madferitchick

I hope everything went well and you're feeling ok. First few days are the toughest but you will be fine, let us know how you're doing as soon as you can!

We are going to paphos. Never been to Cyprus before but figured it was a good choice as atleast there will be plenty of Greek yoghurt for Protein I will be almost 7 weeks out when we go. I've been drinking upbeat yoghurt Protein drinks, they are 20g protein and 145 cals and really nice! I'm not having one every day anymore as I'm Generally getting enough protein from regular food, but they are good if you need something quick and convenient or in the early liquid stages! I've found them in tesco and online with ocado.

Well today is five weeks since surgery! The time is really flying by! I've had a good week. Another 3lb off which is good. I am a aware that my weight loss is maybe a bit slower than for others. But I have at least been losing consistently so far which I'm pleased about, I've been quite hungry today which has been weird. When I thought about it though I realised I hadn't drunk too much so I think that's prob why. I am meant to stop my PPi today too so will be interesting to see what happens from tomorrow with not taking it! I've eaten out a few times this week which has been no problem. One time was at a tapas place with my bestie and it was perfect. I was just about able to manage one plate of tapas and really enjoyed it :-) I had a situation today that really reinforced for me why I am doing this. My daughter starts school in September and she had a taster session this afternoon. We were running slightly late so had to do a fast walk to get there in time. Made it ok and took her into her classroom, which was really warm as it's quite humid here today. Anyway, by the time she was settled and I went to have a coffee with the other mums I was hot and sweating, which annoyingly I always sweat from my head/face. I was so conscious of it as I stood there talking to the other mums I just met for the first time, feeling self conscious etc. I can't wait to have more of this weight gone so I can cope in warmer weather a bit better! Anyway, just under two weeks until I go away with my hubby and daughter to Cyprus! I can't wait! In the past one of the main pleasures about going away on holiday has been eating too much! I say pleasure, but I would always end up feeling bloated and uncomfortable etc. I am looking forward to this holiday for so many other reasons, and not least as it won't be food centred :-)

Good luck with your surgery :-) I was the same, nervous but excited! U will be fine, just focus on why you made the decision in the first place, as you made that with your logical head without the nerves!

Yesterday was my one month surgiversary! I can't believe how quick the time has passed! Usually I would jump straight on the scales! However, I resisted the urge as part of the lifestyle change for me with being sleeved has been to get control of my obsession with the scale. Previously I would weigh multiple times a day, even when I wasn't eating well or on a diet plan, I was obsessed. It never did me any good, as on the inevitable days that I hadn't lost or I stayed the same (or gained!) it would knock me and I would end up falling off the wagon and feeling rubbish. So, I decided I would weigh only once a week on a Thursday, as that was the day of my surgery. That way I still see my progress in numbers but I don't focus on it the whole time. Instead, to mark my one month I did measurements and compared them to surgery day measurements. It's another great way to see progress and I'm glad I took my pre op measurements :-) Here's the results so far. Still a loooonnnggg way to go, but I am slowly but surely unzipping this fat suit ???? Pre pre op diet Measurements in inches Full bust 57.75 Under bust 52.75 Tummy button 51.75 Full tummy 56.5 Hip 55.75 Upper arm 18.5 Neck 17.5 Top thigh 27 Mid thigh 25 Calf 18.25 Total 380.75 Measurements at one month post op Full bust 52 Under bust 47.5 Tummy button 49 Full tummy 52.25 Hip 51.75 Upper arm 16.5 Neck 16.75 Top thigh 24 Mid thigh 23 Calf 17.25 Total 350 Lost 30.75

I understand as I had the same concerns pre surgery. I can't say I don't get any cravings, there are times I think I'd like something's. Mostly I make the choice not to have them, but I have had a few things like an icecream....but after a few bites I decided I'd had enough and let my hubby finish it. That's a revelation for me...I could have eaten it all, but I didn't want to! Similarly I have also felt a sense of relief at knowing I can't binge even if I want to. It's an adjustment certainly but if you're prepared then I'm sure you will do fine :-)

Incredible! You look amazing, congratulations :-)

