pnw218

I initially accredited my memory issues and brain freezes during conversations to the heavy meds I took in the fall of 2008 for back problems. My new GP believes it is instead due to sleep apnea, which is common with overweight people. I am hoping she is right and when the sleep apnea gets better, my brain will also.

I did just fine going alone and was glad that I had. It was nice to be able to sleep whenever I wanted to. I did meet up with a couple of gals from here - and shared a room with one, so it was just like having someone with me altho we were on the same page. We were supportive of each other but didn't have to entertain a guest! LOL I am really looking forward to hanging out with Tiffany and eating a few bites of the wonderful smelling homemade food at the recovery house!! : ) Barbarella ~ hoping to pop in the clinic on the 22nd and say hi! Not sure if I am flying home on Wed night or Thursday afternoon.

I have had friends report both - one that her tattoo on her stomach didn't change size at all during pregnancy, and another who said hers was a distorted mess. Mine are in places that aren't really affected by weight gain or loss, so hopefully I won't have to worry about fixing any of them! : )

Congrats on your progress so far! Your photos look great! I am a little frustrated at the moment also; I was hoping to be over the 30 lb mark by now. I also know that I wouldn't have been this far along if I had not done the surgery. It is a standing joke now in our house about how much I can (or can't) eat. And they are so much more willing to let me have a bite of something they have - cause they truly know it will only be ONE bite! : ) Keep up the great work!

You are so right mini!! I was so frustrated with the dumb stall that I splurged last Sunday. I had 1/2 of a McGriddle for Breakfast and then KFC for lunch AND dinner! On Monday, I was down over a pound! Go figure! LOL We are advertising our business at the Spring Fair this weekend and there are so many wonderful food smells everywhere! I have been a pretty good girl tho. Like you said, if it was every day, that would be different. I think a little break is good once in awhile!

I never thought of them as hiccups - definitely burps tho! LOL Hiccups sounds so much nicer. It is embarrassing when eating with other people. I was afraid at the beginning that they might think I was going to get sick! : )

It is a challenge for sure. I knew that I liked food but had no idea how addicted I was. The eating less part is easy - if you eat too much you will get sick or be very uncomfortable. It is the wanting something and not being able to have it in the quantity you want. Or knowing that it isn't something healthy to be eating. It does really help when the scale goes down, clothes fit better, "old" smaller clothes fit again ... and when someone notices. My husband has been very good at noticing the changes. I also cut my hair a bit today and he said I looked 6 years younger! LOL uh, ok ... 6 years? Why not 5 or 7?? For me, I don't feel it is bad enough for counseling at this point. It seems more like a bad habit to break. I am smart enough to know that I shouldn't be eating in such large amounts - just have to get mentally used to it. I am finally starting to feel more like exercising also; hopefully I will be released from my back dr soon for something besides walking. If you recognize ahead of time that you have an issue with food mentally, you may be able to deal with it on your own. If not, I would try to find a counselor who deals with addictions and understands weight issues. I have seen counselors a few times over the years and you want someone you can easily connect with. Good Luck!

I probably wouldn't go buy one if you have never needed one before. I am older than you so use it a lot! LOL It was a comfort item and my body temp was all over the place after surgery, so it was nice to have it when I was cold. They may have some there that you can use? I had my own so never asked. A warmed up towel in a plastic bag would work well also.

I hate that!!!! LOL It seems to happen often in foreign airports. Specifically Rome, Frankfurt and Algeria come to mind. Also it helps to avoid small airports like Long Beach, CA!! I think my house is bigger than their gate area! :wink1: We had our youngest daughter and two of her friends with us. We had to board the plane the "old fashioned" way - by walking outside and up the stairs into the plane! The girls were just flabergasted! LOL Tiffany! Do I need to adjust my flight and show up to pack you first??? brush - paperback book - camera - cell phone, charger - chap stick - 2 comfy outfits - basic cosmetics - dental floss - deodorant - ear plugs - flip flops - gasx strips - hair bands - hand sanitizer - heating pad - lite jacket - meds - mints - passport - 1 pr pj's - panties - small pillow - qtips - socks - small shampoo, conditioner - sneakers - slippers - sports bra or shelf tank top (no bras) - sunglasses - toothbrush, paste - refillable ice pack. A little cash. A lightweight blankie if you have one. Was a comfort thing for me and nice on the flights. Stretch pants or sweats, not jeans. There is shampoo/conditioner there. Small pillow for on the plane going back. Not all airlines provide one. Ice pack is easier than what ones hospitals/clinics usually have and you can fill it on the plane for the flight home. The sneakers are heavy to pack if you don't wear them for both flights. You can ditch them and just wear flipflops. Also easier going thru security. Have a pair of footies handy for the plane if your feet get cold. That's it!! LOL

