Melissa S

Yes...shrinking the liver is the key... to not having to do an full-open surgery (being cut chest to belly). AND look at it this way... if you lose 15 lbs... thats 15 lbs closer to your goal! But yes, it does help with surgery and recovery.

I am also counting down the days (hours and minutes) until my fill. I'm SO HUNGRY... and its not "head hungry" my stomach is growling and I feel as if I haven't eaten in days!! Same problem I had before being banded!!

I've had a busy long weekend... had the future inlaws visiting from out of town.. did alot of walking...but didn't do any biking... so, no new numbers to add to my June challenge.... I'm on soft foods... so I've gained a bit more freedom of choice.... but my choices prob could have been better (TOM is here... so there was some ice cream added into my diet lately)... since TOM is here I'm gonna hold off on weighing in.... BUT I can tell that my clothes are getting loose.. :-)

Maureen... I'm riding my stationary bike everyday... about 25-35 min. I also stay active during the day... housework, shopping (even if its just to get out and walk the mall). I think next week I'm going back to the gym and may join a water aerobics class.

I'm scheduled 6/29...also 6 weeks from surgery

See...this is the very reason why I have not told ANYONE in my family except my Daughter and Mother. A few select friends know... only my best friends.. I had a cousin who had bypass surgery about 3-4 years back. When I tell you that she is a piece of work... I'm not kidding. She is the black sheep of the family..not because of being big...but because overall she is a bad person..and I dont say that about many people... I mean.. compulsive liar, ignores her 3 children...basically has someone else raising them, and the worst of all... she nearly had my aunt and uncle (her father and stepmother) thrown in jail for a HUGE lie she concocted. Anyhow.. she is the butt of many family discussions and jokes.. again, not because of her weight. Yes, she had weight loss surgery... but never lifted one finger to exercise... and it wasn't as successful as it should have been. I do not want to be judged as they judge her regarding her surgery...and IF by any chance the lap band does not work well for me.. I do not want to answer questions as to why.. and "I thought you got the surgery to HELP you lose"... basically I do not want to be compared to her. So.. what I'll tell them is this... I'm on a diet.. strict diet...and everyone in my family knows that I wanted to lose a good amount of weight before our wedding in November. Or that I ate before ...Or that my stomach is upset..

Janine- GOOD LUCK TOMORROW!!! Before you know it you'll be wearing all those clothes that you've been waiting to get into!!!

Yes, I was told that as long as your doctor is aware of the infection and there is proof.. pics.. it is much easier to get insurance to pick up the tab... So far I've heard of them paying for removal of skin from the stomach... not sure about other areas... (Does anyone have info on insurance paying for skin removal for other areas besides the stomach??) ... even though your infection is high up... I'd still get a pic and document it.

Julie... THANK YOU! Ya know.. I was just sitting here browsing ebay... thinking of posting my old clothing for the same reason .... I don't want to keep it as a safety net! That will now be my job for tomorrow! AND... don't forget to take a pic of that infection and document it as well...even if it is small... from what I hear most insurance companies will cover cosmetic surgery to remove skin IF it is medically necessary (meaning risk of infection...)

Thank you!! I was very excited!! I also can't wait to buy new clothing... pretty.. new.. SMALLER clothing!! Clothing with a number that is NOT followed by an "X" of any kind...

So... 2 years ago when I lost a good amount of weight I treated myself to a pair of Seven jeans... I LOVED them! Sadly I grew out of them and they've been sitting in my closet since... Well, just for sh*ts and giggles I got them out and .... THEY FIT!!!! I have muffin top.. BUT THEY FIT!!!! I didn't even have to lay down on the bed to zip them!!!! I squealed in excitement and danced around the room like a teenager!!

I also plan to have more children... My surgeon says it is perfectly fine to have more children with the band... all they'll do is unfill it so you can get the nutrients you require. They suggest very highly that you wait until you are about 18-24 months out before getting pregnant.

Mine was mostly trapped gas... but I did have some that was .... passable..

