Madam Reverie

Aww.. huge congratulations to you all and hope mother and baby are doing well x

I had prawn cocktail for lunch and for dinner I had greek yoghurt with fresh blueberries. All went down very well and was given the holy sanction by my med team! Yippppppeeeee!

Say you have 'suspected' sugar issues, in which you keep having spikes and dips in your levels. Tell them you're having to go in to do an advanced glucose response test - which is why you have to go in early, so it's done on an empty stomach. I doubt they'll probe further than that.

Yeah, sounds like a bit of a strain somewhere both in your stomach and throat. As long as you haven't got a temperature, you can (and should) drink lots of water, take a painkiller and your wound site is cool to the touch, you're golden. Rest well and any signs of breathlessness/disorientation in the night, straight to the ER.

If your bloodwork indicated an infection, they wouldn't have operated on you - so there was no infection pre-op - so if this is a repeat coughing fit, that was similar to the one before the surgery, it is likely to be unrelated and not likely to have been borne out of infection. However and as everyone has said, coughing up blood is never good. Although there is a difference between having a cough, making mini-tears in the throat which might lead to blood and hucking up blood from the lungs. I have found my lungs are a bit 'watery' since the surgery, however, I am not bringing up blood. Sorry to ask for the graphics, but just how much blood are we talking about? Pure blood? Pinky tinged clear sputum? Green sputum with red in it? Do you have a temperature and secondly, where did you have your operation?

LOTS of pillows stacked well should do it. Best of luck and wish you a speedy recovery

Firstly, did you have pre-op bloodwork done? If so, do you have a copy of it? Secondly, are your wounds currently un-dressed? If so, how long have they been un-dressed? Are you noticing any redness radiating from the wound site which extends past 2-3 centimeters? Is it hot to the touch?

You look fabulous!

I know this will receive differing responses and yes, I know every body, diet, weightloss is different, based on height/weight/genetic make-up. However, I would like to know of all you people who were at the 250lb mark on your day of surgery, if you remember how much you'd lost by, say, the 9-10wk mark? I have a function coming up in that timeframe, and I'd like to gauge peoples responses to find a mean figure (geddit?Mean figure? No? Okay, I'll shut up now) Muchos gracias! x

I did a bucket load of scientific research (I had access to academic research journal articles). On balance and unless you're super-morbidly obese or have serious health considerations (diabetes, critically high blood pressure), the Sleeve is better.. What is your BMI?

Lots of prayers and positive vibes heading your way. Best of luck to your husband and family today x

I would just like to state that if I EVER have to see, or consume, another yoghurty/milky/protein shakey item after the liquid diet stage EVER again, I will commit Hari-Kari. This is not a threat, this is an absolute fact. Many thanks for your kind attention.

And on Sesame Street today, we shall be learning about 'Narrative Modes' and the difference between them... <bashes her head on the desk repeatedly and falls off her chair blissfully unconscious>

I agree with all of the above. As unappealing as it sounds; do this one on your own. As Laura says, you'll soon make friends whilst you're there and then it won't seem so bad. I wish you the best of luck x

You can have soup till your hearts content! I've been consuming soup till its coming out of my ears. I'm sick of it. I desperately want flavour and I desperately need texture! i want real food!

That's awesome! Well done to both of you! x

You are one brave lady. Well done for hanging on in there and still being optimistic! An inspiration.

Oh, love. With respect, sounds like your 80hr work week is taking its toll... Is there anything you've identified you like to eat that has 'reasonably' 'good' nutritional value, is quick to obtain and reasonably easy to eat? Unless your nutritionist is sat on your shoulder and given the fact that you sound a bit burnt out, I'd be eating anything you can that fits into your lifestyle and doesn't make you feel completely despondent. Hell, how is your nutritionist going to know anyhow? As long as your bloods come back right and your weight moves in the right direction. I'd be getting 'creative' on your food diary! If the surgery wasn't your idea, I don't quite understand how this surgery could be 'forced' on you - as it would infringe your human rights and would actually constitute a criminal offence! (Which I'm sure you think is accurate!) But that aside, if it was prescribed for your health and you agreed that something had to be done, then I guess it's something you're going to have to adapt to. I'm sure that is tough and I can fully understand your resentment in that regard. As an adult you have total agency over what you choose to do - you don't have to do what you're told all the time. Maybe just try and work within the framework they provide and claim back enough control to feel a little bit happier? Judging by how hard you clearly work, however, the first thing I'd be looking to do is to cut back on some of those working hours, if you can. You deserve a break. Wishing you the best of luck x

Maybe he thought you were going to drink the vinegar whilst chowing down on a large one?! lol (sorry, that was infantile, but moderately amusing in my head nonetheless!) x

If you don't mind me asking - how did the leak feel? How did you know you had one? It sounds horrifically scary and I'm sorry that happened to you

I was told by my consultant surgeon that the biggest risk is the first 3 days. The degree of risk is still very high through weeks 1 & 2, then with every week it gets better, but you have to be careful. The risk is drastically reduced - to eliminated at the 6 month mark.

Hehe, funny combination. I drink coffee, with skimmed milk, every so often. As for pickles, I had a craving for that last night. I took a small bite of one and although chewing the hell out of it and it tasted amazing; it hit my stomach and my stomach gave me gas as pay back! It wasn't painful gas, I hasten to add.. but I was gassy!

I was given Heinz tomato soup on day two in the hospital! So, based on that - and the fact it went down pretty well. Go for it!

What rules, exactly, are you referring to? Are you having to account for every morsel that passes your lips to the nutritionist?

Well, as of this evening, I think I have officially broken up with all of it. I got hummus, cream cheese, chicken paste and finely chopped coleslaw, I had two mini ritz crackers and made sure I chewed the ever-living-hell out of it, whilst moistening it in my mouth with water. It tasted out of this world. I think mentally and anatomically, I'm ready to go to stage three - mushies. Go to see the surgeon and bariatric nurse tomorrow, so I'll see if I can get 'holy' sanction from them!