sanks51

I too have no idea what size bougie my Dr used. I'm not sure knowing what size yours was has anymore of an impact on your weightloss. For me it's just another unnecessary thing to obsess over. We are all so different and unique in our pre op and post op experiences. There is no 'one size fits all' on this VSG journey. I say just embrace your journey with whatever you have and go for it.

I was 397lbs the morning of my surgery. I'm down 104lbs and I'm almost 7 months out. My advice is 'don't sweat the small stuff' and Good Luck!!

Fantastic!! You look super skinny!!

Amazing weightloss!! Well Done!!

I did not track until I was 2 months post op. I tended to eat when I felt hungry and if I could only tolerate a bite that was all I had. My consultant (UK) seems a lot more laid back than the USA ones and we had a lot less guidelines to follow, and definitely none of the rigorous tests and procedures you guys have to go through. For the first two weeks post op, I couldn't tolerate a stitch of protein in any form and basically lived on very diluted ice tea. Everyone's journey is so unique and I think at the end of the day, you will find your own rhythm. Good Luck!!

Well Done everybody!! We are all well on our journey to a healthier, smaller version of ourselves. I was 397lbs the morning of my op, 2/16/13 - no pre-op diet required by my consultant and my most current weigh in, last week, I was 293lbs!! That's a loss of 104lbs. So super pleased with my journey although I still have a 'weigh' to go ????

I have saved a pair of my jeans and a top. For me it's a reminder hanging there of what I never want to be again ever. My jeans were a 32 and my top was a 30.. They take up more room in the wardrobe than smaller clothes!!

I second this!! Your body is beautiful.. Mine on the other hand!!

Check out this website.. 100's of homemade protein bars of all shapes, sizes and flavours http://www.proteinpow.com/p/recipes-by-category.html?m=1

Thanks for this recipe.. It sounds divine!!

My BMI was 55 when I started, I've lost 103lbs and it's now 40.6.. Work in progress but this girl is breaking barriers

Wow, your collage of Photos is wonderful!! You look amazing and best of all.. It looked like you had the perfect summer!! Fantastic, thanks for sharing!!

This is a great thread.. Here in the UK, people seem so reserved to just say.. Wow you've lost weight so what they say is 'wow, you look well!!' At first it annoyed me they couldn't just acknowledge my weightloss.. Hey I know I was super fat before.. But now I'm getting used to it, and take it as the compliment it was meant to be! I'm far from skinny and still have at least 100lbs to loose but one of my friends called me 'skinny mini' that was a massive compliment. Other compliments that spur me on are just generally how I'm looking healthier, smaller, half my size.. And then the encouragement to keep going!! Weirdest comment was my dad.. Cringe.. You've lost your boobs!! Yes dad, I know they were enormous but just keep the thought to yourself!! Happy Monday all

There is a fantastic book on Amazon called 'The Paleo Primer' by Keris Marsden. They have taken the UK by storm, their food is healthy, nutritious and gluten/wheat free.. Recipes are so easy to follow and can easily be adapted to weightloss or maintenance. Highly recommend!!!

I'm on the Depo injection and I continued throughout pre and post op. I had 6 weeks of heparin injections twice a day post op to minimise the risk of DVT.

I'm from the UK. Paid for my band privately in 2008 and had band to sleeve revision on the NHS February 2013. It was a long road. Was 180kg now I'm 133.1kg in less than 7 months. I'm so grateful I was given this opportunity. My journey has been smooth sailing.

After two years of having issues with my band, I went to see a consultant. I really, really wanted a bypass as I had failed miserably with the band!! Straight out he said he would do the sleeve! The bypass was not even an option he mentioned. I was absolutely distraught and cried and cried. However, today I'm the happiest I've been for a very long time. I'm almost 7 months post op and have lost 104lbs. My start weight was 397lbs. My sleeve has been a Godsend and I'm so happy he never entertained the thought of a bypass. Band to sleeve revision peeps are having great successes

You can make a fantastic Protein Powder recipe called Protein Fluff.. It's like a mousse in texture. Also look at the Protein Pow app.. So many delicious recipes all made with various Protein Powders. Anna Sward has a book out too but I find the app is great, as I move around a lot. On her website you can find recipes for protein crepes which you could fill with strawberries and Greek yoghurt etc. It's a brilliant way to use up protein powders as they taste quite different when you cook with them.

Congratulations!! You look amazing.

You look absolutely fantastic!! Well done on the brilliant weightloss.

I'm also on solids now but still make (I'll talk USA lingo) zucchini like that every now and again. It's delicious!! I also now make zucchini pasta ribbons (julienne peeler) and in a lasagne use them as the pasta!! growing some in my dad's garden at the moment!!

Well done!

I had my band just over 3.5years. I had no heartburn whatsoever during this time but once I had the band removed... it came with a vengeance. My doctor prescribed 20mg omeprazole first thing every morning which took it away completely. I had my sleeve done in Feb 2013 and my doctor doubled the dosage to 40mg. On the odd day I've forgotten to take them, I have experienced heartburn, but nothing an antacid has not cured.

I had my band in May 2008, had it removed in January 2012. I had to wait 13 months till my sleeve in Febraury 2013. Band removal was easy, I had a bit of pain but after 4 days or so I was fine. I did gain about 88lbs. I had no pre op diet. What a fantastic life post gastric band!! Sleeve was the best thing that happened to me.

When I was on soft or mushy foods I used to take a courgette (think you guys call the zucchini) and I used to cut it into rings. I boiled in a little bit of chicken stock till it all broke up and kinda became mushy.. served with salt and pepper to taste and a teeny knob of butter (or not)