CanyonBaby

Well done, folks! And welcome to the loser's bench! All described appear to be normal, and should pass in time. There will be difficult times, emotionally and physical, but with this support site, it helps it all pass so much more tolerably. NOW, go baby yourselves a little!!!!

First, I'm very proud of you. Your life IS still your own. I would suggest having the "fam" go with to your introductory sessions, and also meet with the surgeon who can tell them the REAL facts. Meeting with the dietician is also a good idea. Make sure you tell your surgical team the difficulties you have had over this, I'm sure it's not the first time they have heard it. They may know how to better deal with it, as well. I wish you all the best, and keep us informed!

I burp a lot, as well, and was told this will be forever. I'm hoping as my hernia repair gets fully healed this will lessen. No sneezing, though. I do get the runny nose from spicier foods. Good luck to you!

And adding to what CowgirlJane said, we need to watch what we consume that can cause ulcers. They are serious, and they are REAL! Good luck to you!

lynneanne, I hope your surgery went well and you are recovering spectacularly! JM1997, My stress test is now scheduled for the 6th of May, so will find out more then. Thanks for caring!

@@gowalking Yes, I think it's time for some professional stylists! Good idea! I've tried staying "basic", thinking it would "do", but it just ISN'T! I need to remember hat it's not just the outside that is changing, but the inside, as well. So ALL need a good re-vamping! Doing my stress-test on the 6th, that should show a lot, and some good advice from those folks should help me, as well. I see my nurse for my fifth month follow-up on the 4th, and I'm sure she'll "slap" me around a little, too! All for the good, I think I may need a little "slappin'"! Have a great day, all!

@@James Marusek That is AWESOME!!!!! You should be very proud of your accomplishments, and for what it's worth, I am, too! Thanks for sharing!

@@gowalking Thank you. It is so uplifting to have such support. Now, what styles should a 53 year old woman wear that DOESN'T hang to her knees, drape below her abdomen, hang limply like a wet rag?! I am CLUELESS! NEED SOME HELP HERE!!!!! Thanks....

Even though it may not feel like that is where he surgery was, the nerves are still connected to that area, and there was an awful lot of tugging and pulling and stretching to remove the stomach. Muscles were cut, nerves were cut and quite frankly, your abdomen is NOT happy about it! You're going to have pain for awhile, maybe weeks. I suggest using a warm heating pad (on the lowest setting) for no more than 10 minutes at a time, with a towel between you and the pad. Or, some find comfort with a cool ice pack, again with the towel between you and the ice. IF you are concerned, call your surgical team for advice. Good luck to you!

Walking for me, as well. With my spine, there's not a whole lot left for me to do, so do it I do!! The REAL question here is HOW DID THE UNSUSPECTING DOG DO?!!!!

@@KingMoose The thing to remember is IF you are thirsty, you are ALREADY dehydrated, as thirst is a SYMPTOM of dehydration. Check the back of your hand; pinch the skin on it with your thumb and finger. Does it stay "pinched"? If so, you are likely dehydrated. If the skin springs back, you are probably ok for fluids. If in doubt, DRINK! If you are sweating, drink to rehydrate. In your hot climate, you need to stay ahead of the game. And, as always, check with your doctor if you have concerns. Good luck to you!

@@uacaitlyn Hee Hee! Too funny, huh!

I am glad to hear your sugars are good, so that is not contributing to your eye issues. Have you tried searching the internet to see what you can find out? Are they going to send you to a specialist, or is the doctor you see already one? If the doctor you already see IS a specialist, they should be able to answer your questions, I would think. Keep after them, you deserve answers, the best they can give. In the meantime, you are in my prayers....all the best to you...

When both my dog AND I can fit on the chair!

So I gotta know...did it work? Did the soap help you get to sleep?

@@lloyd408 Forgot to mention this, but the drinks won't be sweet, just flavored!

@@sandyb68 In addition to Water Enhancer drops, you may wish to try extracts like vanilla, lemon, orange....there are lots of extracts out there. I use a toothpick, dip it in the bottle, about an inch or so, then swish it in the water. Make sure you get the natural extracts, and not the artificial ones. As they are so concentrated, you only need a tiny bit for each serving. I really like the peppermint in the summer. You can find them in the baking section of the grocery store. Good luck to you!

