Julescincy75

Thanks for the advice and partnership - I feel better! I've always been a planner - so, I love your suggestion CSummer about getting a plan together - I think if I have a plan to follow, it will help me feel like I'm in control. All of you are great! Thanks for the well wishes, too! Just got back from a get-together with some of the people I work with - coming home and logging on tonight has definitely given me some direction! Love this site!! Thanks again!!!

Just curious if anyone has been feeling "anxious" shortly after surgery? I'm 2 weeks post op and have had this intense anxious feeling that comes and goes throughout the day - it's horrible. Makes my heart race and a nervousness goes through my entire body. I've been talking with my sister and she had an idea that perhaps because I can no longer "medicate" myself with food - I'm feeling anxious about not having that "tool" any longer. I haven't had any situations where I felt that I needed to gorge myself to feel better as I had in the past - but, perhaps she's right...just knowing that when that situation does come up - how will I now deal with it? Has anyone else had this feeling and if so, what do you think it's from? Does it ever go away? Also - what did you do to overcome it? Thanks so much for your help!

I too have a job where I sit all day and most of my pain was around the port area. I found that if I wore a "shaper"/girdle it really eased the pain (not sure if that's ok - but, it definitely helped!!) I think that it helped to hold everything in place and the port didn't seem to "rub" against my suit pants. If your interested it's the Kymar "New Body Shaper" - I like it b/c it breathes and stays in place all day - doesn't ride up a bit. Like a second skin...just firmer! New Body Shaper Kymaro New Body Shaper - $39.95 : UbuyEZ, The Easy Place To Shop Good Luck!!

Hi Peaches!! You know, initially - I was not going to tell anyone but my Mom, Sister and a close friend - but, I find the more I tell people - the easier it becomes. I figure it's not like they are going to respond, "Oh, Gosh Julie, never knew you were overweight - but, now that you mention it - I guess you are!" :biggrin: In my mind - it's a tool - no different than my sister's diabetic pump that she wears on her hip, which she was so self-consious to wear of initially. But, if she wants to live - it's vital, it's her lifeline. I suppose that I'm proud I'm doing something about it - everyone I've told has been SOOOO incredibly supportive!! Now when someone asks me out to lunch, it's not a big deal when I tell them we have to go somewhere where I can get something mushie!! One odd thing I've come across - it's funny how "thin-lifers" haven't even heard of the lap band. Seems like being overweight - I watched/researched EVERYTHING related to dieting, exercising, surgeries, etc...guess it never caught their attention. Best of luck to you!!! In the end - you have to do what you're most comfortable with. It's amazing how that level of "comfort" changes as we change. Julie

Hi Nikole!! Congrats on the upcoming surgery! I absolutely had more fear about "going under" than I did with anything else...will I make it through? What if I die? What if they do not give me enough anesthesia!! But, a prayer and LOTS of support from this forum really helped me through it - fell right off to sleep and woke up 45 minutes later with a new lease on life! As far as the signatures and other pictures - you can go into the edit portion of the site - initially click on the right "Edit Profile" and the on your left will be your options. To upload an image - I had to make sure my picture of choice was saved under a JPG file (what ever that means!!). Play around with it - the cool thing is you can test it before you save it. Let me know if you don't have any luck with it!! Julie

Oh, wouldn't it be grand to lose 20 pounds in 1 week!? I included my 2 week pre-op liquid diet as well as the 1 week post liquid. Figure the 2 weeks of torture should be represented as well! 330 was my highest weight ever - thankful that I will NEVER see that number again! Have a great weekend!

Puterlady - so happy for you!! I was recently banded (1 week ago) and had the exact feelings that you do - the desire for that glorious last supper!! But, I would urge you to follow your doctor's plan with the liquid diet. Initially I thought it was to shrink my stomach - but, evidently - it helps the liver to shrink. During the surgery, I believe they have to pin up the liver to access the stomach - a smaller liver reduces the risk of a nick (which could be very dangerous). I reminded myself that I enjoyed LOTS of last suppers of extreme gorging and feasting prior to the liquid diet - and after all - it's not as if we will NEVER be able to eat most of our favorite things again - just smaller quantities. :thumbdown: Best of luck to you - you'll do GREAT!!! Julie

Congrats on making the decision to get banded! I was banded last week Friday, almost a week ago - amazing how quickly the time passes. I love this forum - found it when I was researching the band and contemplating whether or not it would be a solution for me. I remember the two weeks leading up to the surgery I experienced a wide range of emotions and it was very helpful coming to this website finding that so many others were going through the same thing as me. I wish you the best of luck in seeking your new life - I'm so excited that I've started my journey and look forward to sitting in this office chair a year from now as a completely new, healthy, vivacious, "normal-sized" woman!! Julie

Got the SAME issue!! Was banded last week Friday - I don't have any easy answers, but I have heard that walking and stretching can help. I found that if I miss my pain meds or Tylenol, I'm much more aware of the pain. Other than that - I think it's a waiting game - I think it can take up to 2 weeks for the gas to fully work through our bodies. But, you know - in 6 months from now when we're sliding on smaller jeans and thrilled we finally have control over our eating - this current pain will be just a distant memory! Good luck!

Good luck on your big day!! I'm 5 days post-op and so thankful that I made the decision to get control of my life!! As far as the liquid diet, I tried to keep a bit of variety - but, my 2 standbys - Slimfast: Chocolate and the Vanilla flavors. I also drank several shakes from Smoothie King (chain). Just check out the calories on their website before you go - some range in the THOUSANDS! My favorite - High Protein shake w/ Pineapple flavoring - yummy and under 200 calories!