TamTam

Hi Girls! How are you all? I'm 32, and a stay-at-home Mum to my three kids - boys aged 6 and 5, and my 2 year old princess. I had my surgery in March, and have lost 18kg all up (about 40lb) - 7kg pre-surgery and 11kg since. The last couple of months have been really slow going for me - I have a leaky band, which has made it really difficult to find my "happy place", and although I often have trouble with my meals, I seem to have no trouble snacking on chips and chocolate! Ugh! But I'm still determined! This may take me a while, but I'll get there!

Hi ladies! How are you going? Things are moving V E R Y S L O W L Y for me. :tongue2: A few things are contributing to this - I seem to have a "leaky" band, even with thicker fluid; when it is too tight, I have trouble eating anything healthy, then snack on oh-so-nutritious things like chips and chocolate (which, unfortunately, I seem to have no trouble with!); and I'm just not getting in enough exercise. Still losing, but much too slowly for my liking! How are you all going? Sorry I disappeared for so long - life with the kids leaves me too little time - but thought I'd "pop in" and see how you are travelling. T xox

Hi ladies! Congratulations on the "deed" Lili! Hope you're well on the road to recovery now, and I expect you're progressing with your diet. Good luck! And you must have had your surgery by now too, Ann. Hope it all went well. I'm travelling along okay, but my weight loss has stalled. I'm not putting on any, but certainly not losing much either. Time for an adjustment, so I'm going to have that done this Thursday. I noticed in the last couple of weeks that I was able to eat more at meal times, and that I was snacking in between too, so it's time! Looking forward to having it done, but I'll admit I'm a bit nervous about it too! I'm still having appointments with the dietician, who is happy with how things are going (by her scales I lost 2.3kg since my last appointment, which surprised me!). I also saw the psychologist again last week, and he was happy with everything and didn't ask to see me again, which I'm glad about. All these appointments were starting to become a bit of a chore. Looking forward to hearing all your news soon, T xox

Hi ladies! Love the quote Ann. I just hope I don't come across too many corners and roundabouts! The good news is that, in the last few days I have found a good straight bit of road and am again heading in the right direction! Wow Lili! You are probably nervously (if you are like me, in tears) waiting to go to theatre as I type this. Sending lots of positive thoughts your way, and looking forward to hearing from you soon. T xox

Hi girls! Yes, I'm still alive! Sorry I've been a bit slack here, but I received and read your private message, Lili and Ann, and have been thinking of you all. Things have been going less that splendidly for me (put on about a kilo). I know that they say it's normal to stop losing or to gain when moving back to solid food, but it's still a bit depressing. I had appointments with the dietician and for my first fill the week before last, but we all agreed to leave the fill for now because I was still losing at that stage and hadn't moved onto proper solids. The doc told me to enjoy eating "whatever I liked" - not great words for a chocoholic to hear just days before Easter! And with the kids on holidays, I have been all out of routine, but they go back this Tuesday, so I'll be back on this wagon! I've struggled a bit remembering to eat slowly, with small mouthfuls, and chew, chew, chew. I am noticing that at meal times I am usually busy fussing over everyone else that I just gulp my own meal down and don't take the time to think about myself. But I've been getting a bit of pain to remind me! All part of the learning process, I suppose. Also, I still serve up my meal and think, "There's no way that's going to fill me!" but I am still surprised at just how quickly I really do fill up. I went out for a Thai dinner over Easter with my Mum and a good friend, which I was a bit nervous about, but it all went smoothly. I ordered a prawn claypot - one of my alltime favourites, and ate six or seven prawns with a few vege bits and a little bit of vermicelli noodles. Then the others ordered dessert, and I just had a scoop of sorbet. Probably the worst part was my Mum constantly worrying and asking me how I was going! But I know she only did it because she cares. In other good news, I've been shopping! I've been out buying clothes for Winter (which feels like it's never going to arrive in Brisbane). I've bought lots of bits and pieces, including a pair of jeans - size 20! I thought that was pretty exciting, but after wearing them a couple of times, I think maybe I should have even got a size smaller! I also bought a size SMALL top - from the fat ladies' department, admittedly, but there is an "S" on the tag and that's what I'm focussing on! On Friday night my hubby came home with a little surprise for me - I thought maybe flowers, but he walked in with a Wii and Wii Fit! It's great! I've been wanting it for a while now, so I'm hoping that will really motivate me to exercise. I've been on it several times over the weekend, and my thighs and calves know all about it! Well, that's about all my news for now. So pleased for you that you now have a date to look towards, Ann. I had to laugh at the "shove it in" comment - that was me to a T! I had more "Last Suppers" than I can count! Your turn this week, hey Lili?! Very exciting! I hope it all goes really well for you, and we'll all look forward to hearing how you go. I hope Lisa is feeling much better now, and that she is well enough to look after you this time. Tamara xox

Sorry... Just couldn't help myself! Nah, all still going really well. 12.5kg now! Woo hoo! Do you have your weigh-in today? Good luck! T xox

Tee hee hee! That was my April Fool's prank!

Hi girls! Thanks for all your advice about the shoulder pain, but it's all okay again now and feeling fine. Well, I'm back to the surgeon today, and I think I'm going to ask him to remove the band...

Hi girls, Good on you Lili. Told you you'd feel better in a few days! And you won't keep starving either - it will keep you full enough before long. And congratulations on your first bit of (a whole lot of!) weight loss! I think for me, too, knowing that it was for a limited time made sticking to it a whole lot easier. All going great guns here - still dropping some weight during this transition phase, which they don't necessarily expect you to do, and enjoying having some "real" food! Tiny bits admittedly, and still all minces, etc, but an improvement from liquid! And I really do feel well and truly full between "meals". One concern at the moment is that I have started having what I believe is the referred shoulder pain again. I had it really bad for the first few days post-surgery, but it's been fine since then, and now I'm raiding the medicine cabinet for arse-kicking painkillers! But I see my surgeon for my first post-op visit on Wednesday, so will check about it then. Anyway, keep going girls. We'll all be hotties before long!

Hi girls! Hope you've all had a good day. Hope the headaches aren't giving you too much curry, Lili. I'm with Sare - if you can just get through these first few days you will be feeling so much better! (And think of the weight loss... the weight loss...) Good luck with the new job Sare - a whole new start for you! Yay!!! Thanks for your congratulations Ann! I'm feeling pretty proud of myself! I went and shouted myself some jewellery, and my first ever set of acrylic nails - I'm gonna be a glamour mum! He he he... Welcome to our little group, Kiwi. I'm in Bris Vegas too. Who did your surgery? Sounds like you are doing really well! Congratulations! Anyway, must keep going and get this house in order before my big bad husband comes home. Ha ha ha! T xox

Yeah, I know what you mean! I remember my first few days I was constantly thinking "I'll just stop at _______ and grab a _______" then remembering I couldn't! To be honest I was appalled to realise how many times a day I thought about food! But trust me, you will soon get used to it, and will be feeling full with just your shakes. Good luck! T xox

Ah yes, a very happy lady! Yes, Lili, the vanilla is, well, foul. chocolate is a little better, but my favourite was definitely the strawberry - tastes like "fake" strawberry, but good fake strawberry! Best of luck with it! Won't be long and that train will be chugging along that track!

Ha ha Lili, thanks for the giggle. Now I can see the merits of both the French restaurant, and HJs, but my suggestion for a "last hurrah" would be one for lunch and the other for dinner, probably followed by a family block of Cadbury's! Yes, I have to say when I was thinking about the "puree" stage, I was really expecting a fortnight of baby food, so when the dietician started mentioning things like bolognaise sauce, rice, etc (in another 5 days or so), I got a wee bit excited! Now, what will I have for lunch today??? Hmm... Sorry to say, I had a small bit of chocolate last night, (melted it in my mouth first, so technically it was a liquid/puree!), and I haven't lost the taste for it. But I'm certainly not NEEDING it like I used to, and was more than satisfied with just a very small bit. Let us know where you end up tonight, and get ready to shake, shake, shake, shake, shake it!

Hi ladies. Thanks Lili - I'm really pleased! Yes, banded nearly two weeks, but the 10kg includes the two weeks on Optifast. I saw the dietician today, and she said that by this stage most people have lost around 7-8kg, so for once I'm happy to be "above average" weight-wise. The other thing she said was that lots of people's tastes do change after banding. Not something I was aware of, but there you go. Also she said that I am now to have NO soup, NO juice and NO SHAKES!!! So there you go. I'm now onto the "mushy" stage - very exciting! Today I had some tuna with a bit of white sauce mixed (and mixed and mixed) through, then blended up some rice and beef and red wine casserole tonight. The texture isn't exactly fabulous, but it's nice to know I can now have lots of different flavours. How are you going now Sare? Hope the rash is clearing up and you are feeling well. Enjoy your last day of "real" food Lili! Tamara xox

Hi girls! Bummer veal. Sorry to hear about the dressing business. Weird, hey, that it would come on so suddenly like that after being on for a while. I've never really been much of a juice drinker because of the calorie content (though I was never quite so concerned about the calorie content of chocolate... Hmm...), but my dietician recommended a cup of vege juice and half a cup of fruit juice during the liquid phase. I figured I'm not getting much else, so I didn't worry about the calories from the juice! I'm still drinking the Optifast too - I figure at least that way I'm getting all I need in one go. But I move to purees this Thursday - woo hoo. I'll be thinking of you starting the shakes PharmaGirl - but don't worry, it's really not that bad, and worth it for the weight loss. Speaking of which... I HIT THE BIG 10KG MARK THIS MORNING!!! WOOOOO HOOOOOOO!!! (But as my 6-year-old pointed out, I still have "some weight". Duh!) I'm off to the dietician this morning, so will let you all know how it goes. Tamara xox

My doc was happy for me to have juice the night of my surgery! Yep, they're all different. I wondered about it myself, but he was happy for me to go right onto any liquids (non-fizzy of course).

