Cherrybomb

Dr. Michaelson performed my surgery on July 5 and so far I have felt fantastic. I haven't needed the narcotic elixir - just some liquid Tylenol. I'm having a little pain in my shoulder and my "stab wounds" are tender but nothing like expected to feel. I even spent the day out and about with my hubby. I'm so impressed by all the staff at NWWLS. It was a great experience (other than general anesthesia - I hate coming out of that foggy sleep). Does anyone know if there is an online forum/chat rooms for NWWLS patients? I've only seen references to the in-person meetings.

I am on day two since my surgery. Yesterday, when I came home from the surgery, all I could think about was things I couldn't eat. I started to doubt myself, doubt that I had made the right decision, doubted that I could stand having this thing in my body. I tried not to think about it and worked on losing myself in something else so I wouldn't dwell. Today though, I really started to settle into the idea of my new life. My sister said to me, "Congratulations, it is your new birthday." And I guess, that really is a true statement. My life is going to be very different from here on out. Not just the change in eating habits (the dos and don'ts) but in who I am. I am excited to start dropping weight so I can find my inner athelete. I want to participate in the Danskin Triathlon next year. I want to be physically strong, I want to run. Those are things that I couldn't accomplish carrying around my weight. Now, those things seem closer than they ever were before. I want to be a better parent for my son - more active, more willing to take changes and try new things. I want to find some inner peace and tap into serenity, improving the quality of my life and decreasing my stress. I don't know if the band will be with me forever, but I hope that the lifestyle changes will be. I am excited to discover who I am behind this mask of pounds. Excited and a little scared.

I am on day two since my surgery. Yesterday, when I came home from the surgery, all I could think about was things I couldn't eat. I started to doubt myself, doubt that I had made the right decision, doubted that I could stand having this thing in my body. I tried not to think about it and worked on losing myself in something else so I wouldn't dwell. Today though, I really started to settle into the idea of my new life. My sister said to me, "Congratulations, it is your new birthday." And I guess, that really is a true statement. My life is going to be very different from here on out. Not just the change in eating habits (the dos and don'ts) but in who I am. I am excited to start dropping weight so I can find my inner athelete. I want to participate in the Danskin Triathlon next year. I want to be physically strong, I want to run. Those are things that I couldn't accomplish carrying around my weight. Now, those things seem closer than they ever were before. I want to be a better parent for my son - more active, more willing to take changes and try new things. I want to find some inner peace and tap into serenity, improving the quality of my life and decreasing my stress. I don't know if the band will be with me forever, but I hope that the lifestyle changes will be. I am excited to discover who I am behind this mask of pounds. Excited and a little scared.

I was just banded yesterday and I'm feeling great. When I got home yesterday though, the first thought I had was "oh my gosh, I can't EAT." My head instantly wanted something. I was finally able to appease it with broth and to distract it with fashion runway shows on TV. But for those of you who get this head hunger, how do you deal with it? Does it get better when you really start to see results? Do you struggle with this all the time? Thanks, Cherry

If you don't have a body length pillow, I would suggest getting one. I was able to sleep pretty much through the whole night using the pillow to support my side. It worked really well. I only woke up twice - once to shift sides and once for some liquid tylenol. So far, I haven't needed my prescription narcotic yet. I hope that stays true. Day two this AM and I am feeling good. My stomach feels sore but nothing like I expected yet. I'm going to try walking outside today if I stay feeling this good.

Hi everyone, Well, I'm back. It was four hours total from arriving at the surigical center to discharge. The surgery itself was probably an hour. I'm feeling great. I've had some chicken broth and popsicle. I've taken one short nap and been up walking as much as possible. Doctor wants me to have four ten minute sessions of walking. Tomorrow is supposed to be the harder day but I'm loving how good I feel today. I realize though that "head hunger" is going to be a problem. I came home and instant thought "oh my gosh, I can't EAT". I kinda freaked out at that and wondered if I had made a terrible mistake. I feel better now after some veggie broth and watching Project Runway (lol). But I'm going to have to deal with the head hunger issue. Thanks everyone for the good wishes! I'll let you know how tomorrow goes.

Hey, you forgot me!!! :cry

I know, that is really difficult and perplexing. I still haven't figured out how I can run a calorie deficit and not lose weight. What gives?

Any one live south of Seattle or north of Tacoma? Even though I'll be going to NWWL in Everett for my banding in July, I'd like to find a support group closer to home.

Just received my American medical bracelet in the mail and it looks great! I chose the sterling silver with the figaro chain and the the red ID charm. I hope I never need it but I feel better having it on.

You had your fill on the 28th, right? How was it? I have less than a week to go for the surgery now. Woohoo!

I'm all set to go. I paid up (gulp) and received my instructions. My surgery is next Thursday at 11:30 pacific time. I should be home after four hours or so. For the first two weeks post-op I can have anything that I can suck through a straw. The following two weeks, I can have "baby food" consistency food. I toured the facility, which made it all very real. Doctor wants me to lose five more pound if I can, so cross your fingers for me. I'm going to amp up the exercise this weekend.

I was doing great on the pre-op diet (all 700 calories of it) but I've hit the wall these last few days. This week is my last week at work and it has been stressful, plus lots of "let's go out for lunch to say goodbye" kind of stuff, so I've slipped more than a couple times in the last couple days. I'm not stressing about it because I've lost 10 of the 15 pounds the doctor wanted. I can't imagine he'll cancel my surgery next week over five pound. But even so, I am getting back on the pre-op diet bandwagon tomorrow and on Friday I see my doc for my final pre-op appointment. One week to go!

I'm getting banded next week but I'm already planning my post-band exercise. I have a great mountain bike that I never use, so I thought it about time to dust it off and hit the road. Any advice, websites, or forums I should check out for someone just starting out? How soon after banding did you start riding?

What did you guys use for the first couple of weeks post-op? Can I stay on the medifast shakes or do I need something else? It is less than two weeks until my surgery with Dr. Michaelson.

What was your average monthly weight loss in the first 6 months? What about after a year?

My procedure is an out-patient surgery. I expect to be back home after four or five hours. Interesting how different everyone's experience is with this surgery.

I just bought a pair of Sarah Jessica Parker BITTEN jeans that are prominently hanging in my closet as inspiration (I hope to be strolling the pumpkin patch for our jack o'lantern in them). Anyone else have a little inspiration hanging in their closet?

:hungry: Wow, these have been the longest four days of my life. My surgeon has me on a 700 calorie diet to lose 15 pounds. I'm currently sucking on a teaspoon with a dab of peanut butter on it because the hunger is really getting to me. I'm two weeks away from surgery; hope my will power holds out!

I wish my pre-op diet were that interesting, Laurend. I get four medi-fast shakes (90 cals each) and one diet frozen entree a day. I've supplemented that with some sugar free jello and popsicles but that's it. Two weeks never seemed so long...

My new life kicks off today, quite literally. I start the pre-op liquid diet today and I'm giving my two week notice at work. I'm a little scared at both prospects, but I'm trusting my instincts that both of these major life decisions will work out for the best. Here's to bold choices and new beginnings! :nervous

I checked out Lauren's Hope and American Medical and I decided to go with American Medical. Thanks for bringing up this important topic.

That's a great response. I'll file it away for when I am asked the same question.

BreadLady: of course you can stay! :-) Just tell us all about it so we know what's coming our way. BTW, I love the ideas on the rewards - the massage idea sounds mighty nice to me. Anybody have the list of things that we should have on hand for post-surgery (like liquid tylenol)? I don't have a list going yet.