MrsFitz

Had my surgeons appointment this afternoon and all went well. I’d dropped another kilo since my dietitians’ appointment a couple of weeks ago - yay! The surgeon was lovely and very approachable. The surgeon asked if I’d chosen a particular surgery and asked my reasons for it. I told him “Bypass please” and explained my thinking. He was happy and didn’t see any reason why I couldn’t have the Bypass. He then explained absolutely everything to me as we went through the consent form plus drew a couple of diagrams for me so he was extremely thorough! I felt very at ease and confident in what he was explaining. Obviously it helped that I had guidance from this forum plus had done wider reading too so nothing was a surprise even when he was explaining things that could go wrong and what steps they take to rectify any problems. It was comforting to know that they seem extremely pro-active in sorting things out and they don’t leave their patients to flounder on their own should they need help. So, next steps…the MDT meets weekly, generally on a Friday, so my case should be heard next week. He said that none of my tests have flagged anything up, the dietitian was happy with me plus I was taking some proactive steps myself so there shouldn’t be any issues and I should progress through to surgery. I asked how long the wait was without getting a cancellation and he said 20 weeks from now so that will mean mid to end of January next year. I did stress that I would be more than happy to take a cancellation which he noted. The only problem, he said, was making sure that I still had 3 weeks to complete the LRD as sometimes the cancellations are too close to the actual day of surgery. I’m feeling happy generally with everything. I’ve done all my stuff so now it’s down to the hospital. I have my granddaughters birthday party tomorrow, our anniversary dinner on the 15th and then I’m free and clear really. I feel I can relax a bit now. I’m as prepared as I possibly can be short of actually having the surgery! So exciting isn’t it??

I would have drunk the glass of Mumm too…fair lay for your friend recognising the signs though, I’m impressed by that! 👏👏👏

Thank you! 🥰

It’s never too late to change your mind and choose an alternative surgery. Please, please, please talk to your Bariatric team and tell them your worries and concerns. Being apprehensive is completely normal I would have thought, as this is some major surgery we’re choosing. You have your own fears because of what happened with your mum - again, completely normal. Let the team at the hospital go through it all with you and explain the pros and cons. Whatever decision you make, just make sure it’s an informed decision and that you feel comfortable with the outcome. I bet you’re not the first person the team will deal with who is having doubts, they will be prepared for it so make use of them!

Late posting today as I’ve been to the gym this morning and thoroughly enjoyed myself 🥳 Hubby is off work this week so he came with me. We like going together as we both wander off to do our own things but touch base occasionally. Unfortunately there were couple of teens who enjoyed pointing and laughing but it didn’t stop me and it just made them look like a pair of dickheads, especially when others glared at them. I don’t know if they expected me to pass out within a couple of minutes of beginning my workout but I did over an hour so sucks to be you, kids…I did have a chat with a member of staff as to when the quieter times are (without teens as there were quite a few and they have no absolutely no gym manners) and he said before 3pm when the schools go back. Thankfully that’s this week so we will be back Wednesday afternoon to have another go 🙂 Of course it will be interesting to see what state I will be in tomorrow but I didn’t hammer it, just familiarised myself with everything again. I did have a protein shake when I got back home plus a hot bath with some Epsom salts in the hope of counteracting the worst of the aches and pains. Looking forward to trying some free weights to get some hardcore toning going on! Couldn’t today as the free weights area was busy. Went out for lunch yesterday and kept it relatively healthy. Gains from the past week or so have pretty much gone, which is good. I’d thrown on a pair of leggings and a t-shirt earlier in the week and hubby commented on the fact that the weight was coming off my legs and backside. I think his exact words were “you’re losing weight off your legs and arse love”. Such a way with words, what can I say?? Clothing does continue to improve fit-wise, so I'm happy with that. Granddaughters first day of school on Weds and her 5th birthday on Thursday so there will be cake this coming weekend when we’re there for her party. I can’t believe she’s almost 5 - time really does fly! Surgeons appointment coming up on Friday - eek! I think I’m as prepared as I will ever be for it. I’ve got over the initial shock re the speed of it and I’m now just looking forward to it. My mini food processor thingy has been delivered and I’ve downloaded a couple of additional Bariatric recipe books for my Kindle (all freebies, thankfully) I’m trying not to think too deeply about the puréed phase as none of it sounds appealing but I know it’s something that has to be gone through! 6 weeks isn’t too long in the grand scheme of things. Have a super week everyone 😉 Onwards and Downwards!

I absolutely hammer the kindle unlimited and can read a book a day so it works out massively cost effective for me. I do love an actual book but struggle to hold one, especially some of the thicker, weightier ones. Of course, having the kindle app on an iPad makes taking your reading matter with you on holiday is definitely worth it. I remember lugging loads of books with me when going on holiday and taking up valuable suitcase space! I will definitely have a look at your new one, especially as there are 1500 recipes to go at 😮

Let me know what you want from me as your virtual gym buddy and I will be there with bells on! Walking sounds like a good start for you and definitely something to build on. Just think about if challenging yourself would work for you because beating your own personal bests and targets can be quite an incentive 🏅 Or is it just doing something for the pure enjoyment and pleasure of it? Whatever you do, make it FUN!!

