Soozern

Hey Kate! Nice to see you! I've not logged on here for ages but I am just back from visiting my son in Australia and feel I need to concentrate on my food for a while. I didn't put on or lose any weight while away but did slip into eating some weird rubbish, so have decided to get back to entering food on MFP.

Just wanted to post to say a huge well done and congratulations to Chris on your one year anniversary. Chris had her surgery a month before me and has been the most amazing companion on this journey. I really couldn't have done it without you. I don't think either of us can quite believe just how much we have lost. My surgeon said he thought I would get down to about 13 stone, but I am now 10st 13lb and wearing size 10 tops and 12 trousers/skirts. I hope you have a great day Chris and look forward to keeping in touch while we both maintain. If anyone has doubts about this surgery I would say it has completely transformed my life. I was just existing before but now I am truly living life to the full!

I had my sleeve op in Aug last year and have steadily and consistently lost weight, although it has slowed over the last couple of months. I never had any particular goal in mind and was just happy to lose ANY weight. I was previously size UK 18-20. So when I reached size 14 (a size I haven't been for a very long time) I went out and had a huge spending spree on new clothes, some of them better quality (ie more expensive) than I normally buy. I was SO happy! A couple of months on and they are now all too big! So my advice is: Make do with less/cheaper clothes until you are at least a year post-op and your weight has well and truly settled Good luck to everyone with their journey!

@@chrisredjeep Look forward to catching up! x

I am off to a reunion this weekend with people I haven't seen for years (some of them for 30+ years). This is something I would NEVER have had the confidence to do last year. I will probably look a lot more wrinkly than some people there (I'm 63) but I simple don't care. Having lost weight I just can't describe how good I feel! Happy days! I feel there is nothing I can't do - I am just coming to the end of the C25K and can now run for 25 minutes! For anyone considering the sleeve I really can't think of any down sides - just DO IT!

@@jintycb Hahaha that's me - the crazy lady who is always laughing. I knew it would be good to lose weight, but NEVER thought I would feel this good!

@@Christinamo7 It will happen quicker than you think. The past months have simply flown by. Good luck!

I've just realised I have lost 100lbs! I only weigh once a month so this actually happened a couple of weeks ago! I've gone from 260lb to 160lb, although it may be a bit less than that now. The last 20years has totally revolved around my bathroom scales and I simply haven't had a life. Thankfully now I have been able to put the scales away and get out there and live life.....happy' happy, happy! I am off to a reunion this weekend with people I haven't seen for years (some of them for 30+ years). This is something I would NEVER have had the confidence to do last year. I will probably look a lot more wrinkly than some people there (I'm 63) but I simple don't care. Having lost weight I just can't describe how good I feel! Happy days! I feel there is nothing I can't do - I am just coming to the end of the C25K and can now run for 25 minutes! For anyone considering the sleeve I really can't think of any down sides - just DO IT!

@@FMoore2004 Thanks! Even at my fattest I've been fairly active, as I have two dogs and a huge garden, so never had a problem getting to 10k steps a day. I started doing some weight training a few weeks after surgery and eight weeks ago started the C25K. I've tried running in the past but just couldn't do it. Having lost the weight I can now easily run for half an hour - no problem!

@@shrinkingkimber I had my op in the UK 25 Aug last year - best thing I have ever done!

@J Germaine Johnson I'm in the UK and it seems very few people get this op paid for and if you do the process takes a couple of years. I didn't feel I had any time to waste, as I'm 63, so happy I stumped up the money for it when I did. I know this is something I will never regret. I literally feel like a different person! Good luck and keep us posted how you get on!

@@MzStockton Thanks! I've only just got back and didn't have internet access, so sorry for delay. I had my op in UK on 25 Aug last year - SO glad I did!

@@chrisredjeep Had a brilliant time away and only just got home, having stayed a few extra days. Funnily enough I weighed the same as I did when I last saw a lot of the people there! I've just had a very fat 20 years in between! I didn't take my running gear and wouldn't really have had time, but I was back out this morning and don't have any plans to stop! Hope things are good with you - are you home yet?

@@RosieCheeks I've lost just over 100lbs - not totally accurate as I only weigh once a month,so probably a bit more than that. I used to be obsessed with both food and scales, but now have new interests!

