jintycb

Try Myprotein.com. Their whey isolate is great and their prices reasonable.

Yep, I'm one one of this tribe-slow but (hopefully) sure. I've hit a stall at 12 weeks out and have lost 30 in total. I use FP and track everything and I have been following all the rules that I should. I'm exercising by doing lots of dog walking and between that and household chores yesterday clocked up nearly 7 miles. I'm staying off the scales for a bit and enjoying wearing jeans that four weeks ago I couldn't get into. I'm also reminding myself that I didn't put all my excess weight on over three months so I sure as hell ain't going to lose it that quickly.

I'm 59 and was sleeved 21 Oct '15. I only wish that I had done it years ago. It's the best thing that I have ever done for myself. I'm in the middle of a stall at the moment but what isn't moving on the scales seems to be rearranging itself on my frame. Had a 4.5 mile walk with the dogs today, did a load of household chores and it ended up that I clocked up 6.47 miles and 16446 steps. I am bushed but very self satisfied and just a bit smug. I love the fact that as each day that goes by I am not only getting leaner and fitter but by eating healthy food in small portions, much healthier. What is there not to love about being a fifties sleever?

I'm 12 weeks post op sleeve and it's done me good to read all your posts. I was in the post op euphoric phase having lost steadily and slowly with no problems or stalls until a couple of weeks ago. I was 203lbs SW and am down to 173lbs and for the first time I have hit a stall. I'm hitting my protein and water targets, walking around 3-5 miles a day, but I've ground to a halt as far as getting the poundage off my frame. I use My Fitness Pal so am tracking what is going in and know that I am doing everything exactly right. I make every meal from fresh ingredients (bumped into my GP in the supermarket yesterday and she commented on my extremely healthy trolley load!). However, I'm well and truly stuck scale wise. On the other hand, a pair of jeans that were just a wee bit too snug a couple of weeks ago are now almost comfy so I know that things are changing in my body that I have no control over. I feel wonderful and healthier than I have for years but I really want to see the scales moving in the downward direction again but I've decided that I'm going to stay off them for a couple of weeks. I have to keep reminding myself that I didn't gain all my excess weight overnight so it ain't going to budge overnight either. Hard to accept sometimes though. I just want to be the sylph that I was when I was a 19 year old professional ballet dancer but that was 40 years ago!!!!! I had to weigh around 100lbs then so realise that if I weighed that again I would look ridiculous and it would be a completely unrealistic goal doomed to failure. So....its just a case of sticking to the plan, touching base with fellow sleevers through these forums and posts, embracing the stall and thanking my lucky stars that I had the sense to have the surgery originally. That's not to say that it isn't hard to accept a stall. Someone was having a laugh when they designed the human body!!!!!!!! Why can't it do as it's told?!

Just found this post and it's nice to hook up with some of you who are slightly more local! I'm in Surrey. I was sleeved nearly 11 weeks ago and I feel WONDERFUL. Wish I had done it years ago. So far my weight loss has been fairly slow but sure and I have lost 31lbs. I'm still finding my way around getting the right amount of protein but thanks to this site found a great place online to buy unflavoured whey isolate. I make a small batch of protein and fruit shakes and they keep very well in the fridge. It means that when I haven't got time for breakfast or am too bone idle to make something I just pour a shake. I also have one when I go to bed as when I was pre-sleeve I was a real midnight muncher. It seems to do the trick and makes me feel full and contented. I paid privately for my surgery and went to Roeslare in Belgium. My GP took a very dim view of what I was about to do when I saw him pre-op for something completely unrelated. He suggested that I try 'portion control'. Like that had worked for the past few years!!!!

I'm in the UK and through this site, thanks to a post here, found a great supplier of pure whey protein isolate which is very high in protein and very low in fat. I make my own shakes by using frozen fruits, frozen smoothie fruits, some fruit juice or whatever else takes my fancy. I make up a load in my Blendtec and keep it in the fridge. It's great for when I don't know what to eat or am too lazy to search the fridge!!!! I normally grab a glass for breakfast before dog walking as I leave it to the last minute before climbing out of bed so don't have time for any other kind of breakfast. I found my original blends too sweet as the whey protein has got a slightly sweet taste, so I just buy catering size bottles of lemon juice and lime juice and shove in a good squirt of that. A dollop of fat free Greek yoghurt into the mix is great too. By making your own smoothies it means that you aren't having synthetic additives. They keep for ages in the fridge too.

