My Sleeve Gastrectomy Experience

Excuse the messy room, but I thought I'd give you a "body update". If you scroll back and see my before pictures, it's an absolutely massive difference. Side on I am at least half the size. I have a tummy pouch, but who doesn't after being nearly 22 stone? It's slowly disappearing and that's okay with me. My skin is wrinkly in some places, but that's okay with me. I'm healthy.

So, firstly.. I hope you're all doing well 💛 you helped me through the worst of this and I disappeared afterwards, for that I'm very sorry! Here's a little update of what's happened in my life: -I have hit ONEderland! I haven't been this weight since I was 13 -I've now lost 95lbs (nearly 7 stone) - I have gone down from XL scrubs at work to a Medium, with the scope of fitting in a small not to far from now. -I've basically replaced all of my wardrobe (much to my wallets pain but my pleasure) - I've really settled in at work, and found gym buddies and best friends in the place i now live. - I've started dating (something I wasn't confident enough to do before surgery, and haven't done for around 5 years).. So my life is pretty great overall right now. Don't get me wrong, there are days where I look at myself in the mirror and still think "eurgh", but those days are outnumbered by those that I am truly grateful and in wonder by how much my body has changed. Someone called me skinny the other day and I nearly started crying, I have never ONCE been called that in my life. It wasn't the idea of being skinny, but just the thought that I am no longer the one everyone looks at because of how big I was. If you are thinking of having the surgery, or struggling through the first few months, just know this: Everyone has different experiences, you may get bad stories but you will also get the good. This surgery has saved my life both physically and mentally, and looking back I can truly appreciate how dire my mental health was. I can now do an hour and a half in the gym and then do a yoga class without the thought nearly making me cry, I actually enjoy it and actively do it at least 3x a week! I don't struggle to find clothes, and my friends and family all comment more about the change in my confidence and happiness over the physical changes, which are huge in themselves so it just goes to show. Love to you all xxx

100lbs is an incredible achievement. Your health (I imagine) is loads better and we can both struggle together to one day see our bodies for what they are to everyone else- amazing!! 💛

I know I am incredibly thankful for this surgery and it honestly, has been the best decision of my entire life, but having true self confidence takes time and at the moment I’m not there.

I'm neglecting my wls tumblr friends! I'm sorry! A lot has been happening. I officially hit 16stone this morning (224lbs) and I am so happy!! But it was a mix of emotions yesterday. I told some work colleagues about my surgery, and also, found out that I don't get dumping syndrome as easily as I would have hoped. It was one of the first real times I ate chocolate and I ate quite a bit for me (1/2 a bag of minstrels). My diet is not great at the moment, I've lost the willingness to cook and I need to get my head back in the game! Nonetheless, I am still so happy with my weight loss so far! Nearly at 5st lost!

I just had a bad experience with popcorn. I didn't eat much of it- it didn't affect my stomach but my bowels weren't too happy 😟😟

Hey! Firstly, congratulations and I hope everything goes well for you. Regarding telling friends and family, at the moment only my family know about the surgery due to me moving away from home and not seeing friends in person. My family knew about my weight struggles and personally were worried about not only my health but also my mental state as I was becoming more and more upset, so I broached the topic like that- explaining how that's how I felt and genuinely felt the surgery was the only way I was going to lose the weight and improve my life. It was a highly emotional conversation but you just have to tailor it to each person on how you think they will react. Make sure you have answers to any question they may ask and finally- be confident in your decision! You might be in an ideal situation for the surgery due to your age and tell them that. It's your body, if they have any issues with it then that's a shame, but don't let it affect you! You are the brave one disclosing it to them so they should be proud you made this decision to improve your health and wellbeing X

My fellow UK WLSers! If you have a hankering for a square or two of chocolate, I found this in my local Tescos. 3g of sugar in 4 decently sized prices which is more than enough to satisfy cravings once every few days. And it tastes pretty decent too! This little sugar doesn't make me feel bleh also. I think it cost me £1.20 and I've had it just over a week and only 1/3 through.