Sunwyse

You will hun, that's just over a month after you op, so all will be good.

Hey Damo, you flight out today. Am thinking of you. Good luck mate, but I don't think you'll need it.

Well, I'm 2 weeks out and I've decided to start studying for a new career. I have always been interested in alternative health, so am going to study a western herbalist course. Anyway, I've entered a competition to help me cover the costs and would really appreciate others helping me out. Winners are decided on the number of votes you get. So, if you can spare a few minutes to go and vote for me, I'd really appreciate it. If you don't want to, then I understand :eek: To vote, simply click on one of the numbers from 1-5 that appears under the picture. ING DIRECT My Dream Is... - Home

I can relate to the baby story. I was waiting in a queue while shopping and turned around to 'talk' to an 11 month old in a pram behind me. When I got to the check out, the girl (about 17) said "Oh well you won't have to wait long" when I asked her what she meant, she pointed to my stomach and said "you'll have one of your own soon". I grabbed my tummy and shook it "uh uh, its all fat". She was so embarrassed.

I get thrush almost every time, but for me its psychological. I don't 'allow' myself to be properly prepared for entry, if you get my drift. Basically, it all happens when I'm still too dry. Haven't had sex in over 2 years (yes I have a partner), and to be honest, I don't miss it at all. Have you thought about changing positions? The one you use most might be causing some kind of irritation, too much pressure to the area, whatever. Sorry I'm not more help.

lol @ green. Weight is never the cause of anything (depression, low self-esteem, etc), weight is almost always a symptom of something else going on under the surface. I second what Fanny said, seeing someone for couselling might be the best thing.

*groanz* don't tell me that. In the past, the belly has always been the thing to go last, it just never wants to leave - and now it has even more reason to stick around???

You go girl!! Love the guilt thing. They just don't realise when they nag, its like they are trying to control us and of course, when someone tries to control you, you will rebel.

Lex, first of all, the band slowly leaches Fluid out over time, which is why we have to go back every 6 months for a tiny top up. Secondly, it sounds like you have some issues there that you haven't addressed. Self sabotage is not nice. We all do it at times, but its important to start looking at the reasons why underneath everything. When you get excited about the idea of exercising but it doesn't turn into actually doing it, what's going on in your head? What sort of self talk are you giving yourself? Often its subconscious stuff going on and its the hardest to address. What else have you tried to do to help with the stress besides eat? I know you know this, but the band won't change us, we have to change ourselves. Have you thought about seeing a counsellor to try and get to the hard of these issues?

Fanny, the comments from family are nasty at times, but most of the time they are meant to be loving concern. Our parents can only parent us the way they were parented. If they were brought up with parents who showed concern and love by nagging or making humiliating comments, then they will do the same. Its only today really, that we have so much information out there to educate people on better ways to do things.

If men don't live fat women, then how do you explain all those men who will only date BBWs? Just because one man who happens to be your father doesn't like fat women, doesn't mean all men are the same! Kimmy, sorry but your mum is a bitch. I hope you give her as good as she gives you at xmas. Not in a nasty way, just a way that says you won't be taking her emotional abuse anymore - because that's what it is.

The amount of medication right for you depends on a lot of variables, your weight is one of them. Lose enough weight and it will through that balance out, meaning your medication won't be working properly. Going into a manic episode most likely means you are now having too much medication. Definitely give your doc a call. I've not been diagnosed with BP, but with SAD, which is fairly similar to BP. It just means my episodes are controlled by weather. This year was a tough one for me and I was mood swinging at one point, almost daily. I will be going to see a psyche soon, to see if I'm not BP after all.

I know. I was cooking for my partner the whole time I was on liquids. It didn't seem to bother me though. Just remember, it won't last and you are doing this for yourself. You are doing something to make a positive change in your life.

Just worked this out today. Its not a 'don't take another bite' more a 'dam woman! you took too much'. I get a stabbing pain in the centre of my chest, then it goes right under my right breast and feels like someone has stuck a knife in there. Then I basically have it for about the next hour. Fun, huh?

I pity the men you know Dr justice, or maybe you are one of them?? Sex is great, sex is good, but its not the be all and end all of existence. I think people have gotten a bit off track here. The OP asked how long to wait. If someone is waiting longer than *you* think they should, then its your problem not there's.

Catherine, you are doing well. I read on your blog 12 pounds. That's great!! I've lost just under 8 in 4 weeks, but I'm still happy because I have PCOS, so to be losing anything is a real bonus for me. You will get there.

In Australia, we don't have to do a 6 month diet, we just have to do the 2 week Optifast diet before surgery. I stuck to that for 1 week, in the second week, I had to add extra foods and even bread because I was almost passing out at work. I do a very physically demanding job. The operation went well and I now have my band. It was primed during surgery, so I came out with restriction. Its a strange feeling that I'm still learning to work with, but I can tell you this, yes the band does restrict me. If I have too much - and at times 1/2 cup is too much - I get a stabbing pain in the centre of my chest and it goes right under my right breast. I can also feel it in my back. It feels like trying to walk around with a knife stuck in me for about an hour. I'm only 11 days out but I can tell you, the band definitely is making a difference already. I don't even crave coke anymore. I used to live on the stuff! Now I can pour it out for others and I have no interest.

Once you get home you can have any thing that will fit up a straw. I kept taking the Optifast - had to make each shake in 2 stages, about 35 minutes a part. I also had gatorade, fruit juice, milk drinks and custard - lots of custard. To start with, I would add milk so it ended up pretty much like a milk drink, but a couple of days out from mushy stage, I just left it as is, sort of a transition. coffee was good too and I made my own Soups. I would cook up some veg and chicken, then stick the whole lot in the blender until baby food consistency. Then I pushed it all through a sieve and only had the liquid. I kept the pulp in the freezer and now I can have it at this stage You will do fine. Just remember to take it really slowly.

Teri, have you tried toasting the bread so its not as doughy?

Your body is giving you the signal its got enough. By forcing in more, you aren't retraining your body to know when its full (it knows it!), you are simply doing what you most likely always have done - eaten a bit more.

I'm using a product in Aus called benefibre. Its a powder and dissolves into food and drinks without any taste. I've found I need to have twice what they recommend on the label, probably because I'm having almost no fibre any other way. Its working.

Yes it was you babe! Definitely do post in the post op forum! I think its very important info we all need to have!

Are you doing liquids only for 24-48 hours after a fill or unfill? If you do go back for an unfill, ask them to take.3cc out, that will leave you .2 up from where you were before and that might be your sweet spot.

Your body isn't freaking out on you. Its reached a point where its stopping for a bit to catch its breath so to speak. Its quite normal to hit a plateau, while your body adjusts to the new weight and caloric intake. Don't stress, just keep eating as before, maybe cut the carbs *slightly* and try changing your exercise routine. Maybe go out dancing a couple of times? If you normally walk, then try riding a bike. If you normally ride, then try swimming. Its good to work out different areas and it also shakes things up a bit.

Fanny, thanks so much for the offer, I may just take you up on it!! I know it won't be forever, it just feels like it at times, especially when the band starts to give those stabbing pains that won't go away!