gentlespirit

I also have the "stitch" feeling on the left side by my port sometimes...but everything else seems fine, so I'm trying to ignore it and hope it gets better over time. For me the gas/shoulder pain lasted about 10 days but got a lot better for the last few days of that. Hopefully you'll start to feel better soon! Emily

Congratulations! It's a major one when we don't first think of food to de-stress! Emily

Thanks, everyone...that does help! I am really looking forward to continuing this journey and learning more about how to treat my band and how it reacts to things as I go. For now, I'll try to quit obsessing about it :couch2:, but I do appreciate the reassurance...you guys are great. Emily

I am one month post-op and have my first fill scheduled for March 7, as well as my first visit to the dietician. I have been measuring out a cup of food per meal, and sometimes that feels just right and sometimes I feel overly full afterwards. I'm really working on eating more slowly and learning to recognize that soft stop signal, but it's a learning process. Lately I haven't felt like having my Atkins Protein shake on the way to work in the morning because I feel full, and I really want to get that in to get my metabolism going in the morning as well as needing the protein. My question is if that one cup amount seems reasonable for someone without a first fill? I've been having a little lower abdominal discomfort and it got me worrying that maybe I was eating too much...but I think I'd feel it higher if my pouch was too full, wouldn't I? What I'm feeling is probably gas...? Am I going to have to spend the rest of my life (or however long I can keep the band) worrying if I've messed up my band every time I get abdominal pain or discomfort??? Thanks! Emily

Hope everything goes wonderfully well for you!! Will be sending you good thoughts on Wednesday... Emily

I think Katharine McPhee is amazing! And I like Taylor Hicks, too...he's definitely an original! This should be a fun season. My family thinks I'm nuts to watch, but I enjoy the music and the personalities of some of the contestants. Emily

Thanks, Kare...that put my "bad" day in perspective! We take SO much for granted, don't we? Emily

I think it would be difficult for me to do this without my family's support, so I really feel for you...but nightingale2u is right that this group is such a phenomenal support for all of us. Who better knows what you're feeling and going through than someone making the same journey? Best of luck to you as you go through the process! Hope you can get a date soon. Emily

Hi, and welcome! It's fun to have others from our state participate. I'm a month out from surgery and am doing well, I think. I get a little concerned about the amount I'm eating...I drink a protein shake for breakast, eat about a cup of food for lunch and a cup of food for dinner. Occasionally it feels like a little much...just a little bit of that over full feeling...but usually it's fine. Does that sound like a reasonable amount for someone who hasn't had a fill yet? I've been reading about pouches stretching and certainly don't want to create problems! Any feedback would be appreciated! Emily

I think it was rude and unprofessional, too. Doesn't matter if he thought he was being funny...it's never a funny matter to those of us who have struggled our whole lives. And if he was serious, I'd want to kick him somewhere vital! Emily

I can't believe I am eating a cup of food or less at a meal and am full! And when I get my first fill, I know it'll be even less. But for now I am at -27 pounds a month out fomr surgery, and it feels WONDERFUL! Emily

Wow! You look amazing!! Gives me hope that I'll get there someday, too. You should be SO proud of yourself! Emily

Daisybelle~ I"m so sorry for your great loss. I still have my mom, but she gets frailer each day and I think about this so often. If you have a counselor or therapist you can see, I would encourage you to do so. We all need help at times, and they can make such a difference. I've used Lutheran Social Services to get me through some very difficult times, and they've been a life saver. Hugs and prayers for strength to you! Emily

Congratulations, Sunta! Every time we face our fears and go ahead anyway we get stronger, and that experience helps us face the next thing. You did a good thing!! Hope your recovery is quick and uneventful and that you're feeling better again soon. Emily

My time from initial consultation to surgery was about 10 weeks, so 3 months may be doable. Good luck! Emily

I was on Wellbutrin XL once a day (I think it was 300 mg.) and they told me that I couldn't take that one cuz it was t oo big. So instead they prescribed me 2 150 mg. tablets, which are a lot smaller and are still time released. I take them both one after the other in the morning, but I can get them down because they are smaller. That might be an option. I was told not to crush them because of the time-release issue. Emily

Congratulations...I'm excited for you! Emily

A lot of people here seem to like unjury Protein powder. They have an unflavored one that can be added to almost anything and doesn't change the taste of the food. I bought some but haven't tried it yet. You can check it out at www.unjury.com As for baby food, I don't think the single foods are sweetened, but the things like Desserts are. Emily

Hi~ I was at 329 the day before surgery and had a BMI of 50. I was banded 1/24/06 and am down about 30 pounds. Loving it so far! I have seen some really bad outcomes of bypass surgery, so it was never an option for me. Somewhere on here (I think...or maybe Obesityhelp.com?) I saw a post/article that after 18 months to 2 years the results are virtually the same for bandsters and those who had bypass surgery. Of course it depends on the individual and how their body reacts and the choices they make to some extent. But if your surgeon is pressuring you, I'd find another surgeon who is more familiar and comfortable with all the options. DOn't let him pressure you into something you aren't comfortable with! Emily

Congratulations on both the new job and the weight loss! Hope you love the job! Sorry I don't have any outgrown clothes yet or I'd send you some, too! I'm hoping that I'll be needing new ones like you before too long! Emily

Congratulations on finding a way that works for you! You'll be a bandster soon...the time goes fast while you're waiting. I just found out I have to pay $2500 for mine, and I'm glad I didn't find out until after I'd had the surgery or I might have put it off as too expensive. Best of luck as you go through the process! Emily

Leatha~ I haven't had the pleasure of meeting you, but your posts have been such a blessing to me. I wish you the very best and hope that you'll come back and visit from time to time. Thank you for all you've shared, and take care. Emily

What Vinesqueen said was wise (she usually is!)...this is a big change for him as well as for you, and we're all uncomfortable with change. He needs to know that this won't change how you feel about him...you'll just have more energy and will feel so much better. A counselor is a great idea, if he'll go with you. Good luck in working through this together. Emily

Sunta~ The last time I had surgery was following areally bad car accident, and I w as reliving all the fear of that experience, too...but it really wasn't anything to worry about. You just wake up and it's all done and you will be so glad you went ahead and did it. Think of all the soul searching you did to get to the decision...nothing has changed except that you're feeling the normal pre-surgery jitters and fears. You will be fine, so take a deep breath and focus on the reasons that you're doing this. You will be fine...we;re all sending you peaceful and healing thoughts and strength to get through this. Emily

My sister is absolutely not delusional and she had a big old moth fly into her ear and get stuck. Had to go to the hospital to get it out. It would have made me nuts...I hate bugs! I saw a Trauma: Life in the ER show a few weeks ago where a patient had a cockroach in his ear and got a doc who was terrified of bugs. He did manage to get the bug out of the guy's ear, but then it disappeared into the doc's pant leg...he ended up stripping his pants off in front of the patient who ended up more scared of the way the doc was acting than he was of the bug! Emily