loobylou238

I can relate to what you're going through. I'm coming up to almost a year after my surgery. I've almost lost 100 pounds and I feel and look great. I will never go back to my bad habits. However, there are still a lot of foods that I cannot tolerate. Most meats and poultry are no-nos. I'm good with fish and pasta. Mashed potatoes are fine, french fries no way. Manufactured bread is not good but I can tolerate fresh homemade bread but maybe only 1/2 a slice and only very occasionally. Protein drinks make me gag and I've yet to find one I like. (We don't get the same protein drinks here in Scotland like the ones recommended here on site). Fruit and veg are still very difficult for me to digest. I only ever buy and eat low fat cheese and not in big quantities yet my last blood test came back with slightly high cholesterol. Cannot eat early in the morning so for breakfast around 11am I have a bowl of cereal. Around 13.30 I have a small carton of soup. Then 18.00 a small bowl of pasta or some mashed potatoes and cheese. I would say I am well under 1000 calories. Most of my portions are snack size and a meal in a restaurant lasts me 3 days. I'm such a cheap date now! I still like tea and coffee and am trying to increase my water intake. I don't regret my operation one little bit. It was the best money I've ever spent. I swim practically every day now and I love it. Am visiting my sister in the States in November so I'll try to pick up some protein drinks then.

Madam R, I believe you are a fellow Scot like me? It is all in the genes. Fine, thin hair. Pale skin. It's all those midges and haggis that have done it! Hang in there and why not buy a wig? I already had alopecia(spelling?) before my gastric sleeve op in September last year. I started off just like you. My fringe disappeared, followed by most of my crown. It has definitely worsened since my surgery. The sides have disappeared completely. I really don't like looking at myself in the mirror. When I go swimming I wear a wide headband to disguise most of my baldness. I get four wigs per year on the NHS (free thank God) and some of them are absolutely stunning. If I get a compliment on my hair I will always tell the person that I am wearing a wig. Go get yourself a wig in a totally different style and colour to what you usually are and pretend you've just been to the hairdresser and fancied a change. At work, I've been known to wear a different wig each day and nobody has batted an eyelash. They all think I'm crazy!

Was sleeved September 18 and have lost 49 pounds in total. Have been in the States for the last 4 weeks visiting my sister and have still managed to lose 3 pounds. Have not been eating a great deal however I've had way too many glasses of wine! Bought loads of clothes because I look and feel so much better. Get back to Scotland on Monday and I'll get back into my routine. Am still struggling with my protein intake however I would not change my sleeve op for anything! Good luck to all September sleepers. My first goal is to get under 300 pounds.

Happy New Year to you. I was sleeved on 09/18 and since surgery I've lost 46 pounds. However my journey really started in May 2013 and since then I've lost 72 pounds in total. I too have had a couple of drinks over Christmas and New Year but I'm not ashamed of it. Everything in moderation is what I say. I most certainly have not over eaten as in previous years. I'm still struggling with dense proteins and getting all my fluids in as well. It is hard trying to eat slowly and to not drink whilst eating. But then again we're trying to change a lifetime of habits. I feel and look so much better and looking forward to visiting my sister in the States on Saturday 04 January. She hasn't seen me since before my op, so hopefully she will see a big difference in me. Here's to 2014!

Mick, whether you are a man or a woman doesn't come into it. I have just turned 62 and I was sleeved on 09/18. The last time I looked I was most definitely a woman! Since my op I have lost 46 pounds (still to update my ticker!) and I do not regret it for one moment. I only wish I'd had the funds sooner as I was self pay. Of course you want a better quality of life and it is NEVER too late to do so. I am down from 7 HBP tablets to 1 and feel and look so much better. Your daughter should understand rather than query your motives. I sailed through my op and with HBP and asthma I thought otherwise. You go for it and start writing up your bucket list of things to do!

Just carry on doing what you're doing. I stalled at week 3 for 2 weeks then I stalled at week 7, this time for 5 weeks. Didn't gain anything which was more important and I lost inches rather than pounds. Then the stall ended and I lost 6 pounds in one week. Remain positive at all times if you can. You have all the time in the world. I wouldn't change my sleeve op for anything.

I think you're maybe rushing to eat 'normal' food too quickly. I was sleeved on 09/18 and still have problems with dense proteins like chicken. Cottage cheese was also a no-no. Bread, vegetables and fruit, I still have problems with. I have always been able to eat mashed potatoes with some grated cheese and that is my standby meal. Am fine with salmon and tuna as well. It all takes time and you can't rush things. On the plus side I wouldn't change what I've done, it's been the best thing ever. Am 42 pounds down, I feel and look so much better. Down from 7 HBP pills to 1, no lymphoedema in my legs and have come down 4 dress sizes. Give your body time to recover, stay positive and you'll be fine. Best of luck.

