Madam Reverie

I did a bucket load of scientific research (I had access to academic research journal articles). On balance and unless you're super-morbidly obese or have serious health considerations (diabetes, critically high blood pressure), the Sleeve is better.. What is your BMI?

Lots of prayers and positive vibes heading your way. Best of luck to your husband and family today x

And on Sesame Street today, we shall be learning about 'Narrative Modes' and the difference between them... <bashes her head on the desk repeatedly and falls off her chair blissfully unconscious>

I agree with all of the above. As unappealing as it sounds; do this one on your own. As Laura says, you'll soon make friends whilst you're there and then it won't seem so bad. I wish you the best of luck x

You can have soup till your hearts content! I've been consuming soup till its coming out of my ears. I'm sick of it. I desperately want flavour and I desperately need texture! i want real food!

That's awesome! Well done to both of you! x

You are one brave lady. Well done for hanging on in there and still being optimistic! An inspiration.

Oh, love. With respect, sounds like your 80hr work week is taking its toll... Is there anything you've identified you like to eat that has 'reasonably' 'good' nutritional value, is quick to obtain and reasonably easy to eat? Unless your nutritionist is sat on your shoulder and given the fact that you sound a bit burnt out, I'd be eating anything you can that fits into your lifestyle and doesn't make you feel completely despondent. Hell, how is your nutritionist going to know anyhow? As long as your bloods come back right and your weight moves in the right direction. I'd be getting 'creative' on your food diary! If the surgery wasn't your idea, I don't quite understand how this surgery could be 'forced' on you - as it would infringe your human rights and would actually constitute a criminal offence! (Which I'm sure you think is accurate!) But that aside, if it was prescribed for your health and you agreed that something had to be done, then I guess it's something you're going to have to adapt to. I'm sure that is tough and I can fully understand your resentment in that regard. As an adult you have total agency over what you choose to do - you don't have to do what you're told all the time. Maybe just try and work within the framework they provide and claim back enough control to feel a little bit happier? Judging by how hard you clearly work, however, the first thing I'd be looking to do is to cut back on some of those working hours, if you can. You deserve a break. Wishing you the best of luck x

Maybe he thought you were going to drink the vinegar whilst chowing down on a large one?! lol (sorry, that was infantile, but moderately amusing in my head nonetheless!) x

If you don't mind me asking - how did the leak feel? How did you know you had one? It sounds horrifically scary and I'm sorry that happened to you

I was told by my consultant surgeon that the biggest risk is the first 3 days. The degree of risk is still very high through weeks 1 & 2, then with every week it gets better, but you have to be careful. The risk is drastically reduced - to eliminated at the 6 month mark.

Hehe, funny combination. I drink coffee, with skimmed milk, every so often. As for pickles, I had a craving for that last night. I took a small bite of one and although chewing the hell out of it and it tasted amazing; it hit my stomach and my stomach gave me gas as pay back! It wasn't painful gas, I hasten to add.. but I was gassy!

I was given Heinz tomato soup on day two in the hospital! So, based on that - and the fact it went down pretty well. Go for it!

What rules, exactly, are you referring to? Are you having to account for every morsel that passes your lips to the nutritionist?

Well, as of this evening, I think I have officially broken up with all of it. I got hummus, cream cheese, chicken paste and finely chopped coleslaw, I had two mini ritz crackers and made sure I chewed the ever-living-hell out of it, whilst moistening it in my mouth with water. It tasted out of this world. I think mentally and anatomically, I'm ready to go to stage three - mushies. Go to see the surgeon and bariatric nurse tomorrow, so I'll see if I can get 'holy' sanction from them!

Yo! People! Be careful of making assumptions. The OP said nothing about being married....

That is CRAZY! You've all lost, like, half of yourselves! Truly amazing. Well done x

My man is a card-carrying American from the deep South. His diet consists of: Fried Chicken, Bacon, Mash Taters (as he likes to call them), Gravy, Collard Greens (which he can't get in the UK), Beef, Burgers, Ribs, Hog Roast, Chickens (usually eaten whole), Red Bull, Coffee by the gallon load and if he could get him some pie... He'd be chowing down on that every evening, too. (I have promised to make him some, soon, when I am not craving anything which isn't a yoghurt/protein thing.) He loves me - fat, thin or indifferent. He knows I eat waaaay more healthily than he does (and this was before my surgery and will continue on afterwards). The gross injustice of it all, is that whilst I was eating my 5 portions of fruit and veg a day, nice lean protein and admittedly faaaar too many carbs; I was the fat one and he, who has the metabolism of an athlete, was as lean as a fighting machine. (Although, in truth, I suspect his BP is up and his cholesterol levels aren't so clever.) But, I had the surgery and I am eating what I should and what I can. 4 days after surgery, I even stood in the kitchen and made him a roast chicken dinner with all the trimmings (and made him eat a whacking great portion of veg as compensation for my cooking it! Ha!) My advice? If you're doing most of the shopping and cooking, you cook what YOU want to cook. In fairness, most men don't care what's served up to them, as long as it's tasty and filling and they don't have to cook it. If your man desires a bit of badness? Let him. Just don't be around him when he eats it. My man brought some fries home one evening and I was nearly beating my chest with frustration and crying my eyes out with longing. It turns out, it wasn't the fries I was craving. It was the salt. So I went into the kitchen and broke off a bit of a bullion cube and put it in my mouth. Job done. As Endless identified; if you're on the way to checking out before you have this done, it isn't going to get much better afterwards. Searching for 'valid' reasons to call it a day under the guise of 'well, you just don't want to share my healthy endeavours', is both weak and unfair to him. If you have nagging doubts which aren't related to the surgery and diet, have the balls to evaluate what it is that's bothering you and tell him accordingly. He deserves that much, at least? Wish you the best of luck x

Indeed.. I know why we have to do it, I respect why we have to do it, but for the love of sweet jesus.. It is tough! Someone should make some bariatric food that actually tastes of something..

Hehe, very cool!

I would just like to state that if I EVER have to see, or consume, another yoghurty/milky/protein shakey item after the liquid diet stage EVER again, I will commit Hari-Kari. This is not a threat, this is an absolute fact. Many thanks for your kind attention.

I chose the route 'tell them when it's a done deal'. Your FIL knows. Thats good enough in my books. If you know her, you know how she'll react; is it worth gearing yourselves up for a rollicking? A berating that will infiltrate your minds, impact upon your mood and confidence in the decision you both, as adults, already made? If it were me? I'd tell her when it's a fete accompli... If you want her on board and want her to eventually be supportive? Suck it up, sit her down with the FIL in the room, too (although be careful how you let her know that he knew first) and say it as it is. Be bold, be balsy and make it clear that you respect her opinion which is why you're telling her, but this is already a done deal and you want her to be there for you. However, the terms of her being informed is that she either climbs on board (as your minds are already made up) or she keeps her own counsel and lets you two, plus the FIL, get on with it. Best of luck! x

Did someone mention 'bread'. Hot, buttered, fresh bread? Oh dear lord... <passes out on the floor with a thud in a reverie of ecstasy>

If I may enquire? Why did you chew it up and spit it out? Were you very soon out of your surgery? I know that it is laden with all sorts of badness, but if you only had a little bit, would that be the end of the world? Personally, if I had a lump of gorgeousness like that in my mouth, I would not be spitting it out! x

I was told leg cramps are ALL about the potassium... Nasty thing to suffer from. I feel for you x