Nice to see another UK sleever on the fourm. Well done on your weight loss. It's nice if people who have been sleeved for a while post, so that newbies can see how successful it is in the long term. I was sleeved in August 2015 and knew I would lose weight, but the whole thing has been totally life changing. At my first hospital appointment I weighed 260lbs. I did a pre-op diet and had my op with Spire in Norfolk. I must admit I was quite sick for the first couple of days and struggled to drink much, but after that it has been onwards and upwards all the way. I'm now down to about 160lb (I only weigh oncea month) and have almost completed the C25K, so can now run for 25 mins. Nothing short of a miracle! There is a UK part of the Gastric Sleeve forum which has been really good, although I don't get around to posting much! Lovely people and lots of helpful suggestions. Keep up the good work!

Thanks for taking the time to write this - it's SO helpful and really well written. I had my surgery last August and feel 20 years younger. I have always been reasonably fit and active and walk around 3-5 miles every day with my dogs. I'm also doing weights to help with muscle tone and loose skin. However, I've now got to the point where my walking is taking up a big part of my day and I need to crank it up a gear. I had discounted the idea of running due to my age (nearly 64), but I am now thinking 'you only live once' ! I've received so much support and inspiration from this site, so thanks to everyone who posts xx

Hi Lulu Lulu and welcome to the forum. I had my surgery last August and have never spoken to anyone who has regretted it. I feel fantastic! I don't know whereabouts you are in the UK but I found the cost of surgery was very negotiable. Good luck with your. Journey.

@@nomilktoday Well done on your weight loss - you are doing great. I'm also in the UK (Norfolk) and had my surgery in August 2015. I don't come on here that often but it's lovely to see other UK sleevers. I've only told my immediate family and one good friend about my surgery, so it's been lovely to have the support of people on here. Good luck with your run in April - the photos are very inspiring!

Hi Claire and welcome to the form. There is a UK part on the forum with a few regular posters, but there are not many of us which is a shame as having surgery here is very different from the US. Whereabouts did you have your surgery - was it via NHS or private? I opted to go private as my GP told me I could wait ten years to get it done on the NHS. I had my op at the end of August. I was SO sick for the first 24 hours and struggled to drink anything but as soon as I got home things very quickly improved and now, like so many people say, it was the best thing I have ever done! Feel free to add me as a friend if you would like to chat! Good luck x

Sorry to hear this - I'm afraid I don't have anything useful to suggest but thanks for posting as I was in Boots today and was just about to change over to the vitamins you are taking. Pre-op I really liked the chewable Centrum but now they taste horrible to me. It is such a minefield! Hope you feel better soon xx

Try not to worry and just sip, sip, sip. I was exactly like this and was told by my surgeon I couldn't go home until I drank 400ml, which made me think I would never go home! I persevered by trying lots of different drinks (green tea, chicken broth, diluted fruit juice, squash etc) and it quickly improved. Just keep sipping!

Well done on your weight loss Chris - you are doing great!

Like Chris says, it is the best thing I have ever done too! I was sleeved at the end of August. I was sick for the first couple of days and when the surgeon said I couldn't go home until I drank 400ml I thought - that's it, I'll never go home! The next day I felt fine and haven't looked back since. I have so much energy and feel great. Wishing you loads of luck with your op and keep us posted as to how you get on

What you say is so true! Even my surgeon put down my primary reason for wanting the surgery was to be thinner and look better, like it was some vanity thing. Yes, sure it will be nice to look better but definitely the top of my list is health, health, health all the way. I did explain this to him in no uncertain terms!

Hi and welcome to the forum. I was sleeved a week ago and took a whole load of stuff I didn't need. I took a range of PJs and nighties and a dressing gown. The PJs would have been too tight, so you do need things that are loose around your waist. The only real essentials are a soapbag and hairbrush as well as something you can slip your feet into easily. Assuming all goes well, which it virtually always does, you will only be there a couple of days. My room had a TV and I did take my iPad and phone but the time went by so quickly I was home before I had time to use them. Whereabouts are you and are you going down the NHS or private route? So far I've only met people who have paid so it would be interesting to compare experiences. On my run up to surgery I met two people here who have been an immense support to me, so I'd love to pass on what I know. If I can answer any other questions feel free to PM me or post here. Good luck!