Two things have come to mind since I posted this today. First, I think I have been sooooo used to being heavy, and it has been such a quick ride to where I am now, I just can't seem to get adjusted to the new me. It may take some serious time. I have been heavy for a long time now, about 35 years. So I shouldn't be surprised that it may take me some time to get used to being thinner. Yes, I should give myself a break. Second, after reading all of your thoughtful and considerate responses, I do, indeed, have a very good chance at dealing with all of this WITH you, instead of on the sidelines. And I thank each and every one of you for you responses. It is not an easy thing we deal with, first the physical battle, then the mental battle. AND WHO SAID THIS WAS THE EASY WAY OUT?! Finally, I was told by a "friend" years ago, that my "style" was so predictable. She could pick out something I would buy (before I would even look at it) when we went shopping as a "Jen" top (or pant or whatever...). Not a flattering thing to realize about yourself. So after I finished posting this, this morning, I went and looked in my closet. SURE ENOUGH! The "new" things I had purchased are EXACT replicas (different patterns, perhaps) of the things I wore when I was heavier. So maybe I need to change up my style a bit, get OUT of the old habits and into the new, the new Jen. Maybe then I can see a different picture, and the bloody mirror can go "crack-up"!!! A sincere "Thank You" to all who responded, and who may yet respond, I am eternally grateful. All my best to all of you...

So I'm going to be the one (and maybe not one!) who says "let's do something with this" and try to get some good out of it...can there be good? I think so. Let's look at ourselves, have we ever said a similar thing? Thought it? We probably all have, not necessarily to an overweight person, but about a perceived flaw that someone has/shows.... I am really starting to analyze what I think (especially the spur of the moment thought) when I see/hear/experience something that isn't "right". Why did I just think that nasty thought? Who am I to judge that? I MUST find something better to do with my time!!!!!! Now I am trying to focus on the positive side, "You sure look nice in that color", "where did you learn THAT skill? I wish I could do that"..... Especially when I have found something negative to zero in on, I am trying to turn it around....my thinking, that is, so I hopefully can turn my "holier than thou" attitude into something that will make me feel good when I go to sleep at night, and have to face myself in the morning.

How is your fluid intake? Are you getting the recommended 64 ounces in? Even if you are, maybe try getting in some more. Dehydration can cause headaches. Call you surgical team, in any case, so they know what is going on. They may be able to suggest treatments. Good luck to you!

Not crazy, at all! Do you, by chance, have diabetes, as well? That plays a large role in eye health. And while weight loss won't stop that type of eye issue, it may stop it in its' tracks. Did you ask your doctor about how weight loss might affect these other issues?

I think I would talk to my dietician about this one, as different oils can affect you differently. Have a good night!

I wasn't allowed regular food for 8 weeks. After that, it was as tolerated. If your going to do it, try real meat (like the Carving Board stuff) as opposed to real fatty lunch meat. Deli meat is usually ok, but the bologna and salami are really fatty. Maybe look for reduced-fat hot dogs, too. Good luck to you!

Believe it or not, I'm kinds in a similar spot, and I'm almost 5 months out. In a stall, for the last 2 weeks, lacking proper energy, not finding anything appetizing because I'm just tired of it all, right now. I will prevail, just a little setback. I know I have done too many carbs the last couple of days, I really think the coffee 2 days in a row sent me into a tizzy about hunger. And carbs ALWAYS make me sleepy, less energetic, and they tend to feed off each other. Now I have to pull myself back off that track, onto my better path. Not easy, not at all. Just know you're not facing this stuff alone, it will always come and go with us, it seems. But having all the encouragement and support of these folks really helps, REALLY, it DOES! Let us hang tight together!

@@bellabill Do you normally do your own color, or go to a stylist? If you don't use a stylist, why not call one or two and ask what they would recommend? Make sure you tell them about the surgery, so they can suggest something pertinent for your situation, if one exists. Good luck to you!