Four weeks out today! 19lbs off since surgery, 31lb total since pre op. I'm pleased with my progress. I know some people at my starting weight lose significantly faster, but I'm heading in the right direction in a consistent manner so far, so that's good for me! Things continue to go well. I've had no problems with anything I've eaten so far. Started soft foods and they are actually a bit easier to eat than purees. I had a ham and cheese roll up for Breakfast and that went down really well. Strangely I find that less filling than eating Greek yoghurt! I've eaten out a couple of times with no issue either. Looks like I've hardly touched the meal but I've enjoyed what I've eaten so that's all that matters. I'm not depriving myself either, moderation is key for me not deprivation, so by using myfitnesspal I'm ensuring a good balance across the day and keeping my carbs relatively low. Calories are between 600 - 800. I'm measuring inches lost too and they are also going steadily down in the right direction. Still feeling good in myself. Had a few instances where I've been stressed or emotional and would normally have turned to food, but I've coped fine knowing that's not an option or solution. Not doing any exercise to speak of, but I did attend a kettle bells session yesterday to observe! I plan on taking that up as soon as I'm cleared by my surgeon at 8 weeks. My clothes buying habit is rampant lol! And has spilled over into shoes and handbags But I figure I'm enjoying it and for years I've lived in the same few outfits as there's been no joy in clothes shopping and very few options, so I'm making up for it! And although I know I will move down the sizes and perhaps therefore not get much wear out of things, they can all go to charity shops or clothing banks so it's all good. So I continue to be thrilled and feel blessed by my journey so far ☺️

@@ExcitedButNervous I have a very similar story. I did lighterlife in 2007 and managed to lose 6 stone for my wedding. Immediately after I was married the weight started coming back and I have spent the last almost 8 years on and off trying again with packs but never succeeding. I honestly believe a vlcd like lighterlife only works once and as soon as you deviate from it, it's impossible to go back to. I first attended an info session about wls in august 2013 but decided again that I ought to be able to lose weight by myself so I set about using myfitnesspal and started exercising. Up to Xmas that year I lost 40lb but then fell off the wagon at Xmas and spent all of 2014 trying to get back on it! Xmas 2015 I made my decision to have gastric sleeve and decided the timing would be late may as I had a holiday booked to Florida in April and I was leaving my job at end of May. My decision was helped by having a friend (another former lighterlifer!) who had sleeve surgery in aug 2011 and has been very successful and happy with her decision. Had my consultation with my surgeon mr michael van den bossche at spire Southampton 14 may. Started pre op diet immediately and had surgery 28 may. It has been the best decision of my life. I have been very fortunate in my recovery, both physical and emotional. My pre op weight was 281lb, day of surgery 269lb, today I am 4 weeks out and am 250lbs. I am keeping a kind of diary of my journey here if anyone is interested http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/339330-taking-off-my-fat-suit/ Good luck to everyone awaiting surgery and with their journey :-)

Hi, I'm in the uk too. Despite my dietician telling me I had to eat the carbs on my pre op diet, I didn't as I knew that would severely limit my weight loss. So I cut out the carbs and substituted with green veggies and a little more lean protein and lost 12lb in the two weeks. Dietician and surgeon were very pleased, and I just kept it to myself that I'd modified things a bit! I have pcos and I know my body and carbs are my biggest problem in preventing weight loss. The one size fits all approach from dietitians in the uk (low fat and whole grain carbs) does not work for everyone!

That is amazing weight loss in that time, congratulations! Totally relate to the head hunger/breaking old habits too, it's a battle that I don't think will ever go away, but the more we reap the rewards of the weight loss the more we will be able to stay strong and fight those unhelpful urges!

Hi, I was sleeved may 28. Still on puree and soft foods, no problems with anything so far which I'm thankful for. Initially I found milk was going straight through me but that has subsided now! Hw 289 Pre op 281 Sw 269 Cw 253 I feel great and am already seeing and feeling the benefits :-)

Me too, and I was three weeks out yesterday. I'm guessing as we are all experiencing this it's normal?!!

