LFERLAND

Congratulations on finally having enough self-esteem and self-respect to leave a damaging relationship. I am VERY PROUD OF YOU!!! Any man that tells you that you are lucky he came around and puts you down is emotionally abusive. I went through a similar experience... married an emotionally abusive man at a time that I had no sense of self-worth. I know the struggle that comes along with life with someone like that. Mind you my marriage only lasted a year... but it was still painful to live with an emotionally abusive person. Don't let anyone bring you down again. You have finally realized that you deserve to be treated better and never forget that. Don't worry about what his family thinks... remember that most emotional abusers have been emotionally abused themselves by their family... they may be trying to tear down your self-esteem so that you will stay with him... because chances are they all know that HE is the lucky one. It can be very difficult, so stay strong... stay sexy... and if you need any additional encouragement, you can always come to me!!

I find it rude and disgusting that your "friends" and "family" would put such guilt on you. You are doing this for YOU! I would advise them that you are the one that has to worry about what you can eat and how much, NOT THEM! You can still go out for dinner, you just have to watch what and how much you eat. They should be simply enjoying your company.

I think I am having left-over spaghetti... nothing special!!

I had mine Feb 28, 2007

Thank you for putting into words the struggle and emotions that so many, if not all of us, have experienced and are still experiencing. This is a very inspirational poem. Thank you again.

I am 25 and very happy I have done this. I heard all my life things like: "just stop eating", "all you have to do is exercise" or "have some will power". If it was all that easy then we would all be thin!!! I am proud of you for trying to improve your health. Good luck.

In order to have this done I had to make a life-changing decision. I did not take this decision lightly. I did this for my health and for that reason I would immediately say "hell yeah!".

I am shocked at the amount of people drinking anything other than clear liquids for the first week. I only allowed water for the first 48 hours and clear fluids for the rest of the week. Then thin fluids for the following week. I was not hungry until my 2nd week of solid food (which I am on right now).

I only had pre-op bloodwork and H&P. My physician said that only people 40 and over or people with heart conditions had to have an EKG. My surgery was 2 months after the initial consult, although it would have been earlier if I did not have to wait over Christmas/NewYears. I did not have to wait for insurance because I do not have any and... for some reason... the Canadian government does not cover LapBand surgery like they do gastric bypass... cover the dangerous one... makes sense to me...

I have always drank while I eat. I find not being able to drink for 45 minutes after eating the hardest part of this whole process. I also chew gum after a meal if I am really thirsty. Well... I chew gum all the time. I also chew gum when I am hungry and cannot eat.

Not sure about Ensure but Boost is horrible.

I was very nauseous for about 4 days and could barely tolerate water but I did not heave at all. I just refrained from anything other than water.

I was very tight in the chest for about a week after surgery. Every time I tried to lay down on my right side the tightness and pain was so bad that I couldn't breathe... although I also had a hernia repair at the same time, so that may have contributed. For the first few days I had to sleep sitting. It gets better, really!!

Yes, I had to be on 3 packages of Optifast (from the physician) a day for 3 weeks and althogh I could eat 1 serving of veggies (broccoli, cauliflower or cucumber) a day, I got sick of the veggies very quickly. At least the Optifast kept me full most often.

I took my time scratching it off since all the scrubbing in the world did not seem to remove the stickiness.

Hi all, I am new to this site and just wanted to introduce myself. I had my surgery Feb 28 and am just starting my first week of normal diet. I am very pleased with my results so far. I just happened upon this site and I am glad to be part of it. It is great to know that there is a site where we can all support each other. I look forward to getting to know all of you!

Hi all, I was just wondering if anyone has any experience with post-op popcorn. I love the stuff but am very wary of trying it... worried about not tollerating it well. Before my surgery it was pretty much impossible for me to go to the movies without my popcorn. The other day at the movies I almost jumped my friend for her popcorn... that darn temptation! Anyone have any thoughts for me?