I stay in Scotland and had my surgery in France. Had my op on 18 September and flew home on 21 September. Apart from wearing DVT socks that was it and I was absolutely fine. My surgeon did not say I could not fly. A lot of people have their op in Mexico and the majority all fly to there. So you will be fine. I am now 14 weeks after surgery and have lost 42 pounds. I feel and look like a new woman. Good luck, enjoy the birthday party and celebrate your new life. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year for 2014.

I don't weigh myself daily. Maybe every five days or so.

What is PB2? I made the PB cookies, the ones with the protein powder in them. Never again, they went in the trash. It was like eating sand! Yuck, yuck, yuck.

My Scottish friend Indigo is right. Don't compare yourself to others. We're all different. I was sleeved 09/18, just over 13 weeks ago. Had my first stall at three weeks which lasted for two. I have just come out of another stall which lasted for FIVE weeks, but this week I've lost six pounds. You take the good with the bad and I don't regret it for one moment. This has been the best thing I've ever done. To date since surgery I've lost 42 pounds. I'm down 4 dress sizes and I feel great. It took me 40 years to accumulate this weight and if it takes me 2 years to lose it with a few stalls along the way, then so be it.

Hello Gabbs, I'm impressed with your weight loss. I was sleeved on 09/18 and have now lost 42 pounds. HOWEVER, I had a stall which lasted for two weeks at three weeks after surgery and I've just come out of a stall that lasted five, yes five, weeks. I count myself lucky as I did not put on any weight during my stalls. I stayed positive. Eating, well that is still a struggle. Chicken, bread, vegetables are all no-nos. Fish, especially salmon, is good along with mashed potato. It is still very much trial and error with me. Homemade soup is good. This week, after my five week stall, I've lost six pounds which I'm delighted with. The world according to egg face is a brilliant site and it will give you plenty of ideas. You must have been doing something right to lose your 66 pounds. Keep up the good work!

You could try a tri athlete suit. You can get them either to your knees or your ankles. I am coming over to the States next month (my sister stays in Virginia) and I needed a new suit. Purchased 2 short leg tri athlete suits as I've come down four dress sizes since my surgery on 09/18. They are a bit tight but I've kept them as they were in the sale and were cheap. I have a belly as well but not much to show off in the hoo-ha area. I mainly bought the longer length suits to cover up the fat bits above my knees. So I then bought another suit in another sale, this time one that ends under your bottom. It's not bad, the belly is still there but there are no escapees! I will say though my belly has come down a huge amount since surgery and I am 38 pounds down since then. So I think it will go down even more, the more weight I lose. Best of luck with your own surgery, you will not regret it.

Lifeliver don't give up. I was sleeved 09/18, had a stall at 3 weeks, then the weight started to fall off again. Am now 12 weeks post surgery and have just had another stall which lasted 4 weeks. Am still 33 pounds less and dividing that between the 12 weeks means a loss of between 2-3 pounds per week. You are roughly 8 weeks post op and down 18-20 pounds? That's the same as me, 2-3 pounds per week. When we started this journey we knew it wasn't going to be easy, but stick with it, things will get better. Our bodies are trying to hang on to everything we through down our necks! Keep your doctor's appointment, you still weigh less than when you started and that is an achievement. I don't regret my surgery, this has been the best thing I've ever done. Chin up and good luck!

I would be sarcastic. So to the question 'how much have you lost?' Absolutely tons. Question 'how much did you eat yesterday.' Absolutely nothing. When she looks at you in an odd way then say, but I'll be sure to pass on YOUR worries to my doctor and my nutritionist. I've never told my co-workers and I never will. Four people know and that's the way I like it. It is nobody's business but your own (and all of us here!)

It is natural to feel scared about your surgery after all it is elective. However you must have been in the right frame of mind when you first made the decision to go for surgery. Do you have other health problems? I am only 12 weeks out after surgery. Water has never been a problem for me. Food and trying to eat it is my problem. I feel full very quickly, probably after two spoonfuls. But then food was my downfall to begin with. I am so, so glad my previous poor food choices have all now been removed. If I eat out the majority of food goes home with me! I've saved a ton of money by not going to the grocery store. I don't regret my operation for one moment. It was the best money I've spent in all my life. Down from 7 HBP pills to 1, no more lymphoedema in my legs, I can walk more, have more energy and I like myself for the first time in a long time! You go for it girl and reclaim your life back.

