mercilessmarcy

Oh thank goodness! I had my first fill July 7. I felt restricted for all of ten minutes.... I haven't lost anymore weight and I haven't gained anymore. Just sit here glumly staring at the silent scale. I called my Dr. for a fill appointment. I could cry, he's not available for another month! Aughhh!!! The really good news is that, like others, I've discovered that sugar is the enemy, my arthritis is totally under control and I can MOVE now! Yippee! I'm never going back. Life is too short and there's so much I want to do...not to mention clothes I want to wear!

I have a yummy solution to this problem. Xylitol It is an all natural sugar substitute with two side effects. One being if you eat too much of it, it makes you go #2 ! The second side effect, it prevents tooth decay! With only 10 calories per teaspoon, it's a great substitute for sugar. I use it in my tea.

I had this problem for years, until my doctor discovered it was from ASTHMA! I experimented with my rescue inhaler and to my surprise, I only get up once during the night to pee now. If I start to lose it during the day, I use my inhaler and wow, I'm okay again. Hope ths helps someone.

Plastic surgeons "tuck up the labia" just like they do your tummy. Some women have more flappy skin than others. Give it a year after weight loss to tighten up, if it doesn't after a year, then consider surgery to remove the extra skin. It's normal.

I've found I don't have to wipe anymore. I just pat pat pat after peeing. As for my bottom, I can reach there now, and I reach back there and wipe upwards towards the small of my back. You also risk getting bladder and kidney infections when you wipe from back to front.

Hooo-Whee!! Yes, it was too soon after surgery to have anything, let alone anyone push down on your abdomen! Glad that's over, made me ache just thinking about it.

We-Vibe is the best!! It is C shaped and one end rests on the clitoris and the other rests inside the vagina. Your man will love it too! Intercourse with the We-Vibe is terrific! Best invention EVER!

When you read the entire article, Muscle Milk is the real problem. They state that "most other brands are low". Yep, our food supplies are tainted. Unless you buy certified organic, and I cannot afford to. Or grow your own and have your soil tested. Medi-fast products have been tested and are safe.

I'm going to Red Lobster with my best friend next week. I love the advice from another column. Ask for a to-go box when placing your order! Then immediately put half your food in it when it arrives. Thank God that advice was there. I am so easily influenced in a social setting. I have to think it out before I get there. I'm worth it.

I go in for my first fill July 7th. It's been 4 weeks since surgery and I've only lost ten pounds since then. Then again, this time a year ago I'd be saying, damn, I GAINED ten pounds in a month! Exercise if the key for me. I've led a sendentary life for so long it's hard to just get up and move. But now, I can get up and my knees don't hurt! It was sugar that was kicking my ass, making my arthritis flare up into high gear. I know this is the right choice for life.

Seems your family is suffering under some mis-conceptions. #1 this is a quick easy fix NO IT ISN'T, it's a tool. You still have to do the work, work your diet, work your attitude, it's WORK. #2 We're your family, we know what's best for you. HA! How many times have they given you bad advice through the years? (This person would be great for you! This diet will work for you!, etc. etc.) The fact is, you are the best judge of what you NEED. #3 We know who you really are. (meaning your role in this family is the fat person we can dump on) This is rarely addressed straight on. Your misery makes them feel more in control, successful, better than you. Many times they are not conscious of USING YOU. You feel obligated to be the dumping ground because deep down you feel like you deserve it. YOU DON'T DESERVE IT, NO ONE DOES. Bottom line: This is your time, your chance, your life. Decide to give yourself the gift of this coming year, yes, YEAR. You are investing in yourself, loving yourself, giving yourself a real true LIFE. I wish you the best, I wish you success, I wish you a happy Snoopy dance!

You will be able to take your pills! It's not until you get your first fill that you have to concern yourself, and even then, it may not be a problem. You will have to find the time of day for you when you are "relaxed and open". So you have five more weeks before you need to be concerned. Hope this helps. I have time-released medication I'm dependant upon also.

