summerseeker

Congratulations, it sure feel great to just be overweight doesn't it. I remember your struggles. You had it tough. Are you managing to eat better now ? I am happy at this weight so am not bothering with going down another category even if my GP says it would be good for me.

I would imagine running around after two small tots you really don't need any more exercise. You have done remarkably well considering. You may never get to your goal weight, not everyone does. I will say if you want to run at it then it may be slow going. The nearer you get then the harder and slower the weight loss will get. Your restriction should still be there, could you still have a chat with your team for guidance ? I have picked up a few tips that I have stored on the back burner just in case I need them in the future. Go back to basics, Eat good clean food. Protein first, vegetables and fruit second and then add in the carbs. Track your foods on a app, everyone has their fav. Weigh your food because your luck will be out just eyeballing it now. I am maintaining on 1500 cals and loose on anything lower than that. I walk but its cold and wintery here yet so I am not inspired to get out at the moment. If I did I could perhaps eat a little more. Good luck

There are a few ancients on here. I was 62. I had a few issues with the surgery early on. My scars always swell and my internal stitch line was no different. It took a while for the swelling to go down so that I could eat again. I lost slow but continually for two years until I had found a weight that pleased me. I then increased my calories to stabilise and its working. I have massive amounts of loose skin. At my age the elasticity went years ago. This seems to be the only issue for older patients.

Absolutely no clue where the runny nose or sneezing comes from. It does signal that you have eaten enough though.

I had a really physical job and could do really restricted diets without a problem. Three times I lost 70 pounds and three times I regained and added 30 pounds more. Then I retired, got old, covid happened, stopped smoking, got ailments etc. At around 350 pounds I was classed as disabled I could not diet and exercise anymore, I couldn't stick to a restricted diet. I stopped enjoying life and hid at home. I wanted to end the cycle of diet and regain +. I clutched at a chance of stability and am really working to keep my weight off. So far its easier than before.

Lots of us struggle with drinking. Its the easiest thing in the world to do pre surgery but we have to almost relearn how to sip. I assure you, you will get there but it does take a monumental effort on your part. Then you will feel so much better. I think it took me 6 weeks to master. One day soon you will gulp a drink by mistake and it will not hurt. Never put your drink down, its so easy to forget if you do. Some use little ounce cups and set timers but that was way too regimented for the lazy side of me. Take a drink to bed with you, having Fibromyalgia has me always on the move, so if I turn over, I still drink.

Isn't it the worst thing that we have to raise our own funds to get healthy but in the long run I have to say its worth the thousands of pounds. I wish the NHS was in better shape but I think that those days have long gone. So congratulations on getting your ducks in a row, even if you had to sell your home to do it. I had two very full weeks of food funerals, my dietician actually told me to go for it. So I did. I had my favourite takeaways, Chinese 3 times, fish and chips and a very hot and spicy curry or two. I ate at a few of my best loved restaurants, Italian and Thai. I made barbecued ribs and had baked spuds with lots of butter with them. Its a while since but there would have been ice cream, chocolate and cake involved and a full English with plenty of homemade bread with Lurpak butter. Hehe I really went for it didn't I

You look amazing my bariatricpal friend. I especially love the cornflower blue outfit on you. Onederland feels so good, go get it because you really do deserve it.

I didn't dare give myself goals. I had my heart broken too many times. Every sure fire diet got my hopes up and then it failed and I crashed. I had hopes of loosing 70lbs because I had done this before three times. When I began getting NSV's these really boosted me. I had rid myself of diabetes, blood pressure and water retention. These meant so much more than the numbers on the scales. I doubled my expectations and I love my saggy skinned old woman body now. For the first time since I was six years old, I fit in this world.

This is all great advice. Apart from family, In the 2 + years since surgery, I have told the 3 obese people who asked, the real truth. The rest are just nosey and want gossip. I live in a small town where people know everybody and everyone. Gossip is like gold dust. People love to talk about themselves, I go with - nice nails, hair, dress etc. Where did you get them ? By the end of that conversation you can say, great to see you, I am running late, lets meet at a later date blah blah.

This is great advice. I would also ask to speak to the surgeon and clarify the information the rest of his team are giving you. You are on a very restricted diet already, your body will not drop more weight easily without time. Its wrong of them to expect this. Speak out.

Stalls are the worst but you will get used to them and congratulations on your great weight loss. This is what I learned to do on holidays. Breakfasts at hotels are an easy choice for us. Plenty of good choices to be had. Look at every restaurant menu, study it and decide what is good for you before you are seated. I imagine there will be a fridge in your hotel room, stock it with protein yogurt, protein bars and protein drinks. Deli meats, cheese and nuts and seeds are good snack options if you can tolerate them. If at any time you get hungry and there is nothing on the menu - a glass of milk or a skinny latte are really good options If the trip involves a long car journey, plan ahead and pack your meals, drinks and snacks in a cool box. Here is where others will chip in and help you for sure. Enjoy your holiday

I looked at the price. Sleeve was 5K less than bypass I chatted to the surgeon. He recommended Sleeve I had sleeve. With hindsight, I should have opted for Bypass because I have post surgery GERD I flipped when I should have flopped as we say here

You poor thing, I feel for your past self.

No you have not stretched your pouch with just one 5 oz meal. Fact In a few weeks your restriction will kick in. Your internal stitches and staples will have healed and you will begin to feel so full. Its easier then to know your signals. Now you need to look for sneezing or a runny nose as full signals. Thats why you are given the weights to stick to. You could tear your stitch line its so new. It is often said on here, Just because you can does not mean you should

Hello Irene, Welcome in here and congratulations on your surgery date. You will find a March 2024 group on here that you can join. Don't read anything on the net. Scare stories are not needed. This surgery is very safe. This forum is a safe place. Stick to your teams advice, There is not a single person on here who has the same regime as you, pre or post op. Don't buy loads of things you think you may need. Our tastes buds change after surgery because of Ketosis. Just buy a few of a selection of protein shakes. You may want to buy pain meds if you are not in the UK. You will not need much at the hospital. Go in clothes that you can go home in. Take a Chapstick and some Biotin. Some people take a phone charger with a long lead. You might want to use a recliner chair for sleeping, if you have one. I didn't and had to sleep upright in bed for a while and a recliner would have been easier. I had a bed wedge and lots of pillows. If you have a pre op diet they are tough for the first 4 or 5 days but its worth it in the end. You will have a weight loss stall at 2-3 weeks. You have not done anything wrong. You may get over emotional and / or get the regrets at this time. Our hormones are in the fat cells and releasing them in such a hurry makes our hormones go on a wild ride.

You will only get help and kindness here but we are not surgeons or dieticians. We can only help so much. We always recommend a visit with your team if possible. If you are not eating well and not getting enough liquids in then your body is holding every little calorie it can because you are in starvation mode. You will not loose weight, your body is in charge of this. If you can not get water down and you could a while back then you have a narrowing/ swelling in your new tummy and it needs a little easy tweak to stretch it back out. Its called a stricture. If this is something you have had from the beginning then you are forcing too much food and or drink in at once. Small sips of drinks, they can be hot, cold or frozen see which might work . Once you have mastered drinking, then pare down the foods to really soft, protein based ones again. Chew well and add sauces, it helps. Soft eggs, protein yogurt, soft cheese etc. Only eat a small amount, say 1 - 2 ounces and see if you can keep the foamies at bay. Foamies happen when your stomach rejects the food or drink it does not want that day. It may have been ok the day before but.... today, oh no you are not putting any more of that in me ... I haven't exercised as such, I was too decrepit too start with and I lack motivation now so I walk a few miles a week. Exercise doesn't really count for much weight loss unless its marathon running or such.

I am so sorry. You really have been treated badly. How can they plan surgeries this way ? I have never come across this before. I don't know who you can complain too, but I would be doing it. I went to a private hospital, Spire, worth every penny.

Whoa, be careful with the salt, It will dehydrate you more. If I could suggest something, get some cranberry juice and get as much down you as possible. Its great for bladder issues. Lots of us are not allowed food for a few weeks and I know that until I got onto real solid food and anti nausea tablets that I suffered terribly.

I had the menopause in my very early 40's and this surgery at 62. The only things that I have noticed a difference are - My hair had already thinned so I got really worried at one stage and had to cut it really short, I can notice my scalp with wet hair but hide it after styling. - My skin is a mess. I lost elasticity after menopause. I have decided to not have the surgery. It looks too brutal and having to pay myself it would be out of my reach for all the work I would need. I have lost a huge amount of weight and mostly without exercise or having a busy work life. I had a lot of long stalls but I tried not to compare myself with others who were storming along. You will get there in the end, Have a chat with your team. I found it useful.

I had zero interest in food, If I am honest, apart from my breakfast yogurt and fruit, I could easily go without food. I have little appetite. Early on I had serious nausea issues. I cooked and discarded so much food in the early days. I gave pureed foods a wide berth. Pureed meat just was not for me. My team were sympathetic and said to just do my best. At this time I found protein yogurts and they helped me along. Eggs took me 18 months to accept. Chicken took over two years for me to manage a small piece. Pasta and potatoes are still off my menu. I have just begun to eat homemade bread again and I can manage about a Tbsp of rice. Cooked salmon is seriously off my menu. Its made me ill so many times since surgery that I have a phobia. I force myself to eat meat, Cheese is a huge favourite, especially paired with fruit. TBH, My weight is stable and my labs keep coming back ok, so I am skinny and happy. You will figure it out for yourself. Don't feel pressured by others who you think are doing 'better' than you.

Wow, You have done so well. You look amazing. I bet you feel a million dollars

Fully skimmed milk with added dried milk powder or protein yogurt is a great alternative and the protein count is great. Much cheaper too. My surgeon was very against protein shakes. I added banana and / or sugar free nut butter to mine.

If they are obese and interested then I will tell them. [ 3 people] Other wise I have just said - You haven't seen me much because of Covid and such so you don't know how hard I worked for 4 + years. Oh I have done so much walking blah blah blah.

I have zero help or info for you but Massive congratulations on the weight loss and your pregnancy.