DtDtKty

I would agree about adding some more protein. Also, are you taking vitamins?

Wow Megan...you look sassy!!! You look great and look like you are having a great time! I'm so glad you shared.

Congrats Jen! Definitely pack light. I wore the hospital gown the whole time I was there and went home in what I arrived in. Make sure you have slippers or slipper socks for walking in the halls. Best of luck to you.

Alatina....I'm glad to hear that it wasn't too bad. I have my first fill scheduled on June 22nd. I can't wait to get some restriction too.

I drink Boost High Protein when I am on the run. I like the idea of mixing it with fruit...thanks Kathy. I like shakes made from powders better than the Boost though. They taste better, have more protein, and have less calories. I found the site: www.bariatriceating.com which has lots of protein powders to choose from. You can even buy samples so you can try the flavors before buying a huge container. I like Elite's chocolate Mint flavor right now. Best of luck to you.

Thank you so much for the support. I really appreciate it. It's so nice to know I'm not alone. Zoe...I could kiss your feet...but with my appetite the last few days I'd probably eat your shoe strings...LOL. You hit the nail on the head. You know exactly how I'm feeling. It makes me feel better to know that my band is "just a flaccid little place-holder" and I am not some big loser who is screwing up this whole thing. You rock. Thanks everyone. Keep the advice and support coming. I love you guys.

Hi Mistic...Glad you have joined us. I would definitely try to see if you can be covered under your parents' insurance before considering Mexico. I was banded in Mexico and it was fine, but I would have much preferred to have been banded in the US and not have to currently be searching for follow-up care. Best of luck to you and keep researching and asking questions.

Welcome to LBT. Glad you have joined us. What an exciting time for you!! Best of luck.

I hope that someone else can relate to this. I don't know why I always seem to sabotage myself. I am on the verge of tears. I have to admit that I binged last night and again tonight for dinner. I did great the rest of the day and then couldn't seem to stop eating in the evening. It was like no matter what I put in my mouth, I couldn't get full. Of course, I was eating a mile a minute...couldn't have had something to do with it, ya think. I knew what I was doing but almost felt possessed. Afterwards, with my stomach hurting, I wanted to go and throw up so badly.(I have done that perhaps three days previously in my life) but wouldn't let myself. I want to try to remind myself how bad this feels mentally and physically. I just feel lost. I guess it's the same old crap of me trying to feed my emotions and deal with things with food. I am leaving San Diego in one week and have begun to say goodbye to all of my friends. I haven't really felt effected by it but I guess i really am. Now I just feel like a total loser and failure. Today is six weeks post-op and I feel like I am just up to my same old sh*t. I also don't feel like I can confide in my husband. I feel like he will think what I am thinking right now....that this isn't going to work for me...that I am going to gain everything back....that I am not strong enough. Has anyone else experienced this. Do you think part or a lot of my ravenous appetite is because I need a fill? Thanks for letting me vent.

Teresa, Thanks so much for sharing your life. I really enjoyed looking at the pictures...they are wonderful. The B&B looks great. Does it have a website? I am trying to think of somewhere to go for our third anniversary in October and was thinking of a place like that. You look fabulous and you look so cute with your hubby. He looks really tall like my hubby...don't you love it.

Thanks for the advice. It seems like as with many things having to do with being banded, everyone has their own take on the subject. I am now trying to decide between Flintstones and Vitamist...uggh.

Well, I am sure proud of you!!! You are doing so well. It sounds like to me that he has some issues of his own, including resenting the surgery, and was taking it out on you. Hopefully he can come to grips with his issues and give you the support you need. Keep up the good work. You go girl!!!

Wow Aileena! It sounds like you are doing great. What a trooper you are. Definitely work on the Protein. It will give you strength and energy as well as keeping your blood sugar up. Best of luck to you.

Congratulations Paula!!! Thank you so much for your words of wisdom. You are such an inspriration. I am feeling low right now and your words were just what I needed. I am going to print out your post and keep it handy for encouragement. Keep up the great work.

Krystal, I hope that today went well. Sending you nice and relaxing healing vibes. Look forward to seeing you on LBT again soon. Hugs to you.

I know it's frustrating but hang in there. I almost fell over when I had to complete my 16 page health history. Before you know it, everything will be completed and you will be banded. Hugs to you.

Congratulations to you both!

Does anyone know a doctor close to Oregon that will fill patients from Mexico? It seems that the doctor that I was planning on going to when I move to Portland next week is turning into a major control freak with more requirements than the law should allow. I would appreciate any help. Thanks.

Amitriptyline is the same as Elavil. It does work wonders. Our cat, Crombie, still occasionally has behavior problems, but overall he is much more laid back and manageable.

Hang in there Teresa. I will be interested to see how the medication goes.

Thanks for the good advice. I am already being careful about never drinking with meals. I strictly observe the rule of 30min before or after that I was told. I am relieved to know that I am not stretching my pouch and that this is normal. It is just scary to be able to eat more. I have been on solids for all of today, except the protein shake that I do every am. I will continue to experiment with more foods to see how it goes so I can gauge the my fill needing status.

I would recommend having some children's Tylenol around, either the liquid or the melt-away tablets (since you won't be able to swallow pills). I had a low grade fever for a few days post-op and the Tylenol helped keep it under control. I mainly lived on Gatorade, Jell-o, apple juice, and white grape juice for the first week after surgery. I also enjoyed Streit's chicken Consomme. It had a really good flavor and was a little thicker than regular broth. It can be found in the Kosher section of the grocery store. As far as Protein shakes go, I too use the Boost with Protein shakes when I am on the go. For the rest of my shakes (I still drink a shake every morning for breakfast) I went to www.bariatriceating.com. You can buy a sampler pack ahead of time to try things out or buy individual samples. One of my favorites is Elite's chocolate Mint. Best of luck to you.

Thanks Kathy. I didn't see the thread last night but I saw it this am. I will be ordering a bracelet or watch from Lauren's Hope. Thanks.

I posted in the sticky thread in the general section, but I don't know if anyone saw it. Since everyone eats...hehe...I thought I'd post it here. So, I hate my Vitamin. I dread taking it because it tastes so bad. I was considering Vitamist or the Source of Life liquid vitamin from Nature's Plus that Penni mentioned. Any opinions on either one?

Teresa- It sounds like a difficult situation. I am so sorry. As far as medication goes, we have a cat who is on an anti-anxiety/anti-depressant. He is on Elavil (Amitryptiline), one pill every night. It is a human medication that is commonly used in animals. You may want to ask your vet about it. He is a much calmer, cooler, and well behaved cat now. Before, anything and everything made him mad and he would spray all over the house. It was difficult to have him sedated at first, but it has made things so much better since he is one of four kitties. Hugs to you.