The mental is definitely the worst! I still struggle with it and do get cranky or just plain disappointed sometimes. My scale has also been moving very slowly the past couple of weeks which is frustrating. I even tried shaking it up - with more shakes - and it didn't much of anything. I started on yogurt, mashed potatoes, cottage cheese, potato soup ... soft and mushie foods during the first week. The liquid thing just didn't work for me. I haven't had any stomach issues because of it. The norm does seem to be to move into food more conservatively, however there are also plenty of people who have been ok'd by the drs or just moved to soft/mushie earlier. To me, it seems that if you take a little bite, wait a few minutes, you don't feel bad - try alittle more. I have not vomited once. My stomach does gurgle when I eat something new. The only discomfort is if I eat too much or too fast. I asked a question a while ago and it kind of got misinterpreted but I think the main thing is to avoid foods that could do damage to the new seam of your stomach. Nuts, crunchies, etc. Hang in there and don't be hard on yourself. :wink1:

Congrats on your date! I was gonna suggest going for the cutest doctor. Might as well have a nice looking man to wake up to! Well, in addition to your hubby that is! : )

If you do a carry on, I would ditch the purse. I use one of those travel pouches that hangs around your neck. It actually has enough room for money, ID, passport, lipgloss and ear plugs (I don't go anywhere without them! LOL). And on the way back, there is even room for a few GasX strips!

A guy friend of mine has lost 40 pounds or so, all of which he carried in his mid section. May seem like a strange conversation to some - but yes, he did tell me that certain body parts seemed to be larger when the stomach shrank. I think alot of it is also self confidence - which probably most of us experience as we lose weight and feel better about ourselves.

do you mean that you can eat more than before surgery or more than a few weeks after surgery?? it still takes me almost an hour to eat 2 ounces. it is highly annoying and such a waste of time. (LOL) truly, I would like to eat, get it over with and move on to the next task. from what I have read, the part of the stomach the surgeon leaves isn't as stretchy as the part they remove. hopefully that is true! do you have a follow up with your surgeon? maybe he can resolve your fears : )

The gal I know locally, started at 280 and a year later, weighed 145. She went from a size 22 to a 6/8. She has become addicted to her elliptical machine too : ) She really looks great!

yep : ) I am flying down for the big event. Will be interesting to see it from the other side. And I am anxious to see the new facility. I am also going to make sure she doesn't sneak any ice chips early! :sad0:

It seems very strange - however it is true. It really surprised me. Before surgery, I also drank Fuze Tropical. Can't get thru a whole bottle now. I have not been able to do citrus for about 5 years when my stomach got sensitive and I had my gall bladder out. I would suggest not buying too much of anything before surgery and seeing what tastes good afterwards. Also, I loved cottage cheese for the first couple of weeks after surgery - and now it isn't appetizing at all. Maybe I just had too much??

No problem with over doing the workout! LOL I still have very strict restrictions - no bending, lifting or twisting. Can't carry anything over 5-10 lbs. I have been doing physical therapy for 3 weeks and am doing better. I am just hoping I can coach next fall. For now, I am allowed to walk and do a few specific exercises from PT. How about alot of cold Water?? Drown out the burn??

have you tried a glass of milk? it often will put out fires in my stomach. bread might do it also, but carbs, etc. or how about an ice pack? sounds strange but it works : )

Were you reading my mind???? I have been feeling so good that I was just thinking that I might try to wean off my omeprazole (prilosec). I only take one per day; prior to surgery I would take two if needed, usually because I ate something spicy or citrus. Fine. I will keep taking it. Thanks for the info .... sorry you are miserable tho! :sad0:

wow! those numbers are great stoongal!! I hope I am in that percentage! I have only had my cpap for 3 weeks or so and still getting used to it. I am starting to feel better but I'm not ready to get rid of it yet. maybe in 6 months or so.

I have a can that I will bring. I also have some Special K Protein Water packets. I think they are strawberry kiwi. They are too tangy for me. I am on a huge peach kick and nothing else tastes very good. Diet Snapple Raspberry tea is about the only other thing I drink besides water, hot/iced tea or milk. All packed?????

congrats on your date and best of luck with your surgery! it will be here quickly!

As you read different threads on this site, you will see that most people are quite passionate about the surgeon they used. There are also those who are very passionately against some doctors. Read as much as you can; get reports from those who have personal experiences; and then make the decision that is best for you. I will give you a recount of my experience in a private message. I was able to talk to a gal who lived in my area who had the surgery a year ago in Mexico. She used a different doctor than I did but also had a great experience. Good Luck with you research!

I have had several EGDs and an ERCP and don't remember ever having my throat sprayed? After hearing you describe it, I don't know how I could forget it! LOL Maybe they did it after they sedated me?? If so, I should thank them! : )