lblondon

Hi, I use MyProtein which you can order online, great delivery and the chocolate and unflavoured work the best for me - its very much trial and error re what tastes good to you. I never got on with Protein bars and frankly for the first 3/4 months, you might find them too "heavy" to process. Gas wasn't and issue, but chewable antacids should work. Good luck

I haven't ever really calorie counted, at the beginning you are eating so little that the calorific value just isn't enough to quantify and as time went by, in my experience, i was worried that i wasn't getting enough calories, so actually aimed for a high(ish) fat content, i.e. full fat cheese, butter, cream etc - although you do need to be moderate with this, as a) you might find you don't tolerate very well and, too much fat isn't good, lol. As for carbs, i work on the small plate system, so majority is protein, small portion of carbs and the rest are vegetables, but I do ensure that I have a carb intake. Whilst I understand that you are trying to get a handle on this, the fact is that everyone is different and you need to feel the way for yourself, you get much better at reading your body, what it can or cannot handle. Today for example, I've had a sesame bagel with cream cheese and salmon, prawn tempura and egg noodle broth and a chicken salad, some grapes and a Cappuccino - most of which I wouldn't have been able to eat when I first started, but now constitutes a balanced diet for me. L

Hi, Im almost two years out and have maintained for the last year. I'm fortunate in that I can eat pretty much everything and that is exactly what I do, this is a life long change and I'm not about to start a diet mentality. I aim for Protein first and have the occasional Protein shake if I feel that my intake is low, as its quick and easy to lose weight - which I really don't need to. My portion intake is still very small and I have to be careful about overeating, also can have some issues with acid reflux if I eat weird combinations together - almost as if my stomach needs an element of lining before eating. I hate the term journey, but it has been just that and I don't actually feel as if the destination will/should be reached.

I had surgery in London for £6k last year. Good surgeon with excellent record/success rate and I would recommend. The aftercare was adequate/good - I didn't have any complications so other than dietary advice a few months down the line, didn't really need anything else. I thinks it's correct that you're told of possible complications, it's a fairly major operation and you should know the potential risks. I'm not sure how much distances is an issue, post op if something does go wrong you're either in hospital or would go to A&E.

I'm still losing weight albeit very slowly which I don't need to, not having much of an appetite I'm really spending a LOT of time trying to ensure I get the Protein and calories in. I have a couple of Protein shakes with semi skimmed milk a day to ensure I'm getting around 50-60 grammes of protein and then small regular meals on top but as I can only manage a few ozs a sitting I'm feel like I'm constantly eating or drinking. Struggling with the easy meat Proteins like chicken and beef, fish is much easier. Anyone else having this sort of challenge?

Thanks will look at your articles for ideas, I am of course hoping that soft foods are not going to be it, going forward, VSG being slightly different to your experience.

I'm not on any meds and am in maintenance stage, have already spoken at length with a nutritionist , and still struggling alas. It seems to be the quantity I can consume, although as with so many others there are several slider foods that are relatively easy - not that bothered about this a I feel I need the calories

Thanks for responding, always good to know one's not alone, any handy hints?

I'm from the UK and had a gastric ballon prior to having VSG done. I originally went for the ballon as it seemed a less drastic, non invasive option and I was hoping that the change in eating habits would kick start everything enough to allow the weight lost to stay off. It's fairly hideous for the first couple of weeks, throwing up is pretty much a constant and as whatever you've eaten or drunk must sit on top of the balloon initially, it had a certain projectile element too it (sorry if a little graphic). I lost 3 stone in 6 months, and probably could have lost more. The problem is I didnt alter my eating habits enough to maintain the weight lose and had regained the lost weight in about 5 months. If you have the willpower required to say no to the wrong foods/quantities - the very fact that you are considering this would suggest not - then it works to lose weight, the issue is as ever, keeping it off. As an aside my surgeon, who did both procedures, mentioned that my stomach was very large and attributed is to stretching because of the balloon.

