Bornagainbabe

Titanium is the purest 'metal', that being the reason for its widespread use in body piercings as well as surgical procedures. I've never heard of anyone being allergic to it :thumbup:

Over in the UK we are advised to have a B12 supplement in addition to our multivitamin. I have an injection every 3 months. I missed it earlier in the year when I suffered a head injury and when I had my bloods done my iron was down as well and I have been on iron tablets since. However, since then I have kept up to date with my B12 and am hoping that my iron levels will have sorted themselves out now too.

Yup, I went through it too. But you know deep down in your heart that you would never have lost weight without surgery as none of us take the decision lightly and you would surely have been facing diabetes etc. etc. if you hadn't done it. The advantages all outweigh the disadvantages in my opinion. You will be fine

I avoided coke and other fizzy drinks for quite a while but that is because I'm not that keen on them anyway. However, I do have the odd diet coke (with my vodka!) now and am fine. I do sip it though and try not to gulp it down (don't do gulps anyway as it would just come straight back up!)

I think that at only 3 weeks out the occasional twinge is going to be quite normal. I had pains every now and then, especially after eating, and at other times. Your stomach is still healing and everything else in your body is recovering after the trauma of surgery as well. I agree that you shouldn't worry too much unless you are in persistent pain and/or running a fever etc. Just take it easy

I had caffeinated coffee straight after surgery with no problems (no one over here in UK said we shouldn't). I'm ok most of the time but sometimes when I have coffee out (cappucinos etc.) I can feel quite ill afterwards with palpitations, shaking and feeling really sick. It usually passes after a while but I think that is with really strong caffeine. Otherwise, as I said, I'm fine

You're only human. I still do it now, a year out, and can stuff my face with chocolate, crisps etc. until I end up having to be sick. There's no reasoning behind it and when I am very upset I don't actually care at all about what I am doing until later. I have considered some type of therapy to address the issues which lead me to overeating but it's difficult for me as I suffer from constant stress caring for my autistic son who is extremely challenging and any resolve lays way out of reach of my hands. I cannot actually do anything to change the situation so I know that I am probably always going to reach for food as a comfort (it's cheaper than vodka anyway!). The answer for me is to eat healthily the rest of the time and work out that stress in the gym. But I do agree with the earlier post that it is a good thing to try to address your reasons for overeating and resolve them as much as you can as wls is not a miracle cure to obesity and can be abused to the extent that some people do actually start gaining weight again. I think that keeping that in mind after everything 'you' have been through is a good marker for success and incentive not to abuse the opportunity 'you' have been given. Good luck and keep smiling

Thanks for that Tiffy. I do feel really envious of all those people who say they don't experience hunger and forget to eat. I think about food all the time and how healthy I can make my next meal. I'm very cautious about eating out as I can keep eating until I am extremely uncomfortable and end up vomiting. When I do eat out I make sure I stop early but then I feel hungry later on and end up snacking. I do get the hiccups but only after I've eaten loads and feel uncomfortable. I guess the key for me is eating healthily and keeping up my exercise with chocolate etc. reserved for an occasional treat! I can easily maintain at the weight I am now with the odd fluctuation but I really do want to lose another 28lbs at least despite people telling me I don't need to.

Hi, I had mine done as a revision from band just over 12 months ago in Sheffield. I paid privately for my band and was very lucky to get my revision funded by the NHS. Most people are not so lucky but there were other issues involved. I have no regrets. You will find this site very useful and informative although advice may sometimes be conflicting. In general most people's experiences are fairly similar though. Just ask if you have any questions

Benefiber helps me and I'm on iron tablets as well!!!

Hi Jane, I haven't lost anyone to cancer although my Dad died two years ago from a nasty lung disease (not smoking related) and I believe that most doctors will put a patient out of their suffering as legally (broadly speaking) and without fuss as they can get away with. My best friend is a cancer nurse and whilst she hasn't divulged any details to me I am convinced that most patients in the last stages are put out of their misery in a perfectly humanely way. I am convinced that euthanasia is practised in this country but not broadcast. I would, however, opt to go to Dignitas in Switzerland if I was diagnosed with a terminal or debilitating disease and have made that quite clear to my husband. I'm also an atheist.

Ditto. It depends on the surgeon. I did 3 days of just water, then had to keep some really runny blended up 'proper' food down before I was discharged. I was on that for a couple of weeks before progressing to mushies.

