Peffermintchili

Does he know you've had he surgery ? I suppose if someone sees you everyday and they see this rapid weight loss in a short period of time and they don't understand how it's happening he might be genuinely concerned about you. It probably took alot of courage for him to reach out. I guess that's one spin on it. Unfortunately, we cant stop peoples curiosity or ill informed opinions. Congrats on your weight loss.

I had my appointment with my GP today who said that I qualify under the NHS for the surgery and they have referred me to the nutritionist who will meet with me and go through the diet changes I need to make and also refer me to meet with the surgeon. I'm not 100% on the NHS process, but I was told I'm doing all the right things and they are happy that I'm making an effort to lose some weight. They have decided to keep me on the Xenical for now even though it's not really doing anything. I've been constipated and had acid reflux ( the reflux happens shortly after I take the pill and it tastes like soap coming up my throat). She said if I haven't lost at least 4 lbs in the next month on it they will take me off it. She also looked over my previous medical information which I brought today. She agreed I did previously have high blood pressure, but my reading today was 110/68 which she said was really good all things considered.

Can you switch your health insurance ? Unfortunately I don't think there are any government grants for this type of thing. There should be. You will have to keep fighting for it with your insurance company. If your doctor feels this is going to save your life in the long run - then he/she should help you fight for it as well. Best of luck

Congrats JC - Glad to hear it all went well. Whereabouts in the UK are you ? I hope you get your job you interviewed for today (and your sleeve too :-)

Davinci Syrups are 0 carb and come in all the good flavors that they use at Starbucks. If you can get some of that in your hands then you could get a low fat latter without any sugar and put the flavoring in yourself x Happy Birthday

It all looks ok, I would just check the sugar content on the Peanut butter bar.

Hi Layla, Yep Xenical is a weight loss drug. It basically works to punish you if you eat anything fatty. So I've been eating a low fat diet. They are keeping me on it as it's all part of horse and pony show to show that I'm committed to making lifestyle changes. Some insurance/surgeons etc... insist on weight loss drugs prior to doing surgery. The NHS (or PCT in my area that controls NHS services in my area) require this. However, I've been told that after three months if it isn't doing any good then they wont make me stay on it. Even though on the NHS I only pay £7 for the prescription (roughtly $10) it still cost them to keep me on it and there wont be a point for them if it isn't working. It isn't do anything for your appetite though :-(

What kind of stuff are you eating DJ ? And are you counting total carbs or net carbs ?

I would personally use bone in thighs or drumsticks or breasts (removing the skin of course because that will make it really fatty). I recommend leaving the bone in as it will hold the meat together during the long cooking process so it doesn't fall apart into oblivion. I imagine this would lend itself really nicely to Turkey as well. CkNorte is correct - these chili's are not to be played with and it will get hotter the longer it sits in the mix. You could just use the Adobo Sauce or Mole Sauce which can be bought in most US Grocery stores. Blackberry - I use to live in California (now living in the North East of England) so I had to find a way to get my Chipotle fix because they have nothing here that resembles it :-( This is probably healthier though as we can control what goes in it. Tonight I'm having mine Bol style - no tortilla but with some lovely chopped romaine lettuce, black Beans and some fage and a sprinkle of cheese.

1 Pork Loin ( approximately 500 grams, but you can cook up to 1 Kilo of pork or beef in this) 1 220 gram can of Chipotle Chili's in Adobo. 4 large cloves of garlic 3 bay leaves 1 chicken Stock Cube 2 or 3 whole cloves 4 peppercorns 2 table spoons of mexican oregano 2 tablespoons of olive oil 2 tablespoons of ground cumin couple turns of the salt grinder 2 cups of Water (or enough to cover the meat in the container you're cooking it in) You will also need a slow cooker (Crock Pot) or a dutch oven you can use on the stove on really low heat for approximately 7 hours. Set up your slow cooker Put the can of chili's with all of the sauce in the crock pot. Add one cup of the water & two tablespoons of olive oil. add all the spices and garlic. Turn on the slow cooker and let those things warm up. Slice the pork or beef into large chunks and lightly braise the meat until it's lightly brown in a skillet or pan big enough to hold the amount of meat you're cooking. Do not over cook, you don't want it not crispy or cooked through. Just braise it until the meat is sealed and no pink flesh shows on the outside (it will still be rare on the inside). The secrete to not using too much oil here is using cooking spray and then adding just a bit of water so it comes off the pan if needed. Add the meat to the crockpot with tongs. Add more water to cover the tops of the meat. Think of it as a nice spicy warm bath. Make sure the crock pot is on low. Cook for 6 hours or until the meat when picked up with tongs squeezes apart and the flesh is cooked inside completely. When it's done, pick the meat out with tongs, put it in a bowl and shred with two forks. Take the whole chipotle chilis and put them in your food processor or in a blender. Find the cloves of garlic you chucked in and put them in with the chilis. Strain the liquid to take out the bay leaves and oregano, peppercorns and cloves. These while adding flavor to the mix wont really taste nice and wont blend smooth. Add the strained liquid to the blender or food processor with the chilis and garlic and pulse until smooth. Add to the shredded meat and allow to sit together and stew some more. I will warn you this recipe is Spicy. If you want to take the spice level down a bit don't add the chili's to the blended mix above just discard when you strain the juice. Now for some nutritional info: 1 - 220 gram of La Costena Chipotle Chili's in Adobo has 126 cals, 3 grams of fat, 25 grams of carbs (19 grams from Fibre and 6 grams from sugar) and 6 grams of Protein. The meat should be trimmed of fat and should be lean. Each tablespoon of olive oil (I use extra virgin) has 45 cals and 5 grams of fat. Each clove of Garlic has 1 carb and 4 calories. 1 Oxo chicken stock cube: 15 cals, 0.2 grams of fat, 2.2 carbs, 0.9 grams of protein. 3 ounces of Pork Loin has 122 cals, 3 grams of fat, 0 carbs and 22 gram of protein. I would suspect your portion will be roughly this size. 500 Grams is roughly 18 ounces. You should get 6 3 ounce servings or 12 1.5 ounce servings. So the totals per serving based on 6 servings: Fat: 5.2 grams of fat Carbs: 5.2 carbs Calories: 163 Protein: 23 grams of protein. I would put this over some romaine lettuce with black Beans a dollop of fage yogurt or very low fat sour cream. I would say this is not for people who still have any food restrictions or who don't like spicy food. The nutritional info is based on what I've used in my kitchen. What you have in yours might be different. I should also add that when you go to use the meat you let the juice run off it. You don't eat it like a Soup. I don't know how much the calories are without the juice so I've just kept them there.