I had the same problem. I had blood drawn for allergy testing just before surgery. It took two weeks to get the results. Allergic to cow's milk and soy! I use Almond milk now. No more gas or bloating!

I enjoyed my ride to the operating theatre. I got to ask the nurses questions about all the fantastic equipment in the room (robotic arms resting against the ceiling). They transferred me from the gurney to the table. Made sure I was comfortable and chatted a bit more, then gave me a shot and I woke up in my room! Wow, I liked that!

It's been 28 days since surgery. I've lost ten pounds and then just stopped. First fill date: July 7, 2010. No, I haven't exercised consistantly. I hate sweating! I know my packet says don't worry if you don't lose anything the first month, but I am disgusted with myself. The first two weeks on the liquid diet, no problem! Well, okay, bloating, gas, upset stomach, but hey, I was losing weight and I was happy! Last week I got the results of my food allergy testing and POW! I got knocked right off my pedestal. I have to change my entire way of eating. Allergic to wheat, gluten, yeast, cow's milk, yogurt, tuna and pork. Yikes!! Okay, I tell myself, I can deal with this. Basically, meat, fowl, fish, vegetables and fruit. Oh how our minds twist at the thought of "never again"! I hadn't realized how heavily I relied on yogurt and milk. I found almond milk, and it tastes yummy! I'm depressed because I thought I'd lose more weight than I have. Basically I've been at the same weight for two weeks now. Sure takes less food to survive than I thought. Turning the "augh! no more cookies ever!", into "that would harm my body", is a challange. But hey, we're all here because we're up for the challange, right? right? hey...

I'm planning on have PS after I lose all the weight. I was banded June 1, 2010, so, a newbie. It is definately a "buyer beware" situation with plastic surgeons. A scar is a surgeon's signature. Some are sloppy, some are neat as can be and thin, just a line on your arms. Shop around! Ask to see the surgeon's before and after pictures and ask to talk to some of the surgeon's clients. Surgery in Mexico is big business. Some have higher ratings than in the states. It's cheaper in other countries too. Again, talk to someone who's been under that surgeon's knife.

:scared2: Don't panic! I read some of the posts on here and think I have to be a saint...oh that won't do! I'm no saint. I gave in a couple of times...yes, it sent me into a panic. I won't feel banded until I get a fill. You're where I am. I'm healed, but don't have a fill yet, so food and drink go right down, neat as you please. Only I don't please. I really DESPERATELY want this to work. Banding is a tool. I am looking forward to feeling FULL and I know it's my job to STOP EATING when I am full. There's no magic bullet. I have to remind myself everyday, I want to be healthy and happy, I can do this. Thousands of others have done it, I can too. YOU CAN TOO!! Hang in there, we're all rooting for you!

Are you taking body measurements? Weight isn't the only measure of progress. I think we all know when we go "off the wagon" even if it is only for a day or two. I think as overweight individuals we are more sensitive to salt, water, even a little overeating. I know that before surgery my weight could fluctuate as much as five pounds a day! Another cosideration: food allergies. Have you been tested? If you eat something and your stomach hurts, that's an immediate tip-off. Sometimes a food can be irritating (and cause bloating and constipation) a day later! Very frustrating. Good advice above, weigh yourself only once a week. My doctor really pushes that one. Same day, same time. Good Luck!!

There's the million dollar question: How successful have you been losing the weight? I absolutely identify with food as my drug of choice. Lap-Band is my last option. In the past I would have rather eaten and died than to eat to live. I am only ten days post surgery. I've eaten more than the amount recommended, eaten foods I knew weren't on the diet....and the scale showed me that I had. Make no mistake, we're in the battle for our life. Compromising is the road I took to food addiction in the first place! Just today I'll treat myself....I had a great day, I'll celebrate!....I feel sad, I'll have a cookie, or the whole package, why stop at one? I have to set myself up for success. I not only take one day at a time, but some days I take it one hour at a time! I'm an addict. I know my drug of choice. FOOD Good luck to you. Don't beat yourself up or look for excuses, just make up your mind to succeed TODAY, this HOUR.