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Awesome post - thank you! I battle the scale, I had some really serious eating dosorder stuff going on about ten years ago, and my hubby had to literally lock the scales up to save my sanity, he would only release them for 10 minutes a week, no matter how much I begged him, before he did that though I'd weigh myself several times an hour whenever at home - bonkers! I'm down to once a day now, and have a little morning ritual, which includes weighing myself 3 times to make sure its accurate, and I hate to admit it, but it also involves me flushing the toilet at a certain time - how is that going to change my weight???? Ah well its a HUGE improvement! I take my hat off to you being able to avoid the scale for 2 weeks though that is supreme control, well done! I'll add my random one to the list for good measure though; I am not defined by my scale I am not defined by my clothing size AND I am not defined by meaningless rituals (although they are damn hard to shake! ) I am defined by me!

Ok, so in addition to my new 200ml stomach I also have BIG food issues, literally since I came off milk on to solids as a baby there are a LOT of textures I can't tolerate without vomiting, so the already tricky post op diet is significantly trickier! Its easier to categories the things I can't eat which are basically; Fish Red meat Turkey Vegetables Fruit Pulses, Beans etc Things I do eat have obviously been massively reduced since surgery because my old allies bread, rice and cous cous are just over filling empty carbs! So I am starting to think that I stall a lot because I've gone into starvation mode because I can eat chicken, ham, eggs, cheese, and quorn but not an awful lot else. A typical day for me is Protein shake for Breakfast (If I manage breakfast which is probably only 50% of the time), Protein Shake or some cooked meat such as ham for lunch, and something like some quorn mince, a chicken breast, or Soup for tea. I'm guessing from that I'm getting 400-600 calories a day? I drink about 2 pints of Water a day and probably 4 cups of coffee on top of that. I'm taking a Multivitamin, and supplements are green tea extract, policassinol, Alpha Lipoic Acid, and garlic extract (if anyone has read the 4 hour body you'll know thats the crazy routine which is supposed to help speed up someone's metabolic rate. I have run out of inspiration, I am bored of the same couple of meals all the time, and I'm terrified that as with all other diets I have ever tried, without eating the stuff that I can't I'll hit an immovable brick wall and stay fat! I'm sorry if this sounds negative, but I really would appreciate any advice/receipes/inspiration available out there. Thanks

Well, since surgery I have been regularly sorting through, and throwing out my more generous clothes, and am now the owner of very few things to wear. Last time i had a wardrobe purge I ended up with just 3 pairs of trousers suitable for work which is pretty limiting, however I went to put a pair of them on this morning, and they were like clown trousers they were so big!!!! I literally let go and they fell to the floor Don't get me wrong, I LOVED it, and could not be happier, but I'll be leaving the house naked at this rate!

Brian, well done, I actually cried reading your post, may you have a lot of health and happiness, and many, many new "Svelt" suits ahead of you! Enjoy!

I was chatting to one of very few people who know about my surgery, and announced that I was going to have a week back on liquids to help me get to my easter goal and shake things up a bit. She looked horrified and said "OH, did your operation not work then?" Did it not work????? I have lost 44lb, you can see it has worked! Plus I had a smaller stomach made, I did not have my mouth sewn shut! I still have to put the right stuff in to get the right results out - ARGH!!!!!!!! I'm not ashamed to say that for a moment I considered punching her square in the mouth to vent my spleen, however I am her boss, and that sort of thing is frowned upon!

Aww coops you are way too kind! This photo was shortly before the sun came out forcing the knickers based sunbathing, in CAMBER SANDS! Thankfully those dunes provide a lot of privacy if you pick your spot!

I am thankful for; My wonderful husband coming along on this journey with me (including a trip abroad, a loan, and ultimately changing something which wasn't an issue in his mind) My brilliant mum, who loaned me the money, and supported me 100% despite crying when I told her what I wanted to do, because she was sad that I had to go to such extremes to feel happy in my own body. Being able to throw out 4 larger sizes of clothes, and now being officially the UK "average" Being told by my husband that I should wear A: Nicer underwear, and B: More fitted outer clothes, because I should show off the body that I have, and my curves, and feel good about what I have achieved Buying designer brands of clothing (Even if they are still L and XL) My 7 year old hugging me, and being able to reach all the way around Being able to wear a swimsuit in public without blushing Going on fairground rides with a weight limit, and not having to walk away after queing for ages! Being invited on to the work's dragon boat racing team, and not being panic stricken that I'll sink the boat. Sitting in the "Sports" seats of our new car without them pinching the sides of my bum lying in the bath and having just my knee caps stick out of the Water instead of my belly Having my in-laws (Who don't know about my surgery, but have HATED my weight problems for the last 12 years) sit me down, and congratulate me on my weight loss, saying that they understand how difficult it is, and really respect me for the change I am making Having people I went to school with post on facebook that I'm looking good these days Having the energy and confidence to play hide and seek with my children, and nimbly climbing into play equipment without the fear of it collapsing, or of me getting stuck. Being able to shave my bikini line without getting breathless! Being able to go clothes shopping with friends, and being able to shop in the same section as them! Being told that at work that I no longer appear to have low confidence or assertiveness issues Being overweight and no longer obese For reducing my chances of type 2 diabetes from over 80% to normal risk levels In fact, now I think about it I am thankful for every day of the new me!

