RosieCheeks

Well done. Why five months post-op; what happens then? I'm five months on Monday, do I get a medal or something?

Will you go abroad or have it done over here?

How you doing Lulu?

On Sunday my friend and I went to Cheshire Oaks, a large retail outlet park, and I managed to walk all the way round, in and out of most shops and I didn't get short of breath once, nor did I have to sit down; my friend couldn't believe it. I haven't used my inhaler for over a month and feel almost 'normal'. I've gone down from a size 26/28 to a size 16. My Karen Millen coat is still on target to be worn this winter.

I bet you were walking on air, well done.

That's interesting, might give these a try. We call Zuccini an 'aubergine'. By the way, feel free to 'gatecrash'; 'the more, the merrier' as we say here in Blighty.

Today I was faced with immense pressure. Not only was Haagen-dazs half-price but so was my absolute favourite ice-cream, Mackies. A large 2litre tub for £2 - I would have been in ice cream heaven and was positively dribbling and drooling BUT I resisted, came home and had some strawberries. I'm really pleased with myself.

I'm proud of you too. Well done LuLu.

I shall do a full report when it comes.

I'm uber-excited, I've just bought some Irn Bru lip-balm

Here's to the first of many upcoming theatre trips, there'll be no stopping you now. x

Yep, just going to shops is psychological warfare!

I'd never get used to hairy knees either

I've had THE most incredible craving for salt and vinegar Pringles for the last few days but I've managed to resist despite going to the local shop twice. As you walk in the door of our local shop the first thing you see is the crisp and snack isle with a full row of Pringles. It was torture and I was literally salivating at the thought but I RESISTED an I'm okay again now and feel proud for not giving in to temptation.

@ It's a great feeling isn't it? Well done.

It's a great feeling throwing the big baggy stuff away. Well done Dede.

Woohoo, get you. I can't wait to wear jeans, it's been about 20 years! Well done.

That's my girl Lulu, give yourself a kick up the jacksy and start the positive mental attitude today.

There's a lot of negativity on this board. C'mon girls, you can do better than this. Stop whining and start looking for ways to improve instead of feeling sorry for yourselves. Think of the positives this op will bring. Things take a little bit of time but you really need to start with a positive mental attitude. If you constantly think "Woe is me, I'm tired/hungry/sad/miserable/feel sick/etc...." then you are just reinforcing all the negatives. Try thinking, Ok, I feel a bit lethargic/tired but I'm going to get through this and then I'll feel proud I got through and ready for the next obstacle and there will be more obstacles for which you need to build a mental resistance - make everything a personal challenge to overcome. Sometimes expectations of the sleeve are too high; some of us think the sleeve is a magic wand that will take away all our weight worries - it really isn't, it's an aid, you've got to dig deep and make the rest happen and It's a lot harder to find that inner strength when you are solely concentrating on all the downsides. So my message to the moaners and groaners - Have a word with yourself and get on with it.

Even at age 4, you're never to young to learn the harsh realities of life.

Tell her my little pony died.

I know Basil, I used to work with him at Salford Royal when I was a med sec. I did have a consultation with him but decided to save myself a bucket of money and have it done abroad.

@@snannapuss Don't be fed up, this is the start of a whole new life. I know it's easy to say and I've had my moments but hang on in there, when the weight starts to come off you get spurred on. Try to banish the negatives and turn them into positives. Keep posting, we'll help you as much as we can, we've all been there. x

@@snannapuss Hi, Where are you? When/where were you done?

I'm 'out the closet' now and just tell everyone I've had most of my stomach ripped out. Some say I'm brave and well done, some think I'm mad. I don't really care what any of them think.