UK Cathy

I was following that thread, but is it me or has it disappeared!

Your 'tat' sounds amazing coops, hope it heals well.

We just got a year older!

Another milestone in life reached. My youngest son finished his finals yesterday and hence university. Therefore I don't have any children in education. I won't miss the exam stress.

Georgia, congrats on the new grandson, he is adorable and he has a wonderful name! Glad your daughter is in recovery, it must have been a worrying time for you.

Florinda, I'm no dietician and I know you know your body better than anyone but is your daily low calorie count enough for your body? I can hear your frustration at the slow weight loss. Would it help to have a couple of days at higher cals to see if it shakes things up? My own weight is up and it is totally my own fault, I have had a weekend in Turin (Italy) and we ate and drank. It was the drink more than the food- it goes down too easily. The weather and the atmosphere was great and we took advantage of it, glass of wine before lunch, same at dinner and then sitting out in the squares people watching with a drink later. I think it is no alcohol for me this week so that my poor liver can recover. We went to Turin to see the shroud and it was an amazing weekend, made all the more amazing by meeting a Muslim lady and her elderly mother who were also there to see the shroud. We were able to discuss with each other the things our religions had in common. It was really special. It also follows on from an amazing exhibition I saw in Marseille recently which was about the things that the Christian, Muslim and Jewish faiths have in common. One fact I took from that is that Mary (mother of Jesus) is mentioned more in the Koran than in the Bible! And that the Muslim faith have a deep respect and reverence for Mary because she is The mother of Jesus who they acknowledge as a prophet (as does the Jewish faith). As humans that is what we should focus on - the things we have in common, not the things that might/could divide us. Anyway a lean day for me I hope!

Jen, thinking of you and praying for you both. {{HUGS}} from over the pond. You are right with GOD in your life everything is possible. I had an an amazing experience this weekend and I went yo see the Turin shroud. I really believe I saw the face of Jesus and I was overwhelmed and tearful. My husband and I also met a lovely couple (mother and daughter) who are Muslim and who too had made a special visit to se the shroud. We were able to talk about the things we have in common with our religions. We actually bumped into each other 3 times over the weekend and we were not staying at the same hotel! GOD was certainly with us this weekend. This follows on from an exhibition I recently attended in France where it emphasised what the 3 main religions (Christian, Jewish and Islam) have in common. For example I was astounded to find out that Mary (Mother of Jesus) is mentioned more in the Koran than in the Bible. As a RC I found this so astounding as personally I have a great devotion to Mary. It seems that Islam is reverent yo Mary as she is the mother of Jesus, whom they acknowledge as a Prophet ( as do the Jewish religion). I hope no one is offended by my sharing these experiences.

Florinda, you are doing great. I wish I was doing as good as you. See you could be my inspiration. Take care XX

Good for you Sheryl, sounds like you had a great time also the fact that you want yo repeat it is so positive.

Happy Birthday XX

I love the dog picture, cannot make the other 2 out too clearly due to reflection in the glass. But it is obvious that you have a talent.

Good for you! Best wishes for the rest of your journey.

Don't get into this you will drive yourself crazy. This is your journey, no body else's. Some people lose lots in the first few months and others less. You don't know what people's starting points are. Someone might lose 50 lb and their target is 150 so hey have lost 33%. In the same period another person might lose 30 lb and their target is 100lb so their lose is 33% too. If someone posted a 50lb loss and another 30lb who has had the most success? You don't know unless you know people's starting and finishing points.

The first picture is one I have posted several times before, it takes into consideration age. I got this off a U.S. Site but cannot remember which one. The second I think is a good one as it shows how we all carry our weight differently. Sizes quoted are UK sizes.

5 day pouch (Google - it has its own website) is a back to basics program that mimics the eating program you had when you first had WLS. So a couple of days of liquids, then soft food then solids. It is not intended for weightloss but to get you back in the right mindset and to get rid of all those extra carbs that have slipped in. It is intended for people who are AT LEAST one year post op.

