make33

Okay, so I went back to the YMCA three times in one week the beginning of December and suddenly I had this horrendous pain coming from my right side area under my ribs and I could feel this huge lump. (I sneezed once and what seemed like a ball really POPPED OUT!) The pain continued for about 10 days (well, honestly, I had to hold my side doing the leg press because of the pain--what did I THINK was happening???:guess) I was absolutely positive I had a hernia! When I saw the surgeon for my second fill today, I had him check the ball and he said "Silly--that's your port!!" I KNEW it was sewn into muscle, just didn't realize it was where it WAS! Best part was that my fill took 1/2 a second because he knew right where it was!! So the answer is yes (to make a long story longer), I CAN feel my port!

Andie, I would then say you should go straight to the Trying To Conceive Ticker website and log in--or create a new ticker. I've never had trouble double clicking on my ticker at the TOP of the UserCP "Edit Signature" page. Sorry...:nervous

I just returned from my second fill and since I had good restriction with just a 1/2 cc fill last time, I asked him "Do I have a 4cc band?" To which he replied:"There is no such thing as a 4cc band any longer". Turns out I have a 10 cc band, and he said he's never come close to a full 10 cc with one. Well, all I know is that with the 1 cc he put in today, I have fabulous restriction! As you all say, to each his own... By the way, I'm 5'0" tall, so I guess height doesn't really matter that much!!

Pleasantlake--so many people have asked and it took me SO long to figure it out, I made up instructions--so here goes: For the Ticker Factory: go in and create your own ticker at Trying To Conceive Ticker (be sure to remember your password!) At the end, highlight everything in the top box (the bb: box), right click and hit Copy. Then come into this site and go to UserCP in the Menu Bar. Go to Edit Signature on the left. Left click in the big box. Then right click and hit Paste. You should see your ticker appear. Be sure to go to the bottom of the page and click on Save Signature. When it comes back, you'll see your ticker at the top of the page. (Then to change it, all you have to do is to double click on the one at the top of the page)... __________________

Insubordination, his politically correct name now is "Vertically challenged Alberto!!!

Sharon160, that's what the threads are for--hopefully finding someone you can identify with. The very best of luck to you...

Go to UserCP in this website and click on "Edit Signature" on the left. When you get in, you'll see your ticker at the top of the page--double click on it and it will open a window to the Ticker Factory. Sign in and click on the button right below your sign on labeled "Edit ticker and Update Weight" (or something like that) It will take you to your Ticker page--where you will have to enter your password again and go down and change the information you need to change. Then click on "Next". It will roll the page over and say your Ticker has been changed. Close out that window. In here, go to the bottom of "Edit Signature" and click on "Save Signature". When you get back in to Edit Signature again, your ticker has been updated! Wha-hoo!!

My (whey Protein isolate) shakes in the morning and mid-evening do it for me--plus an infusion of tomato juice in the afternoon! Protein at lunch (tuna) and dinner (especially meatloaf) also keep my hunger down! :hungry:

I wore a new dress to work one day, going to an important meeting, only to have a co-worker point out that the dress was coming apart at the seams, literally!! It was a beautiful dress and I ended up crying all day about it (I should say sobbing!) Than I realized my blood pressure had been climbing for a year (was 144/92 at the end), my knees were totally shot, and my pants were also ripping out at the seams! (I think I kept my seamstress in spending $ by mending my seams constantly). When I studied about this surgery, my greatest thought was "This surgery was MADE for ME!" I ate properly, but severely needed help with portion control... All this AND the fact that my husband was so-o-o-o supportive for me!

When I was on the pre-op liquid diet I lost 7 lbs--and hadn't been able to lose an ounce in years--so my brother the doctor said "Great, now you can cancel surgery!" However, when I think about the SIZE of my stomach and what it took to get it even the slightest bit FULL is disgusting. I always ate good foods: cereals, grains, yogurt, cottage cheese, skim milk, little red meat, lots of chicken and tuna fish--but what I didn't realize is that I had to eat too much of all of that just to feel full! So yes, you could follow a lap bander in their eating but I will guarantee you that without having that "full" feeling, you'll be grazing before the next mealtime comes around.:hungry: And nutrition? whey Protein isolate mixed in Water mid-morning and mid-evening (plus Vitamins and calcium) serve me quite nicely!

Hey thanks NukeChik and Wheetsin--I honestly didn't know there was any type of liquid pain reliever--I've never looked for it. But believe me I'm going looking for them on Saturday! Merry Christmas!!

Every medication I took before, supplement or prescribed, has now been modified into liquid or chewable. Those that can't be modified must be crushed and taken with applesauce (suggestion). I've had headaches the last few weeks and baby aspirins just don't cut it, so I've chewed three regular aspirins and downed them with Water. Well, my headache went away!! My surgeon said anything that can't fit threw a straw should not be sent down the stoma... (think that is a little exaggerated but I got the drift)

I'm October 9th and my port area is just now getting healed to the point where I forget about it a lot. When I went back to the YMCA two weeks ago, though, it sure told me it was there! So much so, (I may have a hernia also--will find out from the surgeon on Friday) that I'm not going to lift weights again until January. So, girls, it takes a while--we just have to learn patience...