Hi Shannon, I'm really sorry to hear you've gone through this. Hang out here more often - the ladies and gents on these boards really help. I've not had the surgery yet - but I know that if I don't sort out my relationship with food and I didn't come here everyday and read the posts - I would stay the same regardless. This place inspires me to change and to keep going to the health trainer that's helping me with the food issue. Despite being in tears the whole time. Its a rough road and I hate it, but I keep thinking of the future. It's not to late to change your outcome. You still have a chance.

Today I had my first visit with the health trainer to help me with my relationship with food (weight loss) etc.. It was a positive visit but it made me really angry with myself. Like why the hell am I like this. Why did I let myself become such a fat pig. That is really how I feel about myself. I hate myself today. It's not a good feeling and all I've been doing is crying. I think the tip of the iceberg was to ask me how I envisioned myself at the end of all my weight loss. And I could really think to say was - I imagine myself alive. I feel like I'm cutting my life short. I just want my life back as a normal person.

Congrats on your appeal :-) This is great news.

That is a dangerous game being played. Of course it's easier to eat crap you chew it down to nothing. Even with a normal stomach I could woof down 6 bags of chips and a gallon of ice cream but I'd be hard pressed to each the same quantity of meat and veg.

I have the Mirena IUD. I will ask my GP about this on Monday and see what she says.

Hi Guys, Thanks for your kind words. I haven't had the surgery. I'm just starting the process now. Today was just a really bad day I guess. I've been really frustrated. My scale hasn't moved - but I suppose one small victory is that I lost two inches off my waist. I got my GP on Monday to discuss the surgery further.

I have an IUD ... do I need to take this out before surgery or use a back-up method as well.

Fleur Glad your surgery went well and that you are feeling better. Your dad will come around once he sees how healthy you're getting and enjoying your life. Take it easy

Hi Nina, Glad to hear you went through with the surgery. Congrats and hope you're recovery goes smoothly.

You look fantastic !

Hi I am 5' 0.5" and my BMI is 56. My ideal BMI per the medical professionals is 25 to 24. You should calculate your BMI and see what it should be. Here is a good link here : NHS TOOL | BMI healthy weight calculator for children & adults A BMI of 26 is only slightly overweight for most women. You might be able to do something about your weight earlier enough through normal diet and exercise and learn different eating habits to control your weight. I went to a nutritionist 5 years ago and I credit that treatment then to not being over 400 lbs now. There are different ways of eating to control hunger. That would probably help you a great deal to control your hunger. I eat a low fat high Fiber diet right now and I can manage on two meals a day with a light Breakfast (low fat yogurt and fruit). It might also help you to get a personal trainer at the gym. When I was going to my nutritionist they gave me a gym membership and a personal trainer. I lost 20 lbs in 3 months.

I've not had the surgery, but I can speak from years of being Obese (the last 17 years of my life) and what I've read in these forums. This surgery gives you a chance to be selfish and do something for yourself. Why shouldn't you do whats best for you and worry about you for a change. Your family has their own opinions about what is good for you and you clearly differ from those. Do what you need to do for yourself. Don't let people blackmail you emotionally - no matter how worried they are about you- into NOT doing something YOU want to do. Live your life, you aren't hurting anyone. Best wishes x

Hi leelee I assume you have the medical insurance via the military ? It will work a bit different for you. I doubt the NHS will do it if you aren't a permanent resident - unless your spouse is British. Never the less if you are entitled to NHS treatment it certainly wont hurt for you to go see an NHS doc. You should still see your doc and see what they recommend you do. If they wont approve you there are several private companies here in the UK to do it. I've lived here for 5 years going on 6 now (I'm a fellow American) and I love it here.