nymoosic

Does anyone else cut up all their meat into tiny pieces as soon as they put it on their plate? If I don't cut everything up immediately I inevitably forget and wind up taking way too much at a time. Ouch! Just wondering if I"m the only one who "needs her food cut up!"

I also had wine about four weeks out from surgery. No problems.

Do NOT worry about the surgery - it is nothing! I went in to have my gall bladder out at 9 am and was home by 1 pm. Back to work in a few days! It used to be a huge open procedure, but now it's so simple. With no complications, it should be very quick.

I'd be curious to see how many of us had our gallbladders out before the surgery. It's very prevalent in yo-yo dieters. I WAS the queen of that before this surgery and I had mine out three years ago. Good luck everyone.

Isn't it fabulous??? Congratulations! I had the same thing happen to me and it's like you can finally see the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!!! This is the most amazing tool.

Curves is great for what you put into it. I used to go 5 times a week for an hour at a time and lost 50 pounds easy. But, I worked hard on those machines. Had to wipe my sweat off of them with a towel! You can easily just go through the motions. You have to be your own judge of hard you can work yourself. The smart system sounds great...wish ours had it.

Not sure which part of upstate you are, but Dr. Singh ((518) 262-0942) is in Albany and there is a program at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, too. Hope that helps.

Good ol' hydrocodone for the first week or so and then plain Tylenol.

My doctor required 10 % of your body weight to be lost before surgery. For me that was 27 pounds. I lost 33 before the surgery. It was tough but I've lost 27 pounds so many times during my lifetime. I knew I could do it again. It was just another bump in the road. Good luck to you. You can do it, too!

I had two weeks off from school and then went back to teaching....but, it's taken almost two months for me to be able to bend over or roll over in bed without pain. Everyone's different.

Congrats! My moment wasn't tear jerking like yours, but it still means a lot to me. I started to eat a piece of leftover pizza today and after one bite I fed the rest to the dogs. It just wasn't worth all the work to chew, chew, chew....I didn't NEED it, nor was I enjoying it. AMAZING

My doc has everyone lose 10% before surgery. I worked hard to lose those 27 pounds!!! So, I count them in, too.

I also have 1-2 cups of caffeinated coffee every day. I made it about 3-4 weeks after surgery without it and then just couldn't stand it any more. I had no idea I relied on that little kick every day!

Constant fluid intake all day is essential - in sips. I cannot gulp water because the restriction from the band hurts. It's something I'm still learning to do.

I just got my first fill last week and have great restriction - finally! (I had to wait 8 weeks after surgery for my first fill.) In the last week the way I look at food has changed significantly. I hardly enjoy eating now. IT'S FABULOUS!!! Eating is a chore that I must do to stay alive...not something to be enjoyed. I've never been able to say that. :cheers2:

I was scheduled for my second fill six weeks after my first.

I had my first fill this morning - 4 ccs in an AP band. It's such a different feel than before! But, this tight restriction I feel now will lessen, right?

I lost 17 pounds in the first eight weeks before my first fill. 13 of those were in the first five weeks....then a standstill. I just had the fill done this morning, so I am looking forward to watching the scale go down again!

I wish someone had suggested it to me! I'm 8 weeks post op and still feel pain at my port. Can't even roll over in bed yet. I say go for it!!! Whatever works and makes you more comfortable.

I had surgery on Dec. 19 and I finally was able to sleep in my bed this past week (and only on my back). I have SUFFERED from intense muscle pain throughout this whole thing. Even shifting from one side to the other in bed caused incredible pain and tears. I know what you mean when you say your sleep has suffered. I can't remember the last time I slept six hours in a row. My only relief has come from a recliner. If you don't have one buy one. You will be thankful for it.

My scars are healing really well...but where my port is is sunken in a bit. It really looks strange.

My bariatric nutritionist asked me, "So how much do you want to lose?" I told her and she immediately looked at me and said, "You realize that's not realistic, right?" I could have smacked her.

I also had back pain and still do. I walked around 'carrying' my belly and in turn walked sort of slouched over. I also recently pulled a muscle in my abdomen which my doc tells me is directly linked to my back, so unfortunately it hasn't gotten much better. I've found a warm heating pad or warm baths help wonders. The doc also said the hydrocodone I received as painkillers wouldn't help, and since we can't have NSaids, the only thing to take is Tylenol. Good luck!

I started in May 2007...had to lose 10% of my weight, see psychologist, nutritionist, ultrasound on legs, sleep study, information seminars...plus, numerous other things. I was ready to go in August, but didn't have enough recovery time before school started, so I had surgery in Dec. '07.

I was allowed to take one the next day - thank God!!! It felt great!