Madam Reverie

How bout trying a small sip of red wine? Good for you and won't blow you up?

Sassy, you're right about that. Pain meds make me want to smoke more. Alcohol makes me smoke more. Heck! Everything makes me want to smoke more! But you're right.. it's the pain meds which are making me smoke like a train at the moment. Good identify there, lady!

Like Indigo, my nutritionist used to be a big-boy, too. He tackled his by practising what he preaches. I also got the impression he'd also been 'banded', too. Either way, I feel that people who have walked a few steps in your shoes can identify with your predicament and can assist you more effectively. As for yours, you really don't know what has rendered her a little on the unhealthy side. Could be anything. She could be taking steroids, she could have thyroid issues.. As you know yourself, the list of culprits are endless. If you think her weight might potentially undermine her credibility - call her out on it. If she shrugs and says 'yeah, I really should practice what I preach', then it might raise an eyebrow. However, you're gonna feel pretty bad if she pipes up with 'yeah, I'm a recovering cancer patient and they've still got me on steroids which makes me bloated'... I would say judge it by her professionalism, confidence and credibility of service delivery. If you're in doubt of that, then elect for someone else - as is your right. The best of luck

I'm a smoker and yes, I am still smoking. I am only day 3 post op (which yes, I know, is terrible so no berating required), but I have had about 5 so far. I have been smoking since I was 11, so am a card-carrying nicotine addict. For someone like you, that's not addicted? I wouldn't bother sparking up a proper ciggie. Why not get one of those fake ciggies? Like an E-ciggie with no nicotine. There is no point in you picking up a dangerous new habit, just because you 'fancy it'. As for the beer? I hear ya. But, obviously, the gas would no doubt render you in a lot of pain, I would have thought? Maybe you're craving the wheat in the beer? Have you thought about trying a gas-free stout like Mackinsons (if you get it in the states), or letting a normal stout go flat, such as Guinness? Lot of goodness in that - although there are a lot of calories also. Just a thought, but if you fancy it, there's obviously a reason you're craving it. I would probably try to identify exactly what it is you're craving and search for viable alternatives? If it's an alcohol buzz, my partner suggested vodka Jello shots last night. Naturally, I raised an eyebrow! Best of luck

I was told 4 weeks until I could fly internationally and 6-8 weeks before I could go to the gym and lift 'weight' and do gentle squats, etc. The doctor was primarily concerned with 'crunching' the operation site or the excess pulling of it. I guess it's all about listening to your body. If you can, I'd go to the doctor for advice in the first instance and if you feel you're 'good to go' - take it as easy as you can in the workplace and avoid all the 'big' things for a while...

Sounds like you've got it totally right. I'd already made the decision to eat whatever goes down, stays down and has good nutrition in it. So far I've managed natural yoghurt, simple chicken soup and some jelly. I'm lusting after prawn cocktail though - which is weird. Hope that can constitute as 'mushy'... only 12 days to wait! As for leftovers, I have the human dustbin currently sat next to me. He's loving getting everything I can't eat or can't finish! It won't be affecting his waistline though.. he has the fastest metabolism known to man. The bleeder!

That's amazing! You're amazing! Thank you so much for typing that up. I have often felt that it's a bit doom and gloom on here with regards to hair loss, etc. To be honest, that's one of my biggest fears. It's great that you haven't lost yours - despite having practically 9 days of no nutrition! How did you cope with that? What did the Docs have to say about you not being able to eat or drink anything? I think there's a lot to be said for getting the 'real stuff' in as soon as possible and you are testimony to that. Well done! As for those recipe suggestions, I am sooooooooo doing those! Thanks xx

Thanks, Sanks, I certainly hope to continue the way I'm going. I would be elated to achieve the successes you've had, for sure. Amazing. How's your life changed since? Would be good to hear your story In fact, I wonder if we could start up a British thread? Not that i want to marginalise anyone and all folks are always welcome, but there are certainly differences in the way things are done over here to how they are done in the states. Particularly when it comes to Protein shakes, Isopure access and the likes? Anyone know how we'd be able to do that - if there was sufficient interest? x

You're more than welcome and thank you. Us Brit sleevers are thin on the ground ('scuse the pun!), so it's nice to meet some others. As for the surgery, I think things went relatively well. Surgery is surgery and I had some trapped wind and anesthesia issues, but on talking to the nurses in the ward, apparently I was good in dealing with it (Who knew I'd be capable of that?!) Here I am, day two, sat in bed with my man beside me, feeling pretty chipper. Plus a bit out of my head on pain killers, so it's all good! I can walk, I can sip things, sometimes I ache, sometimes I burp, sometimes I go for a little walk and feel better, sometimes I get tired and have a nap. I think the best thing I can say (and this is obviously based on VERY limited experience), is something I read from a sage person on this site previously: Listen to your body. It won't put you wrong. I certainly found that out when they tried to give me dis-solvable paracetamol. I'd let it sit, so the bicarb had 'evaporated' ; but as soon as it went in, it came straight back up! So, guess what was first off my list of 'acceptable drugs to take'?! Either way, you'll be great. Keep positive, keep your eyes on the prize and keep in touch. If you have any questions or queries you feel I can answer or help with, or you just want to have a natter; give me a shout. Best of luck! xx

Hey! Congratulations!!!! Wonderful news! I'm in the same boat. I had my surgery two days ago and I'm working on the basis of looking to find the right dress as I go (because even though I will lose weight, my body will still suit certain dress shapes because of my bone structure, so won't be too far off the mark) and will get it tailored with someone very skilled, right at the 11th hour. I have a year or so to sort mine out, but I'm focusing on everything else that needs sorting first and leaving the dress thing till pretty much last. Also, it helps on the money front, cause you can get dresses in sales and things like that. Have you set a date yet? x

