SParkle

I used anything soupy which I strained.... so no bits but still with loads of flavour. Also fruit teas helped me when I couldn't face the thickness of protein shakes but wanted sweetness.

I think everyone hits some sort of stall at some point or another..... I wasn't told to count cals, fat or Protein, or carbs at all... but I was careful and still managed a stall of sorts, which sorted itself out when my body realised what I had done to it. I would possibly have more liquids in mine at the same time, with maybe a Protein Drink in there to highten the protein count as well.

I find it amazing now to watch people eat 'normal' sized portions, finding it such an unreal amount for someone to eat - someone puts a starter in front of me and I feel totally daunted at the prospect of even eating some of it, let alone the fact I used to eat it all then another 2 courses to follow!! So now I eat what I want to, then get rid of the plate so I don't end up staring at it and feeling sick at the thought of eating any more.

HI and welcome! Congrats on your decision.... you'll not regret it. The first 2 weeks were the worst for me, but you soon forget it and the time passes quickly, and before you know it you'll be a few weeks out and wondering what happened. Thinoneday has a good point about the tool. The surgery won't solve any eating issues you have with your mind - you must do that... the surgery will help you, as it will restrict your intake, but the emotional rollercoaster can be a rocky one at times. so do prepare your family for this and ask for their help. I didn't have much pain after the op - the worst bit was the journey home from hospital (take a cushion with you). My drain was taken out before I left hospital, and felt weird being removed but its over quick. You probably won't really want much more than liquids in the first week anyway.... I was really nervous just drinking, let along taking meds for fear of doing damage to my sleeve. But you get used to it, and once the weight starts to come off you can see the results. Good luck.

Today is Wednesday, so will be your surgery day, so good luck! I think its natural for anyone going in for such major surgery to panic - this is a good thing, as it shows you're aware of all the risks it entails and that it will be a life changing thing for you. Any surgery carries a risk, but as Sac Girl said, so does being overweight. I've not regretted my sleeve..... I do think sometimes long term how things will be.... when I am a pensioner etc.... but having dropped almost 45lbs I am much more confident, happier and healthier than I was before, and know I could not have done this on my own. I am 42, and have yoyo'd with my weight since I was about 18. I do have some skin issues, but hope to minimise them by joining a gym and building up some muscle to fill the baggy bits.

If I were you you I'd check in with your Dr before you rub it.... just in case. I had a check up at one week out then a month out, but know I could have gone back at any time if I thought I might have a problem. Its safer to do this than to risk anything being dislodged by rubbing it.

I told people that I kickstarted my diet with just liquids to shrink my stomach, and then did the small portions several times a day so that I didn't stretch it again. We eat out about once a week, and have eaten with several people, had guests here to stay etc.... and I just say I'm counting calories, so my portions are smaller but i have about 6 'snacks' a day. If its some one you don't see too often and its just one meal with them you could say you had a big lunch, or if you're trying to get away with soup only then you could say you're either on a new fad diet, or that you've been feeling a bit dodgy and want to stick to liquids. If its a big family get together the odds are you'll run out of big plates and have some smaller ones for the kids to use - just use one of them instead. I think we are all obsessed with what we eat, and other people really don't take much notice of whats on your plate, we are just so aware that we're not eating what we used to.

I like the Lean Dessert by BSN too, although have recently switched over to their Syntha 6 as its better value for money. For me I've yet to find anything that beats the Caramel Latte flavour, I've got the moccachino, which is ok, the strawberry I find VERY sweet, but the vanilla is ok too.

I've been having decaf coffee with a lot of milk until about 3.5 months post op, then then the occasional normal coffee which has been fine and not affected me much. I've also been drinking, not much, but gradually trying out different things to see how I get on. I tend to stay away from Tia Maria as it kept me awake the last time when I had just a small bit later at night after a night out. Stupidly I didn't even think yesterday when I ordered a carajillo (which is a short of coffee with a dash of something in it, usually brandy, but I had tia maria in mine). Well.... I literally had the shakes right afterwards, and honestly last night couldn't sleep very well at all.... now if I'd ordered this in the evening I could have understood it, but this was in the afternoon - lunchtime, about 3pm! It's amazing to see how just a little caffeine can now affect me....I'll not be doing that again, as I've got up early this morning totally knackered with loads of things I need to do today, but knowing I'll need to rest later!!

