serenity55

Thank you, MacMadam. I am black, and totally blind, so I won't freak out, and they're nice and smooth because I use cream on them. I just want them to be smaller than they are, or should I say, less feelable! :-) Debbie

Hi, I know there is a sticky on this forum about scars, but I can't see them. Sooo ... I'd like to know how long it took before you could no longer see, or feel your scars? I'm six weeks post op, and can definitely feel them. There is one in particular on the left where there is still a little hardness--maybe it's a keloid? (Not sure if I spelled that right.) I guess what I'm asking for is if people would be willing to share with me, verbally, your scar stages Thank you. Debbie.

Don't want to scare you, but there is a chance that your apnea could get worse without using your CPAP. Some suggestions are trying to watch Tv with it on, just to get used to the mask. There really are lots of different ones out there . Also, when you have lap band surgery, you won't be laying on your side. Just something to think about.

When I crushed them they tasted terrible. I never thought of mixing them with my Protein supplement. Now I'm six weeks out, and I can swallow pills whole again, thank goodness! Debbie!

Tutornmom, I would have done more than yelp! You should have gotten a gold star! :ohmy: My doctor said that it was easy for him to find my port, although he did have me raise my head a little, I guess it tightened my stomach. At least, I think that's what he said. I hope my next fill is as easy. Jennifer, I was really nervous, so much so that my blood pressure went up. I hope your first fill is as easy as mine was, too. Here's to nothing but easy fills for us all! Debbie

Hey Derbin247, Can you call your doctor's office on Monday and tell them about your concern? Try not to freak yourself out--sounds like something I would do. There's a good chance that everything is fine. I don't know anything about band slippage, but wouldn't it be uncomfortable? You're probably able to eat normally because you have no restriction. Maybe try putting servings on small plates--something I read here. When I start worrying about things, I try telling myself to just stop, because I don't really know what's going on. You won't either, until you see your doctor, but again, things may be just fine. Hang in there! Debbie

Hi fabulous February Bandsters! I was banded on February 10th, and have lost 34 pounds. I went for my first fill today, and it was a piece of cake. I'm pretty needle phobic, so it was a pleasant surprise for it to be so easy. Debbie.

Hi, :-) I had my first fill today. It was a piece of cake, and this, coming from someone who is extremely needle phobic. I drank Water afterward and it stayed down. And I've lost two more pounds! I was afraid that I'd gained, or that I just wouldn't lose anything, but I did. I'm happy! Debbie

Thank you, thank you! Wow! You sound like me this week at work! I took it last night and feel better today. I don't know if it's psychological or not, but whatever it is, I'll take it! Debbie

I still think you're being much too hard on yourself. You absolutely deserve credit for every pound you have taken off. I'm only four weeks post op, but I try to focus on the changes that have taken place with a 32-pound weight loss. Maybe you can do that too, because there are bound to be some differences. It doesn't matter when you lost all 81 pounds, the point is, in my opinion, that you have lost them. Good for you! Easy does it. You can do this--and we're here for you! Debbie

Hi all, I'm taking a very low dosage of Celexa, 40 milligrams. Right before I got my band, I stopped taking it, with my doctor's (not therapist) consent. Well, I tried crushing the pills, but they tasted terrible. Now, I'm a little over a month post op, and :duh!: it hit me this week, that maybe, just maybe, the reason I'm crying, feeling irritable, (hell, angry, too!) is because I should be back on the Celexa. My therapist said that I probably would need to take it for the rest of my life. I was fine until this week, probably because I was in the honeymoon phase. I'd hoped that I wouldn't have to take it anymore, but apparently, that's not the case. My question: If anyone is taking it, is it hard to swallow? Any and all experiences appreciated. (And please don't scold, I know what I did wasn't smart!). Thank you. I know there was more I wanted to ask. Maybe it will come back to me. Debbie .

Thank you. It helps knowing someone else didn't think it hurt. It feels like I have restriction sometimes, now, too. Tonight I'm pretty full, and I didn't have a large portion, so maybe I'll have some real restriction after next Thursday. Debbie

I'm going to suggest that we have the meeting during the week in which Dr. quilici's groups don't meet, and also that it be on a tuesday. I'll talk to the woman who is hosting the meetings and see if that's all right with her. I don't know about anyone else, but I'd love to have a meeting at least once a month. I could sure use that! Debbie

How was your first fill? Did it hurt? I'm a little nervous about that, because I'm terrified of needles. Some people say it's easy. I've seen posts with titles that make me feel uneasy, too. My cousin has a lap band, and she said it was "nothing." Guess I'll find out next thursday. Debbie

