MammaJamma42

Congratulations! How exciting!! I can't wait to get there too!

Good luck! It'll be great!

First of all, let me say that I think you look GREAT! I would love to look like you do, BUT I can also understand your disappointment with your arms after having surgery. I think I would be disappointed too. I've always had fat arms, and I expect to have a lot of flabby skin hanging down after I lose all my weight. I'm not looking forward to the skin removal surgery, but if I decide to do it, I would fully expect to have beautiful slender and firm arms. I don't think your expectations are unrealistic at all. It sounds to me as if your doctor is being unreasonable. While you definitely don't have old lady flappy Bingo arms, it looks to me as if there is more they could remove. Just being honest. However, looking as I look now, I would probably still go sleeveless if I were you. I hope the psychologist can help you work all this out. I think that's probably the best thing to start with. We can't obsess about every little thing wrong with our bodies or we'd all go crazy. We have to learn to love and accept ourselves, flaws and all! Good luck, sweetie - I wish you all the best! Remember - you're a beautiful person, inside and out! P.S. Your boobs look amazing!!!!

I think it's only natural to start having last minute jitters. I think we all do it - I know I sure did. I was expecting way more pain when I woke up and much more difficulty post-op than I've had. I haven't regretted it for even one moment since I've done it. The only thing I regret is that I waited so dang long to have this surgery! Wish I'd done it years ago when I first heard about it then I could have been healthier so much sooner. Just follow your doctor's orders and take care of yourself and you'll do great. What everyone else has said is right on. And you're not a loser at all! I think it's extremely brave to take such a huge step to take control of the issue now. That is HUGE!!

It is, Mary! And it's only 80 calories and has 12 grams of protein!

I totally get it too! I have my favorite treat every afternoon between 3 and 4 - Dannon Light & Fit Greek Yogurt. It is like eating ice cream to me now! LOVE, love, love it!! Never loved anything so healthy so much before this surgery!

My doctor allows his patients to eat food up to two hours before the fill. Then, following the fill, it's full liquids only for at least the first 48 hours, then progress to mushies and so forth.

I definitely had that when I was on the pre-op diet! I was just so hungry a good deal of the time, I think it's nearly impossible not to get grumpy! Hang in there though - you'll make it, and it'll be worth it!

This is the first time in my life I've decided to be honest with people when they ask. I tell them, and I'm actually thrilled when they ask! I'm also being honest with my family and my husband about my weight. I've never, ever, ever, ever confided in anybody about my weight (other than my doctors - not even my husband, and I've been married for 31 years), but I've decided that was just me in a state of denial in a way, and that the only way to really face it and deal with it was by them knowing so they can help hold me accountable. It's actually quite liberating! I'm looking forward to the day when I can tell everyone that I've lost 150 pounds!

Good luck, Donna! I had my surgery almost 6 weeks ago and all is going great for me so far. I haven't regretted it even for a moment so far. I'm also doing it for health reasons, mainly to prepare for a knee replacement. I know you'll do great! Keep us posted on your surgery! Are you doing the pre-op diet right now?

Ah, good to know! I can swallow tablets! Just wasn't relishing the thought of having to taste pond scum - LOL!

Okay, I have to admit, this cracked me up. It really does sound amazing, but this one sentence is what got me: "Though it does taste like pond scum, Spirulina has some great health-boosting qualities" - LOL!! You'll have to let us know how it goes once you receive it, and how it tastes.

I'd like to know where you're getting your statistic of the 40% failure rate. I've never heard or read anything nearly that high.

I'm so happy for you, Anna!! I think you'll be happy with your decision. I'm so glad I did it! Only wish I'd done it much sooner and at a much lower weight!!

I had my first fill today - and was pleasantly surprised that it was really no big deal at all. Just felt a little pinch when the needle went in. Otherwise felt nothing at all in the band, and it was really quick! He only put in 1 cc. I had to drink a cup of water to see how it went down. I had a little gurgling, but not a problem. I'm glad he didn't put in more though, or I think it would be too much maybe. He said most people there do well working up to 4 cc's (in a 10 cc band) in about a year. He had me kind of do a crunch so he could find the port more easily, and then stuck the needle in. I was surprised at where the port is - not as close to the incision as I thought it was! I go back in a month. Good luck to everyone else on their first fills this week!

My surgery was on 7/18 and I have my first fill this afternoon at 2:30! I'm kind of excited, but also a little nervous. I've kind of learned how to manage with it like it is now, but I have had some hunger for sure. Would be nice not to be hungry, but not looking forward to liquids again! I'll let y'all know how how it goes.

Oh, and another thing my doctor's office had recommended - I took 2 tsp of milk of magnesia those first few days. She said that the pain meds can cause constipation, which also causes gas, and it must have helped because I don't think I had as much gas as some people do.

Everything Lisa said - I chewed on lots of Gas-x, sipped water, and tried to walk a lot. I didn't have gas terribly bad though, so I was lucky. I mostly sat in a recliner that first couple of days (between times of walking around the house). I will also say that popsicles were my saving grace - they were very soothing to me then!

I had to sleep in a recliner the first night. The second night, I slept in bed on my right side and held a body pillow, and did okay. It does get better pretty quickly. I think I used one of those gel ice packs on the port site too, and that helped a bunch!

I'm only 4 weeks post-op, so I'm definitely not an expert, but I gotta agree with Hazel on this one. Her logic makes sense to me. If you can afford it, and if it will make you healthier (mentally and physically), and help you maintain long-term weight loss, then go for it, and finally feel good about yourself!

That's awesome mpmtz! 36 pounds!! I had my surgery with plication on 7/19, but I'm only down about 24 pounds so far. Can't wait for my first fill on Monday!

I go for my first fill next Monday, the 19th, and I can't wait! I have started having more and more hunger and feel like I'm eating more too. Weight loss has really slowed down. This Thursday will be 4 weeks since my surgery. Ready to really get going again. I have no idea how much he will put in my band though.

I'm doing about the same, Lisa. In fact, I doubt that I'm eating a whole cup because I just can't hold that much. I also have a protein shake every morning for breakfast, and between the protein powder that I use and the protein in the milk, I get 42 grams of protein just from that. I am averaging around 70 grams of protein per day. Maybe I'm not drinking enough water. The only time I ever have a snack is mid to late afternoon when I'll have a Dannon fit-n-light greek yogurt, and that is 80 calories (and 12 grams of protein). But, the scale still isn't budging. I don't think I've even lost a pound over the last week!

Ugh!! That sounds horrible!! Hopefully you'll adjust to it soon and won't feel so miserable!

LOL!! Same here! I'll let you know!