_Kate_

Wow, congratulations. Amazing !

Don’t. Please just don’t. It’s not worth it. I used to be morbidly obese. Now I’m skinny. And an alcoholic. Every day is a fight.

I have hashimotos and the weight dropped off at the beginning. We are all different so don’t beat yourself up for not losing at the same rate as anyone else... A loss is a loss, so well done ! ?

Whohoooooo best wishes for the surgery and a speedy recovery !

First one is day of surgery (23/07/2015) Second is after surgery Third is Christmas day, 5 months out and 90.2llbs down. I have gone from a UK 24 (USA 20) to a UK 14 or some 12's (USA 10/8) . I'm absolutely over the moon with happiness !! BELIEVE IN YOURSELF, WORK HARD AND REAP THE REWARDS

@@sam42 Greek yogurt (best is Total Farge 0% which you can get in Tescos) There are lots of Greek ones but watch the carbs! Cottage cheese, eggs, Milk (highish in carbs though, until in mantenance) Ground beef, turkey, chicken and fish, salmon, halibut shrimps, sardines, light tuna in Water ... Pork is high in Protein too. ( I had fillet of pork with a tiny bit of apple sauce, sprouts, cauliflower and a couple of asparagus for dinner tonight # yum) The Protein powder can be added to coffee (decaf!) and Soups but don't add it when the drink/soup is hot or it will curdle. I also love my protein latte which I have every morning at work. Check out www.myprotein.com - and www.discountsuppliments.com I order a lot through myprotein.com.

@@taysidebell I do, I love it. I used it on and off before having the surgery too and feels it really does keep me accountable.

You need to really work towards getting a minimum of 60g of protein if you can Sam. I know it's hard early on but it's vital.

It is Sam!!!

@@taysidebell Nice to meet you and congratulations on such a great weight loss!

@vsghyster Nice to meet you! I usually have more Protein, calories and less carbs than yourself but that doesn't work with everyone. I guess its finding out what works for you regarding weight loss. Pain in the backside trying to figure it all out, isn't it!! Personally I don't feel you are eating enough calories and protein seeing as you are working out 4/5 times a week. Does your dietitian have any suggestions about that? Are you noting down everything you are eating and drinking? It's trial and error at times to see what works for you. Best of luck!!

@@sam42 I used Optimum Nutrition and usually get it from Amazon, although if you shop around you might find it cheaper. I loved it before the surgery and still love it. I usually have double chocolate or milk chocolate. It's quite sweet so I mix it with 8 oz of Water and it always keeps me satisfied.

@chrisredjeep Its a shame they don't do samples in the UK, like they do elsewhere. Would save a lot of money in the long run. I think I was just lucky with mine, I loved them pre op and I am still loving them now.

Having been here a few months now, it’s become obvious that it’s so different for people having weight loss surgery in the UK. Procedures here before WLS is different. Most of the people over the pond have it through their insurance and this means a lot of pre operation meetings/assessments/work, over many months. In some ways I feel this is good, as people get to learn so much before having their surgery. However that’s not the usual way here in the UK. You tend to learn ‘in the moment’. If you are eligible for WLS through the National Health Service, you may have to wait for a long time, 2 to 3 or up to 10 years unless you are at the stage where your weight is life or death. So, many fund it themselves. I think this site is excellent for advice and support however it does mainly tend to show what happens in the States, where you can buy certain things and what’s available. So here’s a few things (not exclusive, would love it if others add stuff here too) I have learnt in my very short weeks since surgery. PLEASE can we all add our own likes/dislikes, UK advice etc etc Bariatric cookery books are excellent however there are many other options to learn about pre and post op foods. My dietitian is great but I have learnt so much through researching online. There are so many Bariatric Centres all over the world showing what you can eat pre ad post op and as long as you add a dash of common sense, it can work well. For example; if I read from a Bariatric Centre that I could eat tuna on day 3, I would be clicking the X asap!! Centrum advantage chewable Vitamins are lovely and recommended by UK Dietitians for post bariatric surgery. Tesco’s have them on offer at the moment, 3 for 2. They have carbs, but balancing a few carbs for nice tasting vitamins isn’t going to kill me for the time being. Keep your fridge/cupboard stocked once you know what goes down well for you. Don’t spend too much in advance in case you don’t like it. I spent a lot on liquid Iron without asking around and my god, it was disgusting. I took it twice then threw it away. I could have asked here and go advice but I didn’t. (see below) Use this UK forum to keep in touch with others in the UK to ask for and pass on advice. We aren’t the minority in the world for WLS however we are a small group here. Make friends here, they can be the best support you can ask for! OVER TO YOU !!!