Ok, so had a tough day today, have just come home from holiday this afternoon, which always leaves me a little blue, and then weighed in, and have GAINED 2lb (ok, so I wasn't perfect wilst away, but 2lb feels a bit harsh!). So I'm in a bit of a mood, then I start to download my holiday pics, and I come across the only one of me, and I think on reflection that I look fairly average in it, I certainly didn't look at it and think woah I look soo fat (my usual response to any photo of me). So I am claiming this as an NSV (photo attached), please feel free to argue I don't want it sugar coated, I am still only 1/2 way to goal, and know thats still going to take some doing, but I think I look really very average, which was the pick me up I needed! Plus as a mini NSV along the way this week - ended up at the beach without swimwear, so stripped off to just my knickers, and sunbathed topless (I have NEVER done this before, let alone in the UK!!) - although this did result in all over sunburn!! Anyway enough from me! xx

:cheer2: Fantastic, well done :cheer2: Enjoy every one of those NSVs, they are a great aid to keeping sane in the early days!

I guess its a matter of opinion, and perspective. I've not cheated, BUT I have had some easter egg chocolate, I had the sleeve because it allows me most things in moderation sould I want them. For the first time in 12 years my husband bought me an easter egg, so last night we shared it, I enjoyed what I had, but don't have a burning desire for any more, and yes this time last year I would have bought dozens of eggs for my kids because I'd have eaten loads in the run up to easter, and then had to replace them all!! Did I cheat? I don't think so. Will I get to goal in record time by allowing myself a little slack occasionally? Probbly not. Do I feel guilty? Hell No!!! Look at the distance we have all travelled in order to be able to approach something like easter with moderation, it is fantastic, so don't beat yourself up for living a little, relax, enjoy, move on. Happy easter. xx

OK, honest opinion, am I aiming too low? I've averaged my weight loss on the last challenge out, and multiplied that over the 11 weeks left of this one, and think I should aim for 16lb, but everyone else seems to be blowing me out of the Water with their goals! Am I being too cautious? Well, my provisional Goal; SN..............Starting Wt.............Current..........Goal...........Lbs to Goal Cludgie..............191.......................191.............175..............16

SN..............Starting Wt........Current.......Goal.......Lbs to Goal Cludgie.........209...................191................189..........2 Ok, so I missed by 2lb, but this challenge has seen me say godbye to 18lb forever, which is pretty damn good! Bring on the July challenge!!!!

I do not ,even for a second, regret my surgery! I do often still forget how slowly to eat, and regret my own stupidity when I get discomfort, or sliming. I do often have a moment where the voices in my head are telling me that I'd be sooo much happier if I could just have a big old gorge on junk food, sweet stuff etc, and then I remember I can't do that and I maybe have 30 seconds of dissappointment that iit is no longer an option. HOWEVER both of these things make me realise that with all to good will in the world I would still be unwittingly sabbotaging myself on any other eating plan because my body would not help me to curb my dumb thinking patterns. Are there moments where a part of me would like to take some time out and eat my body weight in rubbush without consequence? Yes, a few. Are those moments significant enough to be troubling? No never. My only doubts have so far served to affirm why I needed this surgery to help me be happy. Good luck in your choices xx

I went to the January sales just before my surgery, and bought a stunning little Lipsy dress for £8, I went for a UK size 14, as the smallest I have ever been is a 16, and at the time I bought it I was a 22/24 so I thought I was being dangerously optimistic, so announced that I wanted to be wearing that dress by christmas day 2011. When I bought the dress it wouldnt even fit over my shoulders, so I put it in a picture frame and just looked at it for 6 weeks, then curiosity got the better of me, I took it out and tried it on, and it went over my shoulders! I try it on around once a fortnight now, and its about 1/2 inch away from fastening at the bust, but otherwise fits great, and I've decided to wear it to a friend's wedding in May instead. I went for something nice, but inexpensive, and optimistic, but not frighteningly so, and gave myself a looong initial time frame to aim for, I am so glad I have that goal dress because even with it only zipped 3/4 of the way up it feels great stepping into something which I couldn't get 2 shoulders into in January. Go for it would be my advice!