I think you have to use a computer to update a profile I don't think it cab done using a tablet (if that is what you are using). Go back to your GP and ask them for some help - don't just take tablets off them ask if there is some therapy you can get. I believe they are offering some therapy that can be done online. Does the hospital that did your WLS have any support groups you can join. I'm sure that would be glad to see you especially any new people in the group as looking at you they could see what can be achieved. You might even be able to be a mentor to someone who is just starting out and that 'responsibility' might help you curb your bad eating habits.

First congratulations on losing an enormous amount. As you quote stones are you in the UK? (For our U.S. Friends 1 stone = 14lbs). Emotionally you have been through a lot with the cancer and with the breakdown of your marriage. Are you still under medical supervision for the cancer if you are then ask to be referred for some therapy to help you cope with it all. Practically, go back to basics with Protein first, drink your Water, no slider foods ( cakes, biscuits etc) and try to get some exercise in. To give a visual effect of your progress take 2 glasses and in 1 put 14 marbles/stones/pebbles (anything you can touch and move basically) as you lose each lb move a marble to the 'empty' glass (won't be empty long). You can track your food, drink and exercise on a program/app called my fitness pal. You are obviously a strong person to have got so far, though I appreciate you might not be feeling strong at the moment, you can get a hold of this and it is good you have asked for help and support before the gain gets any higher. Good Luck.

Congratulations Sarah. You might not have felt in the mood to celebrate this anniversary but look forward and start planning something special now for the 20th.XX

I have just read 5 day pouch test owners manual while I was on the train and I am pumped up to get on with it when I get back. Everyone will recognise the 4 rules Protein first Water No sliders Exercise It made me look at why I did this op and what I wanted from it. It's true I went to a foreign country, where I did not know the doctor, and allowed him to operate on me. I wanted this so badly then so what has changed? I have allowed a change in mindset to take over, become lazy and complacent. I'm not where I want to be so I have to take control. Kim I hope you are doing well on the 5 day pouch and am really interested to hear your comments on how it was. I know it is not about losing weight but about feeling in control again.

Kim glad that it is working for you and I do want to join you but not in the right head space at the moment. I have a week off work next week and I'm off to France on the train. We are going from London to Marseille, it takes 6.5hrs, we have booked lunch on the train and an extra bottle of wine will be in my hand luggage. I hope it will be a calm sunny environment where hubby and I can have time to relax and chill. Coops sorry work is such a stress for you at the moment, I know you got a new posting last September has it not given you what you hoped. Or, as in most education establishments are they dumping everything on you because they know you will do a good job. Sarah it's such a shame that you are not looking forward to the trip due to car journey. Are you apprehensive about being in a car now or is it just the physical symptoms it gives you? Denise you sound happy about the new man, it must be a great joy to you that you have someone to dance with as you have told us what great enjoyment you get from dancing. Anyone heard from Georgia or seen her posting elsewhere? I'm just going out the front to shovel stones- I think that will be my exercise for today.

As you can see from my name I am not located in the USA, also I had my op in Europe (equivalent of going to Mexico) so just want to ask what are the standard blood tests you have done at 6 months out. My GP is not too interested as I went private and abroad so I want to make sure I get the right things tested. She said I have to write to her and list the requirements. Thanks for any help/feedback

Kim, I think I saw you asking about 5 day pouch, are you doing it and if so any results? I have been reading the website.

The injection sounds painful, I hope it gives you the relief you need.XX

I got an email about VIP challenge but when I followed the link it says I need a monthly subscription to be in the lounge. Is that right? I'm confused????

Sheryl, so that is a definite then you will need the surgery or if you don't keep the weight off you will need it? If it is the former then that is a bummer if it is the latter then that is a great incentive to keep on top of things. If you do need surgery you must be in a must better position (physically and mentally) than you would have been pre WLS. You are right though we don't know what damage the extra weight we carried for years has done to our bodies. Hopefully though shedding the weight has postponed or even eliminated those problems. I hope you enjoy your weekend and manage to put your concerns out of your thoughts for a few days.