RosieCheeks

The odd comment is starting to come in which is a boost. I'm now 52lbs down and my breathing has improved tremendously but I'm still a bit rubbish at the exercise malarkey - I'm just not a gym bunny. I do make an effort to walk more i.e. I'll park at the far away end of the car park at Waitrose

Doing ok with protein now. I took your advice and rejigged my diet alongside adding in a daily protein bar either as a mid morning snack or replacement lunch. Thanks, your help is much appreciated.

NSV today - New jumper - Size 16 - a bit different from the 26/28 I was wearing in March

My new bars arrived this morning and I really like them. They are Optimum Nutrition complete Protein 50g bar - Caramel Crunch (not crunchy) 20g protein / 170 Cals Taste a bit like a Cadbury's Fudge Bar.

I'm not a lover of peanut butter but this is ok

As I don't like shakes I buy Oh Yeah Peanut Butter & Caramel Bars. They taste like Snickers. Heavy on the calorie side so I use them as a Meal Replacement rather than an addition. Or sometimes I'll just have half of one. I've also tried Oh Yeah Celebration Cake, they're ok but I'm not keen on the Jaffa Cake flavour. Just ordered some different ones which I'll let you know what they are when they arrive as I've completely forgotten what I ordered. I get mine from Cardiff Sports Nutrition, keen pricing with free, speedy delivery over £20.

Hope you're ok Lulu.

Never thought of that. I'll toddle off tomorrow and buy some moulds. Thanks.

I've bought an MX5 Roadster SE in Storm Blue with black leather trim. Girls behaving badly is my anthem.

Well done. It does make a difference when people start to notice. I'm trying to up my walking but it's catch 22 at the moment. I prefer walking when the weather is nice but I've just bought a new convertible car so I also like driving around with the roof down. The car's winning right now, had a lovely blast down the Tatton Mile before with the wind in my hair. My mid-life crisis has officially begun Think Patsy in Ab Fab then some.....

Best thing to do is approach a couple of clinics and ask.

Is this on the NHS? If so, I've no idea as it seems to be a bit of a postcode lottery. My BMI was over 40 and I still didn't qualify in my area. Sorry I can't help.

Weightloss picked up last month but still not as much as I expected but I'm doing ok. You've lost half the weight you aim to? That's good, I've only lost 45lbs in total. I don't feel any different but I can certainly see a difference in my clothes.

No, I don't still have them, they healed fine in about 10 days. I mean't when I did have them I just got in the shower, I didn't go out of my way to protect them from anything. No idea about periods Lulu, mine a distant memory thankfully.

You can buy waterproof sticking plaster if you're so inclined. I just got in the shower and changed my dressing to a clean dry one afterwards. I've never heard of anyone dying from a wet dressing

Well done on doing your own injection, I just couldn't do it and was grateful to my GP for arranging to have it done for me. The food dreams will subside. This is a whole new way of life and whilst the op has physically altered you, it hasn't altered your mindset. you have to do that yourself. It does get easier, especially as you see the weight coming off. I find the more I lose, the less I'm tempted by the cream cake or the tub of ice cream as I don't want to stop losing. Having said that, it doesn't mean you can never have a treat again, I'm learning about moderation; I will now weigh out 50g of frozen yoghurt and enjoy that just as much as I used to enjoy a whole tub of full fat ice cream. It's early days Lulu, there's a long road ahead, take one step at a time, you'll get there and when you eventually slip into those size 12 jeans, you'll realise just how worth it it has all been.

I begged my surgeon for dissolvable stitches and he said No, as they are more prone to infection. Glad you're back in the fold Lulu. x

How you doing Lulu?

@@GinaCampbell Are your stats correct Gina, have you really lost 76lbs since May? That's some going, I''m jealous.

Well done on the walking, keep it up, it does help. Only one more sleep then you'll be back home, well done Lulu, the worst is over. Now get those thoughts of junk food out of your head immediately. I've bought some Protein bars today, they're scrummy, taste like Snickers, or for us oldies, Marathon bars

Well, as my Quest to find Irn Bru lollies in Cheshire & Greater Manchester has failed, I've finally cracked. I've bought several million little bottles (250ml) of diet Irn Bru. I open one before bed, let it go flat overnight then drink it throughout the morning. I only allow myself 1 bottle per day but boy do I enjoy it.

C'mon Space Cadet, report to Ground Control.

I've got to go out now, early morning meeting but good luck Lulu, let us know how you're doing and I'll catch up with you later. Stay calm! x

Also, I know I said sleep a lot but you need to balance that with getting up and moving around, that helps too.

I too am concerned at your post lack of care/info. I didn't have to wear compression stockings, no-one ever mentioned them to me. Gina, were you told to drink 2 litres from the off? I seem to remember something like 2 glasses for the first week or so then building up to 2 litres a day as you could manage it? Yes Lulu, get to your GP asap on return, make sure you have some follow-up.