gentlespirit

WOW...congratulations! That must feel awesome. I think I'd have done some damage to my credit card in celebration!!! Way to go~ Emily

I could have written Alexandra's post...I feel exactly the same way, with one small exception. I feel a lot of additional pride in myself for making the decision to take charge of my life in this area by having the surgery. I'm only a week out, but I don't expect that this will change who I am, and I've always been proud of that... Emily

I asked the same thing when I first started posting. Tizag, who is from Israel, responded that they have been doing it about 10 years there. She said that most of the people she knows who have had it that long have had to have another surgery for one reason or another. I appreciated that information but decided to have the surgery anyway...I'm guaranteed to have problems related to super MO within 10 years, too, and this ultimately seemed worth the risk to me. Emily

"If your 300 lbs or 150 lbs, walk with your head held high, smile at folks and you'll see people smiling back at you." I think Eileen is right. I read somewhere that people notice the smile more than anything, and I've always felt that no matter what my size, I meet people with a smile and they respond and remember me for that. I know I've mentioned it before, but if you get a chance to read a book called "Making It Big" by Jean DuCoffe & Sherry Cohen, it's a great book that talks about this very issue...pride in ourselves and the way we look. It's aimed at people over size 16, but the principles are the same no matter what size we are, It really helped me to become proud of myself even before I decided to have this surgery (which was more for health reasons than for appearance issues). I read it over about every six months just to remind myself. I know they have the book on half.com and often on ebay really cheap. I love it that you are proud of yourself, Megan! You should be! And the "friends" that are uncomfortable with your blossoming self are not REAL friends. Real friends rejoice with you and share your pride! There is nothing like a man you don't know flirting with you or holding the door for you and smiling--really noticing you--to boost that self esteem. Enjoy every second of it...you've earned it!!! Emily

Congratulations! I know how exciting that is! Let us know when you get your date... Emily

Angel~ That isn't little...there are no little ones! They are what keep us going, and you should be proud of yourself for it!! We're proud of you~ Emily

I agree that allopathic physicians sure don't have all the answers. Charcoal is wonderful, but be aware that it can interfere with absorbtion of any meds you are taking, too. I've kind of quit using it because of that, but if I was really miserable, I'd use it in a heartbeat. Another terrific thing is Zicam, which is homeopathic and either prevents getting a cold or cuts it down to 2-3 days of very minor symptoms. It's been a lifesaver, as I get really sick when I get a cold. You start taking it when you first notice cold symptoms and use it every 3 hours for a couple of days. It's like magic! Comes in pills to dissolve under your tongue (I couldn't stand them) and a nasal gel you squirt into your nose. Don't know about infection preventatives, tho. Let us know if you find out anything that has good success... Emily

Had to laugh when I read the ones about something in the toilet biting you...when I was first married (25 years ago) we living in the second small house on a farm. One day I came home from work and went to use the toilet and when I lifted the lid, there was a rat swimming in it!! He swam back down and disappeared, but I screamed loud enough to wake the dead. According to our landlord, there was so much corn stored on the farm that there were a lot of rats...couldn't explain how it got in the toilet, tho! We moved as soon as possible after that!!!! But I've always been glad I looked before sitting! I do still have fears about something similar happening... Emily

I had my surgery on 1/24 in Sioux Falls and was really surprised about a couple of things that happened. The surgeon was fine and everyone I met pre-op was great and very nice. But I didn't get my regular medications until I asked about them just before I was discharged after staying about 30 hours (I take a couple of antidepressants and use an inhaler for asthma). And then they were supposed to make the appointment with the docs office for a one-week followup and never did. I finally called the doc's office today and made it myself...it's a good thing I checked. The hospital is part of the Univ. of South Dakota, and I guess I expected the staff to be more on top of things than that. The followup appt. is pretty important and his schedule fills up fast. I guess I was disappointed about the follow through on the part of the hospital staff. But I should probably count my blessings because everything went fine and they were nice. Emily