Yes, we can do this! shaggs, just like you, it's been up and down, and I think it's the emotional stuff that's really hard--well, that was pretty obvious, I guess, and it leads to physical actions, meaning eating. though I have been trying to be careful, as you said, and people are still telling me I'm losing, I haven't weighed myself. My first fill is next Thursday, the 19th, and I really hope I get some restriction, because I need all the help i can get. I find keeping a journal has helped a lot. But like you, I love my band in spite of everything, and would do it again in a heartbeat. Debbie

One of my coworkers said that she thinks people who have weight loss surgery simply have no will power. Another person I thought was a friend posted that I was having the lap band on another web site, and her excuse was that she was "concerned" about me. She didn't, and still doesn't want to know anything about the hows or whys, because she thinks I could just control what I eat. And the people who responded to her post said all the things we're so used to hearing: Just don't buy the stuff; try harder, people who have surgery are taking the easy way out. They haven't got a clue!

And how is everybody? Are you on mushies? Solid foods? Is the swelling gone down? How are you doing emotionally? Physically, I'm doing great. I haven't weighed myself, but my clothes feel different, in a good way. Emotionally it's been a struggle. I really know that the swelling has gone down, because it feels like I can eat much more, but I can definitely tell when I'm full, even if it is twenty minutes later. So the trick, for me, is to just eat small portions, and, as someone said, if I'm hungry an hour later, eat a little more. Mostly, though, I think it's head hunger. I want to eat the way I used to, and that's what got me in trouble in the first place. But enough about me. Let me hear from you Debbie!

Thank you, sexylips. This morning I went out to breakfast for my best friend's birthday. I read somewhere, just recently on this site, that it takes about twenty minutes for the stomach to get the message that it's full, which is why it's a good idea to eat slowly. I guess the swelling has really gone down, because I felt like I could have eaten a whole lot more, but, sure enough, about twenty minutes later, I was feeling quite content. I'm going to try to just take it one day at a time, and realize when I'm hungry and focus on something else, or allow myself a snack of some sort.

Yes, I agree; my food issues are definitely emotional. If I am being honest with myself, I know that I'm not having a physical craving. I guess I should be grateful that I'm aware of what's going on, and I really appreciate your responses, Simon and Misty. It helps when I remember that I'm not terminally unique, not the only one who is, or has, or will go through this. Sometimes I'm better than others. It's a little harder this evening. If I can just get to the point where it doesn't feel like it so all-consuming! Debbie

I went to a support meeting last night, and talked about this a little. I felt like eating today, and when I came home from work, I just went on the treadmill for 25 minutes, and I pushed myself harder than I have been. It helped because I put the energy I spent on thinking about food in to the walking, and I did fine. I also ate a little something every couple of hours--some sugarfree jello, fruit, (I don't like yogurt) and sugar free pudding. And water, water, water. One day at a time, sometimes one minute at a time, I'll get through this. It really is a roller coaster! Debbie

Thank you all. I did a little better today. I know that since I'm eating less it helps to have something more often. So I have fruit, or a protein shake, and I try to drink lots of water. Even though I'm nervous about my first fill, I'll be glad when March 19 comes. I hope it helps as much as all of you have Thanks again Debbie. .

Michelle, thank you. As always, your words give me encouragement. I guess I just have to accept the fact that I'm going to be all over the place emotionally until my first fill, and maybe even after it. March 19 can't come soon enough. I'm actually doing a little better today. bubblegum, you're so right about the hobbies. I'm a pianist, and I had the opportunity to do some recording with a friend of mine. It took my mind off things. I attend a support group meeting facilitated by a psychologist who is part of the team in my surgeon's office, and I'm getting together with some bandsters this evening. It's wonderful to know that I'm not alone, that you both understand. Debbie

Thank you, niterun. Even your kind words of encouragement make me want to cry. I'll be rooting for you on March 9th. Debbie

:unhappy: Hi all, Physically I'm fine. Emotionally? That's another story. I alternate between being irritable, and wanting to cry. I think about food all the time, the fact that I can't eat the way I used to. But the truth is, I don't really WANT the stuff I think about--huge hamburgers, tacos, and I don't think about sweets at all, which is really weird. What I'm trying to say is that I don't feel that physical craving, but there's this emotional attachment, and I'm not sure if I'm grieving, or fighting to hold on to something that can never be the same. I'm three weeks post op, and can have mushies, which is great, but I'm also afraid of gaining weight. I don't want to fail, but ... Is any of this making sense to anyone? Can someone help me? Debbie

There is an exercise program connected with the hospital where I had my surgery, and they will focus on patients who had bariatric surgery. Apparently, there is a whole team of people, which may or may not include a physical therapist, I can't remember. I'm not sure if my insurance covers it, but I'm definitely going to check it out. Debbie