cat whisperer

I apologize if I am missing something... but it is not OK to drink water after eating? I am currently an avid water drinker and I am concerned about being thirsty... Is is harmful to drink water after eating? if so, I don't understand how it could possibly be harmful? thanks in advance....

I am reading this topic to see what alternatives I can tell people about rather than the surgery itself. I'm not ashamed, but I KNOW that there are people who would judge me. I am telling my husband and two friends, and my dad... that is it. This will be very hard for me as I am not a secretive person.... I am generally very open about my life and my feelings... but I feel there is a lot at stake here as I live in a small town... and I don't feel like it is anyone's business. It seems like a good explanation is a hernia operation - so I'm thinking I might say that. I wish there didn't have to be such secrecy around this, but from what others have said as well, I feel like it is the best option. all the best to everyone

Wish I was a little closer... I'm in Yorkton. Getting banded in Regina on May 14! I see today is the 19th so Loulou you are having your band done today!! Good luck and hope all goes well!!

Hello everyone - I am happy to have found these forums thanks to the suggestion of my BFF Where to start? Well, the first 20 years of my life, I was skinny. Not just slim, but skinny... I graduated from high school at 115lb which was pretty small for 5"4'. I had no understanding of overweight people, and was probably unitentionally judgmental of those who were bigger. Then, I began to change... the weight slowly began to creep on - there are various reasons for this which I am aware of. By age 21 I was 200lbs... and I have not seen a "1" in front of my weight since (other than for an extremely brief period). I got married, had two children and have done several major moves, as well as lots of education... I'm nearing completion of my third degree. I am now 41. My heaviest weight ever was 260 in 2007. I managed to lose about 55lbs on my own, through simple food journaling and exercise. Even though I wasn't thin, I was fit, and ran a 5K. Unfortunately there have been a few serious traumas that have occurred since then, and I am back up somewhere in the 220s - my scale says about 225 but the doctor's scale says 230. I hit rock bottom this January. I am getting older and the aches and pains are hard to take. My hips hurt at night, I have high blood pressure, and I have asthma which is getting worse as well as a few other issues. I finally decided to consider weight loss surgery as a "helping hand". I know this is not a magical cure and that it will be difficult. Losing weight was incredibly hard, and the thought of basically starting over from scratch was just so overwhelming I didn't feel I could do it alone. Last week I had a consultation with a surgeon, and have pretty much decided to go ahead with the lap band surgery towards the end of April when I will be able to take some time off. I am very scared and nervous... this is a big move to make, and I feel as if I would like to get as much information as possible, which is why I am here. thank you very much if you have taken the time to read this, and I look forward to being a part of the community.

Hi again... just thought I would post an update. I have now booked my surgery for May 14. I kind of wish I could do it sooner, but by that point I will be finished classes (I'm currently a full time student). Anyway, I'm sure I will be around these boards with questions.

Well, now it is official... I just booked the surgery for May 14. Hopefully I will see a few more people around here soon!!

Keep us updated! I am new and it is good to hear the experiences of others. Hope you feel good as new soon.

I'm so sorry to hear this... but as elcee mentioned above, please get checked for ovarian cancer. My mom had it and those were some of the signs. I hope you get some answers and that you feel better soon.

Hello again - thank you for your replies everyone It is nice to hear your encouraging words. Dylanmiles, the asthma is not new, actually - I have had it since I was a teenager - but it was always pretty easy to control until now. Not being able to breathe properly is a horrible feeling, and my dad had asthma all his life and was recently diagnosed with COPD as you mention. 2much fun, yes - I have worries about never being able to enjoy food anymore... and there is certainly emotional attachment there. I definitely have a tendency to "reward" myself during troubled times, hence my gaining back the weight. I do very much want to change this. I can very much relate to the "turtle shell" metaphor. My security foods are quite varied, some quite strange (such as sour candies and gum) When I am wanting these things, I try to remind myself how sad it is not to be able to fully participate in my daughters' lives because I am not physically able to skate, or run around or do various other activities without great difficulty rather than how sad it is not to have the treats.... easier said than done at times. (LOL regarding the cats... I could probably work things out between them if I could see them in person I have an affinity for cats and have four of my own. I used to petsit for Siamese cats, and one of mine is part Siamese. They definitely have different traits than your average cat - I know I sound very much like a crazy cat lady (I'm ok with that, too, haha) but I do understand cat behaviour better than most. I have "tamed" feral cats and can usually resolve problem behaviours... perhaps I should start a business... or reality tv show!!