Can you ask friends for a recommendation on a pcp? It's a good idea to have one anyway, and you can just tell him/her that you want to start the process. Chances are if you are significantly obese they will be willing to start with you wherever you are in the process. Emily

I was banded on 1/24 and am doing pretty well, I think, but I have a couple of questions: 1. When do these horrible gurgling noises stop? It's embarrassing...people can hear it clear across the room!! 2. Did you notice more gas pain when you drank warm liquids? I have tried both broth and sugar-free hot chocolate made with skim milk and both times it seemed like I had more pressure and discomfort than when I drank cold or room temperature things. 3. I asked the nurse about using Gas X for gas pain as I was leaving the hospital, and she sounded horrified and said oh, no, don't use that! Any idea why? I'd bought some before going in for surgery because so many of you recommended it. Guess I'll have to ask the surgeon when I go in for my one-week checkup. Thanks for any suggestions/comments! It's really comforting to know that whatever we new ones face, someone here has probably had the same thing to deal with!! Emily

What a great idea! I will definitely give it a try when I can actually eat food again...thanks for sharing! Emily

I think size and personality are completely separate facets of each of us. My best male friend is that because he looked past my size and saw my heart and mind and spirit. That usually isn't the case with big women...we're so judged on our size that people often don't see anything else. But I am who I am who I am, and I think that if anything, I'll be more outgoing once I like my "outside" better. I'll feel more free to be open with people. Emily

Sounds reasonable to me...we all do better when we have successes to feel good about. Most of us need more immediate reinforcement than we would get if we waited for 50 or 100#s. Emily

So Protein drinks are OK in the first few days? My doc said clear liquids for 48 hours then just liquids. I ordered some unjury Protein powder (choc and unflavored), so I might try that, too. Not hungry yet, but just getting ready for when I am. Right now I'm drinking Water, a little juice, and sugar-free hot choc in the evening. Emily

I had surgery at 7:30 a.m. and had to swallow something (God, it was awful, but I don't think it was barium. It was the consistency of honey and bitter, bitter...makes me want to throw up just remembering it!!) the next morning. Then they kept me until 6 p.m., but I think just because the surgeon had office hours and didn't have time to check me over and OK discharge. Emily

I just had my band done this week; after the surgery the doc told me he had found one when he got in there and just repaired it while he was in there. I'll ask him when I go back for my 1-week checkup if that increased slippage possibility. It'll be interesting to hear his viewpoint, since it sounds like opposite opinions from equally qualified experts! Emily

Patti~ Glad it went well for you! Where in Minnesota are you? I'm in the Mankato area and had my band done in Sioux Falls on Tues. Hope your recovery is smooth and pain free!! Emily

Susan~ Sounds like you are in an excellent place psychologically to ahve this surgery done. You'll do very well, I think. Thanks for a good reminder that even tho I now have my band, I still make the choices! Emily

Congratulations! Every little victory keeps us going!! Emily

I also thought all surgeons stitch the band to the stomach or the stomach a roudn the band to prevent slippage?? Emily

I had surgery on Tuesday and plan on going back the following Wednesday or Thursday if everything goes as we expect it to. I'm not feeling anything close to my normal energy level, so I may even take the rest of next week off ...depends on how I feel by then. Emily

I have been told that any type of surgery can cause hair loss...the anesthesia, I think, is what does it. And it happens a few months out, not right away. I am going to just try to keep my basic nutrition al needs covered and hope it helps. I know there's a thread about this...search for "hair loss" and you should find it. Emily

My surgeon told me to leave them uncovered after I shower. Said they heal better that way than if they are covered. I just had to cover the largest one while showering and the others were not an issue... Emily

Crystal~ At least knowing what is is/might be is the first step towards getting it treated. Hopefully you'll get some firm answers and a plan of treatment soon. And now you know that you haven't been doing the weight loss thing wrong...it's not been in your control due to whatever this is. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers...keep us updated...we care about you! Emily