The sad truth. Is that it is a complete lottery, I'm mixed race and had hair for days, started losing about 3 months out and has only just started to slow, I've had to have it cut as it was dramatically thinner - the shortest it's been since 1986! I had my Protein intake and all the suitable Vitamins and started taking Biotin too and it just happened. Am I traumatised? hell yes, am I going to get over it? hell yes Would I trade 6.5 stone lost for the hair? Honestly, I would say there were moments, if your hair has been your trademark for your entire life, longer than any weight gain, then it's hard but it's growing again and my "thin" hair, as with most non-Caucasian hair, is still thick

I'm off to the hairdressers tomorrow to get my hair cut short, I've lost lots and lots and like you I too had super thick, long curly, glossy hair - can you tell I'm in mourning lol - so trust me I KNOW how you feel. Am 2lbs off goal weight and lost over 6.6stone, so I'm guessing something had to give! Would I trade, honestly no, but that doesn't make the loss of something I've always had and am known for any less heartfelt. So my heartfelt sympathies, but lets suck it up and go forth x

Make sure you have food and drinks sorted for the flight, if you tell me where in London your going and what sort of price range restaurant, happy to give you some recommendations. I tend to stick with the starter and sides on menus and you can always order off menu or ask for stuff to be added or left off. It will be fine!

You are coming to a developed country lol, we have all the same food stuffs that you can get in the States, just avoid KFC and McDonalds and you will be fine. Seriously, everything you've mentioned is purchasable at supermarkets and/or restaurants.

I'm 7 pounds from my goal weight in 6 months, but still in the overweight category, I'm 5ft10in tall and wearing a US 10/12, UK14/16 depending on the shop. if you saw me in the street, you would see a slim, healthy woman. To be at the top of the normal range I would actually need to lose a stone, if you then saw me in the street, you would no doubt think I was slightly emaciated and could do with putting on a few pounds, my weight seems to be plateauing at the moment and frankly I don't really want to lose anymore. Whilst I have always know that the bmi charts are ridiculous I can really "see" the truth at my current weight. Am working on toning now but am NOT going to be a slave to my BMI!

It's totally doable, I did exactly the same with 180 vs. 160 but kept at 180 with a view to seeing how I looked/felt and remembering when, back in the day I was an incredibly toned, fit 18 year old and still weighed 12stone 7lbs. #hiccupingduck - very true about muscle mass.

This morning, I went shopping, I've been using stuff that I've kept from years ago - is it still vintage if you've always owned it? I've been buying stuff and selling on eBay, but have finally had to concede defeat on the work clothes front - I work in events and all of my suits look awful. So am 3 dress sizes smaller and was an easy shopping experience, I actually tried stuff on, yes I fell into the "just take it home rather than get hot and ridiculously sweaty in a changing room category" I came home and washed my hair, now ladies can I just say I have HAIR, it's thick, long, glossy, curly, the sort of hair that people stop me in shops to tell me how lovely it is - don't hate me, it's just a win in the genetic lottery - and guess what I'm losing handfuls, a bald man would cry! And frankly, I nearly did too, but then I got a grip, cos guess what I'm nearly 5 stones lighter and I look fabulous, my hair will grow back and the fat won't!

You've described me in your original post, well apart from me being a tad taller. I'm only 5months in but I've already got the me back that I'd forgotten, if that makes sense. Thanks for your post

The stalls are a regular event, I find they often happen around periods, but definitely had 4 weeks out. A stone is 4 weeks is still a big loss, remember that it certainly took time to put the weight off, the same is true in losing it! It has to be positive with a slow and steady loss.

I have always done what I now guess is hormonal eating more the week before my periods, generally only realising a day or so before that that was the reason why I was eating more, duh. It looks like its still going to be an issue, anyone else fall into this trap? Or is it head hunger that I just need to get a grip of?

So perhaps it is hormonal and I just need to be aware, will maybe start diarising

That stinks! Lets hope that wears off soon

I know what you mean about support from the hospital, I had a similar experience, but nearly all your questions have probably been asked and answered on this site, it's easy to say but it really does get easier, try not to get too stressed about getting everything in, keep hydrated at a level that feels comfortable rather than worrying about the numbers at this point

A litre and a slim fast is way more than I could manage on day 6, are you trying to hard to get liquid in? Chest pains could well be gas, do you have antacid medication? Walking all day, too much exercise too soon? I found I had slightly off centre pain for a couple of weeks post op, if you are really worried, contact your nurse/surgeon or the hospital and if really worried go to A&E

I had my op done privately and therefore the length of time it takes is reliant only on your ability to pay and your personal commitments.

Thank you for taking the time to read and respond to my question, I appreciate the response, which makes perfect sense. I've already had a chest X-ray, but going back to the doctors today to try and sort the meds out. Many thanks