auntlucy

Falcon, my answers to your questions are below: The scars do get better over time. Mine have gotten quite a bit better. The surgeon says the redness will continue to get better too. I don't think they will go away completely, but they do get better. I use Mederma cream on mine, but I didn't for several months after surgery. I wanted to make sure everything was healed very well. For pain meds, they prescribed liquid hydrocodone. Yes, I did use it for a few days. I think I even had it re-filled once. I returned to work after one week. It was pretty rough, and I worked half days for a few days when I returned. But, I probably could have benefitted from staying home a few more days. Good luck! I hope that helped.

Here are some things that have worked for me: Sugar free hard candy -- I keep some on my desk at work and in my purse. When I get a craving, it's just a few calories, and it seems to do the trick for me. My favorites are sugar free jolly ranchers and sugar free werther's . Sugar free jell-o. Sometimes I slice up a few fresh strawberries or bananas in it and/or add a little bit of cool whip light. Luigi's sugar free italian ice -- I've only been able to find it at Super Wal-mart. It has 60 calories per serving cup and it comes in a package with lemon and cherry. I love it! Weight Watcher's chocolate chip cookie dough sundae -- has more calories than the other things, but when I'm really craving something, it does the trick. Chocolate milk -- made with skim milk and NexQuick no sugar added powder. It's also a great source of protein. Crushed ice with crystal light Ultimately, we have to work hard on overcoming that emotional eating. That is the real battle for many people. If you aren't already, you might want to think about getting some good counseling to help with that.

I'm 37, and I had LB surgery in March of '08. I think I'm doing great. Even when the weight loss slows down during those dreaded plateau periods, my body is still changing with exercise. I'm almost at the 70 pound mark. I'd like to be at the 100 pound mark by my bandiversary in March. I'll have to pick up my exercise in order to do that. You have to be patient at times. Our bodies are mysterious things that we can't always understand what they are doing. You have to trust the process and stick with the program.

Way to go Tess! You must be so proud of yourself! Now, do something really special for yourself to celebrate! I'm doing a little happy dance to celebrate with you!:tt1::thumbup::thumbup::laugh:

You are not going crazy. Many, many people have these ultra sensitive emotions right after being banded. Take it a little bit at a time. Journal your feelings to get them out. Give yourself permission to feel them...it's really ok! But, if you can, give yourself a time limit to feel them. In other words, don't let them take over. Over the next few weeks, you will most likely feel better gradually. Your body has undergone a trauma with surgery, but your emotions are going through an even bigger trauma as you are making so many drastic changes. Hang in there!

When mine started falling out, I talked to the surgeon about it. Of course, he first assumed I wasn't getting enough protein. I told him I was getting between 60 and 80 g a day, and he said, "You're getting enough protein." He then said that people can lose hair when their weight loss is rapid. He basically said that my body has been under stress/shock b/c of the weight loss, and that it is not uncommon for hair loss to occur under these circumstances.

Try taking Biotin. I'm in your same boat...the good thing is that mine looks like it has slowed down and I have a lot of new growth. I do know it's really stressful though. Hang in there!

T, I think your feelings are very normal. I promise it gets better. You are going through a lot of change at once...changing how you eat and drink; recovering from surgery; dealing with various emotions. Just keep your eye on the prize. Think about the future rather than just what you are feeling today. Remind yourself that you took a very positive step for you. I know it's easier said than done, but it really does get better over time. Hang in there!

I haven't stretched my pouch, but I have heard that reflux can be caused from being too tight. Did her doctor mention that?

Welcome! I'm north of Dallas too (in McKinney). Unfortunately, I don't know of any places to get fills, but I just wanted to say "HI!"