I find Cava sweet too. I don’t think I’ve had Cremant 🤔 I’ve always wanted to do a tour of the Champagne region and visit some of the wineries but that will have to wait for a while I think! I’m impressed that you managed 24 bottles in your luggage, that shows commitment to the cause 😂😂

I really feel you on some of the ones I’ve looked at being really, really poor ☹️ I have screenshotted the ones I’ve downloaded to my library. They are all from Kindle Unlimited. I’ve found them useful as they’ve helped give me ideas. I just hope they actually work in practice! Some are linked to a site called ‘Onederland’ which also has a Bariatric Community etc but it’s much, much quieter than this forum so I chose to stick with this one, and I’m glad that I did 😊 @ShoppGirl thank you for the link to the additional recipes 😊 Again, a great source of ideas that I can certainly tweak to UK ingredient availability. And please don’t let thoughts of what others may think of you getting fitter deter you. There will always those who look down on others for a 1001 reasons whether you are fat, thin, tall, short, wearing the latest fashions or dressed like you’ve dipped yourself in syrup and rolled through your wardrobe in the dark! Karma will do its thing eventually 😈

Maybe the gym isn’t *your thing* and that’s why you’re finding it such a struggle to commit to it? Maybe a personal trainer isn’t for you but you would be happy to work out on your own? Is there anything else that piques your interest fitness-wise? I love the gym but actual fitness classes bore me rigid! Maybe being out in nature (with your beloved even) would interest you more? Or rock climbing, canoeing, running (or walking) around a track, go carting, swimming blah, blah, blah. For a fitness regime to stick, you have to find something you love. If you’ve paid for a gym membership and want to get your monies worth until it runs out then I’m more than happy to be your virtual gym buddy. Please don’t think you’ve failed or that you HAVE to put additional pressure on yourself to get fit. Do whatever you feel happy and comfortable with. It’s just baby steps to begin with, dipping in to things to see what works for you. Also have a think about what you’re doing in the gym as it could be the workout that isn’t floating your boat. I do a bit of cardio to warm up/cool down and then I’m on the resistance machines. Could I do a cardio-heavy workout? Nah! It’s all personal choice 🙂 Celebrate your successes so far, because (in the words of a cheesy ad) YOU’RE WORTH IT!

Favourite champagne? I think top of my list is Perrier Jouet. I have a couple of bottles of Grand Cru and one Belle Epoch (very pretty flowers on the bottle!) I also have 4 2012 vintage Veuve Cliquot, a non-vintage Veuve plus 2 Laurent Perrier. I use a Mumm champagne stopper when I’ve opened a bottle and it really does keep the fizz in! I always take it on holiday with us as I like to have a glass of champagne on the sat on the hotel balcony on an evening before me and hubby go out. It’s just one of those little things that hubby insists on. It means a lot to us and I would be a bit miffed if I had to say goodbye forever to that ☹️ I introduced my daughter-in-law to the joys of champagne too!

I use the Nutracheck app and I can add my own recipes with weights & nutritional value of each ingredient and state how many servings it makes. I can then use either the portion size, the full recipe or specific weight used. So for your turkey meatballs I would state the weight/nutritional value of turkey, peppers, onion, marinara etc and say it makes 16 portions. I don’t know if this helps!

This is the approach I’m hoping to take post-surgery 🙂 Thank you for explaining it so well.

Champagne is one of my favourite drinks @Arabesque. I really don’t want to have to give this up as it’s a special treat for me. I’ve also got 10 bottles of the stuff at home (been collecting for a while) and I don’t want to have to give them away 😭 Would a champagne swizzle stick be useful as a way of getting rid of the bubbles do you think? Might drop a hint to hubby. He’s tea-total so culling my stock is all on me!

I’ve had a play on the internet and found some info regarding different issues with carbs. I don’t know if this would be any use for you to take to your Doctor to have checked out?

It’s like they are only seeing numbers and scales and recommended weights for heights blah, blah, blah but not the actual person at the bottom of it all. I’m not surprised that you’re pissed, to be fair, I would be too. Carbs - is it all carbs that give you grief regardless of where they come from or specific types like bread, flour, potatoes etc? If it’s all types then it’s a very slow process of getting some in to your body and finding the balance. If it’s certain types then it’s looking at what you can manage and again, slowly building up until you find your balance and a weight that’s working for YOU, not the medical staff. Did you find some good quality fats that you were happy with? Have you skipped the low fat/calorie foods and introduced some higher fat/calorie replacements? You have come so far and done so amazingly well. At the end of it all, it’s YOUR body, YOUR health and YOUR wellbeing, no one else’s. Have you thought about some of the liquid meal-replacement type options that you would give someone if they were ill? Just something that might give you a bit of a boost on top of your iron infusion? Big hugs 🤗

The way I had it explained to me is that they take my pre-op weight away from what my weight would be if I had a BMI of 25. My target is to lose around 65-70% of that excess weight, NOT my total body weight. I don’t know if that’s any where near your figures?

