New Hope

What a wonderful sister you have! Congratulations to you, Nikkee, and I know that both of you will celebrate your many weightloss victories.

It definitely changes, doesn't it? Have you tried Benefiber powder? It's tasteless and can be added to anything. Metamucil powder "gels" and that could cause you some extra problems. Also snacking on dry frosted shredded wheat seems to help me. Hint, just don't drink a lot of water right afterwards or that cereal swells. And of course, drink lots and lots of water, but not with meals.

Tricia, electrolytes are very important minerals such as sodium, magnesium, Calcium, and potassium. Please check with your dr. and follow his/her advice. If you don't have enough, that can cause muscle cramps and restlessness. Hope you get those cramps under control very soon and can get some sound rest. Here's a couple of websites: http://science.howstuffworks.com/question565.htm and http://www.betterbodz.com/library/muscle_cramps.html

Tricia, maybe each one of us can make a difference in our various little corners. We know what it's like, "been there, done that". Hopefully our compassion and understanding can influence others around us. I recently sat next to a very overweight lady on an airplane. She looked so stressed when I squeezed past her. But we had a wonderful visit throughout our flight. She was so interesting, had a beautiful french accent, and was just a lovely person.

Emmy, I've had one major "mucus" episode. I was eating some very dry chicken strips. Is the food you're eating moist? I make sure that I have plenty of dipping sauce, etc., available now with my meats and haven't had any more problems. (Knock on wood.) But that is horrible! I was just glad that I wasn't trying to impress my DH on a first date! Like Hagerteresa says "Lube it up, Baby!" LOL

Carolyn, don't give up! I think it's pretty standard for insurance cos. to first turn you down. A lot of people stop at that point and don't pursue it any further. As frustrating as it is, please jump through all their hoops. I was denied, appealed, and eight months later got my band. You're worth it, so please do what needs to be done and best of luck to you!

Hi, Bernie, is it possible that you're not taking in enough calories and putting your body in "starvation mode"? If so, it's fighting to hang onto the weight. How about tracking your eating habits on www.fitday.com? It's free and can give you some insight as to what types of food that you're eating, how much, calories, exercise, etc. Are you drinking plenty of water throughout the day, but not with your meals or one hour afterwards? Hang in there! It really does work!

Tammy, so sorry to hear about your "flipped port". Hopefully this will be a quick fix and you'll be back up to speed shortly. You might want to ask your dr. when it's o.k. to do abdominal exercises. Good luck!

Congratulations, Michelle! Please don't "overdo" so you'll continue to heal without any complications. Did you take that limo to and from the hospital? What a cool idea!

Do you have any phenegran suppositories? You should keep that on hand for real throwing up. It will calm your stomach down. Have you tried taking the liquid tylenol instead of your prescription pain med? That might not make you so sick. Are you able to keep any liquids down? Perhaps a hot cup of tea with honey and lemon. That will give you some sustenance. Sometimes drinking something warm first, then taking your meds. helps. But if this continues, you need to contact your dr. You don't want to get dehydrated and/or cause your band to slip (from the violent heaves). Just try a little bit of hot tea and see if that will stay with you. Then perhaps the liquid tylenol. You may need to get your dr. to call you in a different pain med. There are several available. Just be sure he/she knows that you need a liquid. Hang in there, keep trying to sip, sip, sip, avoid dehydration, and throwing up. Walk around as much as you possibly can (that helps with the pains and the gas.) Best of luck to you! Congratulations on being banded!

Oh, you "guys" and "gals" are the greatest!! Thank you so much for remembering me!

Kathy, hope all is well! Congratulations!

Congratulations! How much weight would you like to lose after you get your band?

Congratulations! Keep walking and sipping.

I can't think of a better gift, Estela, than to have your child healthy! Congratulations!

Glad you're feeling better. It's a little hard to exercise when you're feeling "loopy". Great weightloss, girl!

Heather, that's a wonderful NSV! I bet your clothes are looser too. Keep up the great job!

Dry meats! I had my only "sliming" episode on a fried chicken strip. I've learned to have a dipping sauce handy for those type of foods. (Not that it was the healthiest choice anyway! LOL)

Bright had requested one section on the local support boards for Europe and Australia to share. (Ireland, France, England, Australia....I'm sure there are others.)

Crystal, that is wonderful! What are some of the things that he can do now that he couldn't do preband?

Yeah, Kathy!! Now, remember you can't be out-of-pocket for very long because no one else knows how to run this complicated thread. Just Kathy! So we need you back at your post ASAP. (((Hugs))) sweet girl for a smooth surgery and painless recovery. Can't wait to hear your story.

BigDaddy, you sound like you're moving right along! Congratulations on getting your band!

Wow, Geo, the rest of this will be a breeze to you! Hang in there and get to feeling better! Congratulations on getting your band!

Congratulations on getting your band! You've had a lot done inside and will hurt for a while. But it really will get better. A heating pad helps w/the aches and pains. Please be sure and follow your dr's orders on how long to stay at each stage...liquids, mushies, etc. Some people have trouble with eggs, so please take it easy when it's time to try them out. Best of luck to you!

Penni, I'm so sorry about your mother! Hopefully the drs. can give you some good answers and do something to alleviate her pain. It's lucky that you were so close by.