Hi Donna, Good to see you here. I am not sure where 133 lbs came from , my personal target is 182, 13 stones. You know after the op my brain was in la la land for a few weeks, I think I was in shock LOL I shall change that immediately.

Regarding foods and supplements, I eat what I want. I believe our bodies tell us what they need anyway although I do take a multi vitamin each day I never added protein powders or anything in addition to meals. I started off on liquids for 3 days and I had fresh fruit juice watered down and vegetable juice, V8 is quite tasty. For that short time the juice and my favourite cups of tea were enough. I then moved onto liquidised foods for what should have been 2 weeks but was in fact 11 days because I craved chewing and gum didn't work. It was at the 11th day I started back exercising, I had played with it previously but I stopped losing weight and was feeling quite despondent and wondering why I had bothered at all if all I was going to lose was the 15lbs I managed upto that point. I still felt very strange but that's just how I am after general anaesthetic. I read this site, cover to cover and the point that kept screaming out to me was that those who lose regularly, also move regularly so that must be the key. It's not rocket science but hey, what fat bird exercises regularly with passion, certainly wasn't me.

For the very soft foods I liquidised everything but made my meals simple; fish in sauce with veg was a favourite and they were those you buy in the bags with sauce. Instant mash and carrot and spinach were quick and easy and I made in bulk and froze. It doesn't look great liquidised but it hit the spot. At this stage I started to use quorn as a protein replacement because it is softer than meat of any kind. It liquidises well with veg too or on it's own with gravy. I also pureed fruit which I would eat with plain low fat yogurt, still a favourite now. I did find prunes were not beneficial for the purpose I bought them, constipation was a problem at the early liquidised stage. Prunes gave me pain in my gut rather than got things moving. I had to revert to movicol which doesn't purge you, but holds the moisture and so stops constipation. And on toilet matters, you need to know, you won't 'go' as often as before and taking the movicol will help stop constipation at this stage when you will hold any waste much longer than usual. At my worst stage I went 5 days and that was before movicol, not a pleasant experience in fact I'd rather eat nails! I spent the whole day upstairs in and out of the bathroom doing nothing of effect. Hence movicol, well worth getting some in ready.

It is vitally important to drink water. That sounds like a silly point to make but it will keep you hydrated and I don't know why but on the days I don't take at least 1.5 litres, I lose nothing!

And now I can probably eat anything. I am still learning to chew properly and did have a problem yesterday when I totally forgot all the rules and downed a roast potato that may as well have been a brick. IT HURT! and it was my fault. I eat whatever I make for the family, unless I fancy something different. I control my portion by using a small glass, if it doesn't fit in, it doesn't get to my plate and therefore it doesn't get to my mouth. I don't count calories but I am more and more aware not to abuse myself with eating rubbish. The way I see it, if I can only eat a handful, it had better be good and by good I mean serve my body as well as my eyes which are still bigger than my belly, or so they think LOL. Others may say I should count every calorie,weigh every gram, be more aware of nutritional values etc etc but this is a lifestyle change for me. I'm not training to be a dietician and dieting taught me in the past that I can't do that, it's boring, makes life boring, takes up far too much time and energy. I am aware to eat protein, carbs and vitamins and I do and occasionally I have something naughty. It's working for me right now, it may be that eventually my thinking on this will change and I will become a 'counter' but for now, I eat less and move more than I ever thought I could and it works.

It is all new to you and will be totally different to your life before your op andyou will have fleeting moments when you regret doing it but I assure you it's amazing Donna. The feeling of empowerment and so what if you need a lap band to assist you to live a longer and healthier life? The only people who will knock it are those who haven't tried it. Opposition is something you will come up against. I have already lost a friend because of it, she's a big girl (32 stones) and happy she says and spends most of her life drowning in beer. She called me a traitor. Another slim friend didn't like the fact that I may become slimmer, I think the word 'threat' was at the back of her mind but she said I'd lose my personality. She may come to terms with it, she may not. I can live with either.

Everyone I know is aware of my band, it's no secret although I know for many people it's vital it isn't revealed. It's also no shame to have the help the band gives you.

Going back to the exercise issues, I recently found out I have arthritis in my knees, wear and tear I suppose and that I have the scar from a previous fracture to the femur that I never knew about. The arthritis does slow me down but I exercise daily when possible with walking and the gym and alternate days when the knee tells me to. I want to swim but still can't bear the thought of being in public in a swimsuit. Maybe one day.

I love your personality it comes thru in your blog. Honest and sincere, caring and thoughtful we can be friends any time. I am having to have physical therapy for my knee, getting into a suit was hard at first I just did it and I am feeling so much better. I have to admit I really like the water therapy much better on my joints. Have a great day. Best wishes imaluckydog

Hi Louies, nice to hear you don't weight every mouthfull, i too would be borad with that after one possiblly two meals. I feel as if i eat too much now, too much good healthy food, fresh meat fish, fruit and veg but still too much and don't want my body to be deprived of all the vits minerals proteins and become unwell in any way as that defeats the whole objective.

I hate exercise of any sort, switching chanel on the T.V is a chore, (and yes i do have a remote) lol, so that i know will be a real challenge for me to try and keep doing abit.

Thanks for the constipation remady is movicol via a doctor or over the counter?

And yes water is all important i know and will try to drink surficient.

Did the roast potatoe reapear or just take along time to go down? lol, how long ? what dose it feel like?

You say i will have a new life after the op, i think a big part of my apprehention is i really like my like right now. But I know i'm unhealthy thats the problem, and i need to do somthing soon.

My friends have had a mixed reactions from great go for it girl we'er with you all the way, to comments on how it "dosen't work if you haven't got will power you know, the same as any other diet that youv'e tryed", or that it will change me, or even is that all youv'e got to spend your HOW MUCH money on.

Or the most common , why don't you try those new tablets from the doctor.

I too would never think about keeping it a secret WHY!

nothing to be ashamed of is it?

Our local pool runs a fun water arobics class for over weight ladies, maybe you might have such a class near you, i may (only may think about joining) in a year or two, lol.

Anyway bye for now , Donna