LouiseC

I had my surgery with Stephanie 3 weeks ago. She is awesome! I have my first post op appointment with her tomorrow. Sent from my iPad using VST

I am three weeks out and getting this dull ache. It hurts most when I laugh. Sent from my iPad using VST

Yay! That is awesome! I am looking forward to being a large! Squee! Sent from my iPad using VST

Great idea. I am 42 years old, married with 3 adult children (two of them steps but I claim them as my own lol). I am career focussed and am in senior management within government. I travel domestically frequently, like weekly, for work which makes for a pretty crazy life. My husband and I love travel so we try to travel internationally at least once a year, with a trip to the northern hemisphere at least once every two years. I love to cook, to entertain and spend time with my family. We have a boat and when the weather is good go fishing a lot, or playing on the lakes. I am Scottish but we moved to New Zealand when I was a child. I consider New Zealand to be my home and love this country oodles. I love to read, waste time online and spend time with my husband. We are currently building a new home which is pretty exciting but also a bit stressful. I have a 16 year old dog, a bichon/Maltese called Jonty who I adore. He is a grumpy old man dog but holds my heart like I never thought an animal could. That's me! Sent from my iPad using VST

I use a rice bowl. It is just the right size and easier to eat from than a ramekin.

Any smoking post surgery is a really bad idea. Increased risk of clots, lung infections and poor wound healing due to decreased circulation. Wait till you are recovered, it isn't worth the high. Sent from my iPad using VST

I took them whole the day after surgery while still in the hospital. Sent from my iPad using VST

Great! Where in Auckland are you having your surgery? I did Optifast and it was a lot easier than I thought it would be. I loved the Desserts, which would be my main meal in the evening after a Soup of vegetables and miso. I had miso every day though haven't touched it since the op. I stuck to the pre op diet with an optifast shake for Breakfast, a bar for lunch with a miso and then dinner was veges and more miso made into a soup and followed with the dessert. Two and half weeks and I lost 11kgs! That is more thN I have lost in the two and half weeks since the op! Not to worry though, I know it will keep on coming off. Sent from my iPad using VST

I have become obsessed. I think about my sleeve all the time. It dominates my thoughts. I come on line here now more than Facebook or any of my pre sleeve haunts. I read and research constantly stuff to do with sleeve, ghrelin, food and nutrition. I look in the mirror more than I care to admit, lol. This is a massive change, so I consider the obsession I have to be quite normal. I know in time I will again have balance in my life but for now, I am enjoying my obsession. I think it is a healthy part of this life changing time I am going through. Sent from my iPad using VST

I am in love with a small can of flavoured tuna mixed well with equal amount of cottage cheese. Sounds awful, I know, and looks pretty awful too, but it tastes great and has become my workplace meal. Sent from my iPad using VST

Yay another kiwi! Well done to you. I have a colleague that was sleeved at Manukau as part of the Counties Manukau healthcare scheme. I went private at a clinic in Epsom. I am loving it though struggling with Protein. Without access to all the brands they talk about on here, can I ask what brands you used for protein powders? Sent from my iPad using VST

Haha! I am in the southern hemisphere so it is winter here and very cold! Sent from my iPad using VST

I very much agree with this. I strive to think the best of people and I am happier in myself when I view humanity as being basically good. I know I sometimes judge others, despite my best intentions and therefore understand when others judge. Sent from my iPad using VST

I switched to drinking Water out of a toddler cup with a straw. I know there are conflicting views on straws, but for me it was the only way I could get the water in so I took the risk and haven't looked back. It still feels like a full time job getting enough water in, but it has gotten easier. I fell asleep with the electric blanket on the other night and woke up terribly dehydrated, worse than a hangover, it was a real reminder of the importance of getting the water in there! Of course, water also helps with constipation....... Sent from my iPad using VST

If you use myfitnesspal.com you can enter all your own recipes. Listing the ingredients will give you all the nutritional info as long as you are careful to select the right foods. I have no problems entering all my recipes on there. It is a great app!

She was great and talked me through the options, risks, complications etc. She took my weight and height and general health tests and talked me through all I would need to do to get ready for surgery. In short, she was lovely! Nothing to worry about. Sent from my iPad using VST

I always turn to pureed kiwifruit when constipated. Works better than any laxative on the market IMO! Sent from my iPad using VST

Hmmm. I have different take on this. I wonder if when we feel better about ourselves that we treat ourselves better and this in turn leads to other people treating us better. I have previously found myself in a self hate mode, feeling fat and ugly and wishing no one would look at me only to later reflect on having felt invisible, but really, isn't that what I wanted? To be unseen? When I feel good, positive and beautiful others react to the positive energy I put out there. Confidence is catchy. Sent from my iPad using VST

They only left my drain in for a day. I am stunned they want to leave it in for weeks! Sent from my iPad using VST

1. It was easy for me. I made an appt with a surgeon, decided to have the sleeve, the next day she confirmed a surgery date just over two weeks away. I started pre op diet immediately. Saw a nut but other than that, nothing further needed. Self pay makes it easier from what I read on here compared to my own experience. 2. I would have continued to try. 3. I feel amazing. I am just short of three weeks out and I feel better than I ever have. I can't pin point an aha moment but I know in my core I have done the right thing for me. 4. I would love a glass of wine! Other than that, food does not have the appeal it used to have. I am not hungry and this leads to an amazing feeling of not wanting to eat. Sent from my iPad using VST

Brought tears to my eyes, so happy for all three of you! Sent from my iPad using VST

We are all different. I can keep minced beef down but not fish, with the exception of canned tuna which I mix with cottage cheese. I have not yet tried chicken but plan to this weekend. Mashed potatoes have been firmly rejected. Hummus gave me heartburn as did pureed lentils. Beans have worked. Mashed avocado has been the best meal! Sent from my iPad using VST

I don't add sugar, just cinnamon and a little vanilla and sometimes a clove. Apples are sweet enough. Sent from my iPad using VST