SParkle

I also had this and it passed.... I really couldn't be bothered at all with food..... so used to have Protein shakes instead to make sure I was still up on protein and nutrients.... it did pass although at the time I did wonder if it ever would as I have always been a real foodaholic! Hang in there!!

I have only tried fizzy drinks once since surgery.... and it was very flat but still gave me such horrendous pains... so I'd rather not bother with them... flat or not, and I used to drink lots of diet lemonade and fizzy Water.

I think we've all done the 'what if....' scenario... and I still have some concerns with my future in regards to people accepting how little I can eat etc when I am old...... BUT I know I'd be yoyoing to my grave if I'd not had the surgery. The risks from being overweight far outweigh the risks from having a teeny tiny tummy..... if we all had crystal balls then maybe we'd not be overweight in the 1st place, but sometimes you need to put your fears to one side and do a plus and minus list on the outcome of the op. I've not regretted mine for one moment...even through the post ops thoughts of what have I actually done to myself, regret wasn't linked into that..... just disbelief! Good luck

If you search for hair loss in the forums you'll find most people take Biotin, and make sure they get their protein in. I did both, taking Biotin from pre op and making sure the protein count was high...... and still lost hair. Now at 8 months out I have about an inch of regrowth, so it does come back. My hair is naturally slightly wavy, only slightly, but it thinned to the point where I was parting it in different ways to hide the scalp showing too much, although now I notice that its not so visible with the regrowth. Most people experience it, and also get regrowth.... its more the shock of an operation than not eating enough protein... I had the same after cosmetic surgery about 4 years ago.

Fabulous results! Keep up the great work.

I did Optifast but only for a week, so I feel for you doing 7 weeks. Did they say why for so long? The longest I have heard of was one month so it does seem a very long time, perhaps they are testing your strength of character.... it does get easier after the first few days so hang in there and think of the added health benefits your diet will give you and the weight you will shift before surgery.

Well said...... I don't regret my op one bit - it has literally changed my life and also helped me deal with my mental issues with food. As mentioned in the post above, I am now in awe of portion sizes that other people eat... and yet I used to eat more.... I find it hard to sit with a plate with any food left in front of me now.... as it just makes me feel ill - whereas before I would just keep picking at it. My husband can't believe the changes I have gone thru since my op....but loves the new me. I never thought I would be rid of the dieting... but I am... I can still eat everything, I just know now when to stop. I do still feel hunger but it is more a knowing I need something to eat, a little something to fuel my body, than the empty rattling hunger I used to feel. Good luck with your surgery, it will change your life for the better.

I've had a tummy tuck, and trust me, theres no way I could stretch out to fit a pregnancy in there now! I don't want kids tho, and knew that when I had my tuck done. It was done pre sleeve...... and my weightloss hasn't affected the surgery so I still have a flat stomach. I do have other 'wrinkled' skin elsewhere, tops of arms, and inner thighs but won't be doing anything about that..... no money left now!

I had to do mine for 2 weeks..... hubby did it for me as I couldn't bring myself to self inject. I was also black and blue, but a work colleague died years ago of a blood clot.... so theres no way I wanted to risk that.

Stick with it... it'll aid your recovery and make you healthier for your operation. If you've started earlier than your Dr suggested then if you do cheat a little it'll not hurt too much, but don't cheat within the time limits he has given you as the more you shrink your liver the better for the op. I had to do a week of liquid Optifast drinks and nothing else apart from non caffeine and non booze drinks.... and it was hard, but I figured it was the last actual 'diet' I had to do in my life.... my husband paid for my op... and was giving me the chance of a lifetime, so in my head the way I got around those hungry thoughts was to think this was my input.... getting thru that week without cheating. Use the time to clear out kitchen cupboards, wardrobes... anything, or get out the house and exercise ....anything to take your mind off it. I spring cleaned as I knew I'd not be able to clean as much for a while after the op. Good luck.... its hard, but so worth it!

You're looking great! Keep up the good work.

Well done!! You look so pleased with yourself - and so you should be.

How great!!

I took all my protein, and biotin from before surgery... and still had hair loss. Its still not stabilised yet, but I have noticed regrowth, so just keep going on about my daily routine. My hair dresser told me now to stop washing or brushing my hair.... the brushing stimulates the roots so will help with regrowth.... and when I wash my hair every other day I don't reckon I have any more loss than when I had to wash it every day due to swimming... but I have to wash it every other day due to grease build up.