And here's a hollar from a London chick, 2 days out, currently in Scotland! You'll do fine. Keep us informed! xx

I have PCOS and had my surgery on Thursday night - so I'm two days out. Took the decision to stop my Metformin two months ago to see if my body will 'heal' itself naturally. Besides, Metformin makes you super fertile if you're a PCOS-er with periods and I don't fancy the pitter-patter of untimely feet - just yet! I'll let you know how I get on xxx

Nurses in post operative recovery room - Think because you're somewhat out of it, they can man-handle you. (A quick 'LEAVE ME ALONE' worked wonders) Anesthetists - make the difference between a good surgery and a surgery with 'issues'. Trapped gas - what a total and utter biatch. Drugs - Have them all drinks - weird how some work and others don't food - my partner is fast becoming the human dustbin. If I can't drink it/eat it (I'm on clear fluids, plain yoghurt and jello), then he finishes it off. He's not complaining. Drugs - Did I mention the drugs? No? Yes? If I did, my apologies. I'm just too high to remember or to care! Huzzah! Thanks for all the pre-op advice, it was invaluable. I shall now be devouring your post-op advice, too! Revs -x-

I think that's what they rely on.. people not remembering. However, I was 'lucky' enough, whilst trying to vomit my newly eviscerated stomach through my mouth, to come round pretty quickly and remember everything. Even down to the complaints made by three nurses about a) the anesthetist and his crap record for that day and the nurse who was man-handling me. I was given a feedback form to fill out. Guess what I'll be writing up?!

I have to say and pardon my french, one of the nurses in the recovery room was a complete a*****e. They'd jiggled something they shouldn't have done during surgery, my anesthesia hadn't gone that well and I had trapped gas in my ribcage (allegedly) and this bird wanted to throw me around as I was attempting to chuck my guts up. Just so she could wrap me up, 'check a box' (words used by the collecting nurses) and get me out of there. A few were horrified. When I said 'LEAVE ME ALONE', there may have been an expletive in the middle of it and in front of her colleagues. I make no apologies for that . Although, after paying for 'top quality' private care in the UK - I expected more. Glad I'm on the other end of it though. The nurses on the main ward made up for that persons lack of professionalism.

Looks fab to me.

The absolute best of luck. I'm tomorrow, so I share your jitters!!! xx

PCOS, insulin resistance, dodgy boderline thyroid issues (with horrendously strong family history) and all the other associated horrors here. Does anyone else, like me, get bored of listing it all?! Gave up taking Metformin 1,700mg per day 2 months ago in preparation for the op. May sound odd, but because of the lack of conclusive findings on whether PCOS causes weight gain, or whether weight gain causes PCOS - I am approaching this as well, 'me'. Besides, Metformin is a bloody horrible drug and makes me feel extremely icky, crotchety and gives me the constant runs (although I concede this might be helpful with all the Protein we're supposed to be consuming). So, I'm just going to see if the weight loss will improve/rectify my symptoms naturally. Additionally, Metformin makes you VERY fertile (if you do have sporadic periods). I don't fancy my body responding positively to the weightloss (if albeit a bit slowly at the start due to the insulin resistance issue) and then the Metformin boosting my fertility out of the ballpark leaving me with an unplanned pregnancy! I don't know whether this is the right thing to do, as not taking it affects your HDL/LDL levels/ Liver Function, etc. I don't have access to my consultant gynae where I am. However, based on what my surgeon said about this surgery largely reversing 'most' 'issues' which present themselves and are enduring to significant excess weight - I'm willing to give it a go. Surgery is on Thursday - so it won't be long till I find out! Who knew I'd become a 'tree-hugger' in my old age? I will not, however, be going so far as to grow my armpit hair... That is a step too far. Even for me! Best of luck to all xx

Please feel free to add me. As for second thoughts.. Lets just say life has become very complicated!

Hello All, I am nice (relatively), polite (often), house trained (definitely), sarcastic (a lot, but only in a third party observation kind of way and to people who deserve it) lady who is due to be eviscerated on the 2nd September. I would like to meet.. No, hold on, that sounds like an introduction on a dating website. I would very much like to make new friends who are embarking or have already embarked on this (and I hate to use the term, cause it sounds so 'Oprah'/'Dr. Phil') 'journey'. <gags just a little bit> I'm a fairly cheerful sort, who normally has something to say for herself; hopefully pushing the boundaries of the routine discursive analytic. I also like to be incredibly childish in a grown-up sort of way and can often be observed taking things to their lowest common denominator... I would very much welcome banter, chit chat, discussion and observations from people who kindly have the time and inclination. If you can spell (the odd mistake is permissible - and yes, I'm joking. Sort of. ), don't have a grossly disillusioned sense of superiority (yeah, I've seen you guys out there and frankly, I cannot be arsed with it) and fancy some light-hearted banter with someone from across the pond about all things sleeve and more importantly (for balance) non sleeve, please do contact me! I promise I'll be a good online friend and promise I have no desire to become a site megalomaniac. Living in the real world, an' all... In anticipation of hopefully making some new buddies who I can annoy and pester for the contents of their minds on a weekly (probably daily) basis, Revs x

I'm in exactly the same boat and my surgery is in 7 days time. Not a good feeling, is it? Lemme know how you sort it out! x

I'll have to give this some thought! Is there anything out there for men to swallow these days?!