mcteez

Hello I've not posted for a while, mainly been lurking and enjoying the talk on here. You are all so supportive and should be really proud of yourselves. I'm having a problem, I started my pre-op diet on the 12th May 2010 and have been good for 2 of 4 of those days. I'm having trouble sticking to it. I have 5 pints of milk and 1 slim-a-soup and 1 sachet of sugar free Jello a day. I also had to do this diet for 4 weeks about 2 months ago and did stick to it, but not completley. I've lost 2 stone so far and feel really good because of this. I have 9 days left until my surgery and I'm now so scared my surgeon will take one look at my liver and close me up. Do you think I still have time to shrink my liver? :001_tongue: Thanks in advance for any help you can give me. Michelle xx

I'm 26th May, not June but close!!! Good luck x

I can't believe that I've only 26 days to wait untill I'm sleeved. Where has April gone? :thumbup1: So nervous now, but determined and resolute. My biggest fear is it not working for me. Nothing has ever worked for me and my weight has grown over years until I'm now over 300 lbs. I hope this is it!!! :thumbup:

Wow guys. I know this is the reality of health care in the US if you don't have insurance, but it's mad. I feel so sorry for those without insurance, it's just not fair. I also realise that the NHS here in the UK is not perfect, far from perfect in fact, but it's crazy to think that you have to do this to get treated for an obvious condition and that they demand payment. It's an eye-opener for sure and not one I woud want to battle. I hope Obama changes this system, if you need meds you should get them, no matter the cost. Good luck getting the meds Tiffany, I would do exactly the same as you. LOL @ Tiffykins, I feel like this sometimes. Michelle x

Hi Lee Thanks for the positive post. Is there anything you would have done differently after the op? I'm nearly there and would love to hear any tips you have for a easier ride after being sliced and diced! Thanks Michelle x

Hi I have these thoughts too. I'm not on the other side of the sleeve yet, but no-ones replied and I would just like to offer some support. You need to think about why you want to do this and what your goal is. If this operation can help you achieve both of these then this is the way to go. You are not alone in feeling nervous, many on here express this emotion, but from what I've seen these nerves are normal. Have a really good chat with your surgeon, the nurse or other paitients. If this is really what you want, then you can do it, because I know in my heart, for me at least, it's the last chance for a healthier life. I can't slim on my own and pray that this operation will give me the tool to see me healthier and thinner. If these are your thoughts too, then go for it. You are not alone and we will be thinking of you. Post your progress, I would love to hear how you're doing etc. Take care and good luck. Michelle x

Hi I'm from the UK. I live in England and I'm due to be sleeved on the 26th May under the NHS in Luton. How you feeling?

I love this. Thanks for injecting some humour into what is a very serious time for you both. Keep posting and I look forward to your next post. Tell us everything!!! Good luck with the surgery and I hope all goes well for you both. Michelle x Sleeve to be done on 26th May 2010 in Luton, England.

Wow, got all my letters from the hospital today, pre-op and post-op appointments. It seems so real now, can't wait. 55 days to wait and I will be on the road to a new thinner and healthier life. I just hope I can stop eating, because I seem to be on a mission to eat as much as I can these last few days. Michelle x

Hi Brookleen Where are you? I'm in the Uk and having this done on our NHS in Luton, which is a rare thing and one I've fought to get for over a year now. I've met 2 people who've had it done and are doing great. I've also been incontact with someone on facebook who does not live far from me, who had the sleeve done by the same surgeon who is doing mine and she is doing fantastic and really feeling good. I do feel I've made the right choice, mainly because I've done a lot of research and this seems to be the way of the future for people who are struggling to get the weight off and keep it off. The bypass has far too many complications for my liking and I've read about so many people who have suffered with that surgery. The sleeve is the only one where I've not read about severe complications and everyone, I mean everyone seems to be so pleased that they've had it done. I know it will be hard work and I know it will take a long time to adjust, but as a tool I also know that it will give me an advantage, one that I desperately need. I'm also aware that everyone is different and my experience will not be exactly the same as yours, but I know this is right for me. My surgery is on the 26th May and I shall be trying to keep a lid on my excitement until then. I hope you get your date soon and I don't know how long you've been on this board, I've not been here long, but there are some wonderful people who have great inspirational stories to keep you going. With this decision I've finally realised at the age of 42 (on tues 6th april), I really do love life and I want what I've been missing for most of those years. Michelle xx

