My surgeon keeps asking me to try wholewheat bread - he says its for the fiber.

I went and got the lowest carb variety I could find. I know that gluten is also an issue.

So I had a quarter of a piece this morning with some tuna.

I have the worst gas ever! This is also my first week back in the office and I am slightly embarrased because I keep burping (luckily I work with all men who find this very amusing).

Does anyone else get bad gas from bread? I am not having any pain, just stupid gas.

Would toasting make it easier?

I have had a few days of illness, but getting better. I don’t know if its because of a tummy bug or trying to get used to new foods, time will tell. I have a new love for steamed salmon.

Lost 30 pounds so far, and going to walk more from next week.

The ketosis has some bad side effects - ie bad breath - but will hopefully clear before I go back to work.

Down three more pounds today.

Total pounds lost: 25

Woohoo!

This is the best soup ever - I added some boneless skinless chicken breasts to it for extra flavour and protein, and next time will add some frozen mixed veggies for a more pot-pie taste

Creamy Potato Chowder

3 T. olive oil
3 T. butter
1 sweet onion, diced
2 carrots, shredded
5 T. flour
1 t. salt (to taste)
1/2 t. nutmeg
1/2 t. black pepper
3 c. (FF) Half & Half OR milk
1 (15oz) can chicken broth OR 2 cups homemade
5-6 c. diced potatoes (more if you like it really thick with stuff!!)

In a large stockpot, heat oil and butter. Add onion and carrots and let simmer away on medium-low until onions are soft (15 minutes). Add flour and seasoning and stir well. Add remaining ingredients. Simmer over LOW heat for about 2-3 hours, stirring frequently. The long simmer makes it nice and thick and lets the flavors meld wonderfully!!! Don’t be impatient! 10 servings

With fat-free half & half:
Per Serving: 199 Cal; 4 g Protein; 9 g Tot Fat; 26 g Carb; 1 g Fiber; 5 g Sugar; 249 mg Sodium

With regular half & half:
Per Serving: 250 Cal; 5 g Protein; 16 g Tot Fat; 23 g Carb; 1 g Fiber; 1 g Sugar; 175 mg Sodium

So far, the amount I have lost is 21 pounds or 9.54 kilos.

I am still very tired and uncomfortable where they put the drain into my abdomen (its out now) but I feel my strength is getting better. I am trying to walk around the house as much as possible, and I can stand long enough to enjoy my shower without worry in the mornings.

I still have 6 wounds on my chest and abdomen, which are still healing. These make wearing a bra hard, because the top entrance point is right smack dab in the middle of where my bra goes. Once the stitches have dissolved and the wound is healed this will be much easier.

I am struggling to find sugar free drinks, ice lollies, yoghurts and the like. People don’t realise that I can have ABSOLUTLY NO SUGAR. Even those slimfast drinks have tons of it in. Read the labels on the stuff you buy and you will quickly see

On the plus side, Tescos is now carrying the lactose free milk I need - a BIG bonus! I think I will stick with Tesco’s from now on, they tend to carry the healthy items I need more easily.

SOOOO, if you have any recommendations for sugar free items, I am particulary looking for ice cream and drinking chocolate, let me know.

Due to complications in surgery, I will be in hospital for a few more days.

This (private) hospital is great, they actually put patient care before checklists!

So, once I get home, I will probably still spend 90% of the day in bed - full of co-codamol (the only thing that seems to sure my migraine that I have had since surgery on Tuesday).

Any suggestions on boredom remedies?

I got to start a liquid diet this morning and had redy break for the first time. Its the same thing as cream of wheat and I loved it! So its now my staple breakfast, 3 spoonfuls with some sweet and low, until I am allowed to eat eggs - yum!

I have been craving brocolli and spinach and fish. Perhaps my iron and protein levels are too low. In a few weeks, when I can have solids, I will steam some fish and broccoli - can’t wait!

