is don't bulk buy anything, trust me your tastes will changes after surgery and you'll be fed up of certain flavours that you love beforehand! Do check out the pre and post op diet forum- you'll find lots of threads about both pre and post op diets.... but do ask your Nut and follow theirs..... but the forum will give you a rough idea of what to expect.

I struggled with duck and pork, both lean, but seemed to sit really heavy with me.... I'll try them again in the future to see if that changes. Beef is ok tho, and chicken is fine too.

If in doubt you really should email him and ask... as if you do something which puts your sleeve at risk and you get a leak you could risk more surgery... which might not be covered if you've done stuff before he clears you to do so as everyone has different dates at which they clear you to do exercise.