MrsFitz

These friends and family - have they experienced your life and upbringing? Do they have weight issues? Do they have a food addiction? Do they have the medical issues that you have? If the answer to any of those questions is ‘no’, you must ask yourself why you have listened to them instead of going with your gut feelings? It seems that 9 years have passed since you first contemplated WLS and things haven’t improved for you. If simple diet and exercise was enough, none of us would be overweight 🙂 Unfortunately everyone is different, with different bodies, metabolisms, abilities, disabilities, mental blocks, imperfect childhoods etc. Only you can decide on what happens next. WLS is scary, it is a massive decision, one which shouldn’t be taken lightly. You have to decide on what YOU want, what your goals are, what you dream about for your future. This forum is a great place to discuss anything and everything connected to weight loss surgery, the reasons we need it, our fears, our hopes, our wins and our losses. I recommend reading what you can, asking questions if you’re unsure and being completely honest with yourself. You deserve a chance of a better life and a healthy future 🙂

Or bows? Or really badly placed frills?? Or cheap, scratchy lace? Or (and this drives me insane) tops that aren’t long enough 🤬🤬🤬 I’m the size of a house, no amount of spangles, added trim or crappy flowers/puppies/kittens/cute crap will ever disguise that fact 🙄 And yes, I want frigging useable pockets in dresses and skirts 😡 (rant over 😇)

Does your NHS hospital send patients to a hotel??? That’s surprised me!

Have you ever thought of making your own clothes? I’m just thinking it could be a win/win for you - get the clothes you actually want to wear (no cutesy puppies or kittens here either 😉) plus it would keep you busy and occupied so distracting you from food both short and long term. Congrats on your losses so far. It’s immensely difficult when you’re putting yourself under pressure because of someone else’s expectations (your surgeon in this case) Just think about YOU, not him. You’re doing brilliantly and that’s all that matters 😊

@NeonRaven8919Exactly! @AmberFLHe‘s currently on the platform, unsure if the weight loss train is the train he wants at the moment @JennyBeezRomanncy-love-stuff? What’s that then? LOL! @SleeveToBypass2023All my stats are up to date right now. Don’t know which surgery as I haven’t had my appointment with the surgeon yet (NHS - it’s never a rush 🙄) I had thought sleeve initially but, after my first group education session, I’m now thinking bypass, purely because of reducing the hunger hormones which isn’t a factor with the sleeve. However, I will listen to what the medical professionals recommend and make my decision from that. So, I had the conversation with hubby last night and got a lot of things cleared up. It’s not just the WLS that’s concerning him but some other things too like me having knee surgery and not needing him anymore, especially as he has his own disability which cannot be addressed with surgery. He thinks he will be holding me back and I deserve better etc etc. I truly understand where he’s coming from but we’ve been together 22 years, married for 17. His accident happened when we’d been together a couple of years and back surgery made it much worse. We’ve dealt with horrible shitty ex-wives, massively entitled kids, redundancy, depression, illness, disabilities etc. If we can come through all of that and not want to stab one another then I will take that as a win 🤣😂 Life throws things at us when we least expect it, both good and bad. I think we’re OK for now, thankfully, so I can stop eyeing up the pillows in bed, thinking of ways to smother him 😈 Physio was cancelled today due to staff illness. They had a bit of a panic trying to find an appointment for me as I’m supposed to have physio 10-14 days after the steroid injection. As it stands, they found me an appointment for next Monday which will be 19 days afterwards so I will have to see if that’s acceptable. I’m not stressing though as I’m doing the circulation booster and knee programme every day so hopefully that will have a positive impact.

@fed-up and @Arabesque so very sorry that both of you are going through this horrible, stressful “Is it? Isn’t it?” journey right now. Sometimes life just throws 💩 at you and expects you to deal 😕 Take care both of you 💜💜

At the beginning of this week I started using a circulation booster to help me as my mobility is shot to pieces, pain is a constant and I’m worried about lack of circulation in my lower limbs etc. I also have to do what I can to strengthen the muscles around my knees for when I have them replaced, as the MSK nurse physio said that this will make a huge difference come recovery. I bought a machine that also helps with knee pains etc (separate TENS pads and programme for this) I’ve done the circulation programme for 4 days now and I’m just doing the knee programme for the second time. OH MY GOD!! The difference in pain is indescribable!!! I’ve not taken any big girl pain relief this week (Tramadol - was weaning myself off as I don’t like any kind of opioids) just a couple of paracetamol and an ibuprofen at bed time. Hopefully this will all be done away completely and my pains will be easily controlled by the booster. Honestly, if anyone breathed too hard near my knees previously I would be on the ceiling but now I can poke and prod them with no ill effects (or lots of bad language!) 🥳🥳🥳 The pain isn’t waking me up in the night and I just generally feel so much better. I still can’t walk much on them but I can deal with that for now. I know that I still need both knees replacing but it will certainly make life a lot more bearable in the meantime. The bumf with the machine reckons it can be up to 8 weeks to get the full effect but I’m so happy with how it’s working out so far. Just thought I would share 😊

So very glad things went well for you and that both the doctor and nurse are doing their bit for you. Just take it steady and I hope your walk goes smoothly!

