gentlespirit

Crystal~ At least knowing what is is/might be is the first step towards getting it treated. Hopefully you'll get some firm answers and a plan of treatment soon. And now you know that you haven't been doing the weight loss thing wrong...it's not been in your control due to whatever this is. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers...keep us updated...we care about you! Emily

Wow...congratulations!! Why isn't my scale ever wrong in the right way??!! I'm delighted for you..way to go Emily

Congratulations! It does seem funny, doesn't it, to congratuate someone on being overweight!! It all depends on your perspective...I hope to join you in the ranks of the overweight at some time in the future. You are doing so awesome...keep up the great work! Emily

Hi, Jennifer~ Congratulations! Glad it went well for you and that things are going OK. I had mine on the 24th...what day was yours done? I had Dr. Peter O'Brien in Sioux Falls, SD, which is about 3 hours from where I live. They found a hiatal hernia when they got in there, so they repaired that, too, as well as some adhesions from an old gall bladder surgery. So it took about 1 1/2 hours total. I'm going fine now, but stiff and sore. Better than I expected...how about you? The shoulder pain is there but not unbearable. Let's compare notes~ Emily

Well, I've finally joined the ranks of the banded. It went well although he found a hiatal hernia and repaired it while he was mucking around in there. Might as well get it all done at once. It wasn't as bad as I expected, although I'm only 3 days out so that could change, I suppose. .Glad to have it over with! Emily

I'm so sorry for your loss, and your beautiful words of remembrance and good bye made me cry. How beautiful to have been loved so much...he was a blessed dog. The memories are precious and will become more so as the sadness lets up a little. Keep him close in your heart and he's never really gone. Emily

Kimmy~ Yeah, your body does eventually adjust so that you don't run to the bathroom all the time, but you might as well plan on more often than you're used to even then. I have gotten used to drinking about 3 quarts or so a day and fortunately have a desk job where I can take a potty break whenever I need to. Don't know how it would work for someone on an assembly line or something similar. And I think vinesqueen was right when she said tht plain good Water is best. The other things can help with some of it, but I don't think it's good to depend on them for all of it. Emily

Congratulations and welcome! I hope you'll look back on this decision as one of the best things you 've ever done for yourself! Most of the people here seem to feel that way, even those who have had difficulties with the band. I"m wi th Susan...the band makes me just cringe for lots of reasons, so I'm glad you went with the band, too. Good luck and keep us posted! Emly

No procedure is perfect for everyone, but the statistics you quoted were absurd, even if they did come from the FDA website. If it's that awful, why would they have approved it? I agree with what Aledandra said they must be counting every little hiccup and burp as a complication! I'm only a few days out from surgery, but I spent a lot of time researching various places and on this forum, and when 90% of the people responding to a surbeysay they'd have it done again, that gives me a lot of confidence. Good luck in making your decision, whether you decide to go with the band or another procedure. Only you can assess the information and decide what's best for you. Just remember that the people here are VERY honest about their experiences both g ood and bad. Emily

I agree with sleepyjean...this attitude of his should be a huge red flag to you. We all need all the support we can get in this lifechanging decision, and he certainly isn't giving it to you. I'd be really concerned about what this says about your relationship. You deserve someone who will support you in your Quest to become healthier and more comfortable and attractive. Maybe that's his problem...if you lose the weight he'll have more competition?? Having gone through a marriage for 18 years that sounds very similarl to your relationship, I'm just concerned for you...not trying to lecture or be negative. Emily

I just had my surgery on Tuesday, the 24th, and I have to tell you it was really easy...the surgery part, at least. I remember being in the pre-op room and seeing the surgeon for a couple of minutes and that's it. DOn't rmember even falling asleep and don't remember the tube at all. I was worried about that part, too, because I was on a respirator for 10 days after nearly dying in a car accident and the just the thought of the tube brought back all kinds of bad memories. But you truly won't be aware of it at the time or remember it afterward. The next thing I remember after the prep room was being told to wiggle my fingers in the recovery room. Hope this has eased your mind a little. Courage, my friend...it will be fine!! Emily

