Nikki@50

@loli_lotus oh my lovely I feel your pain. [emoji3059] I have also battled with depression and my weight for many years and I also had all the doubts and questions that you have. I first considered the surgery 3 years ago, all the doubts and questions made me change my mind and I decided to try dieting again ( because I thought I could do better this time). Fast forward 3 years and no matter how hard I worked at dieting, I struggled to lose weight. I finally had surgery this March! I still had doubts, questions and family trying to dissuade me but I finally realised that I couldn't do it myself I needed a help. I didn't want to spend anymore time sad and obese with no confidence or self esteem. I'll be honest, it hasn't been easy, I've had to deal with emotions that I previously ignored by eating. I now have counselling to help me deal with this. I reacted extremely well to surgery and for 8 weeks the smell of meat repulsed me, this happens when your hormones change after surgery, it doesn't happen to everyone though. I now struggle to eat a great deal and have to eat little and often. Food was my best friend and now I don't enjoy eating. I find it a struggle to eat more than a few mouthfuls, but I keep reminding myself that it won't be like this forever and I need to take advantage of this. I also remind myself that I chose to have the surgery and how much more confident I am already! I have lost 36lb in 10 weeks, dropped two dress sizes and now feel OK looking at myself in the mirror. Everyone reacts to surgery in they're own unique way and it is a personal decision that only you can make. It isn't a quick fix and it is a difficult journey, but you are already putting in the hard work of working on your mental health. For me, the positives far outweigh the negatives. I now look forward to going out and doing things I previously would avoid and I'm continuing with my counselling sessions to make sure that I don't return to emotional eating in the long run. I hope this has helped you, I'm sure you'll make the right decision for you, sending you a huge hug x Sent from my SM-G980F using BariatricPal mobile app

@Woodstock23 Whoop whoop sooo pleased for you [emoji3059]. To be honest I wasn't very adventurous during the liquid phase. Tomato soup and chicken soup were a favourite and milky coffee. I know some people enjoy bullion and bone broth but the smell repulsed me so much I couldn't drink it. I did enjoy sucking sugarfree mints and melting quavers on my tongue [emoji1787][emoji23][emoji1787]. Eating carbs has given me slightly more energy but I'm still struggling to eat a great deal. I'm not going to moan though because I choose to do this to myself and hopefully I'll get to a better place. Make sure you pamper yourself and take all the time you need to heal. Xxx Sent from my SM-G980F using BariatricPal mobile app

Thank you for those fantastic ideas, I'm definitely going to try them.[emoji16] I spoke with my dietitian yesterday and he wants me to stop focusing on protein and to eat more carbs! He said that I need to listen to my body and that it clearly can't tolerate protein at the moment. He also said that it's not a lack of protein that will cause me to lose some hair, it's the weightloss that triggers it! He has patients that have excellent nutrition and protein consumption and they lose some hair! Everything online says the opposite though [emoji85]. Wishing you all the luck in the world for your surgery [emoji3059]. When you feel well enough, let me know how you are, sending you a huggle x Sent from my SM-G980F using BariatricPal mobile app

@Woodstock23 Hi [emoji3059], I'm not too bad thank you. My surgery went well but I'll be honest it's been a tough journey for me so far. I'm now nearly 8 weeks post op and the smell of meat of any kind revolts me. I'm struggling to eat more than a few teaspoons of food and am no where near my protein and water consumption that I should be yet! But saying all that, I know things will get better with time and I do not regret surgery. I have already lost 34lb, I haven't been this weight since I was 23 and I'm 50 this year! [emoji16] My surgeon has told me that I have responded extremely well to the surgery and that the change in my hormones has caused the extreme sensitivity to the taste and smells of meat proteins. Would love any tips you can give me on emotional eating. I still find myself reaching for food and then feel disappointed when I can't have it. I'm trying to distract myself but sometimes I just go to bed to avoid the emotions, which I know isn't ideal. Ask as many questions as you want, I'm more then happy to support you in anyway I can. Good luck for your surgery [emoji3059], it's the beginning of a new you x Sent from my SM-G980F using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi Everyone [emoji3059] I really need some help and reassurance please. I had surgery March 24th and have since struggled. Foods taste and smell awful, I now hate meat because the smell is so revolting. I'm struggling to eat anything. Will this change? Why does everything smell so repulsive? Will my taste return to normal? I'm now 7 weeks out and feeling quite low. Hope you can help x Sent from my SM-G980F using BariatricPal mobile app

Thank you [emoji4], you've made my day! Just knowing it will improve makes it easier. At what point did u notice the improvement in smell? I'm 7 weeks post op. Sent from my SM-G980F using BariatricPal mobile app

Thank you![emoji4] It's great to know I'm not alone in this. I do exactly the same as you, I roll my pants down or wear very loose joggers. I wasn't expecting to still feel this way after 7 weeks though. X Sent from my SM-G980F using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm sure we'll get there in the end. I'm only managing the toilet once a week and that's with taking laxatives!!!![emoji85] Sent from my SM-G980F using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi Brittney, I am having the same experience. My ribs also ache a lot. I had surgery March 24th and still feel really uncomfortable. Did you find an answer to this problem? Sent from my SM-G980F using BariatricPal mobile app

