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

1. 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!!

1. 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.

1. 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)

1. 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 !!!

You may be eating to fast or to much just try little bits at a time Try tuna mayonnaise light ,porridge eggs and beans and dont forget to chew and eat slowly hope you get sorted soon

I had the heightened sense of smell and I put it down to bouts of nausea. I had the same when pregnant, could not stand the cooking smells. At almost 5 months now things are normalising and foods are beginning to smell and taste delicious. I skipped the mashed stage, just smelling and looking at pureed meat and veg made me gag. I ate pate, strained chicken soup, yogurt, readybrek, cream cheese and mashed egg mayo. I heard other say they had baby food but it wasnt for me. I hope you get it sorted soon, you can always go back a stage for a few days and then try again. We are not all the same.

Thank you so much for your support [emoji3059]. How long did you have exhaustion? Because I'm not eating a lot I feel exhausted after the slightest effort. X

Sent from my SM-G980F using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi all. Just wondered what apps are people using to track what they are eating/drinking please?

You may be eating to fast or to much just try little bits at a time Try tuna mayonnaise light ,porridge eggs and beans and dont forget to chew and eat slowly hope you get sorted soon

Thank you so much for your support. I have been eating the foods you suggested but they seem to get stuck and I feel nauseous quickly. Think I'll try to go back a stage and start again.[emoji3059]

Sent from my SM-G980F using BariatricPal mobile app

Have a look on pintrest there's loads off stuff from the different stages and recipes for protien drinks

19 hours ago, Charlie1810 said:

Hi all. Just wondered what apps are people using to track what they are eating/drinking please?

Hi, My Fitness Pal seems to be the most popular, I use it and it helps a lot.

When I looked at the start of this forum it mentioned members for the UK area here. I am from across another pond and live in Victoria Australia. Going for an RNY on the 9th of May 22. I am trying to find my way around this site. I would also like to know when and how I can enter my details about myself on the left hand size of this screen. Hope to hear from some-one.

18 minutes ago, Possum220 said:

When I looked at the start of this forum it mentioned members for the UK area here. I am from across another pond and live in Victoria Australia. Going for an RNY on the 9th of May 22. I am trying to find my way around this site. I would also like to know when and how I can enter my details about myself on the left hand size of this screen. Hope to hear from some-one.

Hi,

Hope you're well, welcome and great news about your surgery.

You have to use a computer to collate that section, it is in the top right section where the dropdown under your username is - it took me ages to figure it out!

4 minutes ago, Ngotsleeved said:

Hi,

Hope you're well, welcome and great news about your surgery.

You have to use a computer to collate that section, it is in the top right section where the dropdown under your username is - it took me ages to figure it out!

Thanks for the welcome.

I can get into my settings and details via the dropdown menu but it wont let me enter information. Maybe I need to wait until tomorrow. I just joined 2 hours ago. When I try to enter the details on my computer it just flips to the bottom of the page. Any other ideas please.

19 minutes ago, Possum220 said:

Thanks for the welcome.

I can get into my settings and details via the dropdown menu but it wont let me enter information. Maybe I need to wait until tomorrow. I just joined 2 hours ago. When I try to enter the details on my computer it just flips to the bottom of the page. Any other ideas please.

There is a bit which says "edit profile"

22 hours ago, Nikki@50 said:

Thank you so much for your support . How long did you have exhaustion? Because I'm not eating a lot I feel exhausted after the slightest effort. X

Sent from my SM-G980F using BariatricPal mobile app

TBH it took me until I could eat enough to get to about 500 calories. Then little by little I got stronger and begun to clean the house again. I still have days where I am vomiting a lot but they are getting less and less. Then all I do is huddle on the sofa again. Keep up with your liquids if you can x

2 hours ago, Ngotsleeved said:

There is a bit which says "edit profile"

yeah, I can get into the edit profile part

but that only wants my date of birth and where I live - nothing about height and weight etc.

2 hours ago, Possum220 said:

When I looked at the start of this forum it mentioned members for the UK area here. I am from across another pond and live in Victoria Australia. Going for an RNY on the 9th of May 22. I am trying to find my way around this site. I would also like to know when and how I can enter my details about myself on the left hand size of this screen. Hope to hear from some-one.

Hello Possum, Congrats on your surgery date, not long now. There are loads of Aussies on this site and its great because at any time someone will help no matter what time of day. To put your details in is really tricky till you get used to it. Use the little down arrow by your name at the top of the page. Go to 'My Surgery' Fill that in. Then at the side you will see 'My progress' I think thats what you need. You can also do a ticker here

22 hours ago, Charlie1810 said:

Hi all. Just wondered what apps are people using to track what they are eating/drinking please?

I use My fat Secret, hate the name but like the content. It knows all the UK supermarket foods

10 minutes ago, summerseeker said:

Hello Possum, Congrats on your surgery date, not long now. There are loads of Aussies on this site and its great because at any time someone will help no matter what time of day. To put your details in is really tricky till you get used to it. Use the little down arrow by your name at the top of the page. Go to 'My Surgery' Fill that in. Then at the side you will see 'My progress' I think thats what you need. You can also do a ticker here

Yay! Thanks for your help summerseeker. That was successful. I think I will have to write that down so I dont forget how to do it next time. I will see if I can dig that little ticker up. You are doing well by your stats. Do you feel better in yourself?