Congratulations! Keep up the good work, and I hope it continues to go well for you!! Emily

Can anyone recommend a Protein shake/drink that doesn't smell like a bottle of Vitamins? I just can't get past the smell...totally puts me off. Has anyone tried something they like or at least can tolerate well? Thanks! Emily

Well, I'm just finishing up my packing, and my sister and I leave for Sioux Falls Monday morning. Have to attend a class at 1 p.m. and then see the surgeon at 3:30. Surgery is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Tuesday. I'm nervous, but I'm also REALLY excited...this is what I've wanted and now it's time. Hopefully everything will go well and I'll be back home on Wed. afternoon. I'm glad my sister is going along...she has her first appointment with the same surgeon Tues. afternoon, so she'll be just a little behind me on the journey. I think it will be a real help to both of us to have each other for support. I keep encouraging her to join here...you all have been so encouraging and helpful. Emily

Mine went more quickly than I expected, too, and I'm having surgery Jan. 24. I'm not afraid of the surgery, but I'm really nervious about the month-long liquids and the head hunger that I know I'll have to fight. But we'll both do just fine...wishing you an easy surgery and recovery! Emily

I really miss Water aerobics and as soon as I can go back after my surgery, I'm going to. It's the only form of exercise I've found that I I don't dislike intensely. And I worried about the swimsuit thing at my weight and then decided I didn't care...I was proud that I started doing it for me and didni't care what anyone thought.! Having said that, I did make a fast trip from the locker room to the pool and back...no sashaying around for me! Emily

You'll be in my thoughts and prayers, too! Hope it goes great and that you have a trouble-free recovery. Emily

Alex~ That's wonderful!! And as the others have said, you should be so proud. Enjoy every minute with those lucky little girls! They must have been thrilled, too. My two sons are 25 & 27, and I'm having this surgery so I can be around to play with their children someday. Thanks for sharing that special event with us. Emily

Pat~ You can take the cod liver gel tabs without any problems? I've been wanting to start taking fish oils, but I w asn't sure if they would go down in a capsule...and I hate fish, so I can't see myself taking liquid cod liver oil. Emily

I'm in the same place you are, joelnisandiego. I also have surgery on the 24th and have been doing Protein shakes morning and night and just a sandwich for lunch as someone here recommended. I may have lost a couple of pounds, but not much. And I see the doc tomorrow for my pre-op visit and will probably get weighed then. So I'm nervous, too. Hopefully both of us will have surgery anyway. Best of luck to you!! Emily

Vinesqueen...I hope you hugged him hard!!! I love that sotry. Emily

I agree with Kimberly...it's just a tool and we still have to do the work. You can't take too seriously what people say out of total ignorance or you'll make yourself crazy. Emily

Hi, Nykee~ I would REALLY encourage you to get educated about the diabetes...it's a BAD disease and if you are Type 2 (adult onset) you can do a lot to change the course of it. A1C is a test to determine how well you've been controlling your sugar levels over the course of several months. And the higher it gets, the more you risk complications such as heart disease, kidney disease, neuropathy (weird or decreased sensation or pain), circulatory problems, etc. All of which are things you DON'T want! Your doctor should have information for you or there are lots of books you can get. Or contact the American Diabetes Assn.--they have lots of educational materials they would be glad to send you. It's really important that you know what you are dealing with, because it can be devastating if you don't take care of it, especially because you're a young person and have more of your life ahead of you. PLEASE, PLEASE learn about this. My son is Type I, and there is a lot less those people can do to affect their disease. But the docs want that A1C to be at 7 or less...preferrably 6.5, but I don't know how realistic that is. Please see your doctor...you owe it to yourself and your kids. And let us know what you find out. Emily

Congratulations! I'll be one day behind you. Hope it goes very well and we both have an uneventful recovery! I'll be sending you good thoughts on the 23rd... Emily

The endocrinologist wanted to put me on Meridia at one point, and I said no. But it might work for you... Emily