Christy.Lynn

I had never had surgery before, either! I was very nervous, but now, 1 week after it, I am doing pretty good! My surgery was on a Wednesday, and the last pain meds I took were Thursday around 1pm. I took a tylenol on Monday when I attempted to go to work. I had no idea it would be harder to sit up in a desk chair, so after a couple hours of forcing myself to do so, I was sore and took tylenol. The hardest part for me was 24 hours after. I threw up twice, but those times are long gone. I slept a lot and had my momma there hovering over me. Don't be afraid to ask for help or to ask someone to just sit with you. You're going through a lot physically and emotionally, and it won't be super easy, but you will make it through just fine! If you get nauseous, deeper breaths helped me a lot when I was feeling nauseous, it might help you? If you have pain, take the pain meds I used a heating pad the first couple days and a pillow on top of that and hugged it to my chest as I slept. It was very soothing to hold something against me so I could relax my muscles and not feel scared I would pull an incision. Best wishes to you!

This is such a great thing to look at and remind us of all the positives, thank you for posting! I won't miss my fat rolls laying on each other. I won't miss getting winded going up the stairs. I won't miss my arms jiggling for 5 minutes after I stop moving. I was banded one week ago, and this topic was exactly the little happiness boost I needed!

This week has been so full of ups and downs! But as the days progress and my stamina increases, the ups are far outweighing the downs. I'm still struggling some with a liquid diet (and still have one whole week more to go), but today I finally found a sense of peace in not having to worry about what I'll have for lunch or dinner or snack, or whatever. It's simply not the many options - I have soup, a protein shake, or juice mixed with protein powder, and that's about it. I am actually enjoying the simplicity. I would LOVE to eat and chew something, but I wouldn't even if it was sitting in front of me... mostly because I'm scared of what would happen if it gets stuck or whatever, and I am DONE throwing up for awhile. So taking it easy is much... well, easier. I've gotten to talk with some people on here, and am really loving meeting new people and where they are in their process of banding. It's so encouraging to talk to someone who is a month out from me, or a year out, or those who haven't gotten banded yet and have the excitement for the unknown! Looking forward to trying some new soup recipes, maybe a taco cheese soup or tomato-y lasagna/spaghetti soup Still no regrets!

Thank you guys so much for your suggestions and encouragement! It's nice to hear that no one regretted it Sbandable, it's nice to be reminded of what will probably happen if I don't stick to liquids! I'll keep following the plan. One more week to pureed food! And NWGirl, I'll look into SF syrups, that's a great idea, thanks

Taking a first step by calling your doctor! That's exciting and you'll get more info At least you exercise!!! (oops did I say that out loud?) I hope to start exercising in 3 weeks. I went back to work for 2 hours yesterday (Monday) and 3 today (Tuesday). My surgery was last Wednesday. I sit at a desk, and had to keep my chair in major-reclined position to be comfortable. My ab muscles just weren't ready to hold me up yet. My doctor said the most exercise I can do for 4 weeks would be walk 30 minutes/day. No lifting over 10-15 lbs until then either.

I feel very much in the same boat with you. I just got banded last Wednesday. I had been "thinking about it" for almost a year, and then finally jumped into a program in June. My bmi was only 38 and I'm "too healthy" to qualify for insurance, so I ended up choosing to pay for it out of pocket (ouch). A few days after the procedure, and I really have my ups and downs emotionally, but I have not once wished I didn't get it done. I am so excited to stop this up and down with my weight and get on with my life! I certainly don't think this is for everyone, but it could be for you. I am just switching my antidepressants to bipolar meds under the supervision of my psychiatrist, but other than that I can't relate with the other health conditions. I think it comes down to what your heart wants. Do you want to eat whatever you want when you want and be like this, or do you want a very difficult change that will probably be better for you in the long run? For the most part, I wanted the latter. However today I was digging around for a vase and saw my beloved mixer sitting lonely in the corner with no cookie dough to whip up. That was surprisingly tough! It's been incredibly insightful going through this process and learning my triggers and becoming more in touch with my emotions. At the very least, you might want to go to a psychiatrist for a weight loss surgery evaluation. Most doctors require them prior to weight loss surgery. Mine was very pointed and brought up some insight I hadn't thought about before (triggers, ways to calm myself without food, emotional connection, etc.) I wish you the best in your personal Quest

you are so worth it!! I'm very happy for your new fitness program and support group! I love your determination to be better than ever. You can do it, and you will!! Do it for you and your baby, and for single moms everywhere!

Glad you're pretty healthy! I'm in that boat too. I like your sentence "I studied the little print out in disgust". It made me giggle. I can totally relate to that! I also understand when you say that's not who you see in the mirror. I took my "before" photos one week ago, and I was mortified. That person is NOT who I see when I look in the mirror. I am so excited to change and become who I see myself being! I'm really excited to follow your process!

This is excellent! I love your attitude! Keep this in mind and re-read it as you get closer to your surgery date, and especially after you have surgery. Remember your motivation and your reasons and let them become your strength!

I got banded on Wednesday, and today (Saturday) I'm having a hard time consuming much of anything. I just might die if I look at another protein shake, and I don't want anything... but I'm hungry enough that I don't feel good. My mind has me thinking I'm sick because my stomach doesn't feel good, so all I want to eat is toast or spaghetti noodles (things I would eat if I had the flu). On a positive note, I'm down 7 pounds since Wednesday morning! I didn't throw up yesterday! Funny how the little things mean so much . And I still haven't had a moment where I wish I wouldn't have done this. Sure, there's lots of things I *want* to eat right now, but nothing that has made me want to take it all back. I knew the emotional aspect of this whole thing would be difficult, but it's been a little more intense than I thought it would be. I'm having quite the pity party right now, and would like to knock it off. I did this for my health, my future, and for my self-esteem. I'm 24 years old and tired of fighting with my weight for my whole life. 4 years ago, I lost 50 pounds all by myself, and now I'm about 70 pounds higher than that. Mom had a bypass in 2006 and dad just got a sleeve 3 weeks ago. I'm really looking forward to a month from now when I'm into a rhythm, back to work, and losing weight steadily. My fiance and I are going to get married this winter once I get the majority of my weight off (I wanna look half way decent lol) and I'm looking forward to moving out and developing new eating habits with my husband. Thankfully, he's much healthier than I am, and while I don't want to rely on him for strength, it will be nice to move out of my parents house where I've lived for 16 years and it's become my haven for eating... I'm gonna try to drink a protein shake to get this "hunger" feeling to go away. I've heard of this hunger thing before, but never knew what it mean til now lol