We are never too old to do the right thing for us my love. Just think of the fun that you are going to have too!!!! Just as a quick example, my husband, one of my bestest friends and I went out dog walking on Boxing Day. We ended up at the playground for older, more adventurous kids and I started playing. My husband and pal just sat and grinned at me making a complete idiot of myself before my husband gave me a hug hug and a kiss and said what a difference the weight loss had made. It made my Christmas. I had my right hip replaced just over a year ago and at the time I promised the surgeon that I would lose some weight before the surgery. Of course, true to form, I didn't. So during my recovery I not only had to contend with a new body part but carting the old blubber mass around made everything more difficult. You are going to be sooooooo pleased when you get that surgery done tomorrow and you become a fully fledged member of the sleevers society. I'm writing this at 6am UK time and my husband and two (albeit small dogs) are hiding under the duvet as they think I might hoik them out for walkies at this ungodly hour!!!!!! No chance. I'm snuggling down to have a look at some more posts on here. Keep getting excited girl and I don't know about you but the night before my op I was such a pig. I had room service in the hotel I stayed in (as I went to Belgium for my surgery) and my (naturally skinny) husband and I had a veritable feast. It was such fun. I wasn't told that I couldn't so I did!

Good luck for the 30th. If you feel half as good as I did only a few days after surgery then you will be over the moon. I had my op on the 21st October this year and was back out dog walking less than a week later. I had to listen to my body for those first few weeks and as it told me that I was tired most afternoons I grabbed a bit of a siesta. Gradually, my energy levels levelled out and now I am full of it and bouncing around like someone half my age (59 incase you are wondering). I wish that I had done this YEARS ago. It is just such a relief to know that medical science could give me the stop button that my body was missing. I could eat for Great Britain and very, very rarely felt full. My weight loss is slow but steady and in ten weeks I've dropped 28lbs. I'm sticking to loads of protein and water (although maybe not quite reaching the ideal goals but not too far off) and I'm walking my two dogs further each day with less effort with every pound that goes. I feel wonderful. I even felt wonderful on Christmas Day when everyone else was stuffing themselves! Bit of sulky resentment wanted to kick in but a quick stock take of what I was like blubber wise last Christmas soon stopped that bit of morose self indulgence. This web site is and has been a great help to me since my op as has The Queen of Crop's book. I read one of her posts here and just had to read her story. I couldn't put it down. I related to so much in it, not least that there are some people who diets just don't work for. I have an addictive personality on top of everything else so I didn't stand a chance! Will be waiting to read your post op posts so keep us informed. Will be thinking of you on Wednesday. Lots of luck and good wishes.

I'll join you in the protein shake, hard boiled egg and fart!!!! Sitting here in the UK watching The Hobbit funnily enough but no appetite for one at the moment. Love your posts as they make me laugh out loud! Keep 'em going.

The midnight munchies have been with me for years so I've had to break the habit. I'm with the high protein snack before bed time (or in my case in bed whilst watching TV) and I either have a chicken thigh or a protein drink. Seems to do the trick.

My husband is one of those lucky people who can eat anything and stays slim. I really can't deny him his sweet treats so there in our fridge are yummy things that in the past I would have dived into. My reckoning is, that because we spent a shed load of money on my WLS then it would be a dreadful waste of cash if I even thought about helping myself to his goodies. I know the sugar/fat/salt would just trigger cravings so I just lay off and behave myself. That is not to say that I don't resent every mouthful he deposits in his gob of course. I have threatened him with the heaviest frying pan when he has forgotten that he paid a lot of money for me to have surgery and he offers me something sweet, fatty and delicious! He has also been threatened with the rolling pin if the frying pan doesn't knock some sense into him and if that doesn't work I am considering installing a rack and thumbscrews for his more forgetful moments. They do learn eventually and like all man training it's a bit like dog training. Just keep repeating things and rewarding them when they get it right!

I'm in the UK and did not meet the requirements to have surgery done through our National Health Service. Did consider just eating until I reached the right weight and BMI but did my research instead and ended up going to Belgium for surgery and paying for it myself. My husband actually paid for it and I borrowed a bit from my friend as we had a slight shortfall. It is the BEST money ever spent (along with that on laser treatment on my eyes 12 years ago) and I would have sold my soul to get it done. I feel on top of the world now, instead of being the blubbery and blubbering wreck hiding behind it until the op. Surgery here in the UK would have cost me at least twice as much as it did in Belgium for exactly the same treatment and level of service. If you can't get your insurance to cough up then beg, borrow or steal to get surgery. It's the only body that you're given so look after it. It's sooooooo worth it. Believe me. Good luck on your journey.

