gentlespirit

I think her actions were toally inappropriate...especially when she was speaking from a position of no experience with the band and apparently not even bothering to get the facts straight. I don't think a support group is supposed to "badger" attendees about their choice but support everyone in their weight loss journey. I wouldn't go back, if it were me. This site was and continues to be such a great resource for me, and I feel that I went into my surgery with very realistic expectations due to what I had found here. Hopefully your surgeon will accept this as your support group. Good luck! Emily

Sounds like you are doing great! A lot of people don't feel any restriction until they have their first fill, once the swelling from surgery goes down. Glad to know you are doing so well. Emily

My doc said no lifting anything over 10 pounds for the first two weeks, so with little ones help would be a necessity, I think. Emily

What is it about Reese's pnut butter cups? They are absolutely lethal, and I at a whole small bag yesterday. It makes me furious at myself for succumbing to that same old temptation. Too bad we can't depend on our bands not to accept sweets, isn't it!! This morning I reminded myself that the only thing I can change is today...can't go back and re-do yesterday, so I'll try to do better today. Somewhere I read that "Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes its a quiet voice at the end of the day saying, 'I will try again tomorrow'." So I'll just gather up my courage and try again. Emily

Crystal~ I'm so sorry you're having such a hard time. It really sucks, and I wish there were something we could do to help you. I can't believe that nurse...call and ask to speak to someone else or ask that the doctor call you. And don't ever apologize for not having any support to give right now...you have given so much to all of us in the past, and now it's your turn to let us give back to you, even if it's only sending hugs and moral support! Please know that you're in our thoughts and prayers~ Emily

Hi, Christine~ Welcome! You'll find lots of good information and lots of great people here~ Emily

The head hunger is totally different from the physical hunger, and I'm battling that demon right now. I get physically satiated after about a cup of food, but sometimes my head says that's not enough and I still feel like eating more. I think most of us struggle with that issue. I think part of it is habit and part of it is psychological issues...but I don't have any terrific answers for you, sorry! Emily

I will stop wearing long loose shirts. I will enjoy moving my body again. I will enjoy the looks I get from men! I will buy cute smaller clothes rather than sewing them from size 28-32 patterns. I will look for a new job. I will give thanks every day for my wonderful band. Emily

Me, too...isn't he a sweetie?

I's so sorry Emily and the rest of your family are going through this...there is nothing harder for a mom to take than her children being really ill. You'd do it for her in a heartbeat if you could, I know. All of you will be in my prayers, and just remember that God holds Emily in his loving hand. Hugs` Emily

I think I also had some restriction before getting my first fill. I also had to wait 6 weeks before he'd consider a fill. I was probably eating about 1/3 of what I had been eating pre-band. I went in on March 7 for my first fill and got 1cc in a 4cc band. I haven't felt a bit of difference from before the fill to now. Go back for a second fill April 4, and I'm hoping that I get more restriction with that one. He seemed surprised that my food volume was at only 1/3 of before and almost didn't fill me, but since I hadn't PBd or gotten anything stuck, he did go ahead and fill. Emily

I really like it, too, and have used the canned stuff. It's pretty good, but nothing is a good as what you cook yourself. Yum...think I'll add that to my grocery list! Emily

Does flax oil have the same benefits? I'm thinking that I read somewhere it did, and you can buy it in bottles. I can't stand fish, so flax would have to taste better than fish oil, I would think. I'll try to do some research and see if I can find anything and then post again. Emily

I was scared to try salad and tortillas, but recently I had a turkey breast wrap at Subway and had no problems...I was VERY careful about chewing really well. I like the wraps for lunch because I eat half one day and half the next...lunch for $2 is hard to beat and it's just the right amount! Don't eat seafood or meat other than turkey, so I'm no help with those. Haven't tried hard or fluffy breads and don't plan to if I can avoid it. Hard cheeses have been just fine for me. Emily

I had the major rumblings for about a week or so...my family laughed at me because they could hear it all the way across a room, but it does go away fairly soon. Emily

Try to keep reminding yourself that "fun food" is what got you to the point where you needed the band. I don't have a good answer, because I struggle with eating in the evening...so I try to keep myself busy with crafts or sewing or something...and if all else fails, I have a couple of sugar-free popsicles. Good luck! Emily

In the week or so following surgery I was embarrassed by how loud my stomach rumbled and gurgled. My family thought it was funny that they could hear it clear across the room! But it does go away in a week or two, so I wouldn't be concerned about it. Emily

Mandy, you look great! Congratulations on both the weight loss and the honeymoon! Emily

I've been sitting here thinking about mothers and how much we love them and want them to be around for always. I think the journal is a wonderful idea. You can write out all your feelings for her and how important she is to you and that you want your children to be able to know her and how wonderful she is. And let her know that the money is set aside for her and that it won't be a hardship for you and your husband to do this. Let her know how much you'll need her as you raise your family. Maybe you can convince her that this is just as much for you as for her. I don't like the idea of anything deceptive...too often it comes back and bites people in the butt. Good luck as you tackle this! Emily

Kimber-lilly~ I'm so sorry about your brother. I haven't lost a sibling or parent, but I can imagine it's incredibly hard to go through. Consider yourself hugged! Be gentle with yourself for now and if possible, do see a counselor at least a few times. They can be such a help in getting us through difficult times. I think the most important thing is it work through the grieving process and when you're feeling a little better, you can concentrate on the weight loss again. Emily

It's funny...I remember when I was in college and wei ghed 140 pounds on my 5'9" frame. I got lots of attention from guys but it was often to comment on parts of my body (breasts, legs, whatever) like I was just a collection of body parts for them to ogle. I got really tired of it. When I lose enough so that it shows (and hopefully so that I look "good" again) I will be really pissed if someone who ignored me as a fat person starts paying attention to me. I have no time for people like that...I love Eileen's story about what she did! Emily

Congratulations! It's exciting to be on the way! Emily

I have been having a hard time with that lately, too. It sucks! And my computer is on the fritz, so I can't even do that. Usually that helps, but last night I had to dig out a craft project to keep my hands busy. I was doing well with the head hunger thing until just a few days ago....but now it's reared its ugly head! I'm going to try sugar-free popsicles if I have trouble tonight. Emily

Kevin's probably a nice kid but I don't think his voice is anywhere near some of the others, and that's what this is supposed to be about. Mandisa is amazing...I think she's real and nice and can really sing. Kellie is just so "cute" that she makes my stomach turn. No once could be that naive for real in this day and age, could they?? Maybe it's just me...I've never liked sickly sweet people. I like Taylor, too. Emily

You have such beautiful children! Emily