NeonRaven8919

Welcome to the forum! I'm 5'4 so not necessarily short, but I just wanted to welcome you anyway!

10 days left. I'm starting to really worry now! Is there any way to make sure my liver has shrunk before the surgery? I've been doing the pre-op diet, and I've lost weight, but I'm starting to panic that I've done everything right except the odd slip up and it won't be enough! Is this just normal nerves? Is it possible I've lost weight, but the liver has been stubborn and not shrunk?

Wow! You look amazing! You've done so well!

I was about 270 so it's about the same. I think this is some new NHS weight loss diet and I'm the test group or something.

This week, my doctor has restricted my diet even further (from 1200 calories to 800) to make sure that the liver really shrinks so he said Slimfast Shakes and Weight Watchers soups because it's pre-made whereas the shakes I've been making it might be harder to get the right measurements when I'm cutting calories from what I've been doing for the past 10 weeks. I guess it makes sense. Honestly, those slim fast shakes are the worst. The only one that tastes Ok (and not in that British deprecating way where we say "it's alright" when me mean it's pretty good) is the chocolate one. The rest? How do Strawberry, banana or cookies and cream shakes end up with an almost chicken-y aftertaste? How is this possible? Is this some kind of pact with Satan? Long digression, I know. But it made me dream of food last night. Which I have never done before. I dreamed all my family had gone to all the fast food places and I couldn't eat any but I ended up having a bowl of porridge from KFCs Breakfast menu? Talk about head hunger vs actual hunger!

One of my favourite songs!

I unironically love some of the fashions from the 90s so I love all of this! It must be really nice to be at that size again! Well done! It always inspiring to read your posts!

Thanks!

I love this! The outfit, the tattoos! You look amazing! You should be super proud!

Thank you, that's helpful!

My GP put me on a 12 WEEK liquid diet. I've lost almost 20lbs (10kg) it's a struggle the first few days, but it gets easier!

Hi! I don't have an answer, but I'm following in case someone else does too! My surgery is in 2 and a half weeks and I'm starting to get scared about this issue too.

Well done! It's really good to take measurements. It helps with the stalls!

That's hilarious! I can't wait to get to just a large as well!

You look great! What a difference a year can make! So happy for you!

Congratulations! I'm scheduled for October 7th. I only got approved in May!

Yesterday, I had my final appointment before my surgery date. I finally started having doubts about the whole thing and I'm relieved. Having doubts probably doesn't sound like a good thing, but it finally gave me chance to unload everything that was on my mind to the doctor. I was able to tell him that maybe I wanted the bypass instead. I've been on other forums and people seem to be really against the sleeve because long term weight loss is less than with other surgeries. But he reassured me that due to my age, no comorbidities and the fact that I'm on target with my weight loss, he still thinks this is a good surgery for me and my goals. They last time I spoke to him, he told me I wasn't sticking to the diet, and then he told me "most people lose only 3-4kg pre-surgery anyway" So why was he worrying me when I ONLY lost 5kg? But I guess he was in a better mood because he was back from holiday? 😂 Next appointment is a phone appointment where I just tell him my weight. And then the surgery weigh in and bloods before the surgery. I'm so ready for this now.

Excellent news! When I finally met with the surgeon, it was only another 2 months before they scheduled my surgery so hopefully it won't be too much longer for you! I've loved hearing your stories and being part of your journey. I think us both being NHS patients in the UK is helpful so we can compare. I'm so happy for you!

Yes! This has been my problem. I never want to eat something so badly as when I can't have it. I'm not doing cheat meals at the moment because I need to lose the weight for my surgery, but telling myself "I can have this later" helps. And after surgery, I may not even want it.

Yes me too. I ended up making another song about eating vegetables. "Veggie Carnage"

This is fantastic! I made a heavy metal song about losing weight called "Shredded to the Bone" https://suno.com/song/2a5b2b64-b16d-4650-80d3-93feb3caf4a4

Hi! I got approved for the surgery in May of 2024. Doctor first told me that I would most likely have to wait until 2025 because of how the long the hospital waiting list is. Suddenly, I got called last week saying they were able to do it in October of 2024. So this is the first day of a 12 week liquid diet to lose 10% of my body weight before the surgery. My birthday is coming up and I have wedding that I'm going to next week! I'm happy that this is happening this year, but I also feel bummed because I feel like this is bad timing. I'm really happy that this journey is starting. I've always been overweight and so was my mother. We were the only one's in the family who were. We moved to the UK when I was 14 and my stepfather was also overweight and he passed away in 2022 due to pneumonia and other weight related complications. My mother had gastric bypass in 2008 and due to surgical complication, they couldn't fix a bowel perforation and she passed in 2023. She and my stepdad were the only people in my life who were really supportive of anything I did. I fell a little bit alone going through this now, but I'm feeling optimistic at the same time. Just looking for other people to share my story with.

I sent my surgical team an email to say I would like to be considered for the bypass instead. My fear is that this will put me behind schedule and they will schedule me for next year when as it is the surgery is a month away. I don't want to feel like I'm going backwards, which is how I would feel if they had to reschedule my surgery, but I want to set myself up for the most effective way forward. Maybe the surgeon will reassure me that the sleeve is the best option for me? I don't know. But I should definitely have the conversation. Barring a complication, I don't think revision surgery will be possible unless I win the lottery and go private.

Yes "Fair Play"

Thanks! I think it's just coming closer to the actual date, and I finally had a freak out. As I'm relying on the NHS, I don't want to get told the won't cover a revision down the line. But this forum seems to have people with good stories about long term success with the sleeve. I think I just need to speak with the doctor again.