SParkle

I've got an idea which I'm going to be trying this week when I swap to mushies.... Corned beef - mixed with onions (dry fry the onions off to soften them), then top with cottage cheese which you have mixed with a beaten egg, maybe adding a bit of mixed herbs of tarragon in with the egg mix too. They are like a quiche - with the corned beef being the 'pastry' base. I'm going to try making them in a muffin tin, so I get bite size ones - the texture is mushy so I think they'll go down a treat, and when I've made it before although I made one big version they were good hot or cold. Good luck with your surgery.... let us know how you get on.

I'm not even on mushies yet but my concern would be the nutritional content of them... they are very high in fat compared to 'normal' meat.... and the carbs must be high as well as usually they're mixed with some form of breadcrumbs or meal. In my book per 100g(4oz) theres 15g fat 295 cals, 29g carb and only 7g Protein. Whereas even a leg of ham pre packed per 100g is 4g fat, 108 cals, 0 carbs and 19g protein. food for thought if you're counting carbs and cals..... Kathy

Maybe its worth giving them another ring in the morning... just to make sure you keep them informed. Hope you feel better soon!!

Glad to hear it all went well - congrats on joining us on the losers bench!!

Good luck - post as soon as you can.

I'd recommend to get off caffeine now if you can - to make it a bit easier than going thru it all at the same time. Also get any cleaning you need done at home before the surgery to take any pressure off your recovery. I also made some broths up and froze them for when I came home. Its be done before you know it.....good luck Kathy

Congrats to you - a great result... heres to onwards and downwards. Kathy

The stall seems a more or less normal thing.... I think i have hit mine at just over 2 weeks.... I know it'll pass but it is frustrating. Keep in mind what we have put our bodies though for this surgery and also the extremely low calorie diet we're on both on pre and post op - your body will react to it all at some point. Just stick with it and you'll come out the other side in the end - don't forget to review what you're eating calorie and carb wise to maximise the effect. Good luck Kathy

I'm hoping for 140lbs... with a pre op weight of 208, and op weight of 202lbs. My Dr seemed to think this was possible.... so I'm thinking in my head say 1lb a week (which allows for the initial weightloss splurge and time for things to stall then settle) so I reckon about a yr....anything before then is a bonus!! Kathy

Day 21 for me too...... and likewise looking forward to scrambled eggs......yum!! Kathy

Sorry to hear you're still having the swallowing issues...... hopefully with the new drugs they'll help resolve it... in the end its better to get liquids in no matter what they are, with Protein as a secondary importance - the last thing you need is to end up back at A&E for hydration. Good luck hun.... you know where I am! - although Tiffykins is invaluable in her knowledge, I am very good in shoulder support! ) Kathy

Thanks..... to be honest when we were having the conversation I was just so gobsmacked at her reaction I didn't get a chance to react to it... then as the time wore on it sunk in more and more..... I will tell her to back off when we see her on Tuesday if she starts again....I won't tell her about the surgery - can you imagine the reaction I'd get then??!! Thanks for the back up...... muchly appreciated!! Kathy

Zephra - well done!! I've also tried a couple of things on and am wearing jeans tonight that were very tight before but fit nicely now.... it made me feel very smug to zip them up without the usual tucking in of bulges!! Keep up the good work Kathy

You took the words out of my mouth Mini me... Marsha - welcome... and good luck with your surgery. Kathy

Its weird how when you lose weight you evoke such emotions in people.. most are delighted for you especially if you haven't seen them for a while. I've been 'dieting' for over 20 yrs, never reached my goal (not yet anyway!!) I lost 56lbs 3 yrs ago for our wedding and regained at least 28lbs.... Anyway.... we were out socialising with a neighbour last week who commented on my weightloss and said how great i looked, don't lose too much etc..... We also saw her last night, and boy did I suffer at her tongue. We've been invited as part of a party for a paella.... I accepted the invitation from the host saying we'd love to come but at the moment I am on a liquid diet to kickstart my weight loss again ( I'm not telling them about the surgery.....). The host replied she could do me a salad..... I politely declined saying no, honestly don't worry about me, I'd love to come but I'll sort myself out before we arrive and hubby would love the paella. Word has got round to the other woman who is going (as it does!) and she laid into me last night saying I was crazy being on a liquid diet... why did I want to lose any more.... I gave her my practised speech about the fact I'd like to be at the higher end of my recommended BMI of 147lbs. Also if I get there my husband added in an incentive that he would give up smoking. ( I actually want to get to 140lbs but wasn't telling her that) She replied well you'll never get there, she was 5ft 10 and wasn't 147lbs so how did I think I was getting there. (Shes not overweight IMO). I said well I've battled with my weight for the past 20 yrs... she said well if its not worked then why will it work this time.....(in a really bitter sort of way) She then started to go onto the fact I have a lovely face (WHY is that ALWAYS the pity comment they give...???) and then luckily we were interrupted by someone else which diffused it... but I was getting SO angry with her. The good news (?!) is that she said, don't worry we can finish the conversation on Tuesday when we meet up for Paella........ OH JOY!! The long and short of it kinda sums up why I'm not telling people about my decision for having the surgery.... most people just don't get it. Unless you've struggled with your weight, been bullied etc thru the years then you cannot grasp how desperatly unhappy it makes you inside. They don't see 'fat ' people as having problems, they see them as greedy. They don't realise there are eating disorders which make you over weight... they only know about the 'slim' ones..... I can tell I'm in for an emotional time when we do meet up, andthat I will tell her to butt out if she gets to me too much, its my life and my decision to lose the weight, if I'm not happy with myself then I have the right to do whatever I want to make me happy. What else is strange is that her husband told me I look 10 yrs younger already!! Phew.... sorry for the long post but it insensed me that she was really having a go at me for what she thought was fad dieting.... blimey if only she knew the truth I'd be hung, drawn and quartered over it!! Kathy