I'd say try it on, who knows how long it'll fit you for, a quick twirl with your daughter and maybe a keepsake photo will do no harm, and then when you are too thin for it, and end up in another dress you'll be able to really see the difference. My aim for WLS at my first consultation was to get back to my wedding day weight (I'm 3lb off that now, and of course want to lose almost 40lb more to get to a much more appropriate weight now I realise how low I was aiming with that goal), however instead of an easter egg this year, when I hit my easter goal (and I WILL come hell or high water!), I am going to Celebrate by sitting around the house in my wedding dress, which has not even nearly fit me for the last 8 years (since my wedding day funnily enough). My 7 year old daughter will think I have lost the plot, but I really don't care. I will dress up and play princess, just because I can! :whoo: Seize the day! xx

Really, really REALLY chuffed for you coops, keep space there on the 12's for me, I'm chasing you there as fast as I can, and I hear that its a great place to be! Enjoy it, and happy birthday!

Well as a Brit 4th July doesn't have particular meaning for me, I'm happy to go with any goal date at all, for me its just about breaking this journey up into stages, and motivating each other.

I have only told my hubby and my Mum, we had our 1st weekend satying with the in-laws, who do not, and will not ever know about my WLS at about 2 months post op. They were so delighted by my weight loss that they thought I was being REALLY strict with myself when I had a fraction of everyone else's portions. The other thing I do is for a couple of days up my Protein shakes, and tell folks I'm largely doing a Meal Replacement diet, then when I do "indulge" in some solid food I can honestly say that due to my new diet, and the fact I haven't eaten a normal sized meal in over 3 months I just don't have the capacity for more than a tiny ammount now. Hope it helps, so far I've managed a hen weekend and a weekend with the in-laws with no awkward questions. It certainly helps that anyone who knows me will have seen me do dozens of extreme diets before, so mostly folks just humor me and expect the fad to have passed by the next time I see them! Good luck.

22lb in 8 days? That is just awesome, you go girl!!!

SN..............Starting Wt........Current.......Goal.......Lbs to Goal Cludgie.........209...................192................189..........3

Massive congratulations - relax, enjoy, and rock that bump! I was obese for both of my pregnancies, and with the first one the day before I gave birth I had to explain to a client at work why I was not going to be in on her next visit, to which she responded "Oh I did wonder, but I didn't like to ask!" I would have loved to enjoy a thinner pregnancy and a real baby bump! Enjoy every minute xx

I completely agree, I was fortunate enough (in an odd way) for this to be my third abdominal surgery in 6 years, so I literally skipped into surgery, and only had a moment of "what am I doing???" literally as I was anaesthetised, by which time I was awake again, and done. I can honestly say that after the first 24 hours I have NEVER felt a moment of regret over doing this to myself, and the first 24 hours were just sore, not agonising, and I had nothing stronger than a paracetamol after surgery and coped just fine really. After 2/3 days I didn't even need paracetamol. I guess it may sound odd, but the way I'd looked at it was that when I knew people who had, say a gastric bug, and had been sick for a few days, and would then say, oh I've been so ill I lost x ammount of weight, I'd always find a little part of me thinking, wow I wish I'd had a dose of that I could cope with a few day's suffering to lose a chunk of weight. Well my sleeve was nowhere near as horrible as that. Life really can get back to normal very quickly, day one post op I was out of hospital, day 2 post op I spent 8 hours sight seeing around belgium, day 3 I was back home in the UK, and Day 4 I went back to work with no problems. I'm not claiming to be brave (I am far from it), and I am not trying to underplay the fact that this is still a surgery, but I genuinely wish I'd skipped into that theatre 10 years ago so I'd have known a bit more contentment sooner. Good luck with your decision.

SN..............Starting Wt........Current.......Goal.......Lbs to Goal Cludgie.........209...................193................189..........4

That is great news, I actually wept when I got there, and it felt sooooooooooooo good. Let us know how you get on - everyone is :cheer2: :cheer2: ing for you!

I'm not sure how accurate it is, but I read on another thread that someone had been told by their surgeon it was ok as long as you stir some of the fizz out with a spoon before you drink it! I was most afraid of giving up fizzy drinks out of all the changes I have faced, I would get through 8-10 litres of pepsi max a week until my surgery, and I have to admit that I have had a few sips since (when no other drink option was available) and its just soooo uncomfortably gassy!! I found a bottle a few weeks ago which was so old it was completely flat, and it was nice, but it didn't particularly make me want more of it. I guess that as time passes and habbits change the urge does reduce significantly. The biggest problem I have is finding suitable mixers with alcoholic drinks (cranberry juice all the way now!). I do on occasion allow myself a beer or a cider, but some of those tend to be more bubbly than others (I do do the stirring trick, which looks a little odd in a pub), but I've found some ar emuch more gassy than others, so if I find one that goes down nicely I'll try that again in future, and slowly avoid the ones that didn't suit. wow - I just re-read my post and realised how much it sounds like I drink!!! he he!