melissaw1976

Hi everyone! I am so grateful to have found this website. I am two days post-op and have been experiencing a lot of side effects. I guess my main frustration was lack of communication between myself and the surgeon. After leaving several messages he finally got back to me and explained everything I was experiencing was normal. But surprise, neglected to tell me he removed a hernia and I have stitches in my breathing canal (lack of better word) which explains why I cannot take deep breaths or lay flat to sleep. Everything else - nausea, dry heaves, bruises, shoulder and neck pain are all normal. Still doesn't make it better though. I moved off of Clear liquids today and my stomach is doing flipflops. I guess with time all things will adjust. Well, about me now - my name is Melissa and I am single and 36. I live and work in Washington, DC. Finally decided after 24 years of being overweight to do the Lap Band. Like everyone else I think I tried a lot of diets and none seem to work. I am looking foward to the rest of my life.

Great post. I make bad choices all of the time when it comes to food. I am not a bad person, just human!

The nutritionist at my hospital gave me a 1200 calorie a day pre op menu. I did it for two weeks before surgery.

I waited 8 weeks and I was nervous. I wanted to make sure I was healed and got the doctors ok!

If you take money out of your 401k you will have to pay ordinary income taxes. The money you put in is pre tax therefore you have to pay taxes. You also have to pay a 10 percent penalty. Talk to an accountant or tax lawyer if you can!

Vitamin Shoppe has a great one. It's Body Teck mint chocolate flavor. 25 G protein and I mix with light soy milk.

Hi! I have some 18/20 pants and jeans. Do you wear skirts? I have those too. Tops are 18/20 too though. Happy to ship them to you! I will send you a private note for your info.

All I have ever know was Lane Bryant (or Lane Giant as I like to call it - and I can because I am a regular customer! Sorry if I offend anyone) or the "Women's" department that is hidden on the third or fifth floor behind housewares of any department store. Now I am in a size that I don't have to shop in those places anymore. But I am scared and feel like a fraud. I don't belong in The Loft or "normal" people stores... How did you all make the transition from the "big girl" stores/departments to the "normal girl" stores/departments?

Thanks everyone! Just ordered some stuff from the loft! It is very exciting!

Not scary! It's exciting! Congrats and best of luck!

Try tiny sips of water but don't gulp or chug. Sometimes the water helps move the stuck food along. But not always.

It usually passes in 10-30 minutes. When I have thrown up it was "easy" and painless. But, everybody is different.

Oh you will know! You will feel it in your chest and throat.

I had a half glass of red wine 3.5 months after the band. Buzzed so stopped drinking.

They are too sweet for me! But, I don't think it matters as long as you take them.

You can lose weight without exercising... BUT... your skin will be sagging. Exercise to firm up. Yes, you do have to "exercise". If you don't like to sweat, just walk... A lot.

It can take up to two weeks. Crossing my fingers for you!!!

I actually had mine day of. I didn't have heavy bleeding, but it lasted for 2 weeks. There are some other threads on here. I would double check with your doc, but you should be ok.

Dang! I am on 150 of Levo!!! You gals are lucky! But yes, check with your doc. I have my blood tested once a year and medication changes based on this...

Greek yogurt has a lot of protein. I get the plain, fat free and add my own fresh fruit and a little bit of honey. But, it is sour.

I was eating BAGS of Halloween candy. Kit Kat, Reeces PB Cups, 1000 Grands, you name it! Today, I had one laffy taffy and one butterfinger (fun size). Thank GOD for the band.

Two things. #1 - you are doing this for you, not anyone else. Don't listen to the haters. #2, the woman that was taking the insurance payment from your sister may have broken the law... It's HIPAA. I would report it immediately!

Some doctors put a little fill in there. Mine did, but I don't know how much. Some doctors don't want us caught up on the amount of fill, but it's my body and I plan on asking on Monday! Good luck to you!

Ashley, all is normal. It gets better! Hang in there. The suggestions Sybil mention should help ease the pain and discomfort.

Sorry to hear that. He could be stressed, but I would still have a one-on-one conversation to him. He needs to know that surgery is a tool and know the details of the surgery. He also needs to know it is NOT ok to say hurtful, uneducated comments to you.