michellyoh

Admitting it is the first step, right? I remember how helpful this site was for me when I first started my journey. I am sorry that I left all of you, and forgive me for coming back and asking for help!! I had my surgery May 31, 2007. All was great. . by September, I had lost 60 lbs. I still had another 70 lbs to lose, but being almost 1/2 way there felt so great! Well, I started to get lazy. I started drinking with my meals, which allowed me to eat more. Now, I have gained back 10 lbs. I have stopped exercising. I'm moving in the wrong direction!!! I guess I should also mention that I had been having problems with my DH, and we are now, getting a divorce. My decision, and I feel much happier, but I'm still punishing myself for something. I've got to get back on track!! I know that I can do it! I think some words of encouragement will help, and maybe some "don't worry, I've been there" stories!! Thanks to you all for always being there. . .even when I wasn't!!!

I am an a"MAY"zing bandster too! I missed the list, but here is mine. . with a few already checked off!! 1) Ride a roller coaster again (I couldn't fit in the seat at Dollywood a few years ago. . I was mortified). CHECK!!!!! 2) Buckle my seat belt in an airplane (haven't traveled yet, but we'll see) 3) go jogging. CHECK!!!!! 4) buy jeans at the Gap. CHECK!!!!!! 5) not huff and puff walking a flight of stairs. CHECK!!!!! 6) go skydiving (this is my prize for hitting my goal weight) 7) wear shorts w/out being self conscience. CHECK!!!!!! 8) not weighing over 200 lbs 9) being smaller than my husband (I'm close) 10) no longer caring about food (I'm getting there)

I'm not a professional singer, but I am a member of a community choir. Recovery time is minimal. It all depends on the individual, and how quickly you incorporate exercise into your daily routine. I was in the gym walking within 2 days. By week 4, I was doing sit ups (they recommend you wait a few weeks before doing abdominal exercises). It's all up to you! Happy Singing!

walk, walk, walk, then walk some more. It hurt worse for me to lie on my back, so I had to sleep sitting up, with a heating pad. Eventually, I was able to lay on my side. That helped a lot. I would lay on my side with a pillow propped under my tummy, and I would gently rock back and forth. It worked wonders!! The less pain meds you can take, the better (even Tylenol). They actually CAUSE gas!!! I swore off of them after that first painful experience and luckily. . it was my only painful experience. By the next day, I was fine!! Hang in there. . it only gets better!

Most likely, it is gas! I had gas pains across my back, and in my shoulder! It was excrutiating. The thing that helped the most. . .walk, walk, walk, walk!! Also, try lying on your side and gently rocking back and forth.

I know, I know. . it sounds completely superficial compared to most of the other questions asked here. But I started a tanning membership, and as I was laying in the bed yesterday, I got a little freaked out about the fact that my port is right under my skin, up against those bright lights!!! Will that hurt anything?

I went through the same emotions. About a week before my surgery, I started having dreams about my grand-parents that had passed away years ago. This is a huge decision; a life changing decision. Subconsciencly, we're all faced with our own mortality when having surgery. I'm sure that's what the dreams were about. Stay calm, and think of all of the right reasons you are doing this. The hardest part of the whole process, is the path you took to actually make the decision! You can do it!

Be careful of the pain killers though. . .most of them actually cause gas! Once one of the nurses told me that, I quit taking the pain killers and haven't had a problem since.

It may sound crazy, but the shoulder pain is gas! and yes, IT HURTS!!!! Worst pain of my life!! The only thing I could do to ease it was walk, walk, walk, and in between walking, sit upright w/ a heating pad on my belly. Other people have said to get on all fours and rock back and forth. I do know that laying on my side helped quite a bit too. It will get better. Don't worry.

I love Cymbalta!!! My dr. started me off on 30 mg for the first month, then 60 mg after that. I experienced slight side effects the first week (fatigue and nausea), but after that, nothing!! It helps with both anxiety and depression. I call it the "wonder drug" because it is wonderful!!!

I am taking Cymbalta, the wonder drug!! I love that stuff (Welbutrin made me angry)!!!! It is time released, so I have to open the capsule and put the little pellets in apple sauce or pudding. As long as I don't chew the pellets, I'm fine!! HOWEVER. . . .I've only had 1 fill so far, and I can still get the capsule down just fine. But eventually, it'll have to be the pellets.

no cath for me either. . .and I didn't have to do an enima the night before either. My doc had me on all liquids the day before surgery, with nothing 12 hours prior to surgery (not even water). The gas pain. . depends on the individual. I had it really bad one night (5th day post op), but that was it. Get a heating pad, and lay on your side (prop a pillow under your belly for support). . and WALK, WALK, WALK!! All of that helped me immensely!! Good luck on your journey!!!

Vixie!! You are totally correct!! I'm pretty sure this has been the issue! Someone else mentioned it last week, and after thinking about it and talking about it, I have been MUCH better!!! Luckily, I wasn't taking it out on my friends and family.