I had huge bruises from my drip... so much so I wore very long sleeves in case people thought my husband was beating me! My heparin also bruised my stomach... and the bruises took quite a while to clear up. There seemed no link between how the injections were administered and if they bruised or not.. .some stung really badly whereas other times nothing at all. It'll clear up in the long run... you could try some arnica cream/gel to help a little, but they will fade in time.

Here's a list I complied when I went for my consults.... some is from various forum posts on this forum, others are ones I added myself... but I think its pretty comprehensive. Good luck. <a name="OLE_LINK1">Questions to ask Pre Op /The Op If self pay - What does your fee involve? Is there some follow up care thrown in there, like labs at 3,6,9and 12 months, check ups with surgeon, Pysch and nutritionist? Pre op diet – what to eat/drink and how long for? Do I need to lose a certain amount of weight/reach certain BMI on pre op diet? Do I get a nutritionist/psychologist? What size bougie is used? (This is the medical instrument whichdetermines the size of your remaining pouch) Do you oversew the staple line? How many incisions do you think you will make on me? Do you go in thru previous scars? How many nights in the hospital – is there facility for someoneelse to stay in my room as well? Do they need to be with me 24/7 during my hospital stay? How many leak tests do you do? How many sleeves have you performed? Complication/leak stats? How many if any deaths? Who do I contact if I think I have a problem (most places give outan emergency number)? Is the hospital equipped an ICU and blood bank in case of complications? (Although you may not want to think about this, in the event of something terrible happening, someone has to know you are having the operation, and you should consider making a will if you haven't already done so... the likely hood of you dying is mimimal, but it is a risk) If complications do happen to occur, are thesecomplications/additional surgery/days in hospital covered by the originalquoted price of the surgery? Would you remove my gall bladder at the same time if needed? Can you give me some patient testimonials or do you have any before/afterpictures of your patients that I could read/look at? Is it standard operation procedure, ie: no nail polish, no body jewellery? Do I need to stop taking any particular medication pre op? (Take alist of what you take and dosage) Post Op How often are the post op check ups? Where are they? – is price included? What supplements/anti acid drug would I need to take and for howlong? Do I need labs done post op? – Are these checked with you or mylocal doctor? Do I get a dvd of the operation? Post op diet? How much weight would I be expected loose? What if I loose too much, how to maintain? Do you use heparin? – Will I have to inject it myself? How soon after the op can I……drive, swim, work out?

My starting BMI was lower, but around 35...... I think its all relative size wise - the higher BMIs might loose quicker but then they have further to come down, if you look at it as a % of your body weight, for each extra lb you shift the lighter you become the more a % of your body weight it is... which is why its harder the nearer you get to your 'natural' weight.

Good luck... keep us informed.

I was scared.... but don't let it change your mind.... I am SO pleased I had this done, don't regret it for a second, and wish I'd only done it sooner.... I have a new life now, am fitter, look great (hubby keeps on telling me.. and can't keep his hands off me....) and have much more confidence in myself. I won't deny that there are moments when I think about the future and how I'll cope being older with a teeny tiny tummy.. but by then things will seem normal that I eat small portions, rather than the huge ones I used to. You only get one life... live it to the best way that you can.....I think the sleeve will enable you to do this. Good luck.

Good luck.... you'll find it gives you a whole new lease of life, so just relax and enjoy your journey.

Welcome to the losers bench...... take it easy and rest yourself but don't forget to walk as much as you feel you are able to - and don't over do it too much back at work. It does take a while to recover. Good luck.

Welcome to bone finding! Let the fun begin!!

I went thru really bad times with my furry mouth and a tongue scraper really helped me. I also found some peppermint cordial which was nice and refreshing(made by schweppes in the uk). The more time passes and the less you have to rely on protein drinks the better it will be, good luck.

By next week I'll definitely be there.... 0.1lbs to go.... and we're away for almost 3 weeks so no weigh in for me, which will be hard, but I actually find it easier to diet as we go away in our motorhome so less distractions around to tempt me! So I'l hoping for a good next weigh in!

Good luck... I know its hard not to worry, but it'll be over soon and you'll be on the losers bench with the rest of us. Do post when you can to let us know how you're getting on.