Seriously, unless you spent an absolute fortune on the brown rice protein powder, just bin it and put it down to experience. Life can be difficult enough with restricted food choices without forcing yourself to eat something you really dislike. Glad the pea protein was a win though! 👍

Very happy this week! The London gain of 3.5lbs has gone plus another 6lbs has joined it this week so I’ve hit my 2stones loss target 😊 Hubby has documented this by taking pics and I can definitely see a difference - my backside isn’t as much as a shelf now 😉 I will post pics when I gain more confidence but they are definitely worth doing for your own records, even if you hate and despise your photos being taken. I’m sat here with my feet on a circulation booster, with my feet and calves twitching away. I’ve got it for both me and hubby in the hope that it will help both of us with our circulation and start helping me strengthen my muscles around my knees. We had a chat yesterday and agreed to rejoin our local gym. I know I won’t be able to do cardio like the treadmill etc but I certainly do need to spend some time on the resistance machines and hopefully the free weights. I want to try and get some muscle tone going and avoid masses of sagging skin if I can. I desperately miss going to the gym so I’m definitely looking forward to it. I’m due at physio next week for knee exercises so we’ve said we will begin 1st Sept (helps with keeping monthly finances straight too) Lots of NSVs this week…can now take my wedding/engagement/eternity rings off when in the bath. That certainly hasn’t happened for a long, long time. I’m finding more clothes to wear when ‘shopping in my wardrobe’. I’ve actually had to buy a BELT for my jeans 😮😮😮 I bought 3 pairs in the sales some time ago. 1pair fit fine, 1 I could just about fasten but not breathe, 1 I couldn’t fasten for love nor money. Fast forward to Saturday and it’s now 1 too big, 1 fasten easily and 1 fasten but can’t really breathe!!! Hopefully a belt will let me get some more wear out of them before they go off to the charity shop pile. It’s our wedding anniversary in September and I’ve set myself a target of wearing a dress that I wore for our wedding anniversary dinner 2 years ago. It’s a lovely dress and I felt fantastic when wearing it so hopefully it will fit again. I would like to lose another 10lbs or so before trying it on so fingers crossed 🤞🤞 Hubby knows what I’m aiming for and is all for it. Need to remember to record my food diary next week, ready for the dietitian appointment the week after. I record everything now but not the moods pre- and post- eating which they need. I’ve already recorded a dietitian diary just before I began my weight loss journey so hopefully she will be able to see the differences. Have a fantastic week everyone 🤩 Onwards and Downwards!

That’s brilliant @AmberFL, thank you so much for sharing ❤️

You’re a love, ❤️ thank you!!

If you’re losing inches it sounds like you’re putting on muscle 🙂 The best way to describe it is that a lb of muscle takes up less space than a lb of fat, plus muscle burns calories for longer too so additional benefits - yay! I would suggest carrying on with what you’re doing currently and just keeping an eye by tracking your measurements until you feel comfortable in what you’re doing. Your body is getting used to your current changes in upping your calorie intake and is probably thanking you for adding additional fuel while you work out!

Try to have a gentle, easy day today in readiness for your op. Why not have a bit of a pamper day? Deep condition your hair, file your nails & massage your hands, a face mask, cucumber on the eyes etc? Make a hospital playlist if music would help you relax? I bet the next 24 hours both drag and fly by!

@Bypass2Freedomsharing your workouts would be so great, thank you ☺️ I generally sort of notice weight loss when I’ve lost around 3 stones, so documenting it has helped. @catwoman7I will be honest and say that it’s so very hard putting myself in front of hubby with a camera when the size of a house. Hubby reminded me of something today which made me stop and think - when I’d lost loads of weight years ago, I would happily have my picture taken. Hubby said I would have given our 4 year old granddaughter a run for her money when it comes to posing etc (she’s a diva, what can I say 🤷‍♀️) and he’s looking forward to that time again. @SleeveToBypass2023aw, what a lovely thing to say, thank you ☺️ I won’t forget the bike 😉

You look so much more confident and happy!!

