kelliv

Bec you look fabulous and I love your new dress. Wow 45kgs is amazing. Make sure you get lots of wear from this dress as it probably will be too big on you shortly. You have done SO well.

Misty I am the same. Could only stomach cold water initially. Now after 18 months handle from tap no problem although still don't like the taste of some water.

my dietician advised not to have Optifast after the surgery, but others have been advised differently. I doubt it's because it swells and I wish now I had consumed more protein in the early stages hence one reason Zi changed dietician after 6 months.

Hi and best wishes for your op. I drove within a couple of days if being discharged after 3 nights. Felt fine at home and didn't need any meds except panadol. Didn't even touch pain meds filled at hospital so they were a waste of money. Have plenty if fluid varieties in hand including clear broths you can heat. Enjoy the wonderful journey you are about to embark on. I am 18 months post op and have lost 37kgs. Loving life and much healthier.

Ok Sydney siders it's time for a get together. I am coming from Brisbane and Sueoco and Aussiegitl and Zi have arranged to meet at The Glenmore in The Rocks on Monday night 10 February at 6.30pm. If anyone else would like to join us please let me know or send a personal message with your contact number. Depending in numbers we may need to book. See you soon. Kelli

Sydney siders we are planning a dinner in Sydney on 10 or 11 Feb at The Rocks . I will be visiting from Brisbane and would love to meet some of you who I have been talking to here for the past 18 months. If you are planning on coming PM me your mobile number so we can get in touch closer to the time. Cheers Kelli

Hi Sheryl , I moved to to Gold Coast recently. Sleeved in August 2012 and 38kgs down. I would be happy to meet you for a coffee and chat. Personal message me and I will send you my mobile. Cheers Kelli

Sounds great

I am in. Somewhere around the Rocks would be great. I am looking forward to meeting you all.

hi. Sue, I will be in Sydney a couple of times in. February. The first set of dates are Monday 10 & Tuesday 11 Feb and will staying in the CBD. Would love yo catch up. Like you and asussiegirl i have struggling a little to maintain my weight loss now i am essentially at maintenance. I started a new job late November and just haven't been aware enough of what and how much i am eating. I am more hungry as I am more active too. I have put on nearly 3 kg and want to nip it in the bud. I will start diarising again using My Diet Diary and will go back to 800 calories on 5 days and 500 on the other two. I know it's the treats that are the problem such as wine, chips and Desserts. It just adds needless calories. At least I am confident. I could never go back to the way I was before surgery. I look forward to meeting you both in Sydney soon.

Shelley lives near Forest Lake. She checks in sometimes. I will text her and suggests she links in with Gorgeous Curves.

Have fun in the UK and iI hope you find something you can eating whilst you are there. I know it is more difficult when you are traveling and out of your controlled space. Perhaps go to a supermarket and pick up some sleeve friendly snacks you can carry with you. Things like fruit & nuts, hummus, yoghurt, cheese and cracker snack packs may help. Hope your husband feels better soon and you enjoy a lovely Christmas Day together.

Bec that's so great and 40kgs!!! I am so close at 37kgs and can't wait to get there too. Enjoy Christmas Day and again congratulations!!!

You are so right. It is easy to graze on things like chips and nibbles, even with a glass of wine and the restriction doesn't really kick in. Something all of us need to just be aware of, but not het stressed about.

Misty I hope you feel better again by tomorrow so you can both enjoy the day.

Isn't it great o celebrate the little things we are now able to do. I was chuffed the first time i was able to cross my legs on many years and still get a little buzz every time. So glad your mobility has improved and it will only get better and better as you lose even more weight. Imagine how great you will loom and feel by next Christmas! Love your photo collage and can certainly see a big difference already. Well done and best wishes for the season festivities.

Hi Kbee, I married into an Italian gamily 20 years ago and can totally relate to your dilemma. Everything in moderation now and make sure you choose to eat only the things you like the most as you will only fit small amounts in anyway. Also try and enjoy all other aspects of the festive season as well as the eating. Good luck

Great to hear from you Karen and thanks for checking in and giving us an update on your wonderful progress. All the best for the festive season and good luck on losing your last 4 kilos. I am trying to do likewise and these last few are the hardest!

Merry Christmas too all of my friends on this thread. Thank you for your wonderful support over the past year. You have all helped make the journey more enjoyable and I am so proud of the success we have all achieved so far. I wish you good health and happiness in 2014 and hopefully will meet a few more of you in the new year too.

Lissa you look gorgeous and I love your blond hair too. Glad you enjoyed your at the races. Misty I can't wait to see your new dress. You have done so well this year and I am very impressed with your commitment to exercise.

Sorry to hear of your challenge with head hunger. I was on fluids for one week, puree for 2 weeks and soft for one week, then pretty much whatever I felt comfortable with after that. I don't think head hunger was too much of an issue in the early days as I knew I couldn't have it and was quite excited about that. I did think about food a lot and continued to watching cooking shows on Foxtel plus cook for the family but wasn't tempted to try as I new it would hurt. I think it's perfectly normal. Maybe have fluids with more flavour that will satisfy your hunger such as soups and low fat milk shakes. Good luck

I am off on holidays today to Halifax in North Queensland to see my husband's family. Looking forward to unwinding for the next week, the. Back to work on 30 Dcember just in time for New Year's celebrations.

Misty, i have never been a big drinker, but now I just can't handle it. Tastes a bit odd now and i can usually only get through about half a glass of red wine before dinner. The other night over the course of about 5 hours I was at a function for work and had 2 gin and tonics, a pina colada and a glass of red wine. I was so crook yesterday. It really knocked me around and still is 2 days later, so I won't be doing that again in a hurry. Apart from the fact it was a waste of calories! All this Christmas partying and entertaining is exhausting!

You look great Susan. I look forward to meet you and Sue and any other Sydneysiders when I visit next year. You have done so well.

Lovely to hear from you. Welcome and congratulations on your new sleeve. I am sure you won't look back now.