plain

It's my understanding that the weightloss is more important than the waistline for the purposes of the preop diet. Could you be retaining fluids? Absolutely. A large intake of sodium could contribute towards that. I think as long you are following your doc's directions (sweet drinks?? You mean artificially sweetened, right?) and are losing weight ( - 10 lbs...great job) you'll be fine! Good luck!

I'm just gonna play devil's advocate here (because I do sympathize....it seems like an easy enough thing to be honest with your patrons). If a difference of 6, or 12, or even 20 grams of fat for a meal is a "deal breaker" for a person, then they probably shouldn't be eating at Applebees anyway.

Fairly common sleep disorder. I see it at least once a week. If Kat's soap trick stops RLS then "Big Pharma" is gonna be pissed! You're joking, right? Move your clock up. Problem solved. Well this is awkward....I thought you were. I'm afraid we can't be friends. You understand. This is actually very profound. Label it "sound bandster theory 101" Kat, here in my very rual heavily wooded part of Texas, there are a lot of old, deep dry wells. A body would fit easily in there. Just saying. *gulp* Jack, you as nervous as I am? Sedona? I love that name! Token? I smell sexism..... Here's the inside joke. Nobody really wants to see such a picture. Does anybody remember the old "Guiness Book of World Records" where the two fat twins were always pictured riding those teeny, tiny bikes (if not, google image it)? That's what I look like, minus the bike. You might want to reread the label. I think those are suppositories.

Yes, well, living vicariously through celebrities offers a sort of "glamourous life" by proxy. Escapism is healthy to a point as it offers a good opportunity to de-stress. Prescription: Live the "Britney Spears" experience. Load up on psychotropic medicines and Red Bull, shave your head, and forgo underwear of any kind. Repeat as needed.

Sorry Ryansgirl. I've never had anything like what you're describing!

LOL....bunch o' smart asses! I open up to y'all and I get mercilessly mocked...."mother" is going to hear about this!

Yes, well, this is awkward.....but you've both been so forthcoming that I will share some deep dark secrets: I occasionally like to attach clothespins to my body whildst sporting a sailor suit. I find it soothing to yell at an antique Barbie doll that I've named "mother". I sometimes loiter at the produce section of my local WalMart and giggle when the elderly ladies pick up a cucumber. My oral fixation is so pronounced that I frequently must wear a "spit cup" affixed under my chin with a velcro strap. But other than those things, I think I'm pretty well adjusted.

If I need to "dumb down" the highly clinical language for your boss, I will.

Interesting. As I've seen your photo album, I can attest that you are no longer fat. That you see yourself as such suggests issues of body dysmorphia. Prescription: Smash all mirrors in your house whildst screaming like a banshee. Then wear a bikini to work....If your boss objects tell him / her that your internet psychiatrist said they could "suck it". I will fax you a note to that effect if needed.

Hmmmmm, yes. The effects of chili upon dreams are well documented. Clearly the classic anxiety dream has been influenced by your choice of late night nutrition. Also, I believe you are crazy. Prescription: Only eat dream-friendly "wolf"-brand chili before bed. All of the taste, 1/2 of the nightmares of other chilis.

I agree with she. You look great. Don't let him get in your head like that!

That is an awesome tradition. My family has a looooooong tradition of ordering pizza on Christmas eve. I know, it's weird...

I'm afraid that I would have to support them in that petition, Donna. I mean, we're homies and all, but vegitarian Thanksgiving?!? You're from Texas for goodness' sake!!!

I think if the pain is that bad you need to go see a doctor.....either your surgeon, or to the ER.

I have to respectfully disagree with Tom. IMO, it sounds like you are too tight. You only were able to tolerate 8 oz of Clear Liquids the first day, and it sounds like that's about all you're having again. That's not enough Fluid....watch out or you'll get dehydrated, and that can lead to all sorts of bad things, medically. The purpose of the band is to help you feel more full on smaller portions, not to be a "food policeman". Challenging the band can also lead to bad things.....I'd be thinking "unfill" if it were me.

Ok, I cry "uncle"...

Most every OR that I've ever been around has gone latex-free, just to avoid those complications. However, you should say loud and say often that you have a latex allergy, to avoid any potential latex contact between you and non-OR folks.

Hey blueeyed. I haven't had to deal with all that emotional turmoil, but there are a couple of forums (I'm thinking specifically of powder Room Gone Wild, the ladies forum) where you'll probably get answers to that question. I can tell you that the pain associated with the surgery seems to be extremely subjective. To me, it was fine.....I couldn't even really say the word "pain" was applicable. It was more like "discomfort" for me......but some people here report a different experience. I was sore 2-3 days, then back to work.

*fists clenched, looking upwards towards the heavens* Damn youuuuuuuuu!!!!!!!

When you say you need to be sure you made the right decision, are you talking about the band specifically, or are you talking about having weightloss surgery in general? Only you can be sure if the band is the tool for you. Now surgery in general can be pretty scary, I'll admit. But statistically, surgeries like ours are safer. Ask if you'll be able to meet with the anesthesia team prior to going back to the OR. They can be reassuring. Good luck!

Happy Thanksgiving to you, Betsy. Congrats!

Meeee too, Beth. Also, I'm just not very photogenic (even thinner, that probably won't change)......but you know something? I wish I had a few more "before" full body shots now that the weight is starting to come off. I'm just now seeing some big changes in photos. So, I predict you'll be happy your friend hung onto those pics.

Sorry SNT, I think you need to re-read your Bible. It clearly says that God's country is Texas.

Well, I'm a completely unnecessarily sarcastic kind of guy. As a mod, I try and answer posts that have zero responses. When I answer these, I can only go by what info the poster types. So as I read this, I'm thinking: Ok, this is her 2nd fill. On her first she has no restriction.....then another fill one week later, she does. Then she asks "Is it common to be tighter right after a fill". My answer to this seemingly simple question is the most straightforward and basic answer I could give. Because instead of calling her doc's office, she asked here. I think you misread her post. She was not suddely tighter one week after her fill. She was suddenly tighter immediately after the 2nd fill. So, it's not that I mind being scolded (I usually deserve it), but I'd rather be scolded in an accurate manner. San Diego Mom, I do have a very dry sense of humor. Also I had forgotten to pull the stick out of my _____. And yes, I am a lonely sad little man. As explained above to salome, I tried to answer your question based on what you asked. In general, with major concerns, it's best to phone your doc's office, or go to the ER. Any advice on the internet is a little suspect (Even this advice, I guess). So....sorry if I hurt your feelings. If you ask very specific questions, I will give as specific answers as I possibly can....or won't answer at all, if you prefer (I answered yours because you had zero responses, that's all).

Well, there was that one time at band camp.... Allright allright allright.....(Matthew McConaughey voice) Yeah, the 2nd day was the worst for me....although I guess I was fortunate, since I didn't have much pain at all. And slim, I LOVE the new avi!! I haven't been that attracted to a cartoon sine "Wonder Woman" on Superfriends.