leknigh

I agree with the other posters, ultimately this decisions is yours alone to make, and you are doing it for your health. It sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders about the decision, and I can relate to being frustrated when others just don't "get it". I'm sure what you're experiencing is not only jealousy, but pure concern on the behalf of some. Many people don't know a lot about this surgery, and may assume it's just as risky as gastric bypass, or something else that's more invasive. I say tell your friends when you feel it's the right time for you (when, or if, that time comes). When you do talk to them, just explain you are doing this for yourself, your health, and your children. Afterwards, I say just leave it at that. If they have real questions about procedure fine, but if they want to "bash" or minimize your choice or efforts then change the subject or ignore the response as best as you can. Your real friends will sort themselves out I'm sure... Best of luck to you!

Hello! The card is real, I was given one to put in my wallet after surgery. I believe they are a fairly new thing, as my surgeon's office just started handing them out. As for the discount...your post, and one I read yesterday, is the first time I'd heard of it. I can't imagine that's too common (at least not where i live).

Does anyone know how to do a search on here by thread title only? Is there even a way to do this? From what I can tell, it looks like the search function is picking up what people have posted and replied, within the thread. That's wonderful it can pick things up that way, but usually I don't find what I'm looking for (because the thread title has nothing to do with what I'm searching for, and there may be 13+ pages of responses so it's hard to say if what I'm searching for is even in there). **Note**Not knocking this site - I love it! :biggrin: Just wondering if there is a better way to do a subject search... Thanks all!

I am having a hard time with the search function on this site - so apologies if this is a common question! :biggrin: Lately, I have been noticing when I wake up in the morning, and after some meals, that my throat gets very dry, but I have this "drainage" in the back of my throat. It's not a lot or anything, but I can't tell if it's just allergies - or if that is what "sliming" is? Thanks for your advice!

***UPDATE*** Of everything I tried, the baby oil really did seem to work best!

Hollie - You are an amazing young woman! Of course I've never met you, but from reading some of the posts you've left for others, and this very personal thread of your own - I still can never believe it when I read your age is only 18. You are so wise and mature beyond your years, and have so many positive and intelligent things that you share with the rest of us. So THANK YOU for continuing to share, and major congrats for understanding and fighting those "demons" inside..... I think the majority of us on this site can relate in one way or another, and also learn from you. **BIG HUGS**

Hi Grsha - the constant advice I have been given, and that I read, is PROTEIN PROTEIN PROTEIN! I've purchased flavored powder to mix with milk for shakes/smoothies, and unflavored powder to mix with soups, applesauce, cottage cheese, pudding- pretty much anything else that's mushy... I konw that's not a whole lot of info., but I hope it helps!

Hello all - there's probably no one way to answer this question but I need to get it out.... Yesterday was my 2 week post-op follow-up. The nurse said everything looked good/was healing well, and that all restrictions were now lifted. I had already been doing some gardening around the house the past couple days (with the help of my husband and his mom who was visiting us), but today (since restrictions were lifted) I decided to go ahead and try to finish planting the few flowers on my own. I watered all the plants in the front and back yard, then began digging holes in the ground for the remaining three. I finished the first hole, which was a little strenous because our "soil" is very rocky and dry. I got it done, and when I bent over/squatted down to take the plant out of it's holder I felt a small "pop". It didn't hurt, but it was noticeable. It reminded me of a button snapping open. It felt like it came from the same area as my port incision, so I'm not really sure if it's the port, or possibly the internal stitches on the incision itself. Either way, I'll probably be stressed until my first fill in a couple weeks :confused2: Has anyone else experienced that feeling? And if so, in your case did the port flip? If it makes a difference, my port is located in the center of my abdomen, about 5-6 inches below my breasts.

That's wonderful - congrats to you! I was just banded August 5th. I lost about 10 lbs. during the pre-op, and then another 6 lbs. shortly after surgery, however - it seems as if I'm already gaining and losing the same 3 lbs. since then. I'm not too worried about it yet though, I know I'll probably lose more slowly than others since I have PCOS. Plus, I haven't had a fill or anything yet, and my appetite has definitely increased since the 1st week post-op.

Hi Lisa - so sorry to hear you aren't getting too many supporting/complimenting comments on your weight loss. That must be really frustrating for you. But don't let it get you too down - one day you'll be on the other side of it and actually tired of people talking about all the weight you have lost hahhahaha (Sounds crazy - but I lost about 60lbs. once before, and that's all anyone would ever talk about. It was awesome at first, but got old.....) Take care and great job/congrats to you, on your losing so far!!

Hi Health4Life, Good luck with your surgery. Dr. Curry and his staff are wonderful! I couldn't be happier so far. My shoulder pain actually did not come on until about 2-3 days post op. When it was just in my shoulder, I'd probably rate more of a 6-7 on the scale, and it was more irritating/annoying than anything. But on those occasions when it moved up into my neck (and sometimes felt like my head and jaw too) that was probably a 9. It was excrutiating. But once I took the pain meds. and used the ice pack, and/or walked around the house or yard - it would get better after some time. The best thing you can do after surgery is walk around as often as possible. I think this helps dissipate the gas/bloating, and I think it helps your incisions from getting as sore too. Just remember, everyone is different though, and you may not experience this at all. (Hopefully not!)

I'm sorry you've been having that issue for so long - the nurse said it can just come and go. And honestly, I thought it was some issue I would need to see the chiropractor for originally - until I talked to the doctor's office. I know it hurts realy bad - and the only thing I could do for it was pain meds., walking, and a cold compress over the area. The cold compress REALLY seemed to help - so if you haven't tried that one yet, give it a shot. Since you've had it for so long, trying calling your DR's office again and asking them if you should be seeing a chiropractor or something? Or if it really is still gas pains? I hope you're able to get it out of your system soon - I feel for ya!

Hi Kris - I had that HORRIBLE pain in my shoulder and side/back of neck up until a day or two ago. The only thing I found that would help some (in addition to the pain medication and alleve) is an ice pack up against my should neck. It seemed to make the pain go away some....

Hi Wishful, Sorry you are having such a difficult time with your band. Maybe I'm reading into this wrong - since I'm not there and not you, but it almost sounds like your issue may be coming more from the "hunger in your head", than the hunger in your stomach. As everyone always says, the band is only a tool to help you eat better - but you still have to do all the work, and you still have to conquer those demons in your head that tell you to "eat, eat, eat". By the vomiting coment, it almost sounds like your band could even be too tight? Otherwise, you should be able to keep down 4-5 bites if you're chewing sufficiently. I haven't had a fill yet, but I can tell you from my experience so far that I get the bloating feeling after eating (it's also in my lower stomach, like yours). Sometimes I use that to signal to my head that I am full. I also notice now that some of the swelling from surgery has gone down, that I do get hungry more frequently. I know I can eat more than I do right now - but I'm trying so hard to win the game over my mind, and not do something just because I can. I think if you really try to focus on paying attention to your mind and body, and trying to understand those signals that tell you, you are actually full - you may do better. It's hard though I know, as someone who probably overate most of my life - it's a challenge to understand when I'm full, versus when I want to stop eating. Probably something that will take quite a while to master (if I ever do master it), and I imagine most of us on here will face the same challenges. I wish you the best of luck, and if you don't find information on here that helps you, by all means speak to the doctor and/or dietician in your surgeon's office. They should be able to try to work with you to figure out what's going on.