jintycb

I told my GP what I was about to do before I had my op. As I live in the UK I had to pay privately for it myself as I wasn't considered obese enough to have it paid for by our National Health Service. The reply that I got was (as he looked over his glasses like a slightly exasperated headmaster) that he didn't agree with the idea of surgery and that it might be an idea if I tried 'portion control' first!!!!!! Luckily, at the age of 59 I can stand my ground so I just smiled and told him that I had been trying that for years and as it hadn't worked I was trying something that had a far better chance of working. I'm just over three weeks post sleeving and starting to get comments about bits of my anatomy being slimmer. So very glad I made the decision to get rid of that lump of floppy, stretched tissue that was my stomach.

Try the ECFS web page. Had my surgery in Belgium through them and couldn't have asked for better care. Give them a try.

I have just read part of your blog and I related to your story. My husband was so very unhappy with my weight although he didn't harp on about it. My health was really beginning to suffer with my right hip being replaced this time last year. I reckoned that it was only a matter of time before my arthritic knees followed suit! My cholesterol was creeping up to dangerous levels, my blood pressure was doing the same and my doctor was concerned about my blood sugar levels. Mind you, his advice was to try 'portion control'. Yeh....... right......... I was polite enough not to verbally or physically hit him!!!! As I live in the UK our National Health Service deem that I am too light to merit surgery (92kgs, 5'3" pre op) so I took matters into my own hands. My rock bottom came in June when I went to a reunion for a ballet company that I joined in 1976 when I was 19. I looked at the pics that were taken at the event and I felt so dejected. Everyone else was still sylph like but I was the lump trying to hide at the back. I knew that my husband and I couldn't afford the surgery privately in this country so I started to search the web. I eventually found what I was looking for and at a small town in Belgium I was sleeved three weeks ago today. I have been told that I have an addictive personality and have so far managed to give up alcohol and cigarettes but no matter what I did food seemed to have a stronger hold over me. I just couldn't find the 'stop' button for my stomach. I used every excuse to overeat. I tried every diet, all sorts of 'diet' pills, and when I was still a working dancer I used to go (regularly) to a very accommodating doctor in London's Harley Street who would dish out speed to enable me to lose 14lbs in three weeks! However, over the years the yo-yo dieting has taken its toll and I've ended up as a blob. I love cooking and baking but I also enjoy eating the results. My husband, like yours, has the physique of a thoroughbred racehorse and can eat for Britain if he wishes. Not that he does. I cannot begin to describe just how happy I am to have made the decision to have surgery. I feel healthier already. I walk our dogs for at least an hour and a half every day and even managed two long walks a couple of days ago and clocked up a distance of six miles between the two. I intend starting to swim again soon as I hopefully won't be so embarrassed about the roll of blubber flopping around inside my swimsuit by my bikini line as it should have shrunk enough by then! I'm still on a liquid diet (amazing how inventive you can be with Soups and smoothies) and I'm really looking forward to going onto mushed up meals. I'm not missing the hungry gannet that I used to be one little bit. My only regret is that I didn't have surgery years ago and that I left it until now. Whoever said that life begins at 40 obviously didn't get to the age of 59 and got sleeved!!!!!????

I was sleeved on the same day as you. First day was tough but every day since then has been wonderful. I'm so glad that I had the surgery. I now have a stomach 'stop' button. I used to hate myself for being so greedy but I couldn't help myself. I've got an addictive personality and have managed to give up alcohol and cigarettes but food......... - no. I tried everything. My doctor suggested 'portion control'! Yeh, right! As I live in the UK our National Health Service wouldn't even entertain the idea of letting me have the op as I wasn't heavy enough. I had a hip replaced this time last year and I reckoned that I was going to have to have my knees replaced sooner rather than later as I was in agony with the arthritis in them. My cholesterol is high, as is my blood pressure. My doctor was concerned about my blood sugar levels but the NHS saw no good reason for something that would ultimately save them a fortune to be performed on this fatty! I went off to Belgium and paid for the surgery myself-well my husband did-and it's the best money ever spent. I am a very happy sleever.

I'm now three weeks post surgery and still need plenty of rest. I walk the dogs every day for about an hour and a half so that I get a bit of exercise but that is kind of my limit. I know that if I'm going to be doing anything too energetic after walking I'm going to be useless! The best advice that has been given to me is to listen to your body. I do. If I need a nap in the afternoon I have it. Luckily I work for my husband from home. I know that I couldn't have gone back to working full time after just two weeks.

Just remember, this is the best thing that you are doing for your health (never mind your vanity which is equally as important!!!). I had my sleeve done exactly three weeks ago and I feel wonderful. I have to be honest, the day after was a bit grim, for me anyway. The anaesthetic from the op made me feel sick so lots of useless heaving going on. The disclosing liquid from the x-ray to check that the sleeve had no leaks has the effect of giving one's bowels a thorough spring clean so make sure you have the softest of loo paper!!! Apart from that, I was up and about two days after surgery and wandering around the town with my husband. You will find that you feel more tired than usual so listen to your body and get sufficient rest. Nothing wrong with an afternoon nap in front of the TV. I overdid it two days ago by covering six miles during two dog walks but hey-I felt great! Good luck, do as the medics tell you and remember, this is the beginning of a new you.