taz

Crystal, I am so glad your neice is safe. I am also glad she has you for support. Like I mentioned, my parents, especially my mother, was an oasis for her. She still loves to go there. She is so young to be going through this extremely adult challenge. I hope like you that her parents can show her unconditional love too.

Oh, Plum, you are bursting my bubble. I just knew the special prize in the bottom of the Cracker Jacks box would take care of that. Have you been having some good days. You sound very determined. I decided to bite the bullet and go in for another fill next week. At least my fill last week helped some. Tina

Crystal, I'm really sorry to hear your neice is having trouble. When my daughter was around that age she would take off on her bicycle or just leave when we would fight. I still have a hard time understanding it but I guess her stress level was just very high. We also found out she was bipolar around that time. Those years were really tough. Trying to get in touch with her friends or driving around trying to find her. Sometimes she would stay with my mom and dad where she could be pampered a bit and have unconditional love. Nothing makes you feel better. This was before cell phones too which made things a bit harder. She's 23 now and has turned into a nice young woman. We were lucky that after 5 years we were finally able to get her on the right meds. Also many more blessings and a lot of hard work by sooooo many people. I am so very thankful she has turned into a nice young woman because, as you know, there were a lot of tough years.

Same here. I had to have my gallbladder out in Jan then wait a month to be banded. He said the same. Possible infection. The good thing is at least the insurance paid for the gallbladder.

I use the Biochem whey protein powder natural. I get it from a healthfood store here in Memphis. I've looked on the internet too and it is sold at different sites. The nice thing is it has twice the protein of the flavored powders per scoop and two full scoops make it even creamier. I like that.

I can still eat anything. I do feel some restriction and can eat less than before my first fill. Then it was like no surgery had taken place and I was beginning to eat like that again too. My husband was about to have a hissy fit. He kept saying I needed to stop eating, then I needed to stop at least after my fill. It has slowed. I am trying to listen to my body more. I have never PBed or thrown up. The only time I had trouble after my fill was when I took two of my pills at one. They kind of stuck for a second. I just forgot to chop them up first.:tt1: Anyway, maybe I'm still afraid of losing my friend/food who has always been there for me.:cursing:

I have started back to WW too. I need that weigh-in every week. I became a lifetime member 28 years ago. It really is the only thing that worked for me. Unfortunately I would always gain it back and then some. I was banded Feb 8th and had my first fill March 14th. Hopefully with the band I will not give up and can keep it off.:biggrin2:

I use 1 cup ff plain yogurt, 2 scoops unflavored whey protein, 2-3 packets Equal, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 cup frozen strawberries. Blend in a blender. It keeps me going all morning.:scared2:

This is very good information. I am only feeling slight restriction after my first fill. I think I will let it be for a while and see how my weight loss goes. It seems it would be better to be a little loose in the beginning than too tight and possibly have to have an unfill.:scared2:

I got my band Feb 8th and have one fill. I am afraid to get another one. I think I am still having trouble giving up food. I have some restriction now but I think it would be better if it was a little tighter. I try hard to stop when I feel pressure but am not always successful. I am still losing very slowly. Is it best to forge ahead with another fill? I am a chicken. I am afraid. Any thoughts from anyone?:confused2:

How about if we share our exercising each day. I am having trouble being persistent. It doesnt matter what or how much, just that we do something. I want to take it a bit more seriously than I have lately. I had my gallbladder out Jan 8th and banded Feb 8th. I've just had a bit more trouble recovering than most it seems. I have only started walking again last week. These cold fronts keep coming through Memphis and play holy heck with my fibromyalgia. Anyway, I look forward to hearing from you. It can be about nothing or how awful you may feel on that day. Fibromyalgia is a stinker of a challenge.:scared2:

We lived in Brentwood outside of Nashville for three years. Of course that was 18 years ago. We used to love it there. We also loved the Smokies. Can you believe we met through a backpacking club. Of course that was 115 pounds ago:) Tennesse has some beautiful areas. The flat lands of western Tennesse just aren't very good for hiking. I guess we could walk the levees of the rice fields.:scared2: Anyway, I am very grateful for all of you. It puts a supportive and fun twist to this.

