Hi all

I have booked my op for 18th April 2016 with Beautiful Beings in Czech Republic. Nervous, excited and scared are just some the feelings I'm getting.

I've had relatively little information from BB, they've just said 'eat healthily' until I go and to take Omeprazole twice daily. There's loads of silly questions that keep popping up, like:-

• What should I pack?
• How will I get my bag in the storage unit above my head on the plane on my way home?
• Is there a shop in the hospital, how much Czech money will I need?

Has anyone else been who can answer these for me, any help appreciated.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous about the op but truthfully, I think it's a positive thing I'm doing. Whatever the outcome, I can't be any more miserable than I am now. I can barely walk couple of hundred yards without huffing and puffing, my knees are killing me, I go up and down stairs like a two year old, one at a time, nothing fits me and when it does, I look horrible. Everything I own looks like a huge black bin bag etc....

Two years ago I lost five-and-a-half stone on the Cambridge diet but I've put it all back on in less than half the time it took me to loose it. I'm so angry with myself but I'm sure a lot of you have been there.

All in all, I'm feeling pretty good about the op and am raring to go.

I sometimes have Farleys Rusks for breakfast or Oat So Simple or just a yoghurt. As I've never eaten eggs I don't miss them. What about a soggy weetabix?

Soggy weetabix have been my absolute life savers for the last couple of days. I even got the "extra protein" ones (every little helps I suppose?)

I'm going to check out rusks, and might feel brave enough to have a go with oat so simple tomorrow morning!

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Oh Rosie, Rosie, RosieCheeks!!!!! You have let the Glesca IrnBru brigade down but, it has to be said, in a very good cause! My husband is from Coatbridge so he knows all about IrnBru addiction. I of course am originally from the opposite side so didn't develop quite such an addiction, I just stuck to food!!!! Lots of food!!!!!!

Back on track today with the food intake back to normal. Head no longer hanging in shame. By the way VSGMB, don't worry about the 400 calories. Just get your protein and water in and let everything else just wait for a bit. I had protein shakes, soup, gallons of tea and water for the first couple or three weeks and I'm still alive and kicking. Told you, don't stress. No point wasting what energy you've got on something as negative as stress!

Just got home to Surrey from our quick visit to Droitwich so need to hunker down with the dogs and cats and get some rest. Husband drove home like the 54 year old boy racer that he likes to think he is (in MY car) and how he didn't get nicked for speeding God only knows! Even the dogs in the back seat were shielding their eyes with their paws as they watched the countryside by the M40 flash by!!!! Husband got severe reprimand for childish behaviour and for nearly missing M25 turn off. Think I need a Valium due to my stress levels having gone through the sunroof! Does anyone know of a foolproof way to train one's nearest and dearest to act their age not shoe size?!

@@VSGMB How you getting on?

@@Lulu - where have you disappeared to?

@Jinty - men never grow up!

Working on my research and waiting for the visa appointment next week. Doing Keratin treatment tomorrow at home :-)

You know how you know you're obese but picture it differently in your mind then your friends take videos of you and you're shocked of how you look and like 'omg, am I really that obese...'

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Wasn't even a video with me Lulu-just a pic taken along with a bunch of other retired ballet dancers and I was the only big 'barrellina' there. Just the grand battement up the rear that I needed!!!!!

@@RosieCheeks I'm doing much better thanks- have managed oatmeal and a little fish pie over the last couple of day, which has been really exciting! (Lame!)

Boyfriend has now hidden the scales save for my once a week weigh day.. I was getting a bit obsessive I think!

I still need to concentrate on my protein intake- it's just so hard when everything you eat is mushy! Oh well- couple more weeks and I'll be trying new, not mushy foods!

How's things with you?

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@@VSGMB I'm ticketyboo ta. I'm still struggling with chicken so just avoiding it for now. I've bought some tasteless protein powder and just add it to everything. You just stir it in, sometimes get wee lumps in soup but it's fine. I was struggling with protein before that but now averaging 60-70g a day.

Think I over-ate last night. I'm careful usually and weigh out no more than a total meal of 200g but there was a wee bit of mash left over so I threw it in but boy did I suffer. I didn't even finish it but my 'off' switch kicked in big time. I felt like my stomach was going to burst so not doing that again.

I made a lovely protein green smoothie today if anyone is still looking for food ideas

Thanks Perforce but I'll pass, I loathe smoothies, can't bear the texture.

Jinty love that barrelina expression. Will definitely work that into the conversation with friends tomorrow !

Did you guys do a barium swallow test before surgery?

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No, in our clinic we had a gastroscopy, which is a camera down the throat.

@@RosieCheeks @@Lulu_lulu the gastroscopy was probably one of the worst bits for me!

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The gastroscopy was vile but thankfully over quite quickly. I got through it by thinking of the end result.