I was straight out walking the dogs a few days after surgery. 10 weeks out I average about 4-5 miles a day between the dogs and general walking. The dogs legs appear to be getting shorter-wonder why?!!!! Off to the pool after the New Year (I might get some more 'me' time) to start swimming again. I feel brilliant. Went out on Boxing Day with friend, husband and dogs and husband fell about laughing when I headed towards the kids adventure area and started playing. He gave me a huge kiss and said that the difference was amazing. I'm 59 by the way but don't feel it anymore!!!!!

From my GP in the UK (where most doctors frown on WLS because it takes up too much of their health area's budget) when I told him that I was going abroad for private surgery he said "why don't you try portion control?". I felt like saying that it was my body's idea of 'portion control' that got me into this state in the first place!!!!!!! WTF is in some of those medical brains? Answers welcome!

The time frame all depends on whether the consultant you choose tells you to drop some poundage before you have surgery. I was lucky enough to get away without doing this so I got a choice of dates with very little lead up time. I went to Belgium, but through ECFS (have a look at their web site) but it was to Roeselare not Brussels. I received excellent care and was out of hospital the day after surgery (albeit ensconced in the hotel feeling less than wonderful) and the following day I went into the town and did some light shopping and apple juice drinking accompanied by my hubby. I can't praise ECFS enough. I can't believe that I waited so long to get round to having the surgery. It's the best thing I have ever done for myself and my health. I feel wonderful and the blubber is slowly melting away with amazing ease. All I have to do is to keep the protein and water going in in the correct quantities, keep the rest of my diet under control, and the weight comes off. Oh yes, exercise too. Think my two dogs now have shorter legs than they did 10 weeks ago due to longer and longer walks. Love it!

I went to Belgium in October through ECFS and am thrilled with the service and attention that I received. I looked into going to Prague but decided on somewhere a little closer to home. I met the guy from Belgian Surgery Services and the clinical representative from ECFS and ECFS won hands down. The whole thing was organised down to the last detail and I couldn't have been happier with my treatment and follow ups. I am a very happy sleever who wishes she'd had it done years ago. By the way, have you noticed that it was on the news just before Christmas how much Bariatric surgery could be saving our hard up NHS? As I am wasn't high enough in the BMI stakes I obviously couldn't get my surgery done on the NHS. When I told my GP what I had organised he was not approving and suggested that I might like to try 'portion control' first!!!!!!!!!! Hmmmmmm.........that half baked solution hasn't worked for the majority of my dieting career (roughly 45 years) so why would it work now!!!!!!!!!!!

Hang in there-it just keeps getting better and better. Small victories are great-I found some new jeans in my wardrobe this morning that I bought ages ago but they were too small. I was too bone idle to take them back to the shop so they have gathered dust on a hanger for heaven knows how long. Thought I'd give them a try this morning and YES!!!!! They fitted!!! I was sooooo pleased. I've been wandering around with a stupid grin on my face all day. Love it!

Hi Perforce, don't know where you are having your surgery done but as a fellow Brit who went abroad for her surgery, I've had no problems with my GP surgery. I had my stitches removed by the practice nurse and then took great pleasure in telling one of the GPs what I had done. Some GPs are a bit sniffy about bariatric surgery (mine suggested portion control as an alternative!) but it didn't put me off one bit. In fact, if anything it strengthened my resolve to have surgery and do it my way. Can't wait to waft into an appointment in future looking like a rejuvenated sylph! Just do exactly as you are told pre and post op and things should be fine. I can't begin to tell you just how great I feel since I had surgery 21st Oct this year. The weight is disappearing nicely - 24lbs as of last weekend and I feel terrific. I am now 179 lbs and am taking it slowly but surely. I am eating plenty of protein and getting water in decent quantities. I'm sure that if you find that you have problems after your surgery then you will have no trouble getting treatment on the NHS. Oh, and before I left hospital I was given a very comprehensive, detailed list in English of the op and treatment that I had received to hand into my GP's. I've also had several calls from a British colleague of one of the team that looked after me to check that everything has been OK. She gave me her number so that I could call her if I had any worries. I'm sure you will be fine but stick close to this site-it is a godsend. Good luck-if you're like me you will just love what you are about to do.

