Chickie

I politely as them not to talk about my weight loss with me any more. The voices in my head think they are a bit obsessed, and asked me to ask them if they had thought about getting help? Failing that, I say that my weight loss, while fantastic, is not my whole life, and I do have other things I like to talk about. And I gently steer the conversation in the other direction. And when the conversation starts with "gee you have lost so much" I say yes I have, thank you, and move the conversation on.

A bubble sounds great till you think about the pee issue. I know it's sterile and everything, but being as scared of dying of something as I am, I wouldn't ever open the bubble, and drown in my own pee within a week.

See. That's where I fall down. You can't use regular soap, or the anti bacterial stuff, so what to do? Oh, if only life was simple!!

Hi Misty! Yes, it's true,, for some people it can take a little longer to get to the sweet spot. But we all get there in the end. Good luck on the 25th!

And what about the cups you drink them from? What about the plastics, and glaze on the ceramic cups? Pfft. Drink from a natural spring from your own cupped hands, and breathe only fresh mountain air. Better safe than sorry. Right?

It could also be an issue with the band. If no proper follow up was done after the three fills, and no regular testing was done, there could be an erosion, or slippage. But it is just as likely to be a lifestyle issue too.

It's not a case of the second you swallow you feel the blockage. It can take a couple of minutes to feel it. That is why we are told to eat slowly. Depending on how well you chew your food, a small amount will go straight through the band. And if you don't chew well enough, the first few bites will get "stuck" in the part of your stomach where the band is placed.

I go by my scale, since it's the one I use most.

Not evil, but you are doing yourself a disservice. We have to be honest with our doctors. If you are really feeling like you are struggling, tell your doctor. Your doctor can only help you if you let them know how things really are going. If you said to your doc "Yes, I have lost 18lbs in 6 weeks, but over the last couple of weeks, I have found I don't stay full for any real amount of time, and I think that it might be time to try a little fill" He / She might say no, but at least you have stated your case in a factual manner. But every time I have said anything like that to *my* doctor, he has whipped out the fill needle, and told me to go lay down on the table.

Congrats Alexandra! You sound so happy with life right now. It's good to hear from someone so contented.

I sold the higher end stuff, and gave away everything else.

Just over 3lbs a week is a fantastic loss. I wouldn't be too worried if by chance you did regain a little. Some of that 19lbs would have been Water weight, and as you become better hydrated again, your weight may go up a little, or you might just get to a point where you don't lose for a little while. Or you might just keep losing like a champ! It happens. The trick is to work through the time when we gain a little back, or stop losing. It's tough at the time, but so worth it in the end. Again, congrats on the weight loss!

Hiya M! Question 1; Only if something goes drastically wrong (catastrophic slip, or erosion). The current thinking is, as long as everything is sailing along, there is no need to replace the band. It is designed to last longer than us. Question 2. Simply. No. The amount of excess skin after massive weight loss depends on a couple of factors. Age, duration of obesity, genetics, and if you smoked (smoking cuts circulation to the skin to a degree, making it less elastic) Some people get lucky, and don't need surgery. Some don't, and it becomes a health issue. It's just one of those things. You don't know which camp you are in till you are in it.

You are well within your rights to think that. Just as I am to think you are an asshole. Good day to you.

Thank you Nikki!

In my non medical opinion. You are not going to starve to death while on liquids and mushies. Eat / drink whatever you feel you need to. Don't push yourself to "get in" enough calories or Protein. It just adds stress to what is already a pretty stressful time. And who needs that? There is plenty of time to work on your nutritional needs after you get on to solid foods. Just make sure you don't get dehydrated, and it will all be fine!

Also, if you were only banded last December (Dec '06) It has been less than a year. My port "bothered" me for at least a year. We get on fine now, but for the longest time, it felt uncomfortable. I would get to goal weight then worry about the port, and replacing it if need be then.

I thought my port might be a problem too. It turned out that it wasn't at all. I can't see my port at all, and I can feel it if I go looking for it. But that's it. For what it's worth, I don't know how much thinner the low profile port is. I wonder if anyone has the stats on that?

I am sorry I didn't read the post properly the first time *blushing* Give it time. It may settle down. I hope it all goes well for you. Let us know!

Sorry, I didn't read properly. Give it time. The swelling with either go down, and you fill feel better, or it won't and you will need an unfill. Either way, stay on liquids for at least a couple of days. It always took about 3 or 4 days for any swelling to go down for me, and I kept to liquids and mushy foods during that time.

Unless being filled makes you swell, I don't think that it will get any better.

If your doctor is impressed with your weight loss, you aren't eating more than a couple of cups of food at a sitting, staying full for a couple of hours and are exercising and losing weight, I see no problem! Congrats on your weight loss!

Maybe you should consider postponing, rather than cancelling your surgery. That way you have time to think, and you don't lose your deposit.

Anyone who scrutinises your dining habits is not a very polite dinner companion anyway, and not someone I would dine with!

I got given a supply of anti-nausea tablets, and if I can't keep the tablet down (hasn't happened yet) I have an Rx for the injectable type. I was out of the hospital. So two days. At the time of surgery, I had a 7 year old. I prevented him from jumping all over me my locking him in a broom closte for the duration of my recovery. Kiddin!! (someone will think I am for real, I am sure) We explained that Mummy had had an operation and her tummy was sore. Kids take these things in better than we give them credit for. I expect, if your kid(s) are anything like mine was, you will be well looked after by your Jr nurse! My pre op diet was so long ago now, I think someone who is where you are now could give a better answer to that one. Best of luck!