FeliciaLevy75

Hey Yvonne, did you go to the support group last night? I had a team meeting at school, so I will have to wait until next month for the Tuesday group. Just curious how it went.

What if you are still on LPD? I get hiccups after drinking a few sips of water - not necesarily after my liquid meal. The hunger-type breastbone pain is also there sometimes.

I take NatureMade adult multivitamin (chewable, orangey, pretty good). I also love Kashi-brand GoLean shake/smoothie powder mix. Tons of protein, good fiber content, and filling. Kashi is a fabulous company, and their products are yummy!

Manatee: The opposite is also true. In a search for attention, "love" and personal connections, sex is used to try and fill the voids created by other issues obese people have. A bit like using grains of sand to fill the Grand Canyon, IMHO, but it happens. People who are overweight sometimes are less sexually active once they lose weight - think less quantity, more quality. Sex and relationships are huge ego boosters, and the most promiscuous people I know are overweight. One woman I know now dates a hell of a lot more... but sex is something that grows from her relationships, instead of the other way around.

I was also banded May 15. I took off until Wednesday (doing a few hours from home Sunday and Tuesday). I worked a half-day Wednesday and took a break before spending 4 hours in class (and giving a presentation!) that night. I worked a full day today. Aside from my port site, I have no pain or discomfort. liquids have been great and I followed the advice of my doc and moved, moved, moved, starting on Day 1... no gas issues! Getting up and down a lot is what makes the port site sore, as does a lot of driving, but normal stuff is good. I am not running marathons, I am not doing a lot of bending and stretching, but I am generally back at normal daily activities in only a week. Had my follow-up yesterday and the doc said that I was doing fine and that as long as I was comfortable, they had no recommendations for time off.

If you really want to know what people think, I am happy to share my 2 cents. If you aren't excited, if you are already looking for a way to do the minimum, if you are not willing to do everything it takes and adjust how you do things... you will fail. It's not about what a certain doctor requires, it is about what you require from yourself - including making "sacrifices" to enjoy better health, better aesthetics, and a better relationship with who you are and who you want to be. Nothing about WLS is miraculous... and you truly only get out of it what you are willing to put in. Why would you consider this if you weren't willing to put everything into it? A suggestion would be to find a therapist who specializes in WLS patients, someone who can help you understand why you started this process but seem hesitant to finish it.

My doctor has two basic rules on portion size: 1. First 3 weeks, full liquids, unlimited until satisfied for each of three meals a day. In between, unlimited clear (non-calorie) liquids like sugar free popsicles, Water, Crystal Light, etc. 2. Solid foods (whether mushies or not) - 4 oz by weight, not volume, (including any smoothies we choose instead of harder foods) at each of three meals a day. Same in-betweens as before, non-caloric things to sate your head-hunger.

This is an old thread... but is this still going on?

I am in NLV, but willing to drive to Henderson for a good group.

Well, I did it. Thursday, May 15, I was banded. The staff and other patients (bandsters and non-bandsers alike) were a lot of fun. I want to post more, and I will. I feel so badly, as I forgot the name of my ward-mate and co-bander. While we didn't talk a lot, we still had fun and I felt so much more support seeing a face that was so quickly familiar. How are you?? How are you feeling? Thank you for the smiles, the luck, and the laughter.

I hope I am that ambulatory tomorrow! I will go nuts if I can't be somewhat normal... even if I will be a bit foggy. :party: Seriously, I am in awe. How are you feeling? Welcome!

I just had to say this... Willow, you are now one of my personal heroes. :smile: Very well said, and fabulous advice!

My 2 bosses have been completely supportive. So much, in fact, that I wouldn't be on this forum or having surgery tomorrow if it weren't for them. I have let one person in my office, and one person with whom I work remotely know that I am having the band placed, and a few others know only that I am having surgery. We (those in the know) aren't hiding it, but we're not advertising it, either. If people notice (and I hope they do), then I will tell them about it. I find myself almost advertising the fact that I am having surgery, in hopes that people will ask. This is me, now, band and all, and I will tell anyone who will listen. =)

Yvonne.... My preop is tomorrow, too. I know they do group sessions; see you there? Hmmmmm =)

Live and work in North Las Vegas, but I am all over the place. I have family near Anthem/Seven Hills, so I am in that area a lot, too.

I forgot about that. My surgeon's fees include a year of follow up and fills.

I am in Las Vegas, being banded by Dr. Soong on Thursday, May 15. He came recommended by a friend of a friend. I attended his seminar last month and after some vacations, was able to finish my pre-op testing this week. I know that his center has support groups, but I was also wondering if there was anything regular here or in-person that others knew about?

Question: If this gets more serious... how long do you keep this story going? A friend of mine asked me if I was going to tell people or hide it and I said I was going to tell people. It's not about focusing on my weight, but it's a part of me from now on. It's not a communicable disease, it's a healther you. This is you and you deserve respect and support. Don't hide it; embrace it, carry it as a badge of honor, be proud of it. ps - off topic - barbie: love the ticker and the goal celebration. =) I made mine this morning, and then saw yours. Fabulous!

One thing no one has said yet, unless I completely misread something, is that maybe N prefers bigger women (what is the term? BBW?). I see conjecture over jealousy, lack of ambition, etc. Maybe it's not that deep... maybe it's just her preference? Does it make it right that she "freaked out and ended the relationship?" Should it make someone feel better? Not in my opinion. She still should have been adult enough to handle it in a mature manner. I am not trying to be difficult, just try and consider what we don't know. I just worry when we (and I mean "we" as a broad demographic - WLS patients, successful dieters, etc.) automatically say that someone is jealous or insecure about themselves because "we" are doing what we set out to do. It's a dangerous and ultimately unhealthy outlook to have to set such stringent boundary lines between "us" and "them." It makes dating and relationships even more difficult; we will always be on the defensive. I know you don't know me from Adam, and I know that I am new here. I am not trying to offend, Leena, please know that. It sounds to me that you are very open. You deserve the same and I am truly sorry it didn't work out.

A fellow thirty-something popping in to say Hi. I am almost 33 years old (less than a month away) and my banding is scheduled for May 15, 6 days away! Exciting stuff, for sure!

... and counting the days!

I have been looking into this for years and reading these forums for over a month. My weight hasn't changed in 5-6 years, no matter what I do, so I talked to a friend who's been through it, consulted the doctors, did my pre-op testing, and I am now scheduled. I will be banded on Thursday, May 15. I am almost 33 years old and doing this largely (ha ha?) on my own. My friends and boss are VERY supportive, but everyone in my immediate family - short of my fabulous little brother - is not. They are all overweight, unmotivated, and prone to justification. It's unhealthy, to say the least, and not something to which I need be a party. I am also starting a blog, which I will share here when it's ready to be shared. I have seen the friendliness here, the support, and really feel I have chosen the best community with whom to share this adventure.

My banding is next Thursday, and cash pay for my surgery in Las Vegas is $16,100. The breakdown is $8,100 for the surgeon, $1,000 for the anaesthesiologist, and $7,000 for the hospital.