Haven't posted for a while. I cannot say I'm depressed or down but I have been in a stall now for almost 3 weeks now. I keep telling myself 36 pounds off in 10 weeks is good. I was sleeved on 09/18. I look at my journey since May of this year and I've lost 62 pounds in total. I feel so much better and I've loads of energy normally but these last couple of weeks I 've felt a bit sluggish. Maybe I'm just needing my holiday. I am going to the States in January to visit my sister in Virginia. I cannot wait. I'm hoping she sees a big difference in me when I get off the plane. I had a goal in mind but I'm not going to reach it now. I can eat most things now although very, very small amounts. Have been out for a meal with colleagues and friends, left a lot of food on my plate, but my line to them is that I only eat half of what is on my plate. They all think I've been on a diet and can see my weight loss so haven't quizzed me too much. Only 4 people know about my WLS. My sister, my son and my 2 best friends. And of course, everybody here! I'll just keep plodding on, fingers crossed, my stall will end soon!

Came out of WW May 2013. Was a helper. Loved meeting people but no good for my weight. When I left I weighed 392. During the summer months I looked at my options, said enough is enough, and went for sleeve surgery on 09/18. I weighed in at 365. Since surgery I've lost 33 pounds and I feel great. So I thought I would share my pros and cons. Pros I am losing weight almost effortlessly. I am not hungry. Sometimes I crave a food but it passes. Fitting back into clothes I couldn't wear. My knees don't hurt anymore. My feet and lower legs are not swollen anymore. I don't leak urine when I cough or sneeze.(Major bonus, haha). I can put on my socks and shoes with no problem. If I drop something on the floor I can pick it up. My BP meds are down from 7 per day to 1.(Another major bonus). I feel better, happier and healthier. Cons I have to remind myself to chew slowly. Still struggling with my Water intake. Food has lost some of its appeal. (Although this could be a pro as well!) For me the pros far outweigh the cons. I am under no illusions that this will be a tough journey . But the doctor has done his job and the rest is up to me. I intend to succeed. This has been the best money I've ever spent (self pay) and I will never regret it. Good luck to everyone out there who has made the decision to have the surgery. Look out life here I come!!

Heather M, I am much like you about the confusion over food. Cottage cheese, eggs and tuna have all made me sick. My food quantities are the same as yours. However I wouldn't change my decision to have the sleeve for a million bucks! Was sleeved on 09/18. My HW was 392. Surgery weight was 365. Now down to 332. So down 33 pounds since surgery. I am well pleased. I have so much more energy. My BP meds are down from 7 tablets per day to 1. I no longer have water retention in my legs. Things can only get better! Don't be down on yourself. You are not fat. You are a tall lady who carries her weight well. Instead give yourself a pat on the back. 53 pounds in 7 weeks is awesome. You go girl!

Wow Lissa S you're looking good! Maybe a typo error though? 200 pounds since September 2013? I wish, hehe! Sleeve op was on 09/18 and since then have lost 33 pounds. I have a long way to go but I hope I look as good as you! Well done on your journey!

Loobylou was the name of one of my cats. She was 23 when she died. 238 was my old house number.

Well done Apath. My BP has come down so much that from taking 7 tablets a day, I now only take 1. Hopefully, in the not too distant future, I won't be taking any either. Ahhhh! The wonders of a gastric sleeve op!!

I am from Scotland and went to France for my gastric sleeve. The hospital I used was Hopital Jacques Monod, Groupe Hospitalier du Havre in Le Havre. My surgeon was Dr. Bokobza. The price was £5350.00 and it was the best money I have ever spent. Two nights in hospital and three nights in the hotel and this included my friend. There is a hospital in Belgium (I can't remember it's name but if you google WLS in Belgium I'm sure it will come up) which is cheaper but I couldn't use it as my BMI was too high. I had my surgery on 18 September and since then I've lost 28 pounds. I feel terrific, have more energy, have moved from 7 HBP pills per day down to 1 and no longer have lymph oedema in my legs. Your alternative is to go to Mexico where it is around $4500 which is roughly £3000 plus your flight of about £600. Keep in touch and let me know what you are thinking of doing.

I am 61, from the UK and funded my own sleeve op on 09/18 in France. Since then I have lost 21 pounds. In four weeks I am well pleased with that. But the biggest result has been my high blood pressure. From seven, yes seven, pills a day I am now down to one! I emailed my French surgeon and his co-ordinator yesterday with my results and they were absolutely delighted with my progress. The co-ordinator has even invited me to post my progress on their testimonial page. Their emails back to me were so positive and encouraging it give me a real boost. Being self pay I have no NUT and a lot of food items have been trial and error. I read a lot of the topics on this forum and people worry about the craziest things. Their common sense seems to have flown out the window. I say to anyone in their sixties to go for it, you will not regret it. Especially if like me you take a lot of pills. It doesn't matter if you lose it slowly and it maybe takes two years to get to your goal. You WILL get your life back. The doctor does his job but the rest is up to you. Best of luck to everyone who has surgery coming up. You CAN do it and my thoughts are with you.

I started my milk diet three weeks before my sleeve op on 09/18 and managed to lose 20 pounds. I drank mainly iced coffee laced with milk as I'm not really a fan of milk on its own. Here in the UK you can also get a soya milk substitute in either cappuccino or chocolate.