MrsHumphreys

THANK GOD I'M NOT ALONE! The crappy part is that I don't have thick hair to begin!! I'm starting to get a little panicky at the amount of hair that I'm losing. It's so bad that my husband is complaining that he's finding hair EVERYWHERE and can't escape it. I hope it will stop soon, because I don't think I'm the type that can rock the bald look, lol.

<br /><br /><br /> MrsMustang, are you in my head? Lol, I couldn't have written this better! Every bit of what you wrote EXACTLY what I experienced! And no exageration, I thought I was having a heart attack. And for me too, I never had any issues with it again after the surgery. Hope you get everything figured out and feel better soon!

How exciting that you've decided to make this change! It's the best decision I've ever made, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I came to the decision to have the surgery entirely on my own, because for me it was as personal a matter as it gets. Only after I went in for consultation did I finally tell my husband. He definitely had mixed feelings about it, but in the end supported me completely. The rest of my family, however, was a different story. I decided that I wasn't going to tell ANYONE until I was completely ready. I told my Mom first, and she was 100% excited and supportive. Then because I told her, I had to tell Dad, and that meant I had to tell my brother, too (yeah, news travels fast in my family, lol). Neither my dad or my brother understood, and neither of them were hot on the idea that I was taking a risk having surgery for something they viewed as a "willpower issue." Those were the only people I felt obligated to tell, and that's simply because of the close-knit family we are. Above and beyond them, with the exception of a handful of close friends, I didn't tell anyone what I had chosen . Since the surgery I disclose to people here and there as it comes up. Still, it's nice that it's MY choice. Granted, my food choices might raise questions every now and then (I decline to go to sushi, or after a recent fill I drink a Protein shake instead of having the burger everyone else is having), but I can make up any excuse I can think of if I don't feel like explaining. To date (and probly until I die) I have NOOOOO desire to share this with my mother-in-law (the most judgemental person on the planet). So just take it person-by-person, and remember... you don't have to tell ANYONE if you don't want to! You can just chalk up your stupendous HOT weight loss to reduced serving sizes, eating healthier, and exercise (because isn't that truly what we do anyways?!). Good luck to you in your journey, and welcome!!

lovepolka84 - that's so funny that you posted about this, because i basically posted the same thing today a few posts before you! i loooooove it, and have been drinking 1/2 of one (240 cal) for breakfast. it is super delish in my opinion. yeah, a bit grainy, but worth it for the flavor!

ugh! i totally agree with you jacqui! some foods are completely ruined when having to chew them to a pulp (especially when they still won't "moosh" no matter how much you chew). it's like you discover all sorts of characteristics of those foods that you never knew were there... and that was not a good thing for me recently with clams. blech.

Out grocery shopping yesterday and decided to try this: Naked (brand) All Natural Fruit + Boosts Protein Juice Smoothie, Protein Zone flavor. It has 32 grams of protein in 15.2 oz, and the only ingredients are basically fruit & protein! (Apple juice, banana puree, orange juice, pinapple juice, whey & soy protein, a little coconut milk extract and the vitamin C.) I am soooo excited!!! Have any of you tried this? What did you think?! I feel like I discovered gold, since I hadn't had a protein drink I liked before.

I, too, had the hiatal hernia repair during my surgery. I was suprised to find this later that day after I was back at home! I experienced a lot more pain than I had expected and prepared for, and I think that was mostly because of the extra repair they did on the hernia. The worst was over in about 5 days for me. Hope you're feeling better!

Dakloh - I think I tend to be a little obsessive and weigh myself at home at least every other day, if not every day. But I'm trying to break myself of that and only weigh-in weekly. I find that my weight fluctuates so much, that the day-to-day is likely not as reliable? If that makes sense? Let's break the obsession, lol!

Not sure if you have one near you, or if you're a member, but Costco has a tomato soup that is AMAZING! In fact, I just had my first fill yesterday and am sipping on the soup as I type!

buggirl - From the time I started my pre-op nutrition program until now I've lost 30 lbs. It does fluctuate, but that's where I'm at for the most part.

Basimah - I completely understand where you're coming from. Awhile ago I posted about my trepidations and frustrations with the judgemental and harsh comments some people respond with. That post ended up being the best thing I could have done, because from that I found many people who ARE supportive, caring, understanding and non-judgemental. I wouldn't blame you for leaving... it left me with such a sour taste in my mouth that I considered it, too. My decision to stay was only because of the loving responses I received from my post. It made me realize I'm not really alone. Unfortunately, the jerky responses are pretty regular; even more regretable is the fact that those people make others like you (and me!) feel alone and at times sub-standard, which is WRONG. Just know that there are those of us out here that are willing to admit that we are HUMAN!! We make mistakes! That many are here today from issues that aren't simply cured with the placement of a band around our stomachs, and that healing from the inside of the mind takes time and support! If you do decide to leave, I hope you are able to find a support system elsewhere. Good luck on your journey!

How interesting to look back over the last 4 weeks! I can't believe how "ready" I was for a fill... not just mentally, but physically. I feel like I truly experienced restriction vs no-restriction, so-to-speak. In the beginning, I really felt what it was like to have "restriction" (induced from post-surgery swelling, but still restriction none-the-less). Small amounts filled me up and kept me full for long periods of time, liquids took longer to go down, hunger wasn't an ever-present issue, etc. But as time passed and the swelling went down, I definitely noticed a huge difference, especially in the last week! I went from being satiated after eating a yogurt (which used to take me all morning to eat), to having a yogurt and a Nutri-Grain bar; then a yogurt, Nutri-Grain bar, and a Soup... and so on. It's pretty much only been my willpower keeping me from eating everything in sight (and that willpower of mine has not proven to be a trustworthy adversary in the past). When I spoke with my doctor this morning, he just laughed at my frantic, ensuing panic. He said it's totally normal, and that it's my body's way of telling me I'm ready for a fill. So, now I'm 1 1/2 cc's fuller, for a total of 5 1/2 cc's (apparently I had a relatively substantial fill to begin with at surgery time). It's back to liquids for the next few days (boo! but worth it, lol). I'm excited to see if there's any difference, though also prepared for needing additional fills before I find my sweet-spot.

I am now officially convinced there IS a band in there somewhere, lol! Last night I was a complete and total fool, and decided to try to take my multi-vitamin pill. (We were told in our pre-surgery class by one doctor to NEVER try these after surgery, and by another that it was totally okay to take them and that it was unlikely they'd ever get stuck). I should have known... I just kept forgetting to go get the chewables... ugh. That's a mistake I won't make again!

I am exactly 2 weeks post-op today. I went in yesterday for my post-surgery check-up, and the doctor made an appt for me to come in in 2 weeks for my first fill. I was super excited, because I had been under the impression that you have to wait 6 weeks after surgery to have the 1st fill. I think I would die of impatience if I was told that it wouldn't even happen at 6 weeks! Ugh, that's awful, Frenchie!

txsnow - Isn't it funny to feel so relieved? With each new response to my topic, I am feeling renewed. I have truly relied on this site for support for weeks before my surgery, and especially now. Thank you all for your support and non-judgemental encouragement!