It's been since about week 3 roughly. Meats are particularly gross smelling and I'm struggling to eat a reasonable amount of anything. I know it's hormonal but I just want to know if things will get easier. X Sent from my SM-G980F using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi kcuster83, that exactly how I feel! Cooking for my family is torture, everything makes me heave! I might just give that nose clip a try, thank you [emoji4] Sent from my SM-G980F using BariatricPal mobile app

Thank you for responding [emoji4]. I have spoken to my doctor and he said that I've obviously responded extremely well to the surgery!! I have to wait until next week to speak to my nutritionist. I'm really hoping that it will go away. Sent from my SM-G980F using BariatricPal mobile app

Thank you so much for responding Stephy. You seem to be doing amazingly well, I'm so pleased for you [emoji4]. I have a meeting with my consultant soon and I'm sure he'll probably say the same thing as you. You're right I just need to give it time, thank you [emoji3059] Sent from my SM-G980F using BariatricPal mobile app

Thank uou for responding Diann [emoji4]. I'm so pleased you're doing well. I started off extremely constipated [emoji51] but now it keeps changing. I'm sure I'll be fine, it's lovely to get reassurance and support on this site [emoji3059] Sent from my SM-G980F using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi All [emoji3059] Hope you're all losing and feeling fantastic [emoji126][emoji1739][emoji16]. I'm struggling to eat at the moment and wondered if anyone had an tips on how I can improve things. I now hate the smell of meat, it makes me gag and after 3 tsp of food I quickly feel full, uncomfortable and sick. I have tried to go back a step and eat pureed/mashed food but the same thing happens. I am also still not regularly going to the toilet, it's probably once to twice a week and starts off normal but ends up as diarrhoea [emoji85]. I had me op 24th March so I'm 5 weeks out. How much food are you managing to eat in a day? I really appreciate any support [emoji3059]. Sent from my SM-G980F using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi Charlie, Hope you're well. I am four weeks out from surgery and since week 3 I have taken Calceos chewable vit D and calcium (combined) twice a day, centrum or Tesco chewable multivitamin and now have my iron in tablet form from doctor. I really struggled taking the effervescent kind [emoji1785][emoji2961] x Sent from my SM-G980F using BariatricPal mobile app

Yep I wanted to be sick and go to the toilet at the same time as well as being lightheaded, sweating and cramps! Absolute nightmare! Sent from my SM-G980F using BariatricPal mobile app

Quaker oat so simple protein has 12g of protein in a 49g portion [emoji16] Sent from my SM-G980F using BariatricPal mobile app

Thank you sooo much for responding, it's great to know that there is light at the end of the tunnel [emoji16] Sent from my SM-G980F using BariatricPal mobile app

Hello [emoji847] You are doing amazingly, well done! I am in the exact same position as you, I hate protein drinks of any kind with a passion. My surgeon told me not to panic over protein in the first few weeks, he said recovering and fluids are more important initially. I have followed his advice and haven't lost any muscle so far and I'm three weeks out. I drink glasses of cold milk with a scoop of skimmed powdered milk mixed in to add extra protein. I also add a tea spoon or two of it to my yogurts. I have mixed low fat dairylea cheese with mash and thin sliced ham. Mug of hot milk and coffee (although some say no coffee), cooked chicken in a casserole with carrots, onions, parsnips, sweet potato, butternut squash and lots of peas and a few lentils for extra protein. This was cooked in a pot in the oven, or it could go in a slow cooker, and cooked until the vegetables were extremely soft. Easy to eat, a tonne of nutrients and vitamins and plenty of protein all in one meal. I also don't mind eating low fat cottage cheese in various flavours. Hope this help you [emoji3059] Sent from my SM-G980F using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi HE_TheBrave, I'm experiencing the same slow loss as you. It's sooo disheartening and does make me wonder why I had surgery. The lack of weightloss is really getting me down, I'm not even managing 400 cals at mo because I feel so ill everytime I eat. What an expensive way to not lose weight!!! Hopefully we can motivate each other [emoji3059] Sent from my SM-G980F using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi [emoji3059] I had surgery March 24th and I'm also struggling. Everything smells and tastes horrible and I am currently trying baby food (only the fruity kind)because everything makes me nauseous. Food was such a comfort to me and I knew it was going to be difficult letting go but I didn't realise how difficult. If you are still feeling suicidal please please get help. This is only a temporary emotion and will eventually pass with help. I'm now having counselling to help me cope with the issues that I comforted with food. Sending you a warm hug [emoji847]. Sent from my SM-G980F using BariatricPal mobile app

Thank you sooo much. It's good to know that I'm not the only one that feels this way. So many seem to be back in work and back to life quickly. I was wondering what I'm doing wrong! [emoji3059] Sent from my SM-G980F using BariatricPal mobile app

Thank you so much for your support. I have been eating the foods you suggested but they seem to get stuck and I feel nauseous quickly. Think I'll try to go back a stage and start again.[emoji3059] Sent from my SM-G980F using BariatricPal mobile app

Thank you so much for your support [emoji3059]. How long did you have exhaustion? Because I'm not eating a lot I feel exhausted after the slightest effort. X Sent from my SM-G980F using BariatricPal mobile app