jgandg

Thanks dpingl and tacwoman. Dpingl, I'm glad to hear about nursing as a career for moms; my own mom is a nurse, and I do remember flexibility in her schedule. I'm hoping to have children one day and would love to have more options than 9-5, M-F. Tacwoman - awesome deal with the Indian Health Service! Hearing something like that makes me wish I went into nursing right from high school, when I was not tied down to one geographic area. My husband's job keeps us on Long Island, where there isn't an IHS site.

Thank you T.O.M.! I agree it's more of a Math question. I'm finding that for my husband though, it's an emotional decision, b/c he is not comfortable with debt. Me, I don't mind it, if it is for a good reason and I can forsee being able to pay it off (like a mortgage, a car loan, etc.) So I made a spreadsheet and found that the net difference will be about 14k annually, meaning I can pay off the nursing school loan in about 2-3 years, with interest. I've given the spreadsheet to my husband, and asked that he look at it tomorrow. I hope he's supportive.

I had surgery 2 weeks ago and am beginning to feel ravenous. I won't have a fill until a month from now. I can't imagine losing weight b/c I am so hungry. How did everyone get started when they had no restriction? Did you just follow a diet as you would have pre-band? I just am so sick of dieting and being hungry all the time but I would like to start losing.

THANK YOU SO MUCH JULIE!!!!!!! Really, I needed to hear that. Thank you!!!! And congratulations on your weight loss! It's amazing!!!:clap2:

When I had my 2 week follow up the physician's assistant that examined me said she has heard that there are some WW meetings geared toward lapband patients. I'd be really interested, as my only banded concern about doing WW is all the veggies - not sure I can eat as much with the band.

How is everyone preparing mushy chicken? :hungry: Thanks!

I'll be thinking of you! I can totally relate to your experience; I avoided the Cyclone this summer for fear of not fitting. :grouphug: I have a feeling you are going to have a great time! Can't wait to hear about it.

I can't wait to decrease! I was going to get breast reduction surgery before I researched the lapband; I'm still hoping to get it but want to wait until after I lose weight.

I'd like to join the Christmas challenge too. I'm in for 20 lbs down by 12/25.

I just started mushies and so far I've had hummus, apple sauce, salmon (lox) with cream cheese, beans that I mash with a fork, yogurt, tuna mashed with a fork, and goat cheese. I'm not really paying attention too much attention to calories at this point b/c there's not a lot of mushies that I like that are low fat/low calorie.

You look beautiful!!!!!! Truly inspiring!!! :clap2::clap2::clap2:

I lost about 6 pounds prior (10 day liquids) and 6 pounds during the first week or ten days. BUT..like others have said, I think it's mostly due to not being hungry from the swelling, b/c I've noticed that as my swelling goes down, my appetite goes up.

Hi Larry, Buzz, Lifelong! Congratulations to all of you! Larry, I hope you're feeling better today and we able to get your pain meds for the weekend. If it's any consolation, I needed as much Vicodin as they gave me, but then miraculously I didn't need any more and Tylenol has been enough. It's a terrible thing to worry that you will be in pain with nothing to help. Like Want2Lose said, we did it! I'm glad we have each other to lean on for support.

Congratulations Sunnshyne!! I was in pain for about 8 days, and I still have some soreness in my port incision especially. My port incision was really painful. I had terrible bruising too. Like others have said, walking helps a lot. For me, ice packs were a lifesaver too. For gas, I can't say that Gas X helped or not (I took it but still had gas pains, but who knows maybe it would have been worse had I not taken it). Laying on my left side helped. Be patient with yourself; I know I was getting impatient b/c I felt it was taking me a long time to heal. Best of luck to you and welcome to bandland!

I was banded on 9/21 and will return tomorrow, part-time. However, I wish I had taken a few more days b/c my incisions are still pretty sore.

Congratulations!!! You look beautiful and so, so happy!!:confused::eek:

You are in a really tough situation b/c of the personal relationship you have with your employer. I think there are 2 things going on: 1 - you need time off for something that is none of their business For this reason, I don't see why you can't say " I need time off for something very personal. I hope you will understand." I would not make up a lie since you are close to them - it can come back to haunt you. 2-you work in their home, not a business, so taking time off is a big deal For this reason, I would be truthful, and honestly, if they are not supportive and understanding, they are not a good employer. This is about your health, and your energy, and your future. If you explain it to them as something your doctor supports, your health needs, and you really want, I think you have a good chance of them being understanding. Good luck to you.

Wantlapband how did it go at the doctor? I'm having similar port-pain issues but am not seeing my doc until next week.

I was banded last Thursday, and won't go back until next Monday...so about 10 days for me.

I love the Hello Kitty BandAids!

Six days later and boy does my port still hurt. I called my doctor's office today and found out it's normal, but I'm just bummed b/c I wasn't expecting it. I also have a slight tightness in my chest, kind of like I have to burp, but I don't burp, it just sits there. Anyone else have that feeling?

One of my co-workers called to see how I'm doing and she told me that more people at work know about my surgery than I told. So someone has been talking. Ok, I can deal with that. But then she said that one of these people is actually angry that I didn't tell them myself, angry that they heard about it from someone else. I wish I could just hear that and let it go in one ear and out the other. Instead I am sitting here at home and it's eating at me (interesting choice of words?). I am going to think of this as a loud car driving by, one that needs a muffler, and it's awful to hear but then it's gone and it's quiet again. I just hate office gossip. Vent over. Thanks for listening.

Want2Lose - you are an inspiration! I just might get out some hand weights today. Kirsten- best of luck to you~~

Ratgirl: I was banded last Thursday, and I'm still pretty sore. I feel fine otherwise - no major swelling, no nausea, not much gas. But my incisions are badly bruised and tender. I can't imagine lifting a child, or being active all day, at this point anyway. That's just my experience though; many people have had a quicker recovery.

I am a bruised mess. Purple and yellow and totally yuck.:phanvan