Dr Robert Bohannon, a Durham, North Carolina, molecular scientist, has invented caffinated donuts and bagels.

Bohannon says he’s developed a way to add caffeine to baked goods, without the bitter taste of caffeine. Each piece of pastry is the equivalent of about two cups of coffee.

Would you eat one? I sure in the hell would - if they make a sugar free version for us gastric bypass people.

Perhaps food mash-ups are the future?
How about a loaf of bread with crisps on the outside? Or a steak with frenchfries in the middle?

What are some of the foods you would like to see mashed/merged?

I never thought I would say this, but I am really starting to hate soup!

An all liquid diet - because of the upcoming surgery - is not the most fun diet in the world, but I am getting there, who knew that my love of lentils would pay off?

Today, I start a liquid diet, although I have conflicting messages from the surgeons secretary. Luckily I am a doctor myself and know that either way, it will be a good thing. I plan on ringing the secretary later to double check.

Since coming back from a vacation in the US on the 5th, I have lost 7 pounds by cutting out sugar and most bread from my diet. It’s amazing what thinking “how much nutritional value does this food have” changes your way of thinking.

Anyway, been clearing my closets out, and have tons of stuff to give away. I am going to donate them to the local epilepsy charity, seeing as its a charity I hold close to my heart.

Does anyone have an good recipes for a liquid diet?

Does anyone know of any websites that ship internationally for sugar free? It is difficult here - I have only found one brand of sugar free ice lollies (popsicles) and nothing in regards to ice cream, flavoured oatmeal, etc. Crystal Light is not sold here either I am thinkin of having some iced tea with splenda or maybe sugar free kool-aid - I have that shipped here.

I imagine I will be eating alot of creamy mashed potatoes and a little bit of chicken when I can stomach it, and I am hoping that my disdain for fish taste, fish smell, and most things fishy will be gone when I wake up…

I am having my gastric bypass soon.

The reasons I want need this surgery:
I want to live past 50.
I want to refrain from getting diabetes.
I want to walk up a flight of stairs without getting out of breath.
I want the backaches to go away.
I want to sit on a plane and be comfortable and not worry the belts will not meet.
I want to walk through an airport withought having to stop because of being out of breath or getting a cramp.
I want to put a bathing suit on and feel good about myself.
I want to be able to walk into a room and not have someone think of me as a walking pair of tits (my eyes are up here).
I want to have energy to play with my daughter and do outdoor activities with my family.
I want to not have joint pain in my feet and knees.
I want to stop the dieting plans and fad diets once and for all.
I want to buy awesome clothes and feel great wearing them.
I want to feel sexy and really make my man drool. =D
I want to walk in Victoria’s Secret and buy something that will fit me.
I want to be able to sit in a restaurant and eat without feeling like people are looking at me and wondering why I am there.
I am SICK of people saying “Ohhh you have such a pretty face” if only……….ARG!

So here I wait, anticipating my surgery date. All systems go!

Check out obesityhelp for more info on gastric bypass.

Here’s what I am cooking today - Rob’s mum is coming round for some American yummies:

MY Wendy’s-Style Chili

• 2 pounds Ground beef
• 1 Can tomato sauce — (29 ounces)
• 1 Can kidney beans w/liquid — (29 ounces)
• 1 Can pinto beans w/liquid — (29 ounces)
• 1 medium Onion — diced
• 2 Green chilis — diced
• 1 Rib celery — diced
• 3 medium Tomatoes — chopped
• 2 teaspoons Cumin powder
• 3 tablespoons Chili powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Black pepper
• 2 teaspoons Salt
• 2 cups Water

Brown the beef and drain the fat off. Crumble the cooked beef into pea-size pieces. in a large pot, combine the beef plus the remaining ingredients and bring to a simmer over low heat. Cook stirring every 15 minutes for 2-3 hours.

Serve with Jacket (Baked) potatoes and/or plain rice.