nightingale2u

Woo Hoo Betty!!! Congrats girl!

Wow... I never even noticed that! It looks like Alex is our higher rep power.

Modesty in our moderators... another admirable quality! You are doing a great job and we really appreciate all that you do!

I tell anyone and everyone... what matters to me is that the word gets out that there is an alternative to WLS with decreased risks. I feel that many people are afraid of the drastic nature of the GBP and are really not aware that there is another option. The band is a wonderful tool... I want the whole world to know about it!

Well Nancy... I guess I can't relate to eating as a chore... mostly because I eat foods I enjoy within reason. As much as I would love to see the scales move quickly... I would rather go slow and enjoy what I am able to eat. Of course... there are foods I don't keep around the house because they seem to spur on binging... but for the most part... I eat "normal" foods that I love in smaller quantities. I have learned what FF foods I like... such as FF tortillas and FF pudding... but things such as FF cream cheese and FF sour cream are just not worth my time IMHO. If those were the only foods I could eat... then it would definitely become a chore... don't think I wanna go there.

There's much talk of how WLS can have a negative affect on relationships... please share some of the ways that being banded has helped your relationship with your significant other.

Another fresh start Brenda... I'm so glad that you are safe and sound after surgery and that you have a beautiful new band freshly placed where it belongs! Wishing you a quick recovery.

Wow Michelle... you never cease to amaze me! Congratulations! Betty... WTG girl!!! Melissa... down... down... down... awesome! Shaz... hang in there... that fill is going to get things going in the right direction!

Isn't it funny how loving ourselves more can translate into a more loving relationship. I am still struggling to see myself the way my husband sees me... I hope it sinks in soon because he has been so patient with me. Going through these changes with a new marriage has been challenging for both me and my husband as were still in the stages of adjusting to the life changes of being newlyweds... I think that removing obesity from that list will be a good thing indeed.

I always keep almonds around for a snack... string cheese... popcorn... and when I'm having a carb attack... a cup of honey nut cheerios.

Yay Greg!!!!!!! You are probably building so much muscle with all of that marathon walking... have you taken measurements????? Oh dear... that was a bad question wasn't it. I'm 198 this morning... whew... a little farther away from the 2's... man... I can't believe how scared I am of that... was terrified when I stepped on the scale this morning! Hope everybody had a fab week!

Thanks for the update Nancy! I'm sure Lyle is doing an awesome job on the website and thanks to all of you for putting this all together!

I stayed overnight because I was so sick from the anesthesia... otherwise... they would have allowed me to go home the same day. Once I stopped heaving I couldn't wait to go home... paced the hospital hallways ALL night. I also couldn't pee until the wee hours of the morning although I was up and down a gazillion times giving it a try! I took them forever to discharge me in the morning... was feeling great at sunrise but felt like a scak of poo by the time they finally got around to letting me go... this made the 2.5 hour trip home a big bummer. I would say... if you feel halfway human... it's much more comfortable to be at home as soon as possible. I couldn't sleep in the hospital... felt like I should go attend to all of the call lights going off and beeping IV's.

Looking pretty hot there Miss Betty!!!! Nobody is even going to notice that beautiful Harley... they will be too busy lookin at you!

Hi Rachel... so glad the surgery is behind you now! Sitting at the computer is tough right after sugery but glad you came in to give us an update! My best advice is to sip... sip ... sip... and walk as much as you are able. I slept on the couch for the first week post-op because I could prop myself up into more of a sitting position. You have to edit your signature to add stats to the bottom of your posts... if you go to quick links that will be one of the options. Sending you wishes for a quick recovery!

Sensy... very common problem after surgery... time and walking are the best cures. None of the anti-gas meds worked for me... only the walking helped. This will pass... hang in there!

Well...Well...Well... Michelle... You are soooooooooooooooo beautiful!!!!! You look awesome with long or short hair! Wow... I am almost speechless at how wondeful you've done! WTG girl!

Kelly... I agree... you look awesome! I imagine that getting a fill will help with your fight... but until then... you are adorable!

Welcome Farm Girl... it looks like you are doing a fantastic job with your band!!! Congrats!

Welcome! I was thinking of trying the Viactive MVI chewables as well... now I'm definitely going to! This is a great forum and you'll find lot's of support and friendly, helpful people here.

Come on in Brenda... you won't find a friendlier and more helpful bunch anywhere else online! Welcom... Welcome... Welcome.

Well... certainly right after surgery... big sneezes are not a fun experience but later on it hasn't felt any different for me.

Simply amazing!!!! I love that the before and after pictures are so easy to see now... and I will look at them everyday because they are all so inspiring! Thanks Penni for all your hard work and thanks to all that are willing to post photos because they are all worth a thousand words!

Sally the results from your sleep study could be helpful in getting approval for bariatric surgery from your insurance if you do indeed have sleep apnea... the EGD seems a little over the top to me as it seems an upper GI would be most appropriate in diagnosing reflux. I did not have any of this testing done until after insurance approval but a sleep study is generally more of a lengthy wait for appointment times so that could cause a delay if you wait until after your approval. Good Luck! Darcy I was lucky... the testing was minimal for me... no sleep study... did have to have certain blood tests...and upper GI and an abdominal ultrasound to check the gallbladder so that it could be removed at the time of my surgery if there was a problem. I had and EKG and and chest XRAY... and voila... I was ready.

Absolutely... go for it!