Forgot to mention, had my first non scale victory too! Over the last 5 years I've had plantar fasciitis, first in my right foot and then my left. This has undoubtedly been due to my weight and I've had trouble finding shoes, particularly in the summer as I've been unable to wear flat shoes, I've needed a bit of a heel but not too much. Well...yesterday I bought a pair of toms, and I wore them all day today with no issues!! Whoop! Such a small, insignificant thing to many, but to me it's such a fantastic sign of all the great things to come! So glad I did this :-)

Three weeks since I had my sleeve surgery...16lbs down since surgery and 28lb since start of pre op diet. Woohoo!! I'm still feeling great and very positive. Purees going well, not had any probs with any food I've tried so far, fingers crossed I continue this way. It's a strange relief not being able to binge eat or gorge myself on food to the point of feeling unwell. I was out with my bestie and our girls today, sat in the sunshine enjoying a cold drink and I caught sight of a lady with a huge plateful of BBQ ribs, corn, onion rings and fries. It did look delicious! But rather than feel sad that I'll never be able to eat a huge plate of food like that again (which I did regularly pre surgery) I felt a sense of relief that I can't put myself through that destructive behaviour any more. It's like having the option to binge/overeat taken away from me has liberated me! Kinda odd, but I'm happy I'm feeling this way! Still have a bit of tenderness below my main incision and a kind of pulling sensation?? I've read on some other posts there's perhaps an internal suture in there?!! We have booked a weeks holiday in July to Cyprus too! Can't wait! Altho I'll still have a long way to go, just knowing I'll be carrying less weight around and won't get so hot and sweaty all the time will make the holiday so much more enjoyable :-)

This is exactly what I did with my four year old daughter. I told her I was on a business trip, and she never knew any different and still doesn't. She had a lovely mini holiday at grandmas house which she loved, and is only round the corner from my house anyway. I was two nights in Hosp and then had two nights at home until she saw me...I wanted to look completely normal and be able to move normally so she didn't ask questions or catch on that I wasn't quite normal! She's very placid and well behaved, but my decision was based on protecting her from any anxiety, which I know she would have had a lot of if she knew I was going to hospital. With other kids it might not cause them concern so wouldn't be an issue. All children are different so each parent has to do what they feel is best for their own child. Knowing my daughter was being taken care of and having a lovely time I think helped my quick recovery. I could focus on feeling better, and I was determined that would happen quickly as I missed her terribly as it was my first time away from her!

Love this nsv! I totally relate to your story, I've been told to get off a roller coaster before as I didn't fit, totally mortifying! I live in the uk and go to Florida every year on holiday, I love all the park rides and this year really wanted to go to busche gardens to ride falcons fury. However, I read online that the harnesses are small so I told my family I just didn't fancy going this year. It made me really sad. When we go next year, I'm going on falcons fury, at least 8 times like you

You look amazing, congratulations :-)

Love this story! Be proud :-)

Hey Chris, yes doing great (see my last post above yours). Good luck with your surgery :-)

2 weeks since surgery and I feel fantastic! Get to start purees today so had a weetabix for Breakfast, heaven! I'm feeling all round great, a little tender in my tummy but getting better every day. I'm noticing the difference in some of my clothes already and must confess I've already been shopping for new stuff! I'm going to have to have some self control with clothes shopping lol! It's such a sign for me though of how much better I feel already, I want to take care of myself and look nice, which is something I lose all interest in when I'm at my biggest and my eating is out of control. I actually feel a bit emotional at how well things are going and how strong and happy I feel. I'm so glad I had the courage to do this. I'm still realistic there will be challenges and tough times, but I couldn't have wished for a better start. Admittedly when I saw a 4lb loss for week two I was a little disappointed initially...but then I thought it's a loss, going in the right direction, and I will never see those 4lb again :-)

I'm 2 weeks out today and get to start puree, so exciting! Had a weetabix for Breakfast, yumm! I'm 13lb down since surgery, 25lb from starting pre op. Feeling great and so far so good! Still a little tender in my tummy but getting better every day. Hope everyone else is doing great too!

Congrats!

Fab to hear such a positive update livingstone! It really sounds like u have achieved that 'normal' approach to eating. I'm two weeks post surgery on thurs. So far so good, I'm looking forward to starting purees this week!

Congratulations!!