WLSResources/ClothingExch

I recall that you've posted your worries a few other times. It seems as though the last was at least a couple of months ago. You probably were advised to see the surgeon in previous threads. It seems that you haven't followed up in the appropriate place -- the doctor's office -- but instead come here to be told what to do. Here goes. It's time to be a capable adult looking out for your own medical concerns. No one here has any clue as to whether your pain is related to the band or something completely different. Make an appointment with the surgery practice. It may be that you'll be referred to a GE/GI once there. Ongoing pain says that something is off and shouldn't be ignored further in case it is serious. Go take care of yourself. You surely can update people here at BP afterward, but no one here can treat you. Ask questions and take notes at your appointments. Do not leave the office until you are sure you understand the information you're given. If you think you'll be too nervous to follow through on this, take a reliable friend or relative with you to help get things straight.

Spoken by the one who introduced the idea of hands into the topic. What a surprise. *************************************************** Between this and another topic, I'm having fun in BP this a.m., but now I have to go.

Whether in a pool, a lake or the sea, that always made me so self-conscious and humiliated. Sadly, I think I felt that way even at 160 or 170, a great, big apple. "Cheap" in terms of quality or in floozy terms? I'm really not sure which you mean.

Does it need all that much staying on?

You're cute. American frogs, however, say "ribbik, ribbik" or "ribbit, ribbit." "Rebbe" is a rabbi. Have a badass day.

If to lose is to become loose, does it follow that boobs will bob?

Mebbe you rassle 'em to the ground? (Never in my life have I written or typed "Mebbe." It was fun, but I doubt I'll do it again. Mebbe.)

From what I've seen in BP and heard at support groups, people who go from band to sleeve generally lose at a slower rate than those who chose sleeve at the outset. More important than "what to expect" is to keep expectations reasonable. That may mean that losing weight meets expectations or that one or two pounds per week is on target. As long as you're losing weight, you're ahead of the game. I don't know whether your rate of loss with the band was indeed "very slow" or how much you lost in what period; it's irrelevant now, as you're no longer working the band. If I'm correct in surmising that you switched to sleeve only because you were dissatisfied with your progress, I can only suggest that you consider new ways to think about the entire process. Can you live with "I'm losing weight?" If you can get yourself to that place, you'll be much happier than you seem. In any case, all the best from here on.

I don't know if you're interested in doing more cooking. You might like it. It can be a creative activity. It's up to you of course, but I hope you don't mean you're living on egg whites, turkey bacon and oatmeal.

Which reminds me: Part of your job as a "good dad" is to teach her what baboons men can be.

You're right there. Until you began this topic, I knew only of your 16-year old. Your respect for your children is palpable and will always take you far. You know that.

Psst, aim higher than that. If you say "I'm no James Beard," you'll be taken far more seriously as the new Bariatric Pal chef. Serious question because I'm curious: Do you cook much for yourself?

"...how do you tell your daughter she might need this?" You're off the hook because, as a loving, supporting fan of this amazing young woman, you're not going to say word one. At 24, she knows about her weight and a whole lot more. She's also the one to determine what she "needs" and when she "needs" it. More to the point, it's for her to determine what she wants and when she wants it. You'll be appropriate to mention surgery only when she mentions wanting to lose weight. If you say anything before, you'll slip a small wedge between you. Long ago I co-opted something from our friend of yore, Joy: There's no point in telling someone something she already knows. Trust me and the others who've responded similarly. "Someone's daughter" is on each of our résumés.

This is the first I'm hearing ever that the manufacturer's intended use for pop rocks is known to anyone but three of us in my town.

Oh, no, I missed an episode? It's odd that you brought to mind the Twilight Zone episode, "To Serve Man."

I'll have my cotton balls macerated in pomegranate juice, please. http://www.webmd.com/diet/ss/slideshow-bad-diets

Hence, the "diva" part. Now I see. All is cool. When the time comes, you'll use up less mindwidth to wrap around it. Have a great time all along the way.

Do you really want to waste your mind and time thinking about it? It's going to happen, ready or not. Are you normal? I have no clue. Can you imagine yourself wearing a smaller tent size? (Hey, it's your screen name.) You'll be fine.

Do what makes the most sense to you.

@@SoExcited101, I'm making a few wild guesses here. The person who was going to take you to the hospital is obese and is jealous of you. - or - He's your boyfriend or husband and is afraid that, once you lose weight, you won't want him. - or - Both. The truth is that you don't need anyone to take you. You'll be busy with the hospital staff to fill out medical records and get ready for the operation itself. When it's time to leave the hospital, you'll want someone to take you home. Arrange that as quickly as you can. It doesn't have to be someone close to you, either. Maybe a neighbor can help out? Don't worry about the person who disappointed you now. You have more important things to think about.

@@Djmohr, I'll have you know that my cotton balls really are cotton, but, yes, it's necessary to read the package carefully. The synthetics are called "cosmetic puffs" or things like that. The "article" is a slide show with arrows to advance or go back above and to the left and right of the photo. You can view all.

@@thiswaywardgirl "...my family back home are very scared for me because they're not there to take care of me after the operation.They are suggesting I need to get rid of all my issues before surgery.I don't know if that is realistic or not?" As someone who has clinical depression, I understand that neither it nor anxiety are ever really "gotten rid of." They may ebb and flow and, when things are looking sunny, they are being managed with treatment, usually including meds. Being able to function well is a triumph and, I think, a sign to proceed with what one wants. If you're stable, you're good. Your family's love may be the basis of their naive notion that your "issues" will evaporate. To wait for that day may mean waiting, waiting, waiting.... I suggest that you go over the questions on your own and then with the psychiatrist & psychologist. Among other things, I'd ask myself if I am stable and managing my life satisfactorily; if I am committed to losing weight and willing and capable of making the changes necessary to do it. I'd review each component of the changes rather than making the question too broad and vague. Am I ready and willing to give up potato crisps? Buckets of ice cream in front of the television? Plan my meals and grocery-shop for maximum nutrition and lowest calories? Etc., etc, so on and so forth. You might also start a running list of reasons you want to lose weight, everything that occurs to you. No reason is minor or vain. It's fun and satisfying to check reasons off as they're accomplished. It's also interesting to see how goals evolve as you go along. The most fortunate person is the one who can endlessly add new goals to the list. Pray as is your custom. At the same time, stay aware that the subject at hand is very much a matter of self-awareness and personal responsibility. We lose weight by making choices and enacting them. It's that simple. Not necessarily easy, but simple indeed.

Tremendous article for its simplicity and now bookmarked. Each of the Nine Questions is pared down and direct with no room for judging one's self unless one works hard at it. "How is this? Not good enough? Okay, what am I going to do about that?" Was it #5 about feeding the mind? That one speaks to me, as I've been vegetative on some fronts for a long time. That's a wise surgeon. You, too, for continuing the exercise. Inspiration Surfer Girl.

@@thiswaywardgirl, we were typing at the same time and now I see that your concern is your emotional status. My question still holds: How can you know if you will be in better shape at one time than another? Have you discussed postponing with the psychiatrist and psychologist?

@@thiswaywardgirl, I'm not clear on the connection between your job and school holidays. My main question, though, is what difference would there be should you postpone surgery? If nothing would change appreciably, what would you gain by postponing? (A minor point, a curiosity, if you will. Most BariatricPal users are American. It's a group to whom "due date" means the date one is expecting to give birth.)