footballmom104

I stayed overnight and I'm glad I did - no way could I have gotten any rest at home! I went back to my desk job in a week but had pain in the port area for about three weeks after surgery.

Maybe I'm the exception that proves the rule, but the fact that my insurance paid for my surgery tends to make me more responsible for my actions. If I had self-paid, my attitude would probably be "Hey, it's my money, I can waste it if I want!" Since the insurance company paid, I feel a responsibility to other people. Same with going to the gym - my doctor has his own gym which patients can use for free. For me, the idea that I had nothing to lose was a much bigger motivator in checking it out than paying up the ying-yang for a gym membership. Just MHO only!

I like Slim Fast low-carb best. The only one that I really can't tolerate is Muscle Milk light - I drank maybe two of them and pitched the rest, they were so nasty!

I told my local co-workers because there was simply no keeping it from them, and I told my boss because she had a right to know why I was taking sick leave. Otherwise, I tend to go on a case-by-case basis depending on how well I know the person and can gauge their reaction.

My DH was dead set against it too, but he did go to the hospital with me and support me. He's glad I'm losing but he still didn't approve of my having surgery. My parents, however, are another story. My dad has struggled with his weight all his life and would have gotten banded in a New York minute had they had this 30 years ago. They've been my biggest cheerleaders.

It's not totally in your head! Sugar can be as addicting as traditional drugs and the more you eat, the more you want. Believe me, I can relate.

Six weeks tomorrow, and so far, so good! I think I'm ready for a fill, though.

I gave away my "uber-fat" size 20 pants to Goodwill last week and am now wearing some 16's I had. They're tight but tolerable. I am going to hang on to one pair of jeans, though.

I've noticed that myself ... I'm thinking of looking into one of those baby food dishes that holds hot water, like I had for my sons (now 17 and 13) when they were little.

I've been banded a month today and so far, so good! I've lost 20 lbs. (by my scale) and have come back into Onderland. I have to admit I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop, though. I mean, I know I'm going to plateau and that really scares me for some reason. Also, I'm afraid I'm going to mess up - I'm not talking about an Icee at the movies or a couple of Hershey Miniatures at a staff meeting. I'm talking falling off the wagon with a vengeance and not being able to get back on. But I'm optimistic. I'm starting to regard my band and my partner and friend, one that has my back and keeps me out of trouble.

I was one of those with horrible periods. I started two months after my 11th birthday and missed a day of school/work every month with cramps and nausea. It died down after I had my kids. So far perimenpause hasn't been too bad. I've only really missed one period so far and the worst part was the vaginal dryness.

I am director of Pregnancy and Parenting Programs for Catholic Charities West Virginia.

Way to go! And remember, that's 25 lbs. lost forever!

1. Dress more professionally. 2. Give my fat clothes to my b*tchy sister-in-law. 3. Look for a higher-paying job.

Actually, my doctor said I could eat things like tuna salad, eggs, etc. on the mushy diet. I was out of town Monday through Thursday of this week and stuck with things like chili, black bean soup and those Bumble Bee packaged chicken breasts - they're extremely tender and fall apart in your mouth. And I lost two pounds, too - YAY!

I'm doing OK - lost 16 lbs (according to my scale) since surgery, and that's with being out of town most of this week. I haven't really cheated on the diet (although I did have a little chocolate yesterday) but I've only been to the gym once. The thing that's getting me is port pain - it still stings when I exercise or do something that involves walking, such as shopping. Should I be concerned about this?

I ate out for the first time Tuesday since being banded 1/19. I stayed away from fast food and went to a sit-down restaurant where I knew I could get tuna salad. Fast food is inevitable in my life too since I travel so much for work and I appreciate your suggestions.

I had my surgery 1/19. I stayed overnight and I'm glad I did. I had problems when I tried to eat the jello they gave me and was up and down to go to the bathroom a lot and needed help. Nobody would have left me alone at home so it gave me a chance to rest. I went back to work a week later with no problems.

I get it too ... a lot of times when we reach a long-cherished, hard-fought goal, we feel like "Is that all there is?" Elliot Easton, lead guitarist of the popular new-wave band The Cars (remember them?) has said several times that he struggled a bit with success when it hit. He thought that if the band could just make a successful album, all his problems would be solved, and was surprised to find that he was still the same person, with good days and bad days. So it is with being skinny. You're there, now what? It sounds like you just need to regroup, or maybe get some counseling. Anything's better than being fat again!

I told the coworkers in my office because there was simply no keeping it from them, but not anyone I work with at any other locations.

Hi - Does the WV in WVGal30 refer to West (by God) Virginia? If so, where do you live and who did your surgery?

Hang in there and take care. I went back to work today (desk job) and am feeling fine, except for burping a lot. I go back to Dr. Shin tomorrow.

My stomach must not have a temper - I've had no problems whatsoever, except for burping at lot. I'm so hungry I could eat a horse and wondering if they even put anything in there -

I can absolutely see myself doing this! Fortunately, my tastes are fairly simple, and I probably won't spend much more than I did on my food addiction.

My parents were very supportive. My dad has struggled with his weight all his life and would probably do the same thing if he were 30 years younger. My husband was not in favor but he went along with it. I had to tell my coworkers as I work in a very small office and there was no keeping it from them. Most of them are heavier than I am and thought I was crazy, but now their interest is piqued.