Creekwood

I walked in the survivor lap of the Relay For Life today. I've been cancer free for 11 years now! The last time that I walked it was in 2011. I looked at some pictures and realized I was at my heaviest (395), now I'm at 323. The pictures show a huge difference. I was 369 when I called to make my consultation and 333 on day of surgery (5/6). So obviously i didn't lose all my weight with band but i was only 26 pounds lighter when i set up my consultation. I didn't even want to wear the survivor shirt at my heaviest because it was way too tight (biggest they had 3X). In fairness today was a 4X. But, it feels good to be 72 pounds lighter than my heaviest weight. I went from 395 to 315 dieting by myself but ended up at 369 and decided to have surgery and am now at 323. This time I'm not gaining it back!!

Congrats!! Side note: women's clothing is confusing, how is that one size? They keep men's pants simple, they know we aren't smart enough to figure anything else out. Lol

I lived there for 5 years, had 2 businesses there, hate the setup, the city officials (once told the mayor and city manager that they were part of the reason that Forbes called Middletown the 10th fastest dying city in the United States during a city council meeting Lol it was priceless!). I met a lot of great people there, some I have maintained great friendships with. But, I had my share of problems there too. One city that I never care to return to

It does suck! Trust me I understand!! One thing that I did was excuse myself for a few and just leave the room (sometimes not coming back until everyone was done! Lol). When we went to my sons family gathering at his school (day 3 pre-op diet), I looked at the silent auctions while they enjoyed a 3 course meal. Sure it might have looked funny, but I couldn't handle the torture of drinking Water while everyone enjoyed their delicious meal. It's hard but you can do it!! Eventually you will be enjoying good foods too! Just in much smaller portions!!

You have got a TON of great advice from everyone on here!!! One thing I can add is STOP STOP STOP watching cooking videos of foods you miss on YouTube!!!!!! That's pure torture!!!! That's like a recovering alcohol sitting at a bar watching everyone enjoying alcohol. It's torture and could lead to using bad judgment with food!

You will do great! A positive attitude will help tremendously, and it sounds like you have one!

That's hilarious, another person bashing Middletown cool, we have the same doc! Welcome!

Yes it's normal. I was banded 5/6, my port area is still tender. It doesn't hurt anymore, but I wouldn't want to hit it on something or anything. I can bend over, get out of bed, lay on my stomach etc. with no discomfort at all. It gets better with time. Good luck and take it easy!! I went putt putting (like a dummy) day 8 or 9 and my stomach area hurt. Called the doc they said take it easy! You don't notice how much you use your ab muscles until it hurts like heck when you do!

You will do great! My first fill is at my 4 week appointment. Most docs numb the area where the access your port so you shouldn't feel a thing

I haven't had any nausea whatsoever since surgery.. But, I know that most (or at least some) people do have it. I will say that when I first started drinking Protein Shakes I had to take it very slow because they filled me up so fast. Good luck! Hopefully someone else can help

Thanks! Right back at you!!

My doctor recommended Bariatric Advantage, I'm using that (mixed berry, chewable). It's not too bad. Good luck!

Thank you so much! I appreciate it, and I wish you all of the success in the world

I hope that it starts getting easier for you Mis. I have read before how brutal recovery can be. Good luck!! You look great!

Just voted again! Hopefully getting this back into recent topics will get you more votes too!

In fact today at my appointment my nut asked me if I had tried any soft foods (I was on purée), I replied "no I'm on purée, I didn't think I was allowed" she then said "well that doesn't stop a lot of people" Lol. Cheating pre-op is one thing but man post-op I'd be afraid to just because your stomach is healing. But, apparently a lot of people do it. At least inCincinnati anyway!

Just wanted to check in. I'm 10 days post-op and feel great! No gas pain, incisions are tender but don't hurt. I lost 16 on Pre-op, 11 since surgery and 20 on my own before Pre-op. 47 in the last few months. I just had my blood pressure medicine dosage cut in half, and might even be taken off of it in the next couple weeks! My nutritionist is ecstatic with how I have done! If you are on the Pre-op or dreading it know this, you CAN do it! It's tough, but so worth it! Trust me I know it sucks! I once got snuck in the kitchen opened up a leftover pizza box and ripped off the topping to scarf them down (I justified it by saying I wasn't eating the bread aka carbs Lol), and just as I went to put them in my mouth I realized how crazy I looked sneaking pizza toppings in the middle of the night! Lol I tell you this because although I have done well I am FAR from perfect. You don't get to 369 pounds by having self control. I wanted to give up at one point of the Pre-op, day screw this this isn't for me.. I can't tell me how glad I am that I didn't!!! Good luck! If you have any questions PM me or reply. I'm rooting for every single one of us!

The Pre-op diet is tough!! The first week was very hard for me, the second week was a breeze! You can do it! I was banded 10 days ago and have lost 47 pounds since I called to set up my consultation! Recently 16 pounds on the Pre-op diet and 11 since surgery! My blood pressure medicine was cut in half today, might be off of it in 2 weeks! It's tough but it's worth it!! Hang in there!!

20 pounds!! Wow that's so great!! I'm so happy for you. Great job on the 4 mile walk!

I had the same shoulder pain. It sucks! I thought that mine went away, then out of nowhere it came back when I was eating/drinking + randomly throughout the day. My nut told me to SLOW down when eating drinking, which helped. But, it didn't take it away. I walked for 3 hours one day, next day gas was better. Walked for 2 hours the next day, gas gone for good. When I was inside my house walking I rotated my arms/shoulders and moved them all around while walking. Good luck! It sucks but it will pass!