If your experience is as great as mine has been then you are doing the best thing ever. My surgery was seven weeks ago today and apart from feeling a bit rough the following day (well, come on, a large lump of useless, flabby flesh was annexed and removed so what could I expect!) life has been just so great. I am losing at a sensible rate. My energy levels are nearly back to normal. OK, so if I go like a tornado for the majority of the day I need a late afternoon nap. I have done exactly what was suggested to me post surgery as regards food, drink and listening to my body. I read loads of posts on this site which gave me so much information and help. Stop fretting, grab this wonderful chance of a new beginning, a new you and all the positives that this surgery will bring you. Good luck. You are doing this for YOU and you will reap untold benefits from having the courage to go for it. Keep us all posted as you go through your journey. It really is a journey of discovery x

Hi, fellow 21 Oct sleever. That date will be etched in my mind for a very long time as it is the day that I could finally take control of my weight. Albeit with the skill of my surgeon. Weight loss so far is 21lbs. I feel great. My energy levels are increasing, having dropped pre-op. I enjoyed my afternoon naps then but love the way I am feeling now. Haven't told my husband yet as I reckon I still need an excuse to catch a little shut eye on a dreary English afternoon when I haven't got anything pressing to do!!!!! Walking my dogs further and faster every day. Getting used to new eating habits and enjoying the new feeling of 'fullness'. Haven't felt completely stuffed for years! Wish I had asked my surgeon just what size my removed bit of stomach was when he removed it. Maybe it's a good job I didn't as I would probably still be hanging my head in shame. Still mixing fruit juice with pure whey Protein and watering it down with coconut Water for a quick solution to the liquid/protein quota for the day. It is there when I'm in too much of a hurry to stop. I'm sure that it might not be the best idea but it's working for me. I'd rather have that than the flavoured shake powder as there are so many additives in them and I'd kinda like to keep my body free from crap! Love these forums by the way.

Just a quick post (let's hope so for your sake anyway) to let you know that I loved reading your book. I couldn't put it down and I learned a lot from it. One message that came through very clearly was the pace of your weight loss and it hammered the message home to me that slow but sure is absolutely fine. I am now six and a half weeks post sleeve and I feel great. I have lost 21lbs and my BMI has dropped to 29.4 from 32.7. I am getting to grips with a new way of dealing with my food intake and how my body now processes what I put into it. I still struggle to make sure that I get enough Protein and liquid but it's a work in progress. I am walking further every day and my dog walking chum has noticed that my pace has sped up considerably. My dogs consequently are knackered when they get back from our walk! The tiredness that I felt post op is diminishing and I am beginning to catch up with all the chores that I didn't have the energy to deal with before. Lots of dust and cobwebs but hey.........do I REALLY care. No. I'm loving my journey. I love the way that I feel. My body feels as though it's had a complete clean out (well it did post op if you get my drift!) and people are making comments on how well I look. I only wish that I had been sleeved years ago and saved myself the misery of slimming clubs, diets and fads over the years. However, it makes me all the more grateful for the wonder of this surgery. I'm a very, very happy bunny.

I had my surgery in Roeselare in Belgium and can't recommend the whole experience there highly enough. I went through ECFS ( http://www.ecfs.be) and had hardly any time to wait for a surgery date after my original consultation. I was also given several dates to choose from. Four weeks post-op I feel great. The best thing that I have ever done!

Hiya oh Queen I hope you realise that I got very little done yesterday as I spent a good part of the day reading your book! Can't think of a better way to spend my time at the moment especially as I need to know where my journey might take me. I have taken note (and sorry, laughed) of you decorating the pavement with barf after a session in the pub with your pals. Hmmmmmm, I used to do that but it was the booze that normally caused the problem!!!!!! I shall endeavour not to repeat that party trick of yours but d'you know what? I bet that I do! It is the middle of a very rainy afternoon now and as many chores that need to be done have been done - well sort of. I had cottage cheese for lunch with seaweed thins. Bliss. Last night I had scrambled egg and it was sooooo good. Both portions were a tablespoon each and every mouthful was heaven. Never thought that I would ever call cottage cheese heavenly. After four weeks on sludge.................. need I say more. I've now got my rear end firmly wedged in my corner of the sofa, two dogs draped over my legs and your book ready to pick up. Husband Patrick is home relatively early and is watching the news about Paris.

Hi queen of crop, took delivery of your book today and I'm having a great read. Not getting a lot done around the house but couldn't care less! As long as the dogs get walked and my nearest and dearest gets fed (plus a few other essentials) I am indulging my passion for being nosey about someone else's life. Yours. It is great to read about your journey and it is giving me an idea what to expect on mine although we have totally different lifestyles. I've got to just shy of four weeks post op and I am SICK of soup! I'm on protein shakes but have started making mine from scratch using pure whey powder, egg white protein, the artificial sweetener that I dislike least, dried skimmed milk, skimmed milk and natural flavouring. I shall be experimenting happily for some time to come. I intend moving onto mushy food in the next couple of days with soft scrambled egg topping my list. Can't wait. Oh, stepped on the scales yesterday and since my op on 21 Oct I have gone from 203lbs to190lbs. So, I'm going slowly but that's fine by me. It's a damn site more than I ever lost with Weight Watchers or whatever else I was trying during the last ten years.