KEMac

I know I'm joining this topic late, and you may have already made your decision, but I had to chime in when you made the comment about your SIL's thighs. TOO FUNNY!! It proves my point though, which is this: you have a definite view of your body and your husband most likely has a definite DIFFERENT view of it. We all see ourselves and others differently. I went to all my consults alone. I never thought of bringing anyone with me actually! I would think they'd just be bored. Then again, my husband and I are pretty independent like that. He was there for me in every way after my TT and breast lift, but I didn't feel the need to have him in the consults. He offered to come with me when I had the surgery and I had a friend take me because I'd rather him use his time off from work after the surgery to take care of me...not to sit in the waiting room for hours!! I will add though...I had lipo to my thighs a few months ago and he took me on the day of the surgery (it was a quick in and out procedure). He was sitting in the exam room when the surgeon came in to mark me up. It was very uncomfortable for me to be standing STARK naked in front of another man while my husband sat a few feet away. He said it was akward for him too, even though we both, obviously, were well aware that he is a doctor and is supposed to see me naked...it was weird. Best of luck with your decision, and your surgery. I'm so happy with my decision to go through with it I hope you will be too!

I had a TT a year ago, and I didn't even think to ask this question. Afterward...I remember thinking...WHY does it look like that area is HUGE?? First of all...there was swelling for a few weeks, so don't be alarmed. Secondly, I decided that after years of not really getting to see the whole area correctly when looking down (because there were too many rolls of fat in the way!) that it simply looked different to me! That may sound odd, but I really think it's the truth. You have to get used to looking at your body like you've never seen it before. Also, while there was not any work done specifically on that area, the natural result of cutting out a hunk of fat and sewing the edges together just automatically pulled it "up". I'm happy to say that the swelling went down and all is well now : ) Best of luck! and NEVER be afraid to ask questions!!

Please don't feel like a failure. I was just at my surgeon's TODAY for the same reasons you're struggling and I was banded a year before you, in July 07. I came to the difficult realization that I had stopped being accountable (about a year ago). I was to the point of maladaptive eating, that's what my doc calls it. I have pretty much existed on soups, mashed potatoes, ice cream and chips for the last many months. I feel like a failure too. I was in tears in the office this morning and felt like a FOOL. At one point about a month ago I was convinced that I wanted the band OUT. I am so tired of being miserable if I see someone (my family) eating something I can't. I dread going out to eat because it's a total chore to find something that will stay down. But I realized that i USED to go out all the time, I would ordered mostly anything, just eat a small portion of it. Recently though, I gained back some weight because I hadn't been as careful to watch my portions. So what did I do....got a fill. Sure I lost the weight, but was miserable. Not eating much solid food....heartburn all the time etc. I came to the awful realization about 2 weeks ago that I hadn't eaten one bite of fresh fruit or veggie in months because it won't stay down! But I have since come to my senses and realized that I just need to get back on track and starting taking responsibility again. Easy to type.....not so easy to do. Anyway, part of my new attack so to speak...is to reach out to other people with bands for support. So here I am.

Honestly, this last week I could have been working. But, my manager told me to take whatever the surgeon suggested, and since my company paid me for the whole time off, why not? I probably could have gone back after one week, b/c I sit at a computer all day. I had an issue with port pain the second week, so it was nice that I could rest. (I tried to do too much at home, laundry, cleaning, etc.)

What if sometime in the future you really do have to get your gallbladder removed? I had the same thought and then just told a few of my closest friends. I told my manager I was fine, healty, but would be having surgery and I would be out 2-3 weeks. I am in my last week of short term disability and return to work on Monday. Not sure how I will handle the endless questions about why I was out!

I'd love to sell it to you, if you're still interested at all, since I read it about 3 times through leading up to and after my surgery. I also have Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies. $15 for both, plus shipping?

HI, I am also day 4 post-op! I too had cream of wheat this am, isnt' that funny! I couldn't take the hunger pains anymore. They woke me up at 3 and 530 am they were so bad. I thinnned the cream of wheat (ate it at 730a) and added Splenda and a teensy bit of butter. It was good, and I had no issues. And it's now 915am and I'm not feeling hungry at all. No vomiting or nausea so far, so even though it's not on my list til the pureed stage, next week, I ate it and it's fine.

Hi, I'm 33, 5'8" and was 244 pre-band (was banded on 7/30). Down 10 lbs. so far. Let me know if you want to talk, Thanks!

HI, I am new here, still figuring out how to work all this, way beyond my technical experience. ANyway, I was banded on 7/30 too. How are you doing? Everything OK?

Hi! I was banded on the same day. This is my first time on this site as anything other than just a reader. I didn't have any throat pain, but my port area is sore still, and yesterday I moved from clear liquids to thin liquids. I added protein shakes and tomato soup and SF pudding so far. I had started to feel hungry yesterday though. So far so good, my incisions are itchy now.