Thanks PharmaGirl for sharing your wisdom re the Tickers! I feeling very techo-mo-logical! Glad to hear you're doing better today veal. I've had a much better day too, pain-wise, etc. Why no fruit juice after you heal? That's a new one to me! (Or is that just because it's not "low-cal"?) Also, re everything tasting "chemical", what about making yourself some thin vege Soup? It's almost like "real" food!

I got a ticker!

Hey! Have a look!

Ha! I so get you regarding the "slivers" of cake - have you been spying on me??? Good on you PharmaGirl for choosing to support your partner like that. Bet she won't be supporting you though when she's "through the other side" and due to start solids while you're still "sucking it up"! LOL I was starting to feel a bit peckish today, but I had a bit of my soup at lunchtime and that has killed it. I was reading though that some hunger is normal when you are getting closer to being ready for the puree stage. Yes, the walk was a regular(ish) thing for me, but I was quite happy to drive today!

Hi veal! Yes, hubby is a big help, but not so much while he's at work! I managed to get bub in for an extra day at daycare on Friday this week (she usually just goes on Thursday) so that will be a big help too. Take it easy - the first few days I found really rough too, with regard to getting the Fluid in. But I'm now only six days post-surgery, and am up to about a cup now, but still sipping, not gulping it all down! Did your dietician give you a plan for what to eat (or drink!)? Mine has suggested: Optifast shakes - 3 sachets (but made up in small batches; apparently it goes foul if you leave it sit for long) OR 3 serves of Sustagen hospital formula made up on low fat milk (600ml daily) PLUS Supradyn soluble Multivitamin (let it go flat) 100 drinking yoghurt (yakult) 120ml fruit juice 250ml vege juice 500ml Soup Water There's no way you'll get through it all in the first week or so, but it gives you something to aim for! I made up a big batch of vege soup yesterday - just threw in all the veges I had and boiled them up in stock, then wizzed it up with enough extra stock to make it drinkable. I also made a banana smoothie this morning, with a banana, a bit of milk, some honey and nutmeg, and I also threw in my fibresure and some vanilla sustagen. I bought the vanilla to get a change from the chocolate flavour, but it was foul!!! So I thought hiding it in the smoothie would be a good way to hide it! I wish I even felt like a cup of tea! I haven't had one since surgery - really just don't feel like it. Might try one today. I am starting to feel a bit hungry today, but there's no way I'm going to risk having to go back to surgery! What is bullion???

Hi all; hi Veal, and congratulations on your surgery! Glad to hear it all went well for you. I was a bit surprised too about the pain when I first woke up, but it settled with quite a bit of pharmaceutical assistance! I had the shoulder pain too, which was awful at times, but it settled in a few days like they predicted. Don't worry Veal about the gain - you were no doubt hooked up to a drip while you were in hospital, so that weight will just be Fluid. Yeah, I'm still having some pain, mostly at the port site now, but it's definitely improving every day. It is exacerbated by too much physical activity - I think the walk to and from school yesterday (maybe 2-3km) was probably pushing it a bit and I paid for it last night. But otherwise the only real pain (and it's not BAD pain) is when I'm getting up or down (particularly from bed), or bending over - which I do a lot with three small kids! Yes, still on liquid - two weeks liquid, two weeks puree then solids. Is this the same for you all too? I also found it hard to get in all the liquid I was supposed to be having, but now that I can have bigger amounts at a time it's getting easier. I had my mother-in-law staying here to help with the kids, but she has just left this morning, so now I'm wondering how I get through the next three weeks without picking up my toddler. Maybe we'll have to toilet train in a hurry! PharmaGirl, what have you decided about doing the OptiSlim/Fast with your partner? To be honest, other people eating didn't really bother me as much as I had thought it would. If I was feeling tempted while they were eating I usually just disappeared for some time out or got really busy doing something else!

Hi girls! I'm new here too, and wanted to say hi to some other Aussies. I had my surgery last Thursday (12/3) at the Wesley Hospital in Brisbane. It all went well, but I've been surprised by how sore I've been and how long it's taking to get better. (It's ONLY keyhole surgery, right??? Ha ha ha!!!) But I am definitely improving day to day, and am more mobile now. I even managed to walk up to school and back this afternoon. I did Optifast (religiously) for the two weeks prior to surgery, and lost 7 or 8 kilos. I actually didn't find it too bad; I think knowing it was only for two weeks made it easier, and I really didn't crave what my hubby and kids were having. I've lost another couple of kilos since. I've actually found it hard to fit in everything I'm supposed to be drinking each day since the surgery. Anyway, would love to hear back from the Aussie contingent. Tamara