Hi Mattie. I have fibromyalgia as well. I agree that walking is a good place to start. Start out at 20 feet and see if you can increase it a little over time. On my bad days it is so hard to go walking. I started walking about 10 years ago when I hurt my back. It helps so much. I am not as stiff. I do find if I will work with weight machines at the YMCA I feel much better. I never stress too much. I go up very slowly. It just helps me feel stronger. Medications I use are Elavil, Lyrica, Zanaflex, and Hydrocodone. Most are to help me sleep at night. I also use acupuncture. It helps also. Funny thing is since my surgery I have not needed to go to acupuncture. It's not that I don't hurt and get depressed, it's just that I have not gotten to the point where I just want to roll around on the floor in pain. I stay away from the hydrocodone except to sleep. Have you tried a pain management center? My doc says most of her fibro patients go there. I hope this helps some. I know fibromyalgia can be overwhelming. Some days I can hardly get out of my chair. The pressure just feels better and I have no energy on those days. I think losing weight can only help. At least I had more energy when I weighed less. Let me know how things go. Tina

I had the same experience. I was down 12 pounds and then at the 5th all the swelling went down and it was like I had nothing. I gained 2 pounds. I had my first fill on Monday. I'm doing better but I think I will call on Monday and request another fill in another week or so. Hope things work well for you. I know that frustration of not being able to stop eating again. Request a fill a little early maybe.:teeth_smile:

I use L'il Critters Omega-3 Gummy Fish. I get them from Target but I'm sure Walmart would have them too. They are my indulgence for the day. I think they taste very good. I just take 4 instead of 2. They are in the children's vitamin section.:smile:

Hi hopefulmom, I was sitting in front of plum and was unfortunately late. Plum, at least you got credit for coming. It seems to be very important to Dr Woodman that everyone attends. His staff is very nice. They seem to be the ones who we see most of the time. I didn't make it to Kellsy's kitchen. Hopefully next time.:biggrin2:

There are several people going to WW. I had my first fill Monday and started back yesterday. I need more structure (ie weigh-ins) than once a month support groups. The nurse also said I could weigh in at the doc's office weekly. If I go to WW on Tues and doc's on Thurs or Fri until I can get accustomed hopefully with another fill I can succeed. WW is the only program I had success with. Good luck to you.

You have done great. I didn't see Dr. Woodman today when I went in. Did he come in when you had your fill? Did you also lay back over the pillow. I just found out recently he took out two of my cousins gallbladder in January as well as mine...lol. Have you been able to go to any of the support groups? I understand there is one Thursday night. As was said in the movie "Galexy Quest". "Never give up...Never surrender!" My dh says I'm easily amused.:thumbup:

Mine was a get-away weekend to the Smokies last fall. When we were first married we would walk up the 1/2 mile to Clingman's Dome without stopping. Last fall I had to stop about every 15 yards to rest and catch my breath. My weight was going to stop my ability to travel because I would not be able to walk far. Giving up that time with my husband and family was too much.

My fill went pretty well. It was a little more traumatic than I expected. I think the nurse who did it was fairly new to the office and possibly a bit new at doing fills too. It is probably not one of the fun jobs for the office. I laid back over a pillow. It took her a bit to find the port so she poked around a bit with her fingers. When when she started to fill it I started to talk and she said don't talk now. Her 'speech' tickled me because it definitely had a rehearsed sound to it. Like I said before I gave no confessions. This seemed to throw her too because I got the impression she had another speech ready. She was cute in her enthusiasm to help and give information. I do seem to have some restriction from the fill which is nice. I have hope again. I also went back to weight watchers today and was told to call back if I wanted another fill after a week. That was also a relief. Thanks for asking.:thumbup:

I'll be looking forward to hearing how your first fill goes tomorrow. My first one is today. Maybe I'm still looking for something to save me. Sounds a bit wimpy doesn't it. Anyway, it seems you are still trying. Me too in a way. At least it is in front of my face all the time. Anything else going on that is making it hard?

Yes, I think Dr. W tries very hard to support. Some people are just naturely better at it. He just doesn't have much time for nonsense. I think I will be very frustrating to him if I don't improve my eating habits. Today is my first fill. I will absolutely make no cofessions.:wub:

I agree. I ate more yesterday than I have eaten in months. Family get togethers always have things you hardly see at any other time. Homemade baked goodies.:wub:

Good discussion here. I get my first fill tomorrow. I hope it helps. I have had no restriction since 1 1/2 weeks ago when my swelling went down. I am going back to weight watchers again tomorrow. I have to make this work. I appreciate the advice given of getting with the doc soon if there is no restriction. Good luck to everyone!

My first fill is on Monday and I don't know what will happen around here. (Really I do. Every time my husband goes by he makes the comment that everything has to change on Monday.) I know everything has to change on Monday but I think what if it doesn't? I've got to get this under control again. Is it better to ask for a small fill or a larger one? At this point I think I would be glad to have only fluids through for a while. Any thoughts anyone? :thumbdown: