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I had terrible gas after the operation and had the same problem. I am now three weeks post op and it has gone away. Hope that helps. Catherine

My pleasure. Am in London. We also love our coffee here. And a latte in the morning keeps me sane (and awake).

Hello. I drink decaffeinated coffee and in fact one of the things I can drink (I am just post op) according to my surgery team is coffee. I drink a latte to use up some of the milk allowance I have to drink. Hope that helps Catherine

Hello. You've done well. Catherine

Hello. I hate exercise. I have done it in the past, was even capable of jogging 6 miles once, but I can never keep it up. I have decided that I should do what I like and not what I think I should do. I do like walking but usually need to combine it with shopping to make it interesting. The other thing I like to do is dance so I close the curtains and put on my ipod and sort of jig about a bit. This I can cope with. I think if you overstretch yourself or do something you don't like it is doomed to fail, so you may as well be gentle on yourself. I also don't think you should rush it; do it in your own time, at a pace you are comfortable with, and which you can stick at. My good news is that I have finally lost my post operative weight. I am told it can be down to gas. What a thought. I have also had a shake. I find I like slim fast. The vanilla one tastes like a melted milky bar. Keep in touch let me know how you're getting on. The shoulder pain returned agin. Yuk. Catherine

Interesting you have no overweight friends. Every woman I know has issues with her body and her weight, but sometimes when you look at very slim women on diets it can drive you to distraction. I would say all my close female friends are very glamorous, all self conscious about weight but I am probably the heaviestl. I do know one other girl in my profession who I like and who I would describe as heavy but we are not close and we have never talked about weight as an issue. And the truth is that each disorder is unique. I also think that it is hard sometimes to admit what the cost of being overweight has been. I have no doubt that it has driven me and has made me successful in many ways, but sometimes I would just like to stop trying to prove things and just be accepted full stop. The great fear I think we all have is that because of our weight that won't happen. My mother was critical of my weight, and I was overweight as a child. It does stay with you.

I have just lost my original reply in the ether somewhere. Odd. Anyway, I need to lose about 100lb which is close to 60 kg I think. I have always been very impatient so it will be interesting to finally allow myself the time to do things properly. I am very interested in your story about your colleague and it reminds me why I have decided to keep this secret. The truth is that unless you have lived with a weight problem (in my case all my life) you simply cannot understand what this experience is like. I have been tempted to tell people but what has stopped me, and undertaking parts of this has been difficult on my own, is the sure knowledge that even those who mean well will have their own misconceptions, issues, prejudices and agendas which will come into play. This is a very personal and complex journey that we have all undertaken and the truth is that I want to guard myself and that journey from the outside world for a bit longer. I don't want the process to be diluted by the opinions and expectations of others.

Hello. Please join in, I think I would have been happier having someone to talk to before who had gone through the op. But as you may have read I have told no one (of which more later). As far as the op, Yes it did. There is a very anti hospital group thread on here which I read after my op - it didn't help. All I can say is that my experience has been good. I had my operation in Orpington, Kent and everyone has been very clear and helpful. I already have my appointment for the dietician and will have my first fill soon. I am looking forward to that as I have in fact put on 3lb - I am told this can happen and while I am now, for the first time in my life willing to be patient, it is still nice to see it coming off. Catherine

I had about half the tub. Yesterday I had a tin of Heinz chicken soup (again without the bits). So quite a bit. I am still getting used to it so at the moment I err on the side of caution and stop when I feel I am getting full. You are lucky knowing someone who has done it, I know no one, and I made a decision to tell no one about this, so it is really lovely to have found this site and in particular to have some one who seems to be having a very similar time of it near by.

I had the pea and mint soup as it is completely liquid without 'bits', and its yummy too. I think that every doctor is different, that certainly is what I have been told to aim for although it seems a lot. I am quite enjoying the break. I have a very stressful job and I am enjoying not having to think about it. I have also been told I can have smoothies which is what I think I will have for breakfast when I start back at work.

I have just bought some deflateine, which appears to be working on the wind problem and hence the shoulder ache. I am trying to get my milk quota with a caffe latte evry day and I am mainly drinking slim fast and various Soups - Heinz, covent garden, fresh own brands. I also have miso Soup and low calorie hot chocolate if I feel thirsty or peckish. The thing I may be failing on is taking in all the liquid required 3.5/ 2.5 litres. Am going to try and be better today. It sounds as if you have a very hands on doctor. I went with the Hospital Group who despite all the criticism I see on here are not bad, but not as attentive as your team I think. Catherine

I meant to ask- have you thought about how much you want/need to lose?

Feel much better. Though still taking it slow. Plan to take a walk today and mooch at the shops. How are you finding restriction/ Cannot feel any but I am taking things gently as it is still all very unknown. I find if I drink too fast I end up with terrible gas which in turn leads to the terrible ain in the left shoulder. Grim subject matter I know but these things have taken on a significance of their own at the moment. Glad to hear you are doing well. Catherine

I havn't told anyone that I have had the operation, so I am in a bit of a vacumn here. The shoulder pain is very odd. I woke up with it this morning but it left as soon as I had something to drink. I have also put on 3lb since the op! But I was warned this might happen as the glycogen stores settled. I am also retaining water. Have you had this experience? It's very odd as we must be taking in a very low calorific value.

Have taken it very slow. I have taken this week off, but I am self employed and am playing it by ear as far as next week is concerned. I have been sleeping a lot and as I don't know what to expect been very anxious about liquids etc. I also have two weeks liquid diet, but am surprised at how easy things are going down. just went for walk for first time and felt bit breathless by the end of it.

Hello. I had my operation the same day. All going ok so far. Surprisingly so. Catherine