sanks51

I had my band in May 2008, had it removed in January 2012. I had to wait 13 months till my sleeve in Febraury 2013. Band removal was easy, I had a bit of pain but after 4 days or so I was fine. I did gain about 88lbs. I had no pre op diet. What a fantastic life post gastric band!! Sleeve was the best thing that happened to me.

When I was on soft or mushy foods I used to take a courgette (think you guys call the zucchini) and I used to cut it into rings. I boiled in a little bit of chicken stock till it all broke up and kinda became mushy.. served with salt and pepper to taste and a teeny knob of butter (or not)

Rules are not always made to be broken... In my humble opinion life is kinda like a set of rules.. you don't follow the rules you end up in prison!! I find drinking water can be hard sometimes too, but if you don't obsess about it, it will come naturally and soon enough you will find that drinking 64oz is no longer a challenge.

Happy Friday! It's only 11.08 here in the rainy UK. For breakfast I had a Protein Shake with almond milk and PB2 powder, for snack I've had Biltong (Beef Jerky) and for lunch I'm having a grilled trout fillet with courgette ribbons (zucchini's I think - and excuse my spelling!!)

I had pills in the hospital, the day after my surgery - I also broke them into two halves to make swallowing a little easier. Here in the UK, I was never offered liquid medication. I didn't have any problems with the tablets.

Fiddle, you are in the process of achieving amazing things. There is some sound advice given by people throughout this thread. I think your drive and determination to succeed will be the reason you do, not the supplements you take. I'm still around the 300lb mark and just the thought of exercising can be tiring. I've never let this stop me. I've participated in a novice triathlon and a 100mile cycle amongst other things - I continue day after day.. I'm hoping to compete in a UK based competition next year called Bigger, stronger, faster and, like you, it will be my drive and determination to succeed that will get me there...no funny supplements, just good nutrition! Good Luck!!

I have Kallo corn cakes... and also multigrain thins made by 'rude health' (UK brands). They are gluten free (not intolerant, and I know they are grains...but I try to eat paleo...ish). I also had no access to a NUT. I have found these don't trigger any former binge eating behaviour.. perhaps because I don't look at them as been off limits. Everything in moderation works for some.

I think a lot depends on your commitment to your lifestyle change and support network. For me I kinda looked at my surgery as a last chance. I was a band to sleeve revision although I waited 13 months after having my band removed. Today I'm exactly 6 months post op. I haven't weighed today yet but I'm hoping to have achieved my 100lbs loss. I was 397lbs on the morning of my op. What I can say is this has been an amazing journey and there are a lot of people on the forums who provide fantastic support to others. Personally, I wouldn't let the figures or stats worry me too much. Grab the bull with both horns and good luck.

Hi, I have just had my band fitted in Belgium on 7/05. I was given a card to carry in my wallet which basically says that I was fitted with a band, that I cant eat no more than 60g of food at a time and also that it is safe to have a MRI scan. My doctor gave this card to me along with about 15 others in all different languages, he had filled in his contact details on the back. It seems a pretty standard card so perhaps you could speak to your doctor about getting one for you.

It seems like a lot of cash but I think it will be worth it all in the end. I have just had my surgery done (07/05) in Belgium and the op cost me £4000.00 I borrowed some money from a financial provider which was recommended on my surgeons website and the rest I had saved!!

Hi everyone, its really great to see how everyone is feeling and doing (and mostly well!!!) I had my band put in on the 7th May. I returned to the UK on Friday afternoon. Everything went well, I have a course of 10 blood thining injections which I have to give myself every morning for 10 days, and also had to wear long stockings for a couple days post op. I am back to work on wednesday so have eased myself off the painkillers - the last two I took was on sunday evening. So far all going well, have a bit of discomfort round the biggest incision (my port) the rest are healing well. A bit of pain in my left shoulder as well, but I am coping with it. My incisions were glued and look fabulous, will take a photo and pop it on - I know all DR's have their preferred places to put them but it will give everyone an idea (that is if you really want to see them!!!) Right now I'm making Chicken soup and really looking forward to having that this evening.

Hi guys, just wondering if any of you have a) tried HERBALIFE to loose weight before and :huh2: if any of you are planning on going onto it once you have had your band fitted. The shakes come in great flavours!!! Cookies and cream is my favourite, plus you can add protein powder to it and it has no taste?? Any thoughts?

Hi Guys, I joined up as a herbalife distributor in the UK, this was just so I could qualify for the 25% discount. The flavours we have available here are cookies and cream, chocolate, vanilla, tropical (banana flavour), strawberry and cuppacino(sp?). They are divine, sometimes I mix the choc with the cuppa and then also the choc and the cookies and cream are delicious mixed. Years ago I tried slimfast, but the aftertaste was enough to make me ill. Sometimes I make my shakes up with half soya milk for extra added protein and a bit of a 'nutty' flavour!! If you need help getting hold of them I can check on the distributors website and let you know. Its nice to know that others are planning on the shakes too, makes me feel like I have company!!

mstars, i have found a few antagonistic people along the way, there are even a number in these chat rooms (believe it or not) I've just kept my focus forward and those who have not wanted to be a support, i've moved them to the side - I think these people are there to test us, so will def remember you in my prayers - stay strong!

I BET SHE IS SO PROUD OF YOU TOO x

That was a good weekend amsderb!! Gosh i cant imagine splitting an appetizer (to tell the truth I cant wait!!)

Gosh aren't our minds funny things!!! Since i was given my op date (7 may) I have eaten nearly everything in the whole wide world - stuff I would never even dream of eating before!! Its our minds playing tricks on us - come on summon up that courage and lets STICK to it!!! Lets be strong and devoted to our diets (well we should try at least!!!)

I think I'm the odd one out here - southend on sea, Essex, UK!!

Thanks for all the encouragement, such a blessing!!

I don't wish to get involved in a conversation with someone who has such anal views and I don't wish to discuss my private life with you either, Maincat - I do not wish to be part of this thread anymore.

Well, I've been through all the other threads and I've ended up here!! Yes the Lord is sending me messages - I lack so much faith but this thread is a true blessing!! Im 28 and my surgery date set for 7 May 2008. Im not feeling nervous, just very excited and the whole process has gone pretty smooth from deciding to have the op (did i pray about it - NO!) to getting the finances - and still i question my faith!! What is wrong with me!! Why do I so often forget to include God in my day to day decisions? Thank you Lord for steering me once again in the right direction!! Nice to meet you all!!

I am paying for the op myself, taken out a loan to cover the cost of £3500 - im sure it will be worth it in the long run!! Having mine done in belgium as half the cost of the UK.

Im 6ft tall and weigh 357lbs, my clothing size is UK28, would love to weigh 170lbs!!!! Wow thats sooooooooo far away!! Would be happy in a size 16/18 too!!!

I feel too self conscious to wear a swimming costume so here's to next summer!! So wish i had the confidence!