OMG - thats SO funny!! I hope you don't own a goldfish..... :lol: :lol:

You can see a big difference already - well done! Keep up the great work.

You look great - and only 3lbs to go - you'll be posting a target post soon I bet!

Looking great babe!!

You're looking fabulous!! Well done!

Vanishing Vixen.... amazing attitude,you're doing really well and I am sure will rock your sleeve bigtime!! Do take photos.... you'll see a difference, I also measure myself as well, and its great to see the sizes coming off. I'm 22 weeks out and have been fortunate enough to never vomit..... (not bad as I really hate being sick!).... I have had the slimes twice but drinking on top of them for me didn't work.... all I could do was spit out the excess slime, and keep doing so until it stopped producing it.... and then it went away. My Dr told me the sliming happens 'cos you've filled beyond your sleeve, so your throat produces slime to help you swallow and process it, but if your pouch is full then you can't, so the slime won't go anywhere, so the only way is to spit it out.

If its any help when I was 2 weeks out I'd only lost 14lbs.... and my start weight was 208lbs so not far from where you were. It does get better, but also be prepared for stalls etc.. it will shift but you've just put your body thru major surgery, plus add to that the reduced calorie intake /massive change in diet and then you'll start to see results once your body gets used to all that. Hang in there.... good luck

Is there any more clarification with this at all as I've not even bothered to click on the FB chat box for fear it might post something on my FB profile.

I did this too... picked up a small denim mini skirt thinking it might do for when I reach target, couldn't try it on as we were at a car boot sale... and when I got home it fits like a glove!! Boy did I grin my face off!!! I find I have to keep saying what I weigh to believe it.... and although I am now in a UK size 12 jeans I still don't see myself as that small..... even though I know they fit so I must be....

It'll settle down, maybe even stall... but don't worry - I also found it strange to see the scales going down... still do in fact! My weight loss has now evened out and I'm shifting about 1lb a week.... which as I'm only 18lbs off my surgeons target of 147lbs I'm quite happy with. The target I chose for myself is 140lbs..... so we'll see what happens with that one.

I think its a great idea for an incentive!! Go for it! My incentive is a shopping trip (back in the UK) once I settle at a weight.... be that at target or lower.... I've already hit one of my incentives - which was to get into some leather bike trousers..... which I got off Ebay on the promise they were a size 16... infact I'm able to wear a size 12 now on my bottom half so the measurements must be way off a size 16!!

We took some time out and went up to France for a couple of weeks....and then had family over for a few days, but now have an empty house again ( and a mountain of washing!!). I'm not up to date with the posts yet so suspect you may have hit your target by now.... but you're doing great!! My sister in law was amazed at my weight loss....and although I think I may be able to lose a little quicker, I'm happy taking the scenic route - gives me a chance to try and let my body catch up with me!! And as for your size 8?? - amazing!! Well done!!!

I had my delivery and they made a mistake so I got the strawberry instead of vanilla (which they will send on....). I found the strawberry very sweet indeed, the moccachino is ok, but my fav is still the caramel latte by far.

I've got a few more wrinkles, as the fat goes from my face, but I think I'd rather them than be over weight again! My neck is also sagging and a wattle threatening.... which i'm not happy about, but theres nothing I can do except massage in some cream twice a day (which doesn't seem to help but my skin feels nicer!!)

I'm shedding well now... every time I wash it I can see how much is coming out.... I took Biotin right from pre op and am still taking it now, always managing to get my Protein in, and still it sheds, so not sure if its really helping or not. but will continue to take it. No bald bits just general thinning, so hoping some may regrow eventually!