JJCool

Yeah but it tastes awful. Jo x Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Hi Gina, If you or anyone else is interested, there is some quite detailed information regarding clostridium difficile in NHS Trusts here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/clostridium-difficile-infection-monthly-data-by-nhs-acute-trust and some statistics (not terribly up to date I'm afraid) of mortality rates in England and Wales can be found here: http://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/deathsinvolvingclostridiumdifficileenglandandwales/2013-08-22 although it only shows up to 2012 it does highlight that these rates are falling which has to be good news! Hope that helps somewhat. Jo x

I made these and they are delicious! http://www.turningclockback.com/spicy-roasted-chickpeas-snack-recipe-with-rosemary-and-garlic/ Jo x

Four months! Holy cow, that's amazing. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

My local Co-op have started selling these Protein shakes called Acti-shake. They have 172 cals and 25.2g protein. And best of all they are only £1 - that's the cheapest I've seen anywhere. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm so glad to see this post because I'm in the same boat. I've had no issues with any food I've tried and never really feel full. And I too feel convinced at times that I never actually got the surgery! Of course I'm sticking to the recommended calories though and it's going ok. I think we should consider ourselves the lucky ones, I'd much rather have to deal with not feeling full over nausea or food revulsion. Jo x Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I found that an added dollop of milk made the tomato soup creamier, less acidic and fortified it in a way that made it higher in Protein. Mmmm, it's still a favourite of mine. Jo x

I was having tomato soups in my first week, they were a lifesaver! Jo x Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Please don't let Google, or even this forum, be your doctor. You should speak to a real one, just to be safe. Jo x Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I'm sorry, I hope I haven't put you off the idea of baby food then! It's perfectly edible, just a bit lacking in flavour. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I ate baby food twice during the purée stage, wouldn't recommend it. At all. Yuck. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Wow, you look amazing!

To be honest I think it might be acid. I'm in the 'just monitor it for a while' stage before my bariatric team will try altering my PPI to fix it. But still, it works just like hunger! Luckily it's not toooo bad and I can control myself Jo x

@ Doh, I read your message as that you were in the pre-op weight loss stage, not the weight loss stage. So ignore me, you would know all that already! Oops - Jo x

@ It's true, after the surgery you will have to commit to a healthy lifestyle to lose the weight and maintain it. However from my experience (I'm only 7 weeks out, so I'm not much of an expert) I can say that it's easier than before the surgery. I do feel hunger now still but it's different and somehow easier to manage. I think the surgery takes away SOME of the willpower element and that does help. Of course you can still find a way to eat around the surgery if you want to or if you get complacent. But I think it would be hard to regain to the max weight that we (well me, as mine is quite a big number) once had. So definitely still worthwhile Jo x

@ That's really interesting, thanks for posting it. Does anyone else find it a relief to see more medical research referring to elements of weight gain that are out of the patients control now? I mean, of course I know there are many things that are IN our control that we can do to keep our weight down, but hearing more about the hormones and genes that influence our need for food takes away some of the crippling guilt I have been carrying all my life. Jo x

I found it hard at first, but quickly got into a routine and so it wasn't too bad. I had 2 yoghurts for Breakfast, two soups for lunch, two soups for dinner and then more yoghurt afterwards. It sort of felt like a LOT of soup but it's only a couple of weeks and it's definitely worth sticking to it. I'm doing really well now, was only in hospital for a couple of days. I had some pain afterwards behind one of my incisions and was worried enough to call the nurse about it. She told me that some people get it and some don't, but not to worry it would be gone in a couple of weeks - and she was right! Now I'm in no pain or discomfort, have worked my way through the food stages and can eat pretty well. I haven't tried anything stodgy like bread or Pasta but am fine with meats and veggies and everything else I've tried. It almost seems TOO easy! Hope it all goes well for you too Keep us updated! Jo x

I'm in SE London so got mine in UHL. How are you getting on with your pre-op diet? Are you on the weight watchers Soup and muller lights one? Jo x

Hiya, I'm from London and am 7 weeks post-op. Lovely to see you here! Jo x Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I love the Nature Valley bars! I overloaded a bit in 2012 when as gamesmakers we were given them to get us through a shift so I've not had them since. Will definitely have to look them out. Loads of great suggestions, thanks so much guys! Jo x

@@biggiesmalls250 I would be interested to hear how you would recommend helping someone who is asking for help, and in serious danger of doing themselves harm. Or do you think it would be best that people shouldn't try to help? Jo

I believe our surgeons and bariatric teams also tend to cater the programs to their patient. My pre-op meetings with the surgeon, dietician and nurse helped them to understand enough about me, my eating/drinking habits and attitude towards food to build a program for me that would help make this surgery as successful as possible. Provided I follow it, THAT bit is up to me. And this is why I have to keep stoping from comparing myself to others - we are all on our own path. Jo x

@@Nikkinee I'm with you, I can't wait till I'm no longer a sweaty-betty. I am only 7 weeks out and definitely haven't hit the being-cold-all-the-time stage. Bring it on! Jo x