Skechers here too, never had any issues with them. I need something cushioned but supportive and not heavy due to RA in my feet. Always been great in the gym, better than my Nikes. If in doubt, go to a proper trainers store as @Arabesque suggested, just to see how your feet are to begin with 🙂

It’s been a strange kind of week. I haven’t gone wildly off plan but I have definitely struggled with focus. Nothing has gone wrong, I’m not upset about anything or fed up. I just think that having the dietitian appointment and everything going OK with that sort of had me taking my foot off the accelerator a little. Then the shock of getting my appointment with the surgeon has played with my head somewhat? “I honestly don’t know” is the answer right now. I think, as others have pointed out, that this whole WLS journey became very real this week and there’s a bit of panic going on. Me and hubby have had lots of conversations this week too, about how the future may look what with the LRD to come, immediate post-surgery things to deal with and then long term. Hubby admitted that he knows he’s going to find how little I will be able to eat a struggle but takes comfort in the fact that others have done, and continue to do, the exact same thing and survive plus the Bariatric team at our hospital seem really switched on so he knows I’m in good hands. It’s a learning curve for him too, with more lessons to come! Thankfully the hospital team does welcome questions from family members because they know it can be difficult for them too. I’m not worried about anything specific, just more a case of the practicalities of things. I always do better when I have planned things, even if it’s just in my head, because it’s feeling like I have some control! I’ve ordered a mini food processor to hel with the purée part of the journey to come, so that should be here by the end of the week. Hubby has been looking at different sized ice cube trays for freezing individual portions of purée plus looking at recipes etc. I think he feels a bit ‘in limbo’ at the moment, which I do understand. Anyway, went to see Fatboy Slim on Saturday. I felt good in what I was wearing: Size smaller sparkly black jeans (with lots of stretch, obviously 😉) It was a nice confidence boost anyway! However, the gig was outside and it was freezing cold - that a UK summer for you 🙄 I had a blanket plus a wrap but it got too cold and my hips and knees just had enough, especially with being locked in one position while sitting on the scooter. We left before the end because I honestly couldn’t handle the cold anymore. Disappointing, yes but it happens. On the drive home the heavens opened and it rained so I didn’t feel too bad after that. It took me ages to get warm though. Had a hot shower, extra blanket on the bed, plus pyjamas but I couldn’t warm up. Hubby eventually made me a hot water bottle and I managed to slowly thaw out. We’ve said no more outdoor things for now, especially as the weather is so unpredictable here. Nothing else to report. I will knuckle back down and re-focus. I’ve had a weekend of pizza and alcohol so that’s my wander off-plan done with! Oh, my new weighing scales are in agreement with the dietitian’s scales, which surprised me! The dietitian suggested that I took a photo of her printout from when she had weighed me. I have no idea what everything means but she did underline a couple of things like the visceral fat number, metabolic age etc etc and my new scales match those numbers exactly 😮 So thank you @FifiLux for your suggestion 🥰 I just need to make sure that the weight numbers on the new, shiny scales start reducing again… Wishing everyone a successful, happy week regardless of where you are on your weight loss journey 😎 Onwards and downwards everybody!

Well done on getting to this point 👏👏👏 Just keep reminding yourself that it’s a teeny-tiny blip of a way of eating that will be over before the end of the year, and that you will be eating different foods and textures while getting in to smaller sized (no cute puppies or kittens) clothing and shocking yourself at the continual changes and healthier feelings. Cheering you on!

Hey, a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do 😉😂🤣 The portable kitchen scales have me thinking though…🤔

Seriously, this honestly sounds like my house - 2 deliveries today, 1 tomorrow, 2 Thursday. Not all weight loss related though, trying to get stuff bought now for the dreaded “C” word in December 😬 Just look at it as you’re not buying as much food so it should all balance out eventually…sort of…maybe 😉

Excellent! LOL!!

I would order it for delivery to your hotel, especially as it ties in with the one you have at home plus it uses to same app so your information will be much more accurate.

OMG!! Travel scales!! I’ve just checked my Amazon and found them 😮 I’ve told hubby that they will go in my basket for a future purchase! Have a look at these @ShoppGirljust in case you can order where you are: https://www.amazon.co.uk/RENPHO-Bathroom-Portable-Traveling-Composition/dp/B09YC48Y1F (Can’t believe how excited I am about these…I need to get out a lot more 😉)