I've got 'normal' BP and no major problems but I am on a course of 20 heparin injections, one a day in my stomach. My husband does them. Weirdly sometimes they sting, sometimes they don't.... if he pumps it in quickly to get it over and done with then they tend to sting more. Sometimes they bruise as well... there seems to be no rule with my stomach flesh!! I hate injections, but I'd rather go thru this than have problems from blood clots etc. Kathy

I was bloated as well but it went down after about a week... I gained 2 inches around my waist! although the external scars are small remember they've been rooting around inside you so you'll be swollen from the trauma of surgery. Kathy

You're loosing inches then! My hubby is hoping I'll not lose too much up top!! Although its always anice excuse to go shopping for some sexy underwear!! Well done so far Kathy

That makes a lot of sense for me..... thanks!

Carole - he's good. This operations isn't without risks and you need to be in the best possible health going into it... so in order to avoid causing you and your family any more stress than you're already going thru its better to wait. I understand this must be SO frustrating... but you'll be that much fitter when you do have it done in the long run. Good luck with your follow up next week - let us know how you get on Kathy

Hi there Theres some good advice there.....I'll see if I can add anything: How many more appointments will i have before surgery - The amount of appts will be peculiar to the NHS so if you can find someone who has gotten it via them then thats your best bet - there is a UK part of the forum where you might find others as well as Jane going thru it... also many people lurk in the backgroudn rather than post so your question might evoke private messages relating to it. * Is all these appointments necessary If the NHS are footing the bill then I'd say yes - you have to be seen to be making the effort to do your part in the system as well. If you can go private then I did here in Spain (as an ExPat) and I had a first consult to talk things thru before making my decision who to go with, then having made the choice I did my pre op tests and met again with the surgeon before the op. Both times I saw the nutritionist and the shrink as well. * How are your emotions pre and post op Pre op - Scared, concerned, busy saying goodbye to foods you think you'll never eat again (but will!) trying to convince yourself that you should be able to do this on your own when you see how much weight others loose on the pre op diet. The pre op diet is hard..... you'll be hungry and I'd advise secluding yourself as much as possible to avoid temptation as its an important part to stick to to shrink your liver and to get yourself into as best shape for the op as possible - it also shows the Dr your commitment to change. Pre op try and get yourself into the mind set of smaller portions, not drinking with meals,sipping Water all day long. Post op - the first 48hrs were the worst for me theres a little bit of what have I done... but I think that is normal.... but after that when you get home its fine. I was scared to drink in hospital for the leak tests... scared to take my first pill even cut in half... had slight discomfort rather than pain but I have a high pain threshold. 2 weeks on seeing the drop in my weight boosts me 100% - I only wish I'd done it sooner. * How long till you are up on your feet again Like others have said I was up and walking the same day in the afternoon. I have walked every day but the first 7 days for me there was a huge lack of energy. I would say if I had to work that I would have been comfortable taking 2 weeks off to get my head around the drinking all day thing and now 2 weeks out I feel normal - the odd twinge but nothing bad. * Is there a limit what i could loose Your Surgeon will give you a ball park figure of what to expect, theres some on here that mould their diets to shift the weight as quick as possible while others take a more leisurely route. You will find a healthier eating plan will give the best results. * Does your mindset change post op Yes. I was obsessed with food 24/7. During my pre op I managed to get into the right place where I knew I had to stick to it... I went out for meals with others and only stuck to my liquids. Post op whereas I used to have huge portions now the thought of even contemplating a chicken breast is scary! I no longer feel hungry and I'm sure when i move onto mushies and normal food that'll lessen even more. Its like someone has waved a magic wand for me. * How long did it take to adapt yourself to new eating habits Can't really say as I'm not yet onto mushies... but it'll sound weird when I say you have no choice but to listen to your body - you can't eat large portions. The not drinking when eating thing will be the hardest thing for me to cope with. * Does the NHS have much to do with yourselves post op No idea.....but I would imagine as they have a vested interest then they'd have a few post op visits. Good luck - I don't think its a decision you'll ever regret! Kathy

See I was done a day before you and stalled for 3 days then lost 0.75lb..... but still a loss... so don't think I have hit it just yet, just a mini version!

Congrats!! Good to hear it all went well. Kathy

Another good thing to try and get into the habit of is not drinking with your meal or about half an hour afterwards....its amazing how hard that one is, especially if you eat out a lot.

HI and welcome Congrats on your date - I'm sure you'll find all the information you need on here together with loads of support too. Fire away with the questions if you have any Kathy