Sue, as I was telling Twinmommy.. I never had shoulder pain...it was all in my ribs... and the newly developed gas... I'm not sure what to blame that on.. my diet was perfectly normal yesterday. Best thing to do is get your fluids in and walk... it'll pass..

BTW.. please do not think that I believe the war or the US being "boss" is acceptable.. I am VERY anti-war and anti-Bush...

THANK YOU CARLENE!! I'm SO sick and tired of everyone thinking that every Muslim has an evil side.. its simply not true. I am a non-practicing Catholic and my fiance is Muslim. Granted my fiance is not a "middle eastern" Muslim.. but a Bosnian Muslim. He has faced discrimination ALL his life..damn near was killed while fleeing Bosnia when he was 11 ... just because of his family's faith. He is the most caring and giving person I have ever met...treats me like a princess...because he wants to. He has accepted my daughter as his own... He even joined the US Army and fought 14 months in Iraq for this country. He owed nothing to the US...but yet he risked his life (and pays the price for that every day due to severe PTSD) for OUR freedom and safety. People seriously need to wake up and educate themselves... and maybe do a little research before they make judgments...

Twinmommy- I'm 5'2... just a tad shorter than you!! I never really had shoulder pain...just under my ribs...felt like softballs jammed up there!!! I'm a bit afraid of going back to the gym... I'm limited to just light cardio right now.. Dr says no lifting/ab work for 3 months!! I'd be too tempted to get back on the resistance machines!!! I think when I go back in on 6/29 for my fill I'll talk to him about some light resistance training... I'll prob sign up for a water aerobics class also. I'm just getting anxious to get back into a workout routine!!

For whatever strange and random reason the gas (trapped gas under my ribs) came back this morning.. very strange. It is no where near as bad as it was right after surgery... I just found that strange... anyone else experience this? The scale moved again this morning! For the past 5 years I have been allergic to scales so I had no idea of what I lost/gained/weighed... When I first hit a plateau I was very discouraged..even though I knew it was gonna happen.. but to see the scale move again... I can't describe the feeling!!! I've been riding my stationary bike at home nearly everyday... I have vowed to complete 400 minutes by the end of June and my goal is to ride at least 5 days a week. I'm no where near as exhausted as I was when I tried to ride when I was 27 pounds heavier. I feel great!

I think I started wearing regular bras after about 7 days... I just couldn't stand the uni-boob look that the sports bra gives!!! HAHA!!! AND..... The scale FINALLY moved!!! 2 pounds... not much but every little bit counts!!! :clap2:

My nurse told me let them fall off on their own... but if they are still there 10 days post op... then gently remove them.

food wise..depending on your Dr's orders: sugar free Jello Sugar free freeze pops Crystal light broth Skim milk Meds: Gas-X Tylenol (liquid or adult chewable) Odds and ends: Heating pad Multiple pillows (for propping..and also good to hold against your stomach) Entertainment of any kind (magazines, books, dvds..) Slip on shoes Loose fitting clothing Chapstick Hope that helps! Good luck!!

I responded to you some time ago and said that I was banded on 5/14 and I'm still a little sore but no pain...

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

I had my 2 week Post Op appointment this morning... The scale STILL hasn't moved...which my Dr assured me not to worry...he said he did not expect to see me lose until I'm on solids (in another 4 weeks)...just said to keep up what I'm doing and he'll fill me when I go back in 4 weeks!! ...BUT .... he did say that the hunger will get worse.... wonderful. GGRRR!

I've been told something completely different about the caffeine and carbonated drinks.... Caffeine can be an irritant to the stomach and digestive system, I remember this from my bouts with IBS.... when I had a flare, I'd have to stay clear of caffeine..one sip and I would be running the whole day.... Seeing how now we only have a small pouch to work with we run a larger risk of causing damage... as far as carbonated drinks go... the gas could cause it to expand and/or irritate just as the caffeine would... My Dr has us stay away from caffeine and "fizzy drinks" for good... Our bariatric nurse (who also had bypass) said the biggest complication she sees is ulcers forming in the pouch..and 99% of the time its either from the patient smoking, taking NSAIDS or caffeine/soda use... So..that means....no beer, no caffeinated starbucks (sob) or soda of any kind...