hello

[annabelle 76]

Hello,

is there any one from Ireland still on here,

[anna eve 7]

Hey! I am!!

[Nellabella 10]

Hi there, I'm from Ireland too! I haven't entered any of my details on this site yet, though it has been a great resource, I've just been so busy post-op - I'm Day 25 now, almost 4 weeks since surgery. I'm in Dublin - had my surgery in Vincents. Would like to keep in touch with anyone local for encouragement and tips etc..

[anna eve 7]

That's great! How are you getting on so far? I'm should have my surgery by August. Can I ask how long you were in hospital for/how long did you take off work afterwards? I will be seeing colm o'boyle in Bon secures cork. Can I ask who did your surgery? Must be fantastic to have it done, now the fun part- loosing weight!!!

[Nellabella 10]

Hi Anna, Went in on a Monday & had surgery that morning & out of hospital by Friday lunch. I had no complications (diabetes, gall stones, blood pressure etc), so I had max pain relief with no pain at all. First 24hrs were in High Dependency Unit where they were perfect - couldn't have had better care. Do everything they tell you, i.e. breathing exercise to help clear 'gunk in bottom of your lungs' & trapped gas from surgery. Do them as much as you can. As soon as they remove catheter & it's ok, take little walks often. Sit out in chair frequently. Really, the most important thing is to do what you are advised to do & to take personal responsibility for your recovery. I was on solids by the time I went home. In US they seem to be on liquid for a few weeks. I bought baby 2oz containers (8) in a tray (Tesco) & poached cod & then froze with a little sauce (pureed veg). I also bought a Kl of pure whey Protein with no sugar or anything added (9.3g Protein per 10g) which is invaluable for smoothie breaks etc.. Stock up your freezer a bit before you go in. Take your supplements. This surgery is not a get out of jail card - you have to eat healthily, no take aways, no junk food, high protein, and get exercise every day. Keep a food journal - I think this is so important. You can track how your weight loss tallies with your food intake, if & when you have lows - you will be able to tell your nurse/doc exactly what you are doing AND it keeps you mindful (most important). I have felt fantastic from Day1 out of hospital, great energy, no Constipation, no pain etc, I've been mowing lawn, weeding & hearty gardening. Third week had a few low days (which coincided with no apparent weight loss??) so I started doing some HIT exercising (this is my downfall so I got my son to coach me & badger me if necessary to do some exercise every day). I haven't had any 'radical weightloss weeks' like some people, I've lost a steady 3/4lbs every week which I am now starting to notice (& everyone else). I didn't have to go back to work. I would say ideally, it would be great if you could have 3 weeks to get yourself into a routine, by then you'll have encountered most issues related to early post op & time to have confidence in handling yourself in public situations. Having said that, you could, if you had to, go back after a week home - just make sure your in bed early every night & you get all of your nutrition. A very long answer, but I know I would have welcomed the above before my surgery, so possibly you may too.

[anna eve 7]

Thanks you so much for taking the time to give me such a detailed response. Really appreciate all the advise. It's great to read of someone who is in Ireland, makes its seem more real rather than just reading info that relates to how it's done in the US. I assumed based on what I read here that I would be on a liquid diet for a few weeks after too. I will do what ever I'm advised by my surgeon anyway. I think gradual and steady weight loss is what I want rather then a complete shock to the system!! Just have to wait to be scheduled in now. Hopefully it's sooner rather than later! Keep me posted on your progress and good luck

[Nellabella 10]

Anna Eve, you might be interested - I wrote about the eating regime post surgery at "

12 days post op. Protein and sleep question". You might want to check that out too. Cheers.

[annabelle 76]

Hey! I am!!

hello how are you doing now

[annabelle 76]

Anna Eve, you might be interested - I wrote about the eating regime post surgery at "

12 days post op. Protein and sleep question". You might want to check that out too. Cheers.

Hi ladies Ive not been on lately had a few issues and now thats sorted im just waiting for a date I se the physiologist on the 23th so anytime after that Im hoping for an october date. I agree Anna its great to hear from an Irish person who has had the operation as you would get confused with all the others talking about the liquid diet for up to 4 weeks after the operation, thank you Nelly for sharing it with us

[Nellabella 10]

Hi Annabelle, Wow! I'm really impressed with your weight loss so far,......and thats before surgery!! Well done! Yes, it's great to hear from Irish people especially as our experience seems quite different & somehow it makes it more real,.....more normal. Best of luck on the 23rd, hope your surgery date comes soon. Are you having it in Dublin?

[annabelle 76]

Hi Annabelle, Wow! I'm really impressed with your weight loss so far,......and thats before surgery!! Well done! Yes, it's great to hear from Irish people especially as our experience seems quite different & somehow it makes it more real,.....more normal. Best of luck on the 23rd, hope your surgery date comes soon. Are you having it in Dublin?

Thank you I wish my consultant was impressed, Im having it in Galway there is no support group there so ive set up a group on Facebook, ive not met any one from Ireland that had it but hopefully that will change. they seem to change the way they go about it every few months so I just wish I had mine. im getting things sorted so that il be ready for when i get the call

[sueoco 509]

hi there - I am not from Ireland but I would love to hear what progress you have made. I had my operation 18 months ago in Sydney, Australia - I am also intrigued by the different eating regimes the surgeons have and they also have different techniques too when they perform the operation. I didn't do as much research as I should have but have since found out that some surgeons get better results depending on how much and how they remove the stomach - luckily my surgeon specialises in the sleeve and has his a own technique and I have had amazing results. Anyway, all the best for your operations. If you want to join a great support group the Aussie one is good - ther is a great thread that has pages of posts and a bunch of great people on it.