I think lots of things affect your period post-surgery including meds, anaesthesia, blood thinners and 'most' likely the radical changes your diet has undergone recently. Mine are still erratic at times and it could be pre-menopause for me (I'm 44) but I do know that lots of people on here report changes post-op so I wouldn't worry too much about it.

Brilliant news Dee. I'm a year out from my revision and haven't reached goal yet but am slowly working towards it. You've done really well - well done!

Hi, Just to say that you're doing really well. It's great to be on the losing side isn't it! Helen x

Hi Lisa, you are in good company here. Everyone on this site knows what it is like to struggle with their weight and what a huge decision having wls surgery is. But, I don't think that for one minute you will regret it. I certainly don't. It has changed my life and everyone who knows me and knows about the surgery agrees that it is the best thing that I ever did. Good luck to you and keep us informed of progress. Helenx

Hi, glad everything went well for you. Get lots of rest now, keep sipping, take your painkillers and move around xxx

Hi Bella, I'm really glad that everything has gone so well for you. I found it difficult to take tablets when I was first out and I know that some of the US surgeons don't recommend it. Mine didn't advise me either way but as I was already on a dispersible Lansoprazole for my reflux it wasn't too much of a problem, plus my other medication, including Vitamins, could be taken in liquid or suckable form. If you do find you have any problems go and see if your GP can offer you any alternatives. After a year I can now take tablets fine and only have a problem if I gulp too heavily! I am sure you will be ok but just remember that your new stomach is very delicate right now and needs a lot of tlc. Lots of love Helenx

Here's a recipe all my family like and as you will only be having a small amount it's not too unhealthy. Fry some sliced corned beef in a drop of olive oil and line base of a dish with it. Add cheese sauce on top - you can make it with low fat cheese Top with mashed potatoes and bake in the oven. It's nice and mushy and what I call real comfort food and because you're only having such a small portion at this point the carbs and fat won't do much damage, plus there's your Protein in it. I'm trying to remember what I had during the mushy stage and I think Shepherd's Pies were on the menu and blended up stews with plenty of vegetables. Just take it easy though and don't go pushing it by trying unblended meat or fries or anything else you may find tempting as they really will give you gip. If you get a dumping type sensation afterwards with palpitations and sweating etc. it will be because you have either rushed it or eaten something you're not really ready for. Most of the foods I ate on the mushy stage revolved around mashed potatoes, eggs and low fat cheese, like you said, and thick homemade blended up Soups. Hope that helps a bit!

I couldn't tolerate bread or pasta (rice not so bad with) until I was around 7-8 months post-op and still don't eat a lot of them now.

Hi Amanda, you look great! I remember you having your surgery just after me last year and I have been having the same kind of stall as you for a while now, but that's more to do with what I am eating as well. I lost most of mine with my band and then the sleeve has knocked a bit more off and now I'm maintaining. I am trying to be more careful of what I put in my mouth though and trying not to stress to much about getting to goal. It will happen providing we eat healthily and exercise (which you are doing loads of). I'm just getting into it now but exercise doesn't come easily to me!!!

Good luck! Never heard of Sleeve Plication so will Google that now! Let us know how you get on x

Hi, I am glad that you are doing so well but just take it easy with your quantities, fat intake, etc. etc. I was like you, although I didn't progress quite as quickly, but had the same type of 'dumping' experiences when I had eaten too quickly or had anything particularly sweet or fatty. I used to feel awful and have to go for a lie down. I remember having real problems with cream and that went on for a while so I avoided anything with cream or fat or refined sugar in as much as possible, although I was definitely not saintly and could binge every now and then on chocolate. I still don't get clear 'fullness' signals after a year out so I have to be very careful with portion control, especially now after a year out as I can eat anything I want now - some meat if it's tough gives me problems somethimes and I usually end up spitting it out rather than swallowing. Chewing properly and taking time is the key and I do tend to be rather more conscious of that if I am eating out as I don't want to have to go and be sick. I was told that a meal should take at least 20 mins to get through but occasionally if I do feel hungry I will rush it down and then regret it. Your weight loss is good. Most people on here report a stall at around 5-6 weeks anyway but once you get into a good routine of eating regularly and healthily you will be fine. I know from your post that you're not eating a lot of rubbish now but it can be tempting to push it at times and let's face it, the occasional treat is a good thing and you deserve it. Moderation and being sensible is key. Good luck x