I know at our local gym, the ‘gym bunnies’ actually annoy the other users, both male and female. Most people are there just doing their own thing and don’t want to have to deal with those who are there for ‘show’ and spend silly amounts of time on their phones while holding up the machines. Taking photos is banned, thankfully, because I think that would be my undoing. Everyone has to start somewhere…those people who seem really confident and seem to know what they’re doing most probably felt just the same when they first started! I when I was a regular I would throw on a pair of headphones, get my gym playlist going, and crack on. I have to say that I am the worlds sweatiest, most unattractive woman when I finish my workout but I’m buzzing and it helps my mental health like you wouldn’t believe. We are rejoining the gym at the beginning of September and I’m so looking forward to it. Well done on taking that first step! Hopefully the gym will distract you from the diet and both will work in tandem for you in readiness for your October surgery. YOU’VE GOT THIS!!!

Oh WELL DONE!! So very pleased for you regarding passing your driving test. The pen road awaits you 😉 You are definitely having a fabulous year so far! (And yes - a definite ’before’ pic please)

Absolutely loving the hair!! And your face looks so slim and your eyes are really striking! Congratulations all round 🏆

My son makes wedges in his air-fryer with potatoes sprayed with oil and then tossed in paprika, herbs etc. Can you take something before eating potatoes to help overcome the lactose intolerance? (No idea if this is a ‘thing’) Have you tried making overnight oats as a way of upping your carb intake? You could make it with full fat milk and full fat Greek yoghurt too 🙂

Would ‘healthier’ carbs help? Whole meal toast/wraps/pitta for example? Potatoes left in their skins, baked sweet potatoes, healthy fats as @ms.ssspointed out - whole fat milk/yoghurts, nuts etc. Just try things slowly so your body can get used to what you’re trying to do 🙂

A new week beckons 🙂 London was fab, a break that was very much needed by both of us. The hotel was very nice, the staff were fantastic, couldn’t do enough to help but some of the guests were just entitled dickheads. You know something is amiss when you say ‘thank you’ and the member of staff looks completely surprised. There were film crews there - one was something about a reality music show shown on MTV/Paramount possibly Love and Hip Hop Atlanta?? Not my thing so wasn’t too fussed. Did chat to a lovely crew lady though who filled us in on what was happening. Also there was some setting up to do regarding some additional Mission Impossible 8 shooting. Apparently the hotel was used for a lot of interior shots 🤷‍♀️ Didn’t see anyone famous though! Anyway, I was complemented on a couple of my outfits which gave me a real buzz! Having my makeup done was actually a lovely thing. It really helped that the MUA was very approachable and actually listened. The Pet Shop Boys were as brilliant as ever and a wonderful time was definitely had! Hubby bought me a commemorative PSB sweatshirt which is a XXL and fits like sausage skin. So, my next goal is to fit in to it comfortably. I think it’s definitely losing a couple of dress sizes 😬 (if not more) I’ve added 3.5lbs to last week’s weight, which isn’t bad, considering. I have my dietitian appointment in 3 weeks and I’m hoping to get that gain and a few more lbs off by then. I never thought I would miss protein shakes and protein yoghurt quite so much! I hope everyone has an awesome week ahead Onwards and Downwards!

Sorry…not sure if it’s the same in the US but in the UK 14lbs = 1 stone. My post meant that I had gone down from weighing 20 stones + to weighing 19 stones + 🙂

I was a big, whiny baby last night ☹️ Feel a bit better today though!

Hi @SpinozaI’m pre-op so just going through the tests and appointments before deciding on which surgery and then waiting for the date of surgery 🙂 I’m trying to get my head around the requirements of WLS - types of foods, drinking, vitamins etc plus trying to lose some weight in the meantime. @NickelChipfingers crossed I will be in it before the end of the year 😉 Had steroid injections in both knees yesterday in the hope of easing the pains I have. I’m not going to lie, I was a big, moaning baby last night as the numbing injections had worn off and I was hurting like a b***h. This, coupled with the ridiculously warm night (in the UK, we don’t do heat very well and we certainly don’t have the infrastructure or air con to deal!) made for a crappy night. But it’s eased a little today plus I’ve lost another 1.5lbs so I’m now in a lower stone’s bracket 🤩🤩 Lots of (careful) happy dancing this morning when I got off the scales! I’m hoping to lose another 3.5lbs as my first target before my dietitian appointment 21st August as this will mean I would have lost 2 stones since beginning this WLS journey at the end of May. we discussed knee replacement surgery at my appointment yesterday and I need to have a BMI of sub-40 before I’m considered for surgery. This works out at about 2 stones more to lose. I will get a call in 3 months to see how I’m doing. I won’t be referred until I’ve lost that weight as it will be refused. I do understand the reasoning so I’m not stressing about it. I will have a chat to the dietitian just to make sure that I would still be considered for WLS should my BMI be less than 40 as that was the reason I was accepted in the first place as I don’t have diabetes or anything that would make me eligible with a BMI of 35. Hopefully it won’t be an issue 🤞🤞