Recent Posts

I agree it's good to take stock.  Today I've vomited every meal, so only protein bars for me tomorrow!  This probably means the end of the stall.  lol.

Great news that you're buying clothes.  It'll be another month or so before I really need to buy trousers and shirts.  I found a Rohan jacket in a draw on Saturday that I haven't worn since I was a student in '85.  It fits!!  So, an interview suit...good luck with whatever you apply for! 

Sounds like it is all going amazing for you - I bet you look spectacular, all that young skin just bouncing back into place - and I'm guessing from your starting weight and clothes size that you're pretty tall too (I started at roughly the same weight but wore a 28/30)

Do you have any restrictions on what you can eat - does everything agree with you.  You'll be in the 100's before the end of the month, how exciting. What goals do you have.

I have several - dream goal 9st 7lbs, main goal 10st 10lbs , weight at which I would be happy to maintain at  12st, maximum weight that would have made this worth it 13st 7lbs. ............ LOL, I realise I'm kinda bonkers

Once you can sort out those stupid head battles and believe that it will start coming off again it is a great way to take stock and re-evaluate.  I have so much respect at how long you've been doing this and  I've come to realize that for all of us we have to take the rough with the smooth.  Thats where I've always given up in the past - hit a rough patch, get despondant and stop bothering because at that small moment in time it doesn't seem worth it. I think I'm finally kicking that habit.

20st is phenominal - share with us a list of the biggest differences it has made, I'd love to hear them.
XXX

Hi everyone, a bit about me..
Im Karen from Lanarkshire Scotland, I had WLS -a Lap band fitted 17/4/2010 the best thing iv ever done for ME in my life...cant believe I never done it sooner..
I got to the stage I couldnt breath, walking was so difficult, my joints had so much pain...
I stood in my kitchen 1 night and realised I was killing myself , with food.. so I googled WLS . I saw it cost £7,500 which I didnt have, im divorced and struggle financially, but then something just 'clicked' in my head, if I was dying and was told I could save my life by spending £7,500 I wouldnt hesatate... so I applied for a bank loan, made an appointment with my GP and then told my family...I was told I couldnt have it on the NHS due to their budget, I didnt expect them to anyway, I needed this NOW ,I couldnt wait years for this..my life was passing me by and I chose to take control!!! My family tried to talk me out of it, they were scared of the risks, but I had more risk by not doing it...
I started at 23.4 stone , I lost 11 lb on my pre-surgery liquid diet, which really surprised me since I couldnt stick to to 1 day of a diet before... but I knew I wanted this more than anything... now im down to 20.9 stone. I started my liquid diet 10wks ago today so im over the moon... im en-route to my new life and love every day of it
I searched the web for ages trying to find a support group, I saw an intro about WLS and saw a stunning looking woman, her add was connected to face book, so I private messaged her and she told me of the site in the USA, so I joined, its been a god send for me as my surgeon is crap to be honest, the forum lets me ask friends who are going through the same as me Do's and Dont's..
Then the lovely Kate and Binty saw I was from the UK and recruited me here...
Iv chose not to tell anyone other than my imediate family and close friends about the WLS , maybe I'l change my mind later on but as for now im happy to keep it that way..
I had my 1st fill of 3cc just 3wks post surgery, and was due to have another 3cc last week but I cancelled, I have some probs, Im still eating slider foods, usually WW meals, still really have trouble with chicken or meat. Maybey I need an un-fill but im way too scared for that, i'd rather have this restriction than less as Im not perfect and can cheat, it keeps me on my toes!!
So now my next step is to increase me fitness activity, from zero!!! I'v taken on a 2nd job to pay my WLS so at this stage I dont have much time or energy.. but thats changing
Karen x

Surgery type      VSG (Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy)
Date of op           20th Nov 2009
Starting weight  295lbs
Current position   208lbs
NHS or private?   Private. I got put on NHS waiting list for a band whilst living in Edinburgh but told as so young and no co-morbidities it would take years probably. I waited 1 year and then due to my partner getting a job back in England I went private. The Surgeon actually thought VSG was a better solution and after long discussions on pros and cons I agreed and I am SOOOO glad I did!
Hospital   Spire Roding, Nr London - Mr Mannur
Hospital experience Fab. Only complaint was after a day I got told I wasnt eating/drinking enough. I pointed out no one had told me how much to have and I was worried about overdoing it. Ended up on saline for longer than normal. No pain at all. Still have a full box of painkillers!
Recovery  Good. Gas thing was horrible and slept sitting up for first 5 nights but this does die down.
Cost   £7,300 whi*****ludes everything for 1 year including dietician access to Nurse and 3 monthly appointments. The Nurse, Dietician and Surgeon are all lovely and accessible. I got a "home improvements" loan from my bank
The journey itself WEIRD!!!! I live a fair distance from my friends and family so I sometimes go 2-3 months without seeing them so whenever we do I look different. I have no hunger at all and actually groan when my partner tells me to eat. Unlike others I am a bit naughty. I dont want to lose crazy fast as cant afford plastics so some days I purposely up my calories some days tho they still dont even reach a normal amount. I need to drink more fluids so constantly getting prompted to eat or drink!
Problems  Clothes and money Losing so much so fast means 90% of my wardrobe is dead now (including some shoes as my feet have shrunk 1/2 a size) and paying installments for surgery so dont have loads to spend but hey I can live with it and this is what I have a sewing machine for!
I do experience constipation and have been advised to take daily Fibregel to get things more regular until about 1 year out. I have had really bad pain recently and was worried it was gallstones. After a call to my Surgeon and a check up with my GP it turns out its bad acid. I dont feel acid at all... but there you go. So back on Lansoprazole for another month.
Benefits  EVERYTHING!!! I was a dress size 22-24. I am now 14 top and 16 bottom and I even bought a 12.......A 12!!!! I have been a 18-20 since 12 years old!!! I once got to a large 16 didnt stay there for long.
I am starting to feel more confident and actually am starting to believe people when they compliment me.
Pre-op I had IBS style symptoms and got constant pain and diarrhoea, this is gone completely. I also have planter fasciaiitis in both feet and since losing so much I havent experienced it at all so hopefully they're finally able to heal.
Who knows about it?  All friends, family and co-workers. I am open about it when people want me to go for lunch or have a few pints. I explain and everyone so far has been real supportive. Work have been supportive (which is amazing as only on a temp contract) and my co-worker prompts me to eat and drink

Future: Ive always been the fat one in the group so it feels weird Im now getting slimmer. I know there isnt a size 10 girl under here but if I can average out as a 14 on the bottom which I can buy in any store Id be chuffed! Im going to do my first professional singing gig next week for the first time in almost 10 years! I bought a dress 2 months ago which was too small and now it fits like a dream.

About me  31, engaged to be married next Oct. Live near Leeds with partner and 2 cats.