You were beautiful before the op, but now the inner you has come out and you look fab, as someone else said, inside and out. Well done and thank you so much for taking the trouble to post your progress. When I see you and read what you have accomplised, I take heart that I also can do this. Thanks again and well done. xx

This is my biggest fear. I know that sounds silly, because the surgery itself should be my biggest concern, but I fear that I will go through the operation and still not have the will power to use this tool (the sleeve) that I've fought for over a year to have done. I'm a realist and as such I know who I am, which means I know the extent of my willpower and how hopeless I am at making the correct choices for weightloss. I want this, but still have doubts at my abilty to use the sleeve to the best advantage. I just hope that I can re-educate my eating habits enough during the period after surgery enough to carry on for the rest of my life and beat this thing that has ruined so much of my life. LOL, I guess I wont know until it happens and I can only try my best. xx

Sometimes family members can be worried about the changes the WLS will bring. My husband has never been supportive of anything I've done and he's basically scared to death that I'll leave him if I'm successfull with the sleeve. I think you have to do this for yourself and trust your own opinion. It's hard and I've had my share of doubters, but my surgery is on the 26th May '10 and I can't wait. I'm not scared of the consequences of weight loss anymore, if my marriage falls apart, then that's what will happen, it's my turn now and nothing is going to stop me. Good luck and I hope all goes well Michelle x

Hi Roz I'm also having my op done in the UK, at Luton. Where did you have your's done? I've read a lot about the sleeve and it does seem that the first few weeks are the hardest. From what I've read, you need to keep drinking and try and get as much Protein as you can. I hope it all settles down, but if you are worried contact the clinic where you had it done, if they are like mine, they will help you. Good luck Michelle x

Hi Thanks for that. You will be helping so many of us. My surgery is on the 26th May '10 and I will be following you through your journey. Just do me one favour? Please stop saying that you're stupid. You are clearly not stupid, but brave, honest and by doing this vlog, caring and intelligent. Thanks again. Michelle xxxx

Hi everyone My name is Michelle and I am due to be sleeved on the 26th May 2010. I was one of the lucky ones and have obtained the funding from the NHS for this. My operation will be in Luton hospital under Mr Jain, whom has a great reputation. I'm really hoping that he lives up to it!!! :biggrin0: I was excited to find the UK branch of this group and would love to hear from you all. Michelle x

Hello My name is Michelle and I'm new to this forum. I started my WLS journey in Oct 09, when I had my first consultation in Luton, England. I'm due to see my doctor on Friday, 26th March 2010 when he should tell me the date for my surgery. I'm still not sure if the VS is for me or I should have the bypass. I've read so much about the VS and therefore leaning towards it. The bypass scares me, because of the re-arranging of the intestines. I want this to be the answer and yet I know it's a tool and requires me to work with it. However, there is a little voice inside my head that doubts that I can do it, that I can loose all my weight that has destroyed my life so far. I want to stop my emotional eating, is VS the answer to this? Thanks Michelle xx:crying:

LOL, I think 42 will be fantastic. It's about time really, getting rid of the fat at last, forever!!! Thanks for the support xxxx

Hi Got my date - 26th May. Really excited and the surgeon has said I don't have to decide until the day of the operation. xx

Hi Sparkle Your story is more or less identical to my own. I too have never reached goal and live in permanent denial about what I'm eating. 'Tomorrow' is a word I should banish from my vocabulary. I want this too, but I'm scared that it will lead to yet more failure. The sleeve seems to be the way forward for me and I hope that the consultant will give me a date today. However, isn't this operation like saying goodbye to an old friend, one that has comforted and changed my moods for such a long time? Yet it isn't the food that's at fault it's me, I abuse it when I should find other avenues to channel my feelings. Do I love being this fat? NO! Do I love having no energy? NO! Do I love having no clothes, no social life and no love life? NO! Then why am I hesitating? LOL, messed up? Me? Yes, it appears I am. I can't let this oportunity pass me by, the NHS in the UK will not give me another chance, this is a drastic measure for drastic times. I can do this. Good luck Sparkle, I hope you find what you need. I will post later if I get a date for my op. Thanks for the reply Michelle xx

Thanks Tiffykins. I know you are right and will discuss all my issues with my surgeon tomorrow. I've been so up and down with this; one miniute wanting the surgery, then the next thinking that I can do this by myself (LOL, sure right?). I feel the thing that scares me the most is who I'm going to be if I loose all this weight. I know I'll be me, but what will it do to me? Thanks Michelle x