LollyMoe

I don't ride, would never ride, so my advice is probably not going to be taken seriously, but your body needs 6 weeks to heal inside under normal circumstances. Since you can't guarantee that you won't become a flying projectile off that bike, hit any potholes, ride over rough terrain, have to abruptly serve so a car doesn't hit you, etc. etc, I would advise you to stay at home this time. Your health & interior body healing should be your priority. Please rethink your choices. This advice, for what it is worth, comes from a retired nurse that has had to take care of too many patients that became flying projectiles.

I used them per doctor's instructions. I was sick with a respiratory virus and wasn't able to walk too much for the first week. SO, I think they helped me. However, you do have to follow the instructions on the box in order for them to work properly.

Recently had a plastic surgeon speak at our group. He said that you can work on the underneath muscle masses but the fat layer on top will require some sort of removal. He had a slide show to explain the differences.

The more we use improper English, we eventually become use to it, and it begins to sound alright. Hang on to your education. It may become a precious commodity one of these days.

I take the docusate sodium at night and I eat Fiber One cereal in the mornings. Also eat a peeled apple in the afternoon. All of this is per Ashley's okay. I don't have any problems anymore.

It is probably what they used to put you to sleep. When it works out of your body, it will get better. Calling your doctor for medication was a smart move. Try drinking some warm broth or tea. Sip on it slowly. Ice chips help too.

I figure that as long as I am losing, I'm happy. If I only lose one pound a week, at the end of a year, I'm 52 pounds lighter than last year. Of course, I am losing a little more than that but I'm happy with it. One of these days, I will need to start exercising.

My nut says 40-60 gms of protein per day & no more than 5gm fat and 15gms of carbs per serving. Make sure you get your water in.

Went for my 5th fill today but Lisa wouldn't do it. She said that since I had lost 9.3 lbs in four weeks, she was afraid that it would completely block me up. So I have to go back in six weeks this time. I don't really think I have reached my "sweet spot" for steady losing yet and hoped for just a tiny tiny little fill. I think it's my own determination right now that is helping me lose the weight...not the band. I could eat a lot, especially at night, but I make myself stop eating. Lisa ask a lot of questions but still didn't do a fill. Guess she knows more than I do but I'm still somewhat disappointed. . We'll see how it goes.

WALK, walk, walk. Best cure for gas. Oh, and keep the Gas-X on hand too.

Give yourself as much healing time as you can and then be careful when you go back to work for least an additional two weeks. You are young and will probably heal fast but you still want to take good care of yourself. Every good nurse wants a good CNA to back them up...so take care of yourself...you are a precious commodity.

I go for my fifth fill today. I have 7.5cc and no lasting restriction yet. However, I am close since I do have some restriction at times....

I did good, recovery was fast. Everyone is different. Hang in there. Good luck.

Good idea. Breakfast: Fiber One cereal Lunch: Baked chicken & green beans Dinner: Fish & small baked potato I am mostly a "rut" eater. Same thing over & over until I get tired of it and then I'll change it up every month or so. Works for me.

I weigh once a week, first thing in the morning and then I am weighed when I go to the doctor. If I have to go to another doctor I don't even consider their scales since they are all different. My official scale is the one at home which weighs the same as my doctor's.

I had surgery on Aug 11, 2009. I have slowly gained some energy since then but still have days when I just can't function too well. I can mostly manage the morning hours of shopping, going to doctors, etc. but by early afternoon, I'm pooped! However, compared to pre-surgery life, I am on my way to a better healthier life than I was before, so it's not so bad to be slow in regaining strength & energy.

Wow! What a change. Noticed the tucked in shirt too.

Congrats on making a life changing decision. Some people find it very hard to follow directions/diet. Some lose fast and others slow. It's up to the individual actually. We're all different so it's hard to say how you will be. I suggest that you follow your doctor's directions to the letter and as you go along, you will learn your body. Some suggestions that might help you after the surgery are (1). Make sure you walk around your house as much as possible. It will help with the gas pains. (2) Drink your fluids. (3) Have some Gas-X strips on hand and follow directions on box. (4) Support surgery areas with pillows at night or sleep in a reclinder.(5) Expect to hear lots of funny noises from your tummy, burping, hiccups. (6) Have some Benefiber & Stool softner on hand in case you wind up with conspitation in about five days. (7) Once swelling goes down, your desire for food will come back in force. You will have to tough it out until you start getting the fills. Everyone feels restriction at different levels.(8) check in with us for your questions/answers. (9) Hang in there. (10) You are on your way to a new journey of being healthier and skinner. Yippee.

pdmarkle: The remark I made about a being "as old as a box of dirt" was indeed my weird sense of humor.

Had to renew my driver's license yesterday. I don't recognize the lady in the picture. She has a slimmer face, her eyes are more open and brighter, looks at least five years younger......oh, it's me...68 pounds lighter. Yippee! As soon as I charge up my camera, I'm posting a new picture.

I am seeing a zillion tiny tiny wrinkles in the skin on my arms. However, I'm as old as a box of dirt and that's to be expected. I'll take it anyway as long as I am losing.

Just part of the band thing. Some do it and others don't. I belch like a longshoreman! It's not lady-like burps...it loud long belching. I don't have any problems with fills. I don't even feel it and they don't numb it. Guess I'm one of the lucky ones.

Buy yourself some portable containers, cook up a bunch of food, freeze, and then you have one to take to work with you. By the time it's time to eat, it's will be thawed enough to zap it in microwave & eat. It's good food that you know what's in it.

Thanks for the visual. Maybe it will help.

After experiencing a episode of PAIN from drinking water, I would never ever do it again! My God, it hurts.