Madam Reverie

I'll admit, giving up fruits for six months after surgery will be hard. I'm allergic to bananas and kiwi, but other than that, there isn't a fruit I don't love. April Other than the 'sugar content' (and unless you have diabetes and other sugar related problems), did your nutritionist give you any more reasons as to why fruit was 'off limits' to you?

Crikey, that's awful! My response to that would have been 'Yes, dear, and you're a regular Rubens painting, aren't you?...' This would have been accompanied with walking off.... What a cow!

Have you thought about taking Theanine? Its quite expensive in its purest form, but boy, does it help with concentration levels. Remarkably so. It's an Amino Acid and although its present in a lot of 'body building' supplements, it was recommended to me by a herbalist and she was absolutely right on its effects. It clarifies the mind, facilitates concentration (obviously, this will have to be in conjunction with the right Protein, Vitamins and Water levels) Life saver for me and my ability to concentrate just after surgery. Best of luck in your Doctorate

By week 4, I was eating plain yoghurt and frozen blueberries. Well chewed, of course. I'm 16 weeks out and I eat all fruits. I know its high in sugar, but it has essential nutrients. I know everyones plan is different - but I can't see how any fruit can be considered 'bad', if eaten in sensible quantities. As I have said before, if someone had told me that I wouldn't have been able to eat fresh fruit after this surgery? I'dve not had the surgery. Fact.

I have yet to experience this.. Primarily because I haven't lost enough weight and I haven't seen the majority of my close friends for the past year (been overseas). I'm prepared for it. Thankfully though, I don't think my friends are the types to do that to me... I don't know whether its because they care for me too much to upset me. They're intelligent enough to know that comments like that are waaaay unhelpful or, more likely, they're afraid I'll go off on one. No one likes it when I go off on one

No target set for me. Personally? As soon as I hit 'normal' at BMI 24.95 or whatever it is - I'll be good.

I was of that opinion, too (search the word 'controversial' in the forum topics and it might come up) - that not all people 'look better' after weight loss surgery. It inspired great debate about whether it is better to be 300lbs and unhealthy, or really skinny and 'healthy'. I guess its a personal choice and finding that 'happy medium' for you. I do think people can go too far. I do think it has a lot to do with finding the right balance of calories - fats, Proteins, carbs and knowing went to stop losing and just maintain. Despite all this, I read a lot on here, I found my 'truth' and I still had the surgery. I think I'm doing okay. I am 5ft 10, I was 250lbs at the start. I've lost 46lbs. My BMI was 35.9 or something and I started to show signs of serious long term health problems that I wanted to 'nip in the bud' - so I did. Only you can make this choice, my dear. All I can say is read and read and read, until you're confident in your own decision making. There's a lot of experience on this site - do your own analysis and let it guide you to what is right for you. Best of luck

Made me well up, too... Isn't it amazing how we are all the architects of our own misery and how that passes on down the line, if we're not careful.. I wonder how many of us have actually experienced this?

First and foremost - don't buy massive bottles of powdered Protein mix. Your tastes change after surgery and what you could tolerate before, you might not be able to tolerate afterwards and if you've bought in bulk - you're stuck with it. (I know this, through experience) Same goes for flavours of Isopure, etc. Get a wide selection of sachets, so you can try all the types in the world and find which one 'works' for you. Get a heatpad/electric blanket. Trust me, you'll be glad you did. (No carbs can make you feel cold) Get a few (5) tins of soup/consumme - make 'em bland and lump free at the start. Upgrade to thicker as you move along. Get a small selection of Jello. Again, you don't want to be stuck with flavours you can't tolerate Yoghurt - 0% Total by Fage. Its low fat, tastes good and is very good for you. Get a chewable/liquid multi-vitamin. Again, get one packet/small bottle. You don't want to get stuck with something you can't tolerate. Get a glass/bottle (open topped, not valved) you can drink your Water out of. Know how much the bottle/glass holds, so you know how much you're drinking every day. Or, get an empty 2ltr soda bottle, fill it up with water and work your way through it every day. Water is very important. You do NOT want to get dehydrated. If you can't handle water, get some crystal light sachets (again, a variety just in case you can't stomach some) and use that to flavour your water. And a bit of a random one... I found that at the start, I wasn't getting nearly enough Fluid in to 'flush' my kidneys out properly. This made my urine smell a bit concentrated and a bit, well, funky. Consequently, I felt the need to wash a lot (paranoia and hyper sensitive sense of smell post op - which can happen). I recommend some baby/intimate wipes to make you feel 'fresher', just whilst you're upscaling the amount of fluids you drink. That's it for now.. I'm sure loads of people have loads of other ideas. If I think of anything else, I'll get back to you!

I think the answer to that, is 'it depends on how you do it'!!!

I don't think I've had mine yet (apart from creeping smiles as the sizes have got smaller) I'll get back to you on that

I was given clearance by my bariatric nurse for one small drink after 4 weeks (and there was good reason for it) Since then, I have one-two and call it good. Now I'm four months out, I can drink Guinness and thoroughly enjoy it. If in doubt, follow your doctors advice.

Not sure that's very business-like. But hell, I'll try anything. I forgot to add you need to wear those boots you were talking to Indigo about! Hell yes - I'm that sexy beast in the corner rockin' those red boots! McButter... it was Indigo and I that were talking about the Red Boots

Oh yeah, I'm in for a bit of this... Must be the 'fresh air' diet...

Ahh, bollocks to that! <hangs her head in shame>

lol aint that the truth. 5ft 10 turns into 6ft 3. With an attitude to match

Oh no, it deffo isn't a 10.5.. I wouldn't get my foot into that. Trust me, I've tried. Shame... 'cause I've seen the ones on ebay and some of them are rocking! The one that aren't, I'd need to be a bit transgendered for

That's beautiful. A little bit plat-formy.. and not available above a size 6 - but they're definitely the right colour and along the right lines! Size 43 people. I think that's a US 11.5. Help me find some lady of the night boots, people

I'll be like the old dear off of 'Benidorm'.. Just with a little less green eye-shadow and frosted pink lipstick! I have been looking for size 43 fire-engine red suede boots for the longest time.. I couldn't find any that matched the dress. Which shop did you go to online? Well, seeing as my new chums all appear to be a wee bit vertically challenged in comparison; maybe I should get some flats? Although in saying that, I can't walk in ballet pumps either. I think I just have to face it. I am a hobbit.

No guts- no glory

Me, too, honey, me too...

You been on the sherry again???? Oh my lord, I wish I had. I've had a 'single serving' bottle of red wine with my dinner tonight. To steel the nerves and all that. Have you ever heard anything like it? A 25cl bottle of wine? Its just not right....

Aww, that made me feel all warm and fuzzy. It is very very true. I promise (hand on heart), I will endeavor to make such cataclysimic cock-ups, that you and I will be proud. In fact, I shall start tomorrow! x

Double posting weirdness

YOU ARE KIDDING ME?! Please tell me they're like bright red? Like Fire-engine red? And suede. And with high heels?.. Oh my god, where did you get them from?!! TELL MEEEEEEE!!! I have a new bright, fire-engine red dress that DEMAND a pair of boots to match. I was going to wear the dress next time I go out for dinner with my lovely new friends. Although, I was also giving consideration to hiring a mobility scooter to stop myself from falling over and breaking an ankle again. Because, you know, drink and heels don't mix....