MoxieDO

I occasionally will have break through bleeding, but it is usually very light and manageable. I can't say it is like that for everyone, that has just been my experience. Hope you are feeling well!

I don't have endometriosis, but I do straight BC w/o the placebos because of heavy periods. It's not a problem at all, think most people freak out because they think they have to have a period. The newer products on the market like seasonale is just BC w/o placebos (except for the 4 wks). Every once and a while I stop them and my period will be lighter and less painful. It does sound like you have endo. Symptoms are low abdominal pain, back pain, pain with defecation and pain with sex. Endo also tends to be a common cause of infertility in women under 30. Since you have endometriosis, it is advisable to stay on BC to help with the symptoms.

Ok, I will admit, when I first came to this site I was shocked when I saw how "little" people weighed who were considering WLS and thought it was outrageous. Then I thought back through my years of weightloss struggle. I was 230lbs in high school! I starved my way to around 205 or so to join the drill team (the only fat girl on it and damn good at that) and ever since then I have loss and gained so much weight I can't even count. Almost 10 years later I found myself at 347lbs :biggrin: So had I been given the choice and maturity back then, I think I would have done it. Not only to prevent or treat health problems (which, thankfully at this weight I have managed to not have serious problems), but to save myself 10 years of heartache, hardwork and failure. I think it's sad that I can remember my weights for the past 10 years because it was a wasted obsession. So if you can, are willing, I'd say do it!

NSAIDS can cause ulcers by inhibiting one of the prostaglandin pathways involved with protecting the lining of the stomach. Caffeine can relax the lower esophageal sphincter and cause reflux. Caffeine is also a diuretic that can dehydrate you. I have always been taught that caffeine is an appetite suppressant, but many on here would argue it is an appetite stimulant-this, in my opinion, might simply be from a burst of energy giving you increase motivation to eat *not proven, just a thought* With that said, everything is ok in moderation. I am a caffine addict and cannot function without coffee :biggrin:

whoa, ok, so you guys, um, girls had this done when you were still big? I've been curious, but embarrassed to go because of my size, that and having to flash my vajay jay. However, shaving is annoying and i can't use those creams cause my skin is sensitive and it burns Interesting... How about a do it yourself kit? I've given up waxing my eyebrows and get them threaded now...less redness and pain :thumbup:

I do the elliptical because I have spent many years hurting my knees (obesity, sports, dance). Lately, I have been adding the treadmill to prepare for my daily walks to the hospital in Philadelphia (i'll explain in a min). I am in medical school at a health science center and they have a gym on campus that is free for students. They offer different aerobics classes, but jazzercise is the only one that is on my level so far...dancing is NOT what it used to be, there are things in the way that did not used to be there! I understand about the gym-they are all bloody expensive and have retarded fees. I will be in a different city every month for the next 5-7months on rotations, so committing/paying for a gym is not in my future. Some hospitals will have one for me to use, so I'm ok at most of them. What I'm planning to do is look for smaller, no name gyms that will give me temporary membership for less. These are also the places that tend to be cheaper in general. Anyways, I think I might finally break the 2 week plateau...hopefully by Monday! GL on working out and remember to keep it easy, you are still in your 2nd week. Weights are good for toning-just small ones w/ many reps. You really need cardio though to shed the weight..what good are muscles if you can't see them! haha, that is what my friend (former trainer and weight lifter) says. stay strong!

hahahah, I think I have been buying what I *think* I wear...I know, my bad, but I refused to go past a 42. I have a lot of surplus 42 bras that I'm planning on shrinking back into.

***texas***

I have only told my parents and besties, but not the majority of my friends. I have wrestled a long time whether or not to tell my group of friends for a while-I think they would be supportive, but none of them have ever been fat and might question my decision. I will be traveling to different cities this year and won't see most of them until May. Since I have always been the "fat one," it will be great to see them at graduation a little bit (or a lot) thinner. I will not tell my immediate family though. They are all really obese and tend to be negative towards, well, anything. I wish I could say I know they would be happy about the positive changes in my life, I really cannot be assured of it, so for now I will not tell them. Ugh, I do get annoyed when my mom asks me if I lost weight everyday...

Thanks for replying! GL post op. Just remember, walk around and get some gas x. Haven't been to Galveston since 2005, how is the island post Ike? I'm excited to go, hoping it will still be good beach weather in October.

Sorry, I have not used him. However, I will be at UTMB for a rotation and may need follow up on my band if I cannot make it back to fort worth. Please let me know how the center is, Thanks!

You know what, I would rather someone just come out and call me "fat" than stumble around with so-called niceties like "full figured" "chubby" "overweight" It just makes the situation more awkward. If you're fat, you're fat...establish the fact and move on w/ life. I guess I got hardened growing up as a fat kid, hahahahaha. Totally agree jujuvee...smokers and crack heads are eating up healthcare dollars. I think heightened taxes on cigarettes are just them paying back into the system. Also, if you can't afford to have a kid, then DONT!

I felt great the first week. Sure I had pain, but it went away in due time (I find that acceptable, I had a previous surgery and was in pain for 5 weeks) I mostly walked around the block and mall the first 2 weeks. Starting week 3 I've been hitting the gym. I do mostly cardio, mostly on the eliptical *gasp* I know we are not supposed to, but I've always done it, at one point i was doing 70-80min straight. However, now I'm out of shape, so I'm only going about 30-40min. I also take a jazzercise class, but I dont do any abdominal stuff (don't want to herniate through my incisions). Basically, if you were active before the band, i think you can be active after the band. Let your body tell you how far you can go...right now I'm taking it easy and not pushing as far as I know I can go. When did u get ur first fill?

I was banded July 22, lost 10-12 lbs so far. Kinda been stuck at the same 2lbs for the past week. I am increasing my exercise and hopefully will drop something by next week...I need my fill!

hey! i was banded by dr.smith, his partner. Have you started camp yet. When I did the preop diet, I was very very busy and had a hard time sustaining energy. Be prepared to carry around cheese sticks and protein bars (some ppl oppose, but they are convenient). I still loss 20lbs preop (i was on the diet for 2 weeks). GL! maybe see u in group one day.

Texan, born, raised, and here to stay...hopefully! Good luck Friday! the first few days are rough, but it gets better. Just get up and walk! get some gasx strips too.

Banded July 22. Lost 20lbs preop. 10 lbs since surgery. Eating mostly fish and soft noodles. I'm starting to eat more now, I'm afraid I'm overdoing it. I concentrate to make sure i chew my foods well. I've kinda stalled at weightloss since starting mushies, I guess that's to be expected :/ I don't really measure what I eat, which I think I will start doing soon. I can't wait for my fill so I can feel more restriction Emotionally-stressed, not because of the band...I'm in the middle of studying for my boards and applying to residencies. There just is not enough time in a day, but that is pretty much how my life always is. The good thing about all this is that I'm not eating my stress. Started increasing my exercise regime again, I hope that will accelerate the process. Keep strong, ya'll!

haha, didnt see that you had posted...GL! Ask questions!

Friends of mine had surgeries done by him. When choosing a surgeon, especially for this procedure, find someone who provides education and support. Also, you are going to want to find someone who is conveniently located near you...you do not want to have to travel for fills and support group meetings.

I was banded by Dr. Adam Smith July 22. Great experience so far. Very good with education I think. Also like the support group. So far, no problems pre or postop.

I took the gasX strips the moment I got home after surgery! I didnt want to bother w/ gas pain. I had a little pain for 2 days, got to walking and it was gone in no time! I was up and around by day 3 post op...but every surgery is different. After my lapchole, I was in dire pain for 5 weeks! After all the lap choles I've done, that is very unusual. The moral of this story is, every surgery is different, so take what does or does not happen in the first 4 weeks with a grain of salt...and take a gasX strip when you get home

I wasnt hungry at all the 1st week and a half. Now ending my second week, I am starting to get hungry a little more everyday...yes, physical hunger. I think its different for everybody. I read some posts where ppl were hungry the 1st day/week. Can't wait for my first fill! Keep strong!