You guys have some really great ideas!! The only one you forgot was the sugar-free / fat-free instant pudding with a scoop (or two if you can) of unflavored protein! My all-time favorite is butterscotch, but chocolate works too! What really longed for during the liquid phase was quick oatmeal with a teaspoon of brown sugar (and I've eaten every morning now for two months!!). Good luck with your choices!

Everyone is commenting around me, also, about how great I look and how much I've lost (I'm still wearing my office dress clothes--just tightening my belts--I don't want to buy new "in-between" clothes). And yes, in a way it certainly is refreshing from being 'invisible'. But as 4jin said, every time I've ever lost weight, the minute people started mentioning it, I took it as a "Get Out of Jail Free" card and thought, "Oh, now I can eat everything I want, just like all those skinny people I've ever watched!" :hungry: It IS dangerous for me to get that mindset--because I KNOW my band is just a tool to help me--and if I don't stay on track forever, I can go right back up. So yes, it's nice--but I'm like you: I'd prefer silence until I reach my personal goal.

When I went back to work at three weeks, my surgeon said I still couldn't lift anything heaver than 10# for two MORE weeks. I started back to Curves at 4 weeks and did go back to the YMCA at 7 weeks, but the YMCA was too soon--so I have to wait until January to go to the Y again. I was good after surgery at two weeks and one day (at six days, I finally put on clothes and my husband drove me to have my staples out). If your surgeon uses steri strips or glue, it may be easier on you. Sorry--it COULD be the summer until you get there--but hang in and see the surgeon / Bariatric Center for the best advice! :confused:

Yes, giving up one of our best friends, food, is very very hard and there is a new thread here where the recent bandee (3 days) was depressed and tearful. (I know, guys DON'T cry!) I will tell you what I told her, this is a trade-off for a longer healthier life filled with tons of quality, versus all of the health and social issues we faced prior to our tool. So yes, you can "grieve" for the loss of our comfort, but once your pounds begin to disappear, you will totally forget our 'friend' of today. Good luck to you...

There are a lot of you (December bandsters) out there, so believe me, you're not alone by any means! My heartiest congratulations to you--it will all be over in a snap and soon you'll be home recuperating!! I was nervous out of my gourd, but come tomorrow morning, the day will just fly by for you! I'm proud of all of you that are having surgery BEFORE the holiday season--because I'm sure there are many who postponed their surgery until "after the holidays". Way to go!!

I think we've now sufficiently scared you to death (like you weren't already nervous!) What I DIDN'T tell you is that you are also covered with a sheet laying in the bed! So, it's just like you're at home in bed, only they wheel you around---whee!!!! Hey kiddo, it'll be over before you know it! Let us know how it goes...

Had the same problem when I came home from the hospital--and I said to my husband "How can that BE when ALL I've had is a little bit of juice!" Well, in the hospital they were pumping your body full of fluids and afterwards that's what we continue to do. Your body's metabolism hasn't had a chance to kick in. Please don't worry--it's just a time issue--as Wheetsin said, just have patience because it DOES work out in the end!

But, girlfriend, your gown is on backwards so you feel like you have a "dress" on Everyone is so professional and the time just flys by, so you won't have time to be embarrassed. The very best of luck to you...

I think we all go through "post partem depression" () because we're losing a good friend of ours, FOOD! Many threads have addressed this exact subject--you are NOT alone. But spiffy, it's a trade-off we've made for a better healthier life that's going to be filled with plenty of quality--and lacking in all of the health issues we WERE facing. You can 'grieve' now, but I KNOW when that scale starts on the downside you will be singing a different tune!!!

I don't envy you Holiday Bandsters! At least I had a chance to acclimate myself to my new regimen without the interference of holiday dinners and parties. Just be careful--we all KNOW that chocolate goes down easily, but that is part of what got me into trouble in the first place !! Isn't it wonderful to have this tool that will assist us in getting where we've wanted to be forever!!!!

Holly, you are so right! The girls in my office still think I could have lost weight if "I had just found the right diet for my metabolism"!! (Never mind the fact that I have NO metabolism!!) I once read where obese people can NEVER lose more than 20% of their weight (and not have it return!) And if you don't have a weight issue, you truly don't undertstand what we go through (both with ourselves and society in general!) Anyway, the very best of luck to you in your surgery!

My surgeon supports eating the "protein first"! And with eating 1/2 - 3/4 cup per meal, your Protein would be all you'd have room for! I have oatmeal for Breakfast (with one teaspoon of brown sugar), tuna for lunch, and then some chicken / veggies for dinner. I insert a Protein shake mid-morning and mid-evening. That protein shake is SO satisfying! It honestly makes you not-hungry for anything else! If the canned shakes turn you off (they DO for me), use Protein powder mixed in Water or skim milk. Calories are not all the same--because your body processes foods differently--and your starch carbs should be abandoned, m'dear. Sorry! My metabolism is super slow too--in fact I honestly wondered whether the Band would do me any good